Javascript must be enabled to use this form.

View Profile	Home Browse Faculty Facility Research Consortia Training Grants Courses Search Support About rSp Help and FAQ's Contact Us	GCC Home
Faculty Profile Last Modified Time: 12:37:53 PM Fri, 27 Mar 2020   Contact Information Richard Finnell Associated Profiles  Professor, Center for Precision Environment Health, Baylor College of Medicine   Mail Box: BCM229, Alkek Building, Room No.: Suite N1317.00    Richard.Finnell@bcm.edu     (713)798-4363    Web Link    Lab Webpage    PCR, Cell Culture, DNA, Gene Expression, Genetics, Biotechnology, Genotyping, Epigenetics, Transcriptomics, Mutation, Stem Cell Biology, Stem Cells, Stem Cell Differentiation, Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, Developmental Biology, Mutagenesis, Vitamins    Associated Profiles Professional Preparation Research and Expertise Affiliations Appointments  Professional Preparation  Degree Major Institution Year  PhD Medical Genetics Oregon Health and Science University 1980  Research and Expertise Research Interests   Research in Dr. Finnell's laboratory focuses on the interaction between specific genes and nutritional factors as they influence normal embryonic development. The laboratory is primarily engaged in understanding the beneficial effects of women taking a multivitamin containing the B vitamin folic acid. We want to know how it protects developing babies from having birth defects, and why it is not effective in some pregnancies. The laboratory participates in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study as a core laboratory, serving the needs of Texas, California and Massachusetts. In additional to performing population based human molecular epidemiology studies, the Finnell Laboratory uses the latest in gene knockout technology to eliminate the function of genes to create novel mouse models of human diseases. The goal of the work is to develop better means of identifying high-risk pregnancies and to optimize the use of nutritional factors to prevent preventable birth defects without causing unintended adverse health effects on the population at large. Enhanced capabilities for assessment of individual risk for developing spina bifida and other folate responsive birth defects would permit prevention regimens to be tailored to individuals rather than applied 'shot-gun' to populations. In broadest scope, our research efforts have implications for every reproductive-age woman worldwide. In addition, folate metabolism can exert a lasting impact on gene expression by influencing DNA methylation, making it imperative that we understand the ramifications of folic acid supplementation. Understanding the relationships between the folic acid metabolic pathway and risk genes associated with birth defects will have important relevance for a broad range of other diseases such as autism, in which folate status may play a significant role.  Publications/Creative Works Click here to search for this faculty member's publications on PubMed.  Affiliations  Training Grants Training in Precision Environmental Health Sciences (TPEHS)  Appointments Title Department / School Institution Professor Center for Precision Environmental Health (CPEH) Baylor College of Medicine

powering - The Partnership
Important Disclaimer: The responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained on these pages lies with the authors and user providing such information.