Essential and Non-essential Metals

This book aims to present current state of understanding of the role of metals in human health and disease. As it will be difficult to cover all of the metals, about two scores of them, the authors will instead provide a detailed analysis of a select set of essential (Calcium, Magnesium, Selenium, Iron, copper and Zinc) and non-essential metals (Nickel, Chromium, Cadmium and Arsenic, Tungsten and Asbestos). Each chapter will have a dedicated section focusing on the binary role that some of these metals play, their carcinogenic and cancer therapeutics, by integrating epidemiological, experimental evidence with special emphasis and focus on molecular mechanisms involved in these processes. The biological analysis will also include emerging lines of evidence such as micro RNAS, kinase families, receptors, endoplasmic, mitochondrial players and epigenetics. As part of integrating the human, experimental and mechanistic data, as well as a detailed analysis into the modes of action for different cancer outcomes will be discussed in each chapter wherever deemed feasible. These approaches are ones in which no other book in this area has attempted to do.

Anu Mudipalli is a Senior Biologist, working for the US Environmental Protection agency, USA. Dr. Mudipalli obtained a Ph.D. in Human Nutrition and Biochemistry for her joint work with 'Sri Venkateswara University' and 'Indian Institute of Chemical Toxicology', India. She joined Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY in the department of 'Experimental Therapeutics', where she was a postdoctoral fellow and research associate and obtained her training in Chemical carcinogenesis and chemotherapeutics.

Her work in EPA for the past 15 years focuses on carcinogenic mechanisms of chemical carcinogens and human health risk assessment of various chemical entities for hazard identification, mode of action and quantitative risk assessment. For the past several years, she has been a standing member for EPA's internal review committees on 'Superfund' and 'Integrated Risk information system' documents for human health risk assessment. Besides, she served as EPA's expert review panel member for documents from international organizations such as UNEP(Lead and Cadmium) and OECD.

Dr. Mudipalli has authored for reputed scientific journals, edited a special edition on metals for Indian Journal of Medical Research, serves as an expert peer reviewer for more than a dozen reputed international scientific journals and presented in several National and international meetings. She is the recipient of EPA's prestigious awards such as a bronze medal and a level 1 Scientific and technological award (STAA).