Grant: Operating Grant - PA: Regional Partnership Program - Saskatchewan

Mercury is among the most potentially toxic elements to which human populations are exposed. Certain forms of mercury are highly toxic, causing severe neurological and other problems, while other forms of mercury are relatively benign. Most Canadians are exposed to mercury at some level, with major sources being dental amalgam and edible marine fish. The question of whether mercury in fish is harmful to humans, especially unborn children, has particular global significance as much of the world's population depends on fish as a primary source of protein. However, despite the potential problems and prevalence of mercury, much is still unknown about how it exerts its toxicity in humans. Furthermore, no particularly effective drugs for treatment of mercury exposure are clinically available. We will use synchrotron X-ray techniques, such as are available at the Canadian Light Source, to investigate the chemical form and microscopic distribution of mercury in biological tissues. These techniques will allow us to investigate the chemistry of how mercury is released from dental amalgams and fish, how mercury may be chemically modified in the body, and how it can influence vertebrate development. We will also continue to investigate new molecules as potential drugs to treat mercury poisoning, both by changing mercury to a less toxic form and by binding mercury strongly and effectively to remove it from the body. Such studies, which will help to clarify the risk of exposure to mercury and to develop new treatments for poisoning, should have widespread impacts in Canadian and global human health.