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Cation exchange is an important mechanism by which some minerals (e.g., zeolites) can buffer the composition of a fluid. In collaboration with Drs. Cindy Timblin and Brooke Mossman at the University of Vermont, I'm investigating how the ability of a zeolite to buffer the fluid at a cell's surface influences cellular processes. The figure shows a Northern-blot analysis of the mRNA for the protooncogene c-fos as induced in cells that ultimately develop asbestos-related tumors (mesothelial cells). (A: sham; B: 10 µg/cm^2 crocidolite; C: 10 µg/cm^2 Fe-erionite; D&E: 1&10 µg/cm^2 Na-erionite.)
