Health research, in turn, provides the basis for development of rational approaches to risk assessment and management. Internal investments and research and engineering programs supported by federal agencies and industry link capabilities in microbial, plant, and mammalian systems to applications that often complement other laboratory capabilities. The capability is characterized by its use of approaches taken from molecular biology to define responses and a focus on physiologically-based pharmacokinetic approaches. Both provide for more accurate cross-species inferences from experimental data. Unique expertise exists at PNNL in pharmacokinetics and metabolism, in carinogenesis, and in the assessment of effects from exposure to electromagnetic fields.
Intended expansion is in the areas of reproductive and developmental toxicities.
The common bridge between these areas, with cell signaling systems that are activated by neuroendocrine, paracrine, and autocrine factors, can be coupled with capabilities in toxicological screening to be applied to a broad spectrum of problems. Activities range from fundamental research on oceanographic processes that affect global climate change and contaminant transport, marine ecosystem evaluation, modeling and restoration, and specialized oceanographic instrumentation development to marine ecological studies and marine chemistry research in support of major federal environmental legislation, such as the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. Molecular science at PNNL encompasses research designed to understand the molecular level structure and function of a wide variety of molecular systems, ranging from enzymes important in bioremediation to molecules important in chemical separations to the minerals found in the soil. Molecular science research includes experimental, theoretical, and computational studies to understand and predict the consequences of molecular structure. A distinguishing feature of much of the molecular science research at PNNL is the focus on complex, multiphase systems where the important chemistry occurs and the intersection of dissimilar interfaces.