Dr Elaine Mutch
Lecturer

  • Email: elaine.mutch@ncl.ac.uk
  • Telephone: +44 (0) 191 246 4838
  • Fax: +44 (0) 191 246 4998
  • Address: Institute for Research on Environment and Sustainability
    The Devonshire Building
    Newcastle University
    NE1 7RU

Introduction

The overarching theme of Dr Elaine Mutch’s research is the investigation of man’s ability to metabolise drugs, pesticides and other environmental compounds and the way in which lifestyle and genetic make-up influences metabolic capacity and susceptibility to adverse health outcomes. A specific research interest is the role of metabolism in determining the toxic effects of organophosphate pesticides and Dr Mutch has published extensively on this topic. Dr Mutch is experienced in genotyping for polymorphisms in the drug metabolising enzymes and measuring activity levels using human tissues in vitro.


Qualifications

M.I. Biol, Institute of Biology, London (1993)
C. Biol, Institute of Biology, London (1993)
PhD, University of Newcastle upon Tyne (1998)
PgCAP, University of Newcastle upon Tyne (current)

Memberships

Institute of Biology
British Toxicology Society

Research Interests

Investigation of variability in capacity of human liver and lung to metabolise structurally diverse pesticides, other environmental compounds and drugs. To investigate the influence of genetic make-up in the enzymes believed to activate and detoxify these compounds. Assessment of the influence of functional polymorphisms of P450 isoenzymes on metabolism and toxicity.

The role of esterases in the metabolism of drugs and environmental compounds.

Validation of biochemical methods to monitor for pesticide exposure. Development of new, more specific methods to assess exposure to pesticides in man.

The use of animal models in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro to relate measures of effect (electrophysiology; enzyme inhibition at target tissues) of pesticide exposure.

Investigation of the mechanisms by which pesticides may cause DNA damage to man.

The influence of metabolism and genetics on susceptibility to the neurotoxic effects of solvents.

Soil remediation and the ability of soil contaminants, such as heavy metals, to cause DNA damage and other toxic effects.

Comparison of toxicity markers in bacterial and human cell systems.

The metabolism and protective effects of phytoestrogens.

Postgraduate Supervision

Currently:
one BSc (hons) Pharmacology project student
one MRes (Industrial Biotechnology) project student
two PhD students
Supervision of eighteen BSc (hons) (Biochemistry, Biochemistry and Genetics and Pharmacology) and three MRes (Biomolecular Sciences/Industrial Biotechnology) project students in the last ten years.

Esteem Indicators

1) invited to give an oral presentation and chair a session at “Health aspects of environmental and occupational pesticide exposure” in Germany (1998).
2) invited to give an oral presentation at the ISSX meeting in France (2003).
3) invited to co-organise and chair a session at the SETAC conference in Newcastle (2005).
4) invited to review papers for the “Society of Occupational Medicine”, “Biomarkers”, “Journal of Lipid Research” and “Occupational and Environmental Medicine”

Funding

1)The influence of metabolic capacity and genotype in development of organophosphate pesticide toxicity in man
The Colt Foundation
£20,589

2) Investigation of the Sensitivity of Esterases as Biomarkers of Organophosphate Exposure Compared to Phosphorylation
Food Standards Agency
£90,242

3) Prediction of Susceptibility to Long-term Genotoxic Effects of Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure
DEFRA - Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
£240,342

Undergraduate Teaching

PED102
PED201
PED311

Postgraduate Teaching

AES842