Norbert E. Kaminski
- Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Cell and Molecular Biology Program
- Director, Institute for Integrative Toxicology
- Director, Center for Research on Ingredient Safety
- Food Safety
- 1129 Farm Ln Room 165
- East Lansing MI 48824
- 517-353-3786
- kamins11@msu.edu
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Research being conducted in my laboratory is in the general areas of immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology and encompasses a number of extramurally funded projects. A major emphasis of all of the projects is the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms for impairment of signal transduction cascades and gene expression during lymphocyte activation by drugs and chemicals. One major research focus is to characterize the mechanism for immune modulation by cannabinoid compounds. This effort has led to the first characterization of cannabinoid receptors within the immune system. Current goals include elucidation of signal transduction events initiated through as well as independently of cannabinoid receptors, including the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPARg), leading to aberrant cytokine gene expression by T lymphocytes. A second major research focus is the characterization of the molecular mechanism responsible for altered B cell function produced by halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, including dioxins and polychlorinated biphenols. This research, which resulted in the first characterization of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AH) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator in B cells, has lead us to test the hypothesis that dioxin and dioxin-like compounds suppress antibody responses by impairing B cell differentiation in an AH receptor-dependent manner. A third area of research concerns studies aimed at characterizing the role of cytokines expression patterns in airway remodeling induced by chemical and protein respiratory allergens as well as by respiratory pathogens.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Loyola University of Chicago, B.A., 1978, Chemistry
North Carolina State University, M.S., 1981, Toxicology
North Carolina State University, Ph.D., 1985 Toxicology & Physiology
AFFILIATED WEBSITES
https://phmtox.msu.edu/people/faculty/kaminski/
https://www.canr.msu.edu/people/norbert-kaminski