This interview is with Biomarker Insights editorial board member Dr Steven R. Myers. Biomarker Insights is an open access journal published by Libertas Academica.

Editor in Chief Dr Stephen F Kingsmore has recently issued a call for papers.

What is the primary focus of your research?

Dr. Steven R. Myers, is currently Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Dr. Myers' research focuses on the development and utilization of biological markers of environmental carcinogen exposure, particularly in smokers and non-smokers. Dr. Myers' research undertakes a variety of experiments to assess exposure of human populations to both environmental tobacco smoke as well as other sources of environmental contaminants that potentially can cause developmental, gestational, and postnatal disease. The research of Dr. Myers gains insightful information as to the levels of compounds exposed to individuals, as well as the developing fetus. Through his work in dealing with fetal exposure to tobacco carcinogens during pregnancy, new revelations have been found as to the potential harmful effects of environmental as well as tobacco related carcinogens on the developing fetus! These studies are continuing in coordination with several area hospitals and work is currently investigating relationships between individual carcinogens found in tobacco with specific alterations in enzymes in the mother and in the neonate as well as both DNA and protein damage.

Other areas of investigation and Dr. Myers' laboratory includes development and application of biomarkers of exposure to environmental carcinogens in a variety of areas of the United States in conjunction with the United States Environmental Protection Agency as well as in studies carried out in the Czech Republic as well as in China, both of these areas being some the most polluted areas in the world. A new area of investigation currently under study is the application and utility of breast milk as a biomarker of exposure to a variety of carcinogens resulting from mothers smoking during pregnancy. This area of research will yield exciting new information as to the postnatal effects of tobacco carcinogens on the infant as a consequence of breast feeding. Dr. Myers has been actively involved in the field of chemical carcinogenesis for over 25 years and has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and abstracts related to his research. He has presented his research at numerous invited presentations and has given seminars throughout the world on his biomarker and carcinogen research. He is currently editor of the Journal Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds published by Taylor and Francis publishing group.

What are the most exciting developments arising from current research in your area?

Development of Biomarkers of tobacco smoke in the neonate as a result of maternal smoking during pregnancy. Correlations between maternal smoking habits and preterm labor and delivery and neonatal birth weights. In addition, we have developed assays for the detection of over 30 Polycyclic aroamtic hydrocarbons found in auto/diesel exhausts, coal-fired plants, etc and use these biomarkers as methods of source apportionment related to exposures. Recently, the application of proteomics in the field of biomarkers has allowed us to discover new protein modification caused by tobacco exposures, particularly in the neonate, which may assist in the uncovering of etiology of disease resulting from in utero smoke exposure.

Who are your main collaborators? Please describe your work with them.

Dr. Harrell E. Hurst, collaboration on mass spectrometry Dr. David Adamkin, collaboration on preterm labor and gestation as a result of smoking Dr. Paula Radmacher, collaboration of PAH biomarkers in breast milk Dr. David Hein, collaboration on genotyping

How did you come to be working in your research area?

Undergraduate degree in Chemistry, Masters in Physiology, Doctorate in Pharmacology and Toxicology, Post-doctoral work in Biochemistry at the Univ Chicago..Graduate work was in metabolism of aromatic hydrocarbons, and relationships between structure and activity with regard to cancer. Pursued biochemistry in Post-Doc, and applied biochemistry of amino acids to potential biomarkers as a result of exposure to PAHs. Found the area intriguing as compared to studying modification of DNA adducts.

What do you think about the development of open access publishing? Have you published in an open access journal? What motivated you to do so?

Yes, we have published in the past in the open access field. Excellent format to publish rapid manuscripts....Availability over the internet, wide dissemination of publications and rapidness of publication is the method of choice for researchers in the 21st century.


What articles and/or books have you published recently?

Myers, Steven R. and Ali, M. Yeakub. Haemoglobin as a biomarker for tobacco-related nitrosamines, Biomarkers 12(8): 1 – 15, 2007.

Myers, S.R., Bioalkylation of Benz(a)anthracene: Implications for Carcinogenesis, Journal of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, 27(4): 311 – 337, 2007.

Myers, S.R., Ali, M. Y., Wright, T., and Cunningham, C. Benzo(a)pyrene Metabolism: Role of Bioalkylation, Journal of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds 27(4):339 – 359, 2007.

Myers, S.R. and Ali, M. Y., Determination of Tobacco Specific Hemoglobin Adducts in Smoking Mothers and NewBorn Babies by Mass Spectrometry., Biomarker Insights 2:269–282, 2007.

Myers, S.R. and Spinnato, J.A., Tissue distribution and elimination of N -methyl- N -2,4,6-tetranitroaniline (tetryl) in rats, Archives of Toxicology, 81(12): 841-848, 2007.

Myers, S.R. and Spinnato, J.A., Metabolism, tissue distribution, and pharmacokinetics of N-methyl-N-2,4,6-tetranitroaniline (tetryl) Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 24(3): 206 -211, 2007.

Sumanasekera, W. K., Ivanova, M. M., Johnston, B. J., Dougherty, S. M., Sumanasekera, G. U., Myers, S. R., Ali, M. Y., Kizu, R., and Klinge, C. M., Rapid effects of diesel exhaust particulate extracts on intracellular signaling in human endothelial cells. Toxicology Letters, 174(1-3): 61-73, 2007.

Myers, S.R., Zamora, R., Ali, M. Y., Cunningham, C. R., Wright, T., and Weeks, J. Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Amniotic Fluid Samples from Smokers and Nonsmokers, Journal of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds 28(1): 39 – 66, 2008.

Myers, S.R., Hurst, H.E., Cunningham, C., Ali. M. Y., and Wright, T., Kinetics of Formation of (±)-anti-7, 8-dihydroxy-9α,10α-epoxy-7, 8, 9, 10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene Adducts with Mouse and Human Hemoglobin, Journal of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, Accepted for publication, January, 2008.

Myers, Steven R., Christopher R. Cunningham, Terry Wright, and Jonathan Weeks, “Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Amniotic Fluid Samples from Smokers and Nonsmokers,” Society of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, February 2 – 7, New Orleans, LA, 2004.

JW Weeks, CR Cunningham, and SR Myers, “Self-Reporting of Cigarette Consumption During Pregnancy”, Society of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, February 2 – 7, New Orleans, LA, 2004.

Joellen Lewtas, Steven Myers, Christopher Simpson, Russell Dill, David Kalman, “Development of Urinary Metabolite Biomarkers to Assess Population Exposure to 00PM2.5 from Various Combustion Sources,” PM2.5 meeting, Univ. Washington, 2004.

Christopher Cunningham, Terry Wright, Harrell Hurst, and Steven R. Myers, “Characterization of Epoxide Adducts of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Hemoglobin,” American Association for Cancer Research, Orlando, FL, 2004.

Steven R. Myers, Christopher R. Cunningham, Terry Wright, and Jonathan Weeks, “Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Amniotic Fluid Samples from Smokers and Nonsmokers.” American Association for Cancer Research, Orlando, FL, 2004.

Myers, S.R., Cunningham, C, Wright, T. and Hurst, H.E. “Kinetics of reaction of epoxide metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with human and mouse hemoglobin.” 43rd Annual Meeting, Society of Toxicology, Baltimore, MD, March 22, 2004.

Steven R. Myers, Christopher Cunningham, and Jonathan Weeks, “Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Amniotic Fluid Samples from Smokers and Nonsmokers,” State EPSCoR meeting., Feb, 2004.

Christopher Cunningham, Terry Wright, Harrell Hurst, and Steven R. Myers “Characterization of Epoxide Adducts of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Hemoglobin” State EPSCoR meeting., Feb, 2004.

Weeks, Jonathan, Myers, Steven R., “Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Amniotic Fluid Samples from Smokes and Nonsmokers,” Society of Toxicology Meeting, March 6 – 11, New Orleans, LA., 2005.

Ali, M Y., Hurst, Harrell E., and Myers, Steven R., “Characterization of Epoxide Adducts of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) with Hemoglobin (Hb)”, Society of Toxicology Meeting, March 6 – 11, New Orleans, LA., 2005.

Myers, Steven R., Cunningham, Christopher; and Wright, Terry, “Correlations of Maternal Hemoglobin (Hb) 4-Aminobiphenyl Adduct Levels with Respect to Cotinine levels and Maternal Genotypes.” Society of Toxicology Meeting, March 6 – 11, New Orleans, LA, 2005.

Cunningham, Christopher, Wright, Terry , and Myers, Steven R., “Correlation of Maternal and Fetal Hemoglobin (Hb) Addcuts in Smokers with Respect to Genotype,” Society of Toxicology Meeting, March 6 – 11, New Orleans, LA, 2005.

Wright, Terry, Cunningham, Christopher, and Myers, Steven R., “Relationship between CYP1A1 Genotype and Benzo(a)pyrene (BP) Hemoglobin (Hb) Adducts in Maternal and Fetal Blood”, Society of Toxicology Meeting, March 6 – 11, New Orleans, LA, 2005.

Myers, S.R. and Ali, Md. Y. “Characterization and kinetics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon hemoglobin adducts in mice.” The 20th International Meeting of the International Society for Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, August, Toronto, CA., 2005.

Myers, S.R. and Weeks, J. “Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels in amniotic fluid samples from smokers: correlation with smoking status”. The 20th International Meeting of the International Society for Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, August, Toronto, CA, 2005.

Myers, S.R., Cunningham, C., Wright, T., and Ali, Md. Y., “Biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure: Application of protein adducts in Toxicology.” International Meeting of the International Society for Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, August, Toronto, CA, 2005.

Zamora, R. and Myers, S.R. Amniotic Fluid Biomarkers of Tobacco Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy, Research Louisville!!, October, 2007.

Radmacher, P., Adamkin, D., Myers, S.R., and Looney, S. A Pilot Study of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Maternal and Cord Blood Plasma, Society of Perinatal Medicine Research, New Orleans, LA, February 21 – 25, 2008.

Myers, S.R., Ali, M. Y., Radmacher, P., and Adamkin, D. Nitrosoamine Hemoglobin adducts in Maternal and Fetal Blood Samples from Smokers and Nonsmokers., Society of Perinatal Medicine Research, New Orleans, LA, February 21 – 25, 2008.

Myers, S.R., Ali, M. Y., Radmacher, P., and Adamkin, D. Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Breast Milk from Smokers and NonSmokers. Society of Perinatal Medicine Research, New Orleans, LA, February 21 – 25, 2008.

119. Myers, S.R., Ali, M. Y., Radmacher, P., and Adamkin, D. Amniotic Fluid as a Biomarker of Exposure to Tobacco Carcinogens., Society of Perinatal Medicine Research, New Orleans, LA, February 21 – 25, 2008.

Myers, S.R., Ali, M. Y., Radmacher, P., and Adamkin, D. Maternal and Fetal Cytokine Concentrations in Smokers and Nonsmokers at Childbirth., Society of Perinatal Medicine Research, New Orleans, LA, February 21 – 25, 2008.