Employing (Home) Organisation: Benha University
Project title: Investigating Genotoxic Effects and DNA Repair Responses to Glyphosate–PFOS Co-Exposure in Human Liver and Kidney Cell Lines
I am a research associate in public health and epidemiology at Benha University with training in molecular epidemiology and environmental toxicology. I hold a Master in Advanced Molecular Biology from the University of Queensland and a doctorate in public health/epidemiology. My work focuses on genotoxicity assays and mixture toxicology. I am a member of ICOH, SCOT and SETAC and serve as a peer reviewer for international journals and conferences.
Summary of Project Destination
The health challenge is human exposure to chemical mixtures, specifically glyphosate and PFOS, and their combined DNA-damaging effects. My research question asks how co-exposure alters DNA damage and repair in liver and kidney cells. I will use complementary in vitro methods (comet assay, micronucleus, γ-H2AX, repair gene expression) and dose-response analysis to generate mechanistic pilot data. After the fellowship I will apply these results to inform risk assessment, publish findings, and secure follow-on funding for larger studies in Egypt.
Summary of Fellowship Plan
I will be placed at the University of Bonn with Prof. Henning Hintzsche for nine months to receive hands-on training in advanced genotoxicity assays, high-throughput data analysis, and protocol standardisation. The Host will provide laboratory access and technical supervision. On return, Benha University will support protocol transfer, student training workshops, and local validation of the methods to sustain the research and prepare joint grant applications.
Quote
“This placement will build practical skills and pilot data that directly strengthen environmental health research and public-health decision making in Egypt. ”
Proposed start date of the Fellowship is September 2026