Brad Luther Upham

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Michigan State University
National Food Safety & Toxicology Center
Assistant Professor
Michigan State University
College of Human Medicine
Pediatrics & Human Development
Assistant Professor
Professional Headshot of Brad Luther Upham

Mailing Address

243 National Food Safety & Toxicology Center
East Lansing, Michigan 48824
United States

Contact Information

Phone: (517) 884-2051
Fax: (517) 432-6340
upham@msu.edu

Expertise and Research Interests

My primary expertise is in cell biology:

Current research projects involve determining the cellular mechanisms by which nutrition, oxidative stress, and environmental & food borne contaminants affect cell proliferative, differentiation and apoptotic processes that ultimately cumulates into states of human diseases such as cancer. Studies on cellular mechanisms focus primarily on how intracellular signal transduction pathways and gap junctional intercellular communication collaboratively orchestrate the epigenetic expression of genes in rodent and human stem cell model systems.

These mechanistic based results are important in identifying molecular targets for chemoprevention, -intervention and -therapeutic strategies for the control of human diseases such as cancer. These results are also important in determining a more accurate assessment of risk of these chemicals on human health.

I also use various in vitro bioassays of cell communication to estimate the risk of epigenetic toxicity of environmental toxicants in the design of engineered environmental remediation systems.

Other Expertise

Environmental engineering, toxicology, plant biology, biochemstry, nutrition and cancer

Future Research

Recently I am developing a new research project involving an interdisciplinary team of scientist from chemistry, electrical engineering, material science, computational engineering that involves modifying diamond and diamond-like surfaces with extracellular ligands that control specific and general cell adhesion and cell development for macro, micro, and nano applications of diamonds in human medicine. Diamond appears to be an outstanding material in strength, durability and biocompatibility. Micropatterned-modifications of these surfaces with extracellular ligands will enable specific cell development for macroapplications such as bone growth on the shafts of diamond coated implants, or for the selective attachment of cells to diamond-based microdevices or the selective attachment of diamond-based nanodevices to specific cell types.

Keywords

COS Keywords:

Bioengineering, Cell Biology, Cell Culture, Environmental Health, Food Chemistry, Food Safety, Medical Disciplines Or Fields, Molecular Cellular Entities, Pediatrics, Physiological Controls and Systems, Physiological Or Development Process, Proteomics, Signal Transduction, Stem Cells, Toxicology.

Additional Terms:

Bioengineering, Cell Biology, Cell Culture, Gap Junctions, Proteomics, Signal Transduction-Cell Communication, Stem Cells, Toxicology.

Memberships

American Chemical Society
Michigan Society of Toxicology
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
Society for In-Vitro Biology
Society of Toxicology

Honors and Awards

2008-2009, President, Michigan Society of Toxicology
2007-2008, President Elect, Michigan Society of Toxicolog
1999-1999, Japan Food Hygiene Fellowship, Japanese National Institute of Health Sciences, Cellular & Molecular Toxicology Division, Biological Safety Research Center
1988, Sigma Xi Ph.D. Research Award, Sima Xi, The Scientific Research Society, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
1986, Research Award, Virginia Agricultural Chemical and Soil Fertility Association, Private Foundation

Previous Positions

1996-1998, Research Associate, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Pediatrics & Human Development
1994-1996, Research Associate, Michigan State University, Environmental Engineering
1991-1994, Instructor, Lansing Community College, Science, Chemistry
1990-1991, Research Associate, Michigan State University, Energy-Plant Research Lab
1988-1990, Research Fellow, Louisiana State University, Chemistry, Biodynamics Institute
1986-1988, Research Associate, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Appalachian Soil, Water, Conservation Research Lab

Patents

Non-fiber extract of psyllium with anti-tumorigenic effects and method for identifying the same, Patent Number: 7195789, 2007, Institution, United States of America.

Funding Received

  • National Institutes of Health (NIH): PI: High School Student Research Training Supplement on Project titled: Polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons, $5,442, 2007 to 2008.
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH): PI: Epigenetic toxicity of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, $1,210,185, 2006 to 2009.
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH): PI: Epigenetic toxicity of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, $182,320, 2005 to 2006.
  • Estee Lauder Companies, Melville, NY: PI: Electromagnetic field effects on intercellular communication, $15,000, 2001 to 2002.
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH): Co-Investigator: Epigenetic effects of pre- and post-remediated environmental toxicants on the inter- and intra-cellular communication pathways controlling gene expression, cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in human neuronal stem cells, $1,380,500, 1995 to 2006.
  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR): CoPI: The role of gap junctional communication in chemical toxicology., $376,500, 1995 to 1999.
  • National Food Safety & Toxicology Center: CoPI: An assessment of the toxicity of chemical oxidation products of aqueous contaminants by monitoring intercellular communication in mammalian cell cultures., $37,500, 1993 to 1994.

Publications

  • Umannová L, Neca J, Andrysík Z, Vondrácek J, Upham BL, Trosko JE, Hofmanová J, Kozubík A, Machala M (May 2008) Non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls induce a release of arachidonic acid in liver epithelial cells: A partial role of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 signalling., Toxicology, 247 (1), 55-60 Abstract
  • Nakamura Y, Nakayama Y, Ando H, Tanaka A, Matsuo T, Okamoto S, Upham BL, Chang CC, Trosko JE, Park EY, Sato K (May 2008) 3-Methylthiopropionic Acid Ethyl Ester, Isolated from Katsura-uri (Japanese pickling melon, Cucumis melo var. conomon), Enhanced Differentiation in Human Colon Cancer Cells., Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 56 (9), 2977-84 Abstract
  • Nakamura Y, Nakayama Y, Ando H, Tanaka A, Matsuo T, Okamoto S, Upham BL, Chang CC, Trosko JE, Park EY, Sato K (May 2008) 3-Methylthiopropionic Acid Ethyl Ester, Isolated from Katsura-uri (Japanese pickling melon, Cucumis melo var. conomon), Enhanced Differentiation in Human Colon Cancer Cells., Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 56 (9), 2977-84 Abstract
  • Upham BL, Bláha L, Babica P, Park JS, Sovadinova I, Pudrith C, Rummel AM, Weis LM, Sai K, Tithof PK, Guzvić M, Vondrácek J, Machala M, Trosko JE (Apr 2008) Tumor promoting properties of a cigarette smoke prevalent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon as indicated by the inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication via phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C., Cancer science, 99 (4), 696-705 Abstract
  • Vondrácek J, Svihálková-Sindlerová L, Pencíková K, Marvanová S, Krcmár P, Ciganek M, Neca J, Trosko JE, Upham B, Kozubík A, Machala M (Nov 2007) Concentrations of methylated naphthalenes, anthracenes, and phenanthrenes occurring in Czech river sediments and their effects on toxic events associated with carcinogenesis in rat liver cell lines., Environmental toxicology and chemistry / SETAC, 26 (11), 2308-16 Abstract
  • Tai MH, Upham BL, Olson LK, Tsao MS, Reed DN, Trosko JE (May 2007) Cigarette smoke components inhibited intercellular communication and differentiation in human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells., International journal of cancer. Journal international du cancer, 120 (9), 1855-62 Abstract
  • Upham BL, Guzvic M, Scott J, Carbone JM, Blaha L, Coe C, Li LL, Rummel AM, Trosko JE (2007) Inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase by tumor-promoting organic peroxides and protection by resveratrol., Nutrition and cancer, 57 (1), 38-47 Abstract
  • Upham, B.L., Trosko, J.E. (2006) A paradigm shift in the understanding of oxidative stress and it's implications to exposure of low-level ionizing radiation., Acta Medica Nagasakiensia, 50, 63-68
  • Trosko JE, Chang CC, Upham BL, Tai MH (Dec 2005) The role of human adult stem cells and cell-cell communication in cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy strategies., Mutation research, 591 (1-2), 187-97 Abstract
  • Caruso RL, Upham BL, Harris C, Trosko JE (Aug 2005) Biphasic lindane-induced oxidation of glutathione and inhibition of gap junctions in myometrial cells., Toxicological Sciences : an Official Journal of the Society of Toxicology, 86 (2), 417-26 Abstract
  • Loch-Caruso R, Upham BL, Harris C, Trosko JE, Divergent Roles for Glutathione in Lindane-induced Acute and Delayed-onset Inhibition of Rat Myometrial Gap Junctions., Toxicological Sciences : An Official Journal of the Society of Toxicology, 85(1), 694-702, May 2005 Abstract
  • Nakamura Y, Chang CC, Mori T, Sato K, Ohtsuki K, Upham BL, Trosko JE, Augmentation of Differentiation and Gap Junction Function By Kaempferol In Partially Differentiated Colon Cancer Cells., Carcinogenesis, 26(3), 665-71, Mar 2005 Abstract
  • Trosko JE, Upham BL, The Emperor Wears No Clothes in the Field of Carcinogen Risk Assessment: Ignored Concepts in Cancer Risk Assessment., Mutagenesis, 20(2), 81-92, Mar 2005 Abstract
  • Trosko JE, Chang CC, Upham BL, Tai MH, Low-dose Ionizing Radiation: Induction of Differential Intracellular Signaling Possibly Affecting Intercellular Communication., Radiation Environ. Biophys, 44, 3-9, 2005
  • Trosko JE, Chang CC, Tai MH, Upham BL, The Role of Human Adult Stem Cells and Cell-cell Communication in Cancer Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy Strategies., Mutation Research, 591, 187-197, 2005
  • Nakamura Y, Yoshikawa N, Hiroki I, Sato K, Ohtsuki K, Chang CC, Upham BL, Trosko JE, Beta-sitosterol From Psyllium Seed Husk (Plantago Ovata Forsk) Restores Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication in Ha-ras Transfected Rat Liver Cells., Nutrition and Cancer, 51(2), 218-25, 2005 Abstract
  • Trosko JE, Chang CC, Upham BL, Tai MH, Ignored Hallmarks of Carcinogenesis: Stem Cells and Cell-cell Communication., Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1028, 192-201, Dec 2004 Abstract
  • Nakamura Y, Trosko JE, Chang CC, Upham BL, Psyllium Extracts Decreased Neoplastic Phenotypes Induced By the Ha-Ras Oncogene Transfected Into a Rat Liver Oval Cell Line., Cancer Letters, 203(1), 13-24, Jan 2004 Abstract
  • Hilscherova K, Blankenship A, Kannan K, Nie M, Williams LL, Coady K, Upham BL, Trosko JE, Bursian S, Giesy JP, Oxidative Stress in Laboratory-incubated Double-crested Cormorant Eggs Collected From the Great Lakes., Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 45(4), 533-46, Nov 2003 Abstract
  • Machala M, Blaha L, Vondracek J, Trosko JE, Scott J, Upham BL, Inhibition of Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication By Noncoplanar Polychlorinated Biphenyls: Inhibitory Potencies and Screening For Potential Mode(s) of Action., Toxicological Sciences : An Official Journal of the Society of Toxicology, 76(1), 102-11, Nov 2003 Abstract
  • Hilscherova K, Blankenship AL, Nie M, Coady KK, Upham BL, Trosko JE, Giesy JP, Oxidative Stress in Liver and Brain of the Hatchling Chicken (Gallus Domesticus) Following in Ovo Injection With TCDD., Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Toxicology & Pharmacology : Cbp, 136(1), 29-45, Sep 2003 Abstract
  • Upham BL, Suzuki J, Chen G, Wang Y, McCabe LR, Chang CC, Krutovskikh VA, Yamasaki H, Trosko JE, Reduced Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication and Altered Biological Effects in Mouse Osteoblast and Rat Liver Oval Cell Lines Transfected With Dominant-negative Connexin 43., Molecular Carcinogenesis, 37(4), 192-201, Aug 2003 Abstract
  • Upham BL, Rummel AM, Carbone JM, Trosko JE, Ouyang Y, Crawford RB, Kaminski NE, Cannabinoids Inhibit Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication And Activate ERK in a Rat Liver Epithelial Cell Line., International Journal of Cancer. Journal International Du Cancer, 104(1), 12-8, Mar 2003 Abstract
  • Upham BL, Koski TR, Rummel AM, Wilson MR, Horvath A, Trosko JE, Differential Roles of 2, 6, and 8 Carbon Ceramides on the Modulation Of Gap Junctional Communication and Apoptosis During Carcinogenesis., Cancer Letters, 191(1), 27-34, Feb 2003 Abstract
  • Hu W, Jones PD, Upham BL, Trosko JE, Lau C, Giesy JP, Inhibition of Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication By Perfluorinated Compounds in Rat Liver and Dolphin Kidney Epithelial Cell Lines in Vitro and Sprague-Dawley Rats in Vivo., Toxicological Sciences : An Official Journal of the Society of Toxicology, 68(2), 429-36, Aug 2002 Abstract
  • Horvath A, Upham BL, Ganev V, Trosko JE, Determination of the Epigenetic Effects of Ochratoxin in a Human Kidney and a Rat Liver Epithelial Cell Line., Toxicon : Official Journal of the International Society on Toxinology, 40(3), 273-82, Mar 2002 Abstract
  • Blaha L, Kapplova P, Vondracek J, Upham B, Machala M, Inhibition of Gap-junctional Intercellular Communication By Environmentally Occurring Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons., Toxicological Sciences : An Official Journal of the Society of Toxicology, 65(1), 43-51, Jan 2002 Abstract
  • Upham BL, Wagner JG, Toxicant-induced Oxidative Stress in Cancer., Toxicological Sciences : An Official Journal of the Society of Toxicology, 64(1), 1-3, Nov 2001 Abstract
  • Masten SJ, Tian M, Upham BL, Trosko JE, Effect of Selected Pesticides and Their Ozonation By-products on Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication Using Rat Liver Epithelial Cell Lines., Chemosphere, 44(3), 457-65, Jul 2001 Abstract
  • Chen G, Upham BL, Sun W, Chang CC, Rothwell EJ, Chen KM, Yamasaki H, Trosko JE, Effect of Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Chemically Induced Differentiation of Friend Erythroleukemia Cells., Environmental Health Perspectives, 108(10), 967-72, Oct 2000 Abstract
  • Trosko JE, Chang CC, Wilson MR, Upham B, Hayashi T, Wade M, Gap Junctions and the Regulation of Cellular Functions of Stem Cells During Development and Differentiation., Methods (san Diego, Calif.), 20(2), 245-64, Feb 2000 Abstract
  • Suzuki J, Na HK, Upham BL, Chang CC, Trosko JE, Lambda-carrageenan-induced Inhibition of Gap-junctional Intercellular Communication in Rat Liver Epithelial Cells., Nutrition and Cancer, 36(1), 122-8, 2000 Abstract
  • Rummel AM, Trosko JE, Wilson MR, Upham BL, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons With Bay-like Regions Inhibited Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication and Stimulated MAPK Activity., Toxicological Sciences : An Official Journal of the Society of Toxicology, 49(2), 232-40, Jun 1999 Abstract
  • Ghoshal S, Weber WJ, Rummel AM, Trosko JE, Upham BL, The Epigenetic Toxicity of a Mixture of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons on Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication Before and After Biodegradation., Environmental Science & Technology, 33, 1044-1050, 1999
  • Trosko JE, Chang CC, Upham B, Wilson M, Epigenetic Toxicology As Toxicant-induced Changes in Intracellular Signalling Leading to Altered Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication., Toxicology Letters, 102-103, 71-8, Dec 1998 Abstract
  • Upham BL, Deocampo ND, Wurl B, Trosko JE, Inhibition of Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication By Perfluorinated Fatty Acids Is Dependent on the Chain Length of the Fluorinated Tail., International Journal of Cancer. Journal International Du Cancer, 78(4), 491-5, Nov 1998 Abstract
  • Upham BL, Weis LM, Trosko JE, Modulated Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication As a Biomarker of PAH Epigenetic Toxicity: Structure-function Relationship., Environmental Health Perspectives, 106 Suppl 4, 975-81, Aug 1998 Abstract
  • Sai K, Upham BL, Kang KS, Hasegawa R, Inoue T, Trosko JE, Inhibitory Effect of Pentachlorophenol on Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication in Rat Liver Epithelial Cells in Vitro., Cancer Letters, 130(1-2), 9-17, Aug 1998 Abstract
  • Weis LM, Rummel AM, Masten SJ, Trosko JE, Upham BL, Bay Or Baylike Regions of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Were Potent Inhibitors of Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication., Environmental Health Perspectives, 106(1), 17-22, Jan 1998 Abstract
  • Upham BL, Boddy B, Xing X, Trosko JE, Masten SJ, Non-genotoxic Effects of Selected Pesticides and Their Disinfection By-products on Gap Junction Intercellular Communication., Ozone Science & Engineering, 19, 351-369, 1997
  • Upham BL, Kang KS, Cho HY, Trosko JE, Hydrogen Peroxide Inhibits Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication In Glutathione Sufficient But Not Glutathione Deficient Cells., Carcinogenesis, 18(1), 37-42, Jan 1997 Abstract
  • Upham BL, Weis LM, Rummel AM, Masten SJ, Trosko JE, The Effects of Anthracene and Methylated Anthracenes on Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication in Rat Liver Epithelial Cells., Fundamental and Applied Toxicology : Official Journal of the Society of Toxicology., 34(2), 260-4, Dec 1996 Abstract
  • Schnabelrauch LS, Kieliszewski M, Upham BL, Alizedeh H, Lamport DT, Isolation of Pl 4.6 Extensin Peroxidase From Tomato Cell Suspension Cultures and Identification of Val-Tyr-Lys As Putative Intermolecular Cross-link Site., The Plant Journal : for Cell and Molecular Biology, 9(4), 477-89, Apr 1996 Abstract
  • Upham BL, Yao JJ, Trosko JE, Masten SJ, Determination of the Efficacy of Ozone Treatment Systems Using a Gap Junction Intercellular Communication Bioassay., Environmental Science & Technology, 29, 2923-2928, 1995
  • Upham BL, Masten SJ, Lockwood BR, Trosko JE, Nongenotoxic Effects of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Their Oxygenation By-products on the Intercellular Communication of Rat Liver Epithelial Cells., Fundamental and Applied Toxicology : Official Journal of the Society of Toxicology., 23(3), 470-5, Oct 1994 Abstract
  • Pryor WA, Arbour NC, Upham B, Church DF, The Inhibitory Effect of Extracts of Cigarette Tar on Electron Transport of Mitochondria and Submitochondrial Particles., Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 12(5), 365-72, 1992 Abstract
  • Upham BL, Jahnke LS, Foster JG, Interactions of Ascorbate and Chelated Iron in a Methylviologen-mediated Mehler Reaction., Photochemistry and Photobiology, 52, 691-699, 1990
  • Upham BL, Hatzios KK, Potential Involvement of Alkoxyl and Hydroxyl Radicals in the Peroxidative Action of Selected P-nitro Substituted Diphenyl Ethers., Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, 28, 248-256, 1987
  • Upham BL, Hatzios KK, Counteraction of Paraquat Toxicity At the Chloroplast Level., Z. Naturforsch, 42c, 824-828, 1987
  • Upham BL, Hatzios KK, Jahnke LS, Inhibition of the Photosynthetic Electron Transport By Hemolyzed Rabbit Sera. Evidence for the Potential Involvement of Parallel Electron Transport in Photosystem I Mehler Reactions., Photosynthetic Research, 12, 63-72, 1987
  • Upham BL, Hatzios KK, Diethyldithiocarbamate, a New Photosystem I Electron Donor of Mehler-type Hill Reactions., Z. Naturforsch, 41c, 861-866, 1986
  • Upham BL, Jahnke LS, Photooxidative Reactions in Chloroplast Thylakoids. Evidence for a Fenton-type Reaction Promoted By Superoxide Or Ascorbate., Photosynthetic Research, 8, 235-247, 1986

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Last Verified: 5/16/2008

COS Expertise ID #918482
Reference this profile directly: http://myprofile.cos.com/upham