• Chair, International Symposium on "Evaluation of Butadiene, Isoprene and Chloroprene Health Risks," September 12-14, 2000;
  
  

• Working Group, Use of Non-tumor Data in Cancer Risk Assessment, International Life Sciences Institute, Risk Science Institute, 1996-present;
  
  
• Scientific Steering Committee of International Association of Environmental Mutagen Societies (IAEMS), Chair, Human Studies, 2001-present;
  
  
• American Chemistry Council, Ethylene Oxide Industry Council, 2000-present;
  
  
• American Petroleum Institute: Scientific Review Panel - Benzene Shanghai Study, 2000-present.
  

The major research interests in the Genetic toxicology Laboratory are the causes and consequences of gene mutations in humans. As these events are directly related at the molecular level to the causes of cancer and inherited genetic disorders, the applications of this research have been in the areas of preventive medicine and environmental health. Dr. Albertini developed the assay for HPRT mutations arising in vivo in human T-lymphocytes over two decades ago. This assay is now the most commonly used worldwide for mutagenicity monitoring of exposed populations.

The Genetic Toxicology Laboratory has remained at the forefront in characterizing these mutations by describing molecular mutational spectra for background and environmentally induced alterations in this gene. There is now an international database for these spectra. The laboratory has been and remains involved in human monitoring with a broadening of focus to molecular epidemiological studies in general. In recent years, it has become apparent that HPRT mutations in vivo can serve as probes for fundamental cellular and mutational processes. This requires molecular analyses of the T-cell receptor (TCR) genes, as well as the HPRT mutations in mutant cells. 

1. the recognition of V(D)J mediated deletions in HPRT that mimic analogous
   
   
2. changes in cancer relevant genomic regions, an appreciation of the role of cell proliferation in mutagenesis, and
   
   
3. the discovery of clonally restricted genomic instability in normal T-cell populations. 
   

Current research is ongoing in each of these areas.  Most recently, the laboratory has adapted all methods, including molecular characterizations, to the mouse model to allow more in-depth analyses of mechanisms using controlled mutagen exposures and/or transgenic animals.  The role of selection in increasing HPRT mutant T-cell and germ cell populations in the laboratory animals is also being investigated by Dr. Albertini - the latter at the FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research.

Most recently, studies in the Genetic Toxicology Laboratory have been directed to the X-chromosomal PIG-A locus, attempting to develop a second in vivo mutagenicity assay for humans.

More general molecular epidemiological studies are being undertaken.