Dr. Arthur Penn
- Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
- A.B., Columbia University, New York, New York, U.S.A.
Research:
We study cardiovascular and respiratory system responses to air pollutant exposure, particularly to second-hand smoke and petrochemical combustion products. A recent focus has been on the relationship between in utero exposure to these pollutants and subsequent potentiation of atherosclerotic and allergic responses. We use molecular biology, microscopy (light, fluorescence, ultrastructural), analytical chemistry and immunocytochemistry techniques to investigate the mechanisms underlying the pathologic and functional responses to these environmental exposures.
Recent Publications:
Rouse RL, Murphy G, Boudreaux MJ, Paulsen DB, and Penn A. Soot nanoparticles promote biotransformation, oxidative stress, and inflammation in murine lungs. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, 39: 198-207 (2008).
Murphy G, Rouse R, Polk W, Henk W, Barker S, Boudreaux M, Floyd Z and Penn A. Combustion-derived hydrocarbons localize to lipid droplets in respiratory cells. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology,38: 532-540 (2008).
Rouse R, Boudreaux M and Penn A. In utero environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure alters gene expression in lungs of adult Balb/c mice. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115: 1757-1766 (2007).
Penn A, Rouse R, Horohov D, Paulsen D., Lomax L and Kearney, M. In utero exposure to environmental tobacco smoke potentiates adult responses to allergen in Balb/c mice. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115: 548-555 (2007).
Penn A, Murphy G, Barker S, Henk W and Penn, L. Combustion-derived ultrafine particles transport organic toxicants to target respiratory cells. Environmental Health Perspectives, 113: 956-963 (2005).
GoMRI-funded projects:
- Developmental Toxicity of Weathered Water-in-Oil Emulsions in Fish Embryos (Year One Block Grant - Louisiana State University, Role: Co-Principal Investigator)
- Dispersant Surfactants: Effect on Oil & Oil Soot Constituent Bioaccumulation and Developmental Toxicity in the Fish Embryo (Year One Block Grant - Louisiana State University, Role: Co-Principal Investigator)