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Susan H. Benoff
Dr. Benoff's research focuses on the study of male infertility and testicular cancer, with emphasis on the role that environmental exposure to heavy metals and compounds with hormone-like activity may play in the causes of these disorders.
Dr. Benoff and her collaborators have developed a new, relatively noninvasive and safe technique for testis biopsy. Her laboratory examines the following aspects of testicular tissue: histology, metal levels, gene structure, mrna and protein expression. By comparing these parameters from men with oligo/azoospermia with those in controls with normal spermatogenesis and by mimicking findings via gene transfection in animal models, she and her team are beginning to define the molecular mechanisms underlying these disease states and to identify genes responsible for resistance or susceptibility to reproductive toxicants.
Biomarkers discovered in her laboratory are being used to explore medical therapies (such as nutritional supplements like zinc and antioxidants, or angiogenic drugs) and to stratify patients for planned prospective randomized clinical trials.
Dr. Benoff is principal investigator of three National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences grants, a fourth grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and a Feinstein Institute faculty grant.
In 2006, Dr. Benoff was elected vice chair of the environment and reproduction special Interest group of the american society for reproductive medicine for 2007, and will serve as chair-elect and then chair in subsequent years. She was invited to lecture at and is a member of the organizing committee for the university of california, San Francisco?s summit on Environmental Challenges to Reproductive Health and Fertility in early 2007.
Dr. Benoff serves on the editorial boards of two scientific journals, as chair of several grant review committees, and as chair of the research committee of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.
Scientific Activities
The author of more than 60 scientific papers in international peer-reviewed journals. Ph.D thesis in 1992 on ?Molecular biology of NCAM?. Frequent referee for more than 10 different international journals. Teaching at and coordination of pre- and postgraduate courses. Member of scientific and coordinating committees of international symposia and invited lecturer at international meeting. Referee on two Ph.D theses and supervisor of junior researchers.
International Collaboration
1998-2000:
2000-2004:
2002-2005:
2002-2006: |
EU project: Uncovering the role of inhibin and activin through the development and application of new improved immuno-assays (contract nr. BMH4-CT98-9574)
EU project: Increasing incidence of human male reproductive health disorders in relation to environmental effects on growth- and sex steroid-induced alterations in programmed development (contract nr. QLK4-1999-01422)
EU project: Exposure-outcome relationships in male urogenital malformations with special reference to endocrine disrupters. (contract nr. QLRT-2001-00269)
EU project: EDEN: Endocrine disrupters: Exploring novel endpoints, exposure, low-dose- and mixture-effects in humans, aquatic wildlife and laboratory animals (contract nr. QLK4-CT-2002-00603) |
Publications (.doc)
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