Breadcrumb

Miriam C. Poirier, Ph.D.

Miriam C. Poirier, Ph.D.

  • Center for Cancer Research
  • National Cancer Institute

RESEARCH SUMMARY

Dr. Poirier pioneered antibody-based methodologies for determining chemical carcinogen-induced DNA damage in humans. Cell culture, animal models and human subjects were employed to elucidate factors associated with human cancer risk. Information on DNA adduct processing in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA was correlated with:  tumorigenesis, clinical response, toxicity, and integrity of organelles. The carcinogens of intensive investigation included:  the environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); the adjuvant chemotherapeutic drug tamoxifen (TAM); and the antiretroviral nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) used for therapy of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1).

Areas of Expertise

Chemical Carcinogenesis
Carcinogen-DNA Damage
Biomarker Dosimetry
Molecular Epidemiology
Mitochondrial Toxicology
Transplacental Exposure