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This research project aims to investigate the effects of low concentrations of combinations of estrogenic chemicals.
<p>This proposal will utilise a novel approach to conduct a mechanistically-based investigation into the effects of low concentrations of combinations of estrogenic chemicals, determining the profile of expressed proteins in human breast tumour cell lines.
<p>Protein profiling of cell lines varying in estrogen receptor status will be undertaken using SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry.
<p>Those proteins changing significantly will be identified by conventional proteomic techniques and assessed for biological relevance.
<p>This could form the basis of a new way of assessing responsiveness.
The possibility that mixtures of dietary chemicals, such as estrogenic compounds, act synergistically is a cause for concern.
<p>Such chemicals act directly, via estrogen receptors, or indirectly to modulate expression of estrogen-responsive genes.
<p>If successful this work will reveal how the proteome of the cell responds to mixtures of estrogenic compounds and to fully characterise the concentration-effect curve.
<p>Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/" target="_blank">Food Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.