Dr. Mahua Choundhury: Epigenetic Analysis

Plasticizers are compounds found in plastic that help provide them their flexibility and softness. They are found in almost any common product, such as, make-up and water bottles. The most commonly used plasticizers are phthalates and adipates. More than a million tons of phthalates are produced each year. Precautions were made to prevent the use of plasticizers in products such as children’s toy throughout the years, due to their potentially harmful effects. In a seminar given on October 9, 2015 by Dr. Mahua Choundhury, Dr. Choundhury discusses the overall effects that plasticizers can have for the body’s processes. She takes an epigenetic viewpoint when discussing the effects of plasticizers. Epigenetics are heritable changes of gene expression that does not involve the actual changing of the genetic sequences and are the product of outside, environmental influences. Choundhury focuses more on the consequence that plasticizers have in metabolic processes.
Dr. Mahua Choundhury is an assistant professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at A&M University. Dr. Choundhury first came to the topic of plastic when attempting to find out if certain diets have an effect on the body’s metabolism. The body’s metabolism provides for the growth and reproduction of an …show more content…
The production of plastic is a growing field; it provides an important contribution in the world’s industries. It is unsettling to think that this important material can cause harm in for our body and can potentially to harmful effects not yet discovered. Dr. Mahua Choundhury take on the effects of plasticizers brings in the awareness of its potential harm. Hopefully in time, the exact effects from the use of plastic will be discovered and preventions can be