Gerald A. LeBlanc

Gerald A. LeBlanc is an American biologist, toxicologist, author, and academic. He is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biological Sciences at the North Carolina State University.[1]

Gerald A. LeBlanc
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Biologist, toxicologist, author, and academic
Academic background
EducationBS in Biology
MA in Biology
PhD in Biology
Alma materUniversity of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Bridgewater State University
University of South Florida
ThesisGlutathione S-Transferases of Daphnia magna: Characterization of Structure and Function (1986)
Academic work
InstitutionsNorth Carolina State University

LeBlanc's research interests span the fields of environmental toxicology and risk assessment with a focus on investigating the processes involved in the endocrine regulation of reproduction and development, as well as how environmental agents can disrupt these processes. He is the author of the book, Everyday Chemicals: Understanding the Risks and has published over 190 articles.[1]

Education and early career

LeBlanc received his bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 1975, followed by a Master's in Biology from Bridgewater State University in 1981. Following his Bachelor's, he started his professional career as an Aquatic Toxicologist at EG&G Bionomics in Wareham, Massachusetts in 1975, a position he held for five years. Subsequently, in 1980, he was appointed as the Director of Toxicology and held that position until 1983. He then joined the University of South Florida in Tampa in 1983 as a Research Associate and received his Ph.D. in biology in 1986. From 1986 to 1989 he served as a Research Fellow in the Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School where he completed his post-doctoral training.[2]

Career

LeBlanc began his academic career in 1989 at North Carolina State University, where he became a professor of Toxicology and Environmental Health. He also served as an adjunct professor from 2012 to 2016 in the Department of Biological Sciences at Clemson University in South Carolina.[3]

Research

LeBlanc is most known for his contributions to the field of environmental health sciences, focusing his research on the effects of environmental contaminants on human and environmental health. With a particular emphasis on endocrine-disrupting compounds, his research has centered on exploring the mechanisms of action and toxicological properties of diverse environmental chemicals. In his book, Everyday Chemicals: Understanding the Risks, he has provided details into the potential health risks associated with chemicals to which people are commonly exposed and has given a nontechnical overview of the essential factors involved in assessing whether exposure to chemicals in everyday lives could cause harm.[4]

Endocrine disruption

LeBlanc's research in the field of toxicology, particularly centered on endocrine disruption, has contributed to the understanding of the impact of environmental contaminants on human[5] and wildlife health.[6] He investigated the impacts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on mammals,[7] fishes,[8] reptiles,[9] and invertebrates.[10] He identified the suite of nuclear receptors in the crustacean, Daphnia pulex,[11] and functionally characterized several of these receptors.[12] He deciphered the neuro-endocrine signaling pathway responsible for sex determination in some crustaceans,[13] including the discovery of the hormone responsible for sex determination, methyl farnesoate,[14] and its receptor protein.[15] He also demonstrated that some insecticides can mimic the action of methyl farnesoate in daphnids resulting in altered sex ratios of offspring.[16]

In 2005, LeBlanc created a mathematical model that integrated concentration addition, response addition, and toxicokinetic interactions to enable the assessment of the toxicity of chemical mixtures.[17] He demonstrated the utility of this model by assessing the joint toxicity of 9 chemicals commonly found in surface waters in the US.[18] This model has been used by regulatory agencies[19] and has been recommended by the National Research Council in the assessment of risks to endangered and threatened species from exposure to pesticide mixtures.[20]

Risk assessment

LeBlanc has conducted research in risk assessments, notably, identifying chemicals for prioritization in environmental risk assessments.[21] He suggested the integration of surrogate species and biomarkers of chronic toxicity into conventional toxicity assessments to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of environmental risk assessments.[22] In a collaborative study, he suggested that hepatic testosterone biotransformation enzymes serve as more reliable indicators of puberty compared to preputial separation, and recommended the inclusion of these enzymes in risk assessment protocols for potential xenoestrogens.[23] He assessed the risk associated with several environmental chemicals including phthalate esters in bottled drinking water[24] and tributyltin in marine organisms.[25]

Awards and honors
  • 1985 – Outstanding research, Sigma Xi
  • 1985 – Outstanding research, Florida Academy of Sciences
  • 1986 – Outstanding research, Florida Academy of Sciences
  • 1987 – Richard A. Smith Award, Harvard Medical School

Bibliography

Books
  • Everyday Chemicals: Understanding the Risks (2023) ISBN 978-0231205962

Selected articles
  • Vom Saal, F. S., Akingbemi, B. T., Belcher, S. M., Birnbaum, L. S., Crain, D. A., Eriksen, M., ... & Zoeller, R. T. (2007). Chapel Hill bisphenol A expert panel consensus statement: integration of mechanisms, effects in animals and potential to impact human health at current levels of exposure. Reproductive Toxicology, 24(2), 131–138.
  • LeBlanc G.A. (2007). Crustacean endocrine toxicology: a review. Ecotoxicology, 16, 61–81.
  • Camp A. A., Yun J., Chambers S. A., Maher H. H., LeBlanc G. A. (2020). Involvement of glutamate and serotonin transmitter systems in male sex determination in Daphnia pulex. Journal of Insect Physiology. 121: doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2020.104015.
  • Xu, X., Zhou, G., Lei, K., LeBlanc, G. A., & An, L. (2020). Phthalate esters and their potential risk in PET bottled water stored under common conditions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(1), 141.
  • Ford, A. T., & LeBlanc, G. A. (2020). Endocrine disruption in invertebrates: A survey of research progress. Environmental Science & Technology, 54(21), 13365–13369.
  • Morthorst J.E, Holbech H., De Croze N., Mattiessen P., & LeBlanc G.A. (2022). Thyroid-like hormone signaling in invertebrates and its potential role in initial screening of thyroid hormone system disrupting chemicals. Integrative Environmental Assessment & Management. 18:62-82.

References
  1. "Gerald LeBlanc". Toxicology Program.
  2. "Longtime NC State Professor LeBlanc Named Head of Biological Sciences". College of Sciences.
  3. Sengupta, Namrata (May 1, 2016). "Environmental Toxicants and Unsaturated Fatty Acids Alter Toxicant Sensitivity and Allocation of Polar Lipids in Daphnia Magna". All Dissertations.
  4. "Everyday chemicals : understanding the risks".
  5. vom Saal, Frederick S.; Akingbemi, Benson T.; Belcher, Scott M.; Birnbaum, Linda S.; Crain, D. Andrew; Eriksen, Marcus; Farabollini, Francesca; Guillette, Louis J.; Hauser, Russ; Heindel, Jerrold J.; Ho, Shuk-Mei; Hunt, Patricia A.; Iguchi, Taisen; Jobling, Susan; Kanno, Jun; Keri, Ruth A.; Knudsen, Karen E.; Laufer, Hans; LeBlanc, Gerald A.; Marcus, Michele; McLachlan, John A.; Myers, John Peterson; Nadal, Angel; Newbold, Retha R.; Olea, Nicolas; Prins, Gail S.; Richter, Catherine A.; Rubin, Beverly S.; Sonnenschein, Carlos; Soto, Ana M.; Talsness, Chris E.; Vandenbergh, John G.; Vandenberg, Laura N.; Walser-Kuntz, Debby R.; Watson, Cheryl S.; Welshons, Wade V.; Wetherill, Yelena; Zoeller, R. Thomas (August 1, 2007). "Chapel Hill bisphenol A expert panel consensus statement: Integration of mechanisms, effects in animals and potential to impact human health at current levels of exposure". Reproductive Toxicology. 24 (2): 131–138. doi:10.1016/j.reprotox.2007.07.005. hdl:10481/24820. PMC 2967230. PMID 17768031.
  6. LeBlanc, Gerald A. (May 22, 2010). Endocrine Toxicology. CRC Press. doi:10.3109/9781420093100-14.
  7. Wilson, Vickie S.; LeBlanc, Gerald A. (January 1, 1998). "Endosulfan Elevates Testosterone Biotransformation and Clearance in CD-1 Mice". Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 148 (1): 158–168. doi:10.1006/taap.1997.8319. PMID 9465275 – via ScienceDirect.
  8. Parks, Louise G.; Cheek, Ann O.; Denslow, Nancy D.; Heppell, Scott A.; McLachlan, John A.; LeBlanc, Gerald A.; Sullivan, Craig V. (June 1, 1999). "Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) vitellogenin: purification, characterization and quantitative immunoassay for the detection of estrogenic compounds". Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Endocrinology. 123 (2): 113–125. doi:10.1016/S0742-8413(99)00010-9. PMID 10442820 – via ScienceDirect.
  9. Gunderson, M. P.; LeBlanc, G. A.; Guillette, L. J. (December 22, 2001). "Alterations in sexually dimorphic biotransformation of testosterone in juvenile American alligators (alligator mississippiensis) from contaminated lakes". Environmental Health Perspectives. 109 (12): 1257–1264. doi:10.1289/ehp.011091257. PMC 1240508. PMID 11748033.
  10. Wang, Helen Ying; Olmstead, Allen W.; Li, Hong; LeBlanc, Gerald A. (September 10, 2005). "The screening of chemicals for juvenoid-related endocrine activity using the water flea Daphnia magna". Aquatic Toxicology. 74 (3): 193–204. doi:10.1016/j.aquatox.2005.05.010. PMID 16046008 – via ScienceDirect.
  11. Susanne, Thomson; William, Baldwin; Ying, Wang; Gwijun, Kwon; Gerald, LeBlanc (May 22, 2009). "Annotation, phylogenetics, and expression of the nuclear receptors in Daphnia pulex" – via agris.fao.org.
  12. Hannas, Bethany R.; Wang, Ying H.; Baldwin, William S.; Li, Yangchun; Wallace, Andrew D.; LeBlanc, Gerald A. (June 1, 2010). "Interactions of the crustacean nuclear receptors HR3 and E75 in the regulation of gene transcription". General and Comparative Endocrinology. 167 (2): 268–278. doi:10.1016/j.ygcen.2010.03.025. PMC 2873136. PMID 20346363.
  13. Camp, Allison A.; Yun, Jeonga; Chambers, Samantha A.; Haeba, Maher H.; LeBlanc, Gerald A. (February 1, 2020). "Involvement of glutamate and serotonin transmitter systems in male sex determination in Daphnia pulex". Journal of Insect Physiology. 121: 104015. doi:10.1016/j.jinsphys.2020.104015. PMC 7098118. PMID 31930975. S2CID 210195862 – via ScienceDirect.
  14. Olmstead, Allen W.; Leblanc, Gerald A. (December 1, 2002). "Juvenoid hormone methyl farnesoate is a sex determinant in the crustaceanDaphnia magna". Journal of Experimental Zoology. 293 (7): 736–739. doi:10.1002/jez.10162. PMID 12410602 – via CrossRef.
  15. LeBlanc, Gerald A.; Wang, Ying H.; Holmes, Charisse N.; Kwon, Gwijun; Medlock, Elizabeth K. (April 17, 2013). "A Transgenerational Endocrine Signaling Pathway in Crustacea". PLOS ONE. 8 (4): e61715. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...861715L. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0061715. PMC 3629115. PMID 23613913.
  16. Medlock Kakaley, Elizabeth K.; Eytcheson, Stephanie A.; LeBlanc, Gerald A. (August 15, 2017). "Ligand-Mediated Receptor Assembly as an End Point for High-Throughput Chemical Toxicity Screening". Environmental Science & Technology. 51 (16): 9327–9333. Bibcode:2017EnST...51.9327M. doi:10.1021/acs.est.7b02882. PMC 5831241. PMID 28708939.
  17. "An Integrated Addition and Interaction Model for Assessing Toxicity of Chemical Mixtures".
  18. Olmstead, Allen W.; LeBlanc, Gerald A. (May 22, 2005). "Toxicity Assessment of Environmentally Relevant Pollutant Mixtures Using a Heuristic Model". Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. 1 (2): 114. doi:10.1897/IEAM_2004-005R.1. S2CID 45495510 – via CrossRef.
  19. Flippin, J. L.; Hedge, J. M.; DeVito, M. J.; LeBlanc, G. A.; Crofton, K. M. (September 22, 2009). "Predictive Modeling of a Mixture of Thyroid Hormone Disrupting Chemicals That Affect Production and Clearance of Thyroxine". International Journal of Toxicology. 28 (5): 368–381. doi:10.1177/1091581809341883. PMID 19815844. S2CID 206688219 – via CrossRef.
  20. "Assessing risks to endangered and threatened species from pesticides".
  21. LeBlanc, Gerald A. (September 1, 2016). "Retrospective: Acute Toxicity of Priority Pollutants". Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 97 (3): 301–302. doi:10.1007/s00128-016-1859-7. PMID 27334097. S2CID 206881731 – via Springer Link.
  22. LeBlanc, G A; Bain, L J (February 22, 1997). "Chronic toxicity of environmental contaminants: sentinels and biomarkers". Environmental Health Perspectives. 105 (suppl 1): 65–80. doi:10.1289/ehp.97105s165. PMC 1470223. PMID 9114278.
  23. "Neonatal Low- and High-Dose Exposure to Estradiol Benzoate in the Male Rat: I. Effects on the Prostate Gland".
  24. Xu, Xiangqin; Zhou, Gang; Lei, Kun; LeBlanc, Gerald A.; An, Lihui (January 22, 2020). "Phthalate Esters and Their Potential Risk in PET Bottled Water Stored under Common Conditions". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 17 (1): 141. doi:10.3390/ijerph17010141. PMID 31878152.
  25. You, Jia; Gao, Jun-min; Fu, Ping-ting; LeBlanc, Gerald A.; Guo, Jin-song; Zhang, Li-xia; Li, Mao-qiu (November 1, 2022). "Organotins in a food web from the Three Gorges Reservoir, China: Trophic enrichment and potential health risk". Science of the Total Environment. 845: 157276. Bibcode:2022ScTEn.845o7276Y. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157276. PMID 35835194. S2CID 250464518 – via ScienceDirect.
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