Survey of how environmental toxins activate the androgen/estrogen receptors
Official title: Surveying type I nuclear receptor activation by environmental toxins
Funded at Ohio University Athens · NIH-11454899 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small NIH grant will test how environmental chemicals like arsenic compounds and nanoplastics can trigger type I nuclear receptors (like androgen and estrogen receptors) using a new fluorescence assay.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio University Athens NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | August 7, 2026 |
| Project end | August 6, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $404,163 |
| NIH project number | 1R21ES038311-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11454899 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a patient-involving study; no direct patient participation is described.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation or immediate clinical benefits expected from this basic lab study.
What this research studies
This project uses a simple fluorescence-based test to see how environmental toxins interact with type I nuclear receptors. Researchers will focus on receptors such as AR and ER and their hormone-like activation. The work aims to map which chemicals may turn these receptors on or off, potentially linking exposures to health effects. The study is performed in a controlled lab setting to understand the mechanism of receptor activation. Results could inform risk assessment and future studies in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help identify environmental exposures that disrupt hormonal signaling and guide public health protections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that receptor activation by environmental chemicals can alter hormone signaling; this project extends a validated fluorescence-based approach to monitor activation.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio University Athens
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holub, Justin Matthew — Ohio University Athens
- Study coordinator: Holub, Justin Matthew
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.