Surface characteristics
of minerals ultimately control many of the interactions between
minerals, fluids, and (in all likelihood) cells. Several recent
studies have shown that cells and/or components of biological
systems can probe a mineral's surface at the molecular level. The
figure shows an alveolar macrophage that has migrated to the edge
of a biotite flake. I'm investigating whether cells can be used
as scouts to identify biologically active parts of mineral
surfaces. In this instance, we will be determining if sites of
high redox activity on the mineral surface can induce an
oxidative stress in the cell. (Oxidative stress is believed to be
an important mechanism of asbestos-induced disease.)
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Surface characteristics
of minerals ultimately control many of the interactions between
minerals, fluids, and (in all likelihood) cells. Several recent
studies have shown that cells and/or components of biological
systems can probe a mineral's surface at the molecular level. The
figure shows an alveolar macrophage that has migrated to the edge
of a biotite flake. I'm investigating whether cells can be used
as scouts to identify biologically active parts of mineral
surfaces. In this instance, we will be determining if sites of
high redox activity on the mineral surface can induce an
oxidative stress in the cell. (Oxidative stress is believed to be
an important mechanism of asbestos-induced disease.)