Dionne Arthur (PhD Student)
University of Queensland

Project Title
A New Approach for the Assessment of Biological Effects Induced by Oxidative Stress

Biography
Dionne completed her Bachelor of Science at the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She completed her Honors at the same University in Cell and Molecular Bioscience. Dionne is currently enrolled as a PhD student at the University of Queensland in which her project is part of a larger one funded by CRC-CARE.

Start Date
January 2007

Project Details
Biomarkers reflect changes in biological systems that are related to exposure, or effects of toxins. The most intuitive need for a biomarker is to help diagnose disease. The ideal biomarker would be one that detects stress at an early stage before damage/disease occurs.

Bilirubin oxidative metabolites (BOMs) have been reported to be elevated in urine and plasma of rats and humans under stress. Exposure to environmental contaminants has been implicated in the development of stress. This project aims to establish a relationship between the concentrations of BOMs found in urine and plasma with the exposure of environmental contaminants. This will be performed in a mouse model with the idea that these BOMs can be used as biomarkers to assess the early response to stress in mammals. Monitoring toxicity of these contaminants will provide a realistic approach towards risk assessment with regards to the health of animals, both aquatic and land-dwelling. The project outcomes will also provide information that will establish a platform for the development of a commercial diagnostic kit to detect urinary and plasma BOMs.