Michael Skinner

WSU researchers see popular herbicide affecting health across generations

By Eric Sorensen, WSU News PULLMAN, Wash. – First, the good news. Washington State University researchers have found that a rat exposed to a popular herbicide while in the womb developed no diseases and showed no apparent health effects aside from lower weight.

Toxic effects of mercury persists for generations

PULLMAN, Wash. – Zebrafish exposed to very low levels of methylmercury as embryos not only passed on toxic effects of the chemical exposure to their offspring, but also to the third generation, according to a study that investigated both epigenetic changes – chemical modifications to the DNA – and abnormal neuro-behavior associated with exposure.

Shifting the genetic paradigm with epigenetics

From the American Association for the Advancement of Science PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University biologist Michael Skinner isn’t one to shy away from a good fight. In fact, prominently displayed on his webpage are the words: “If you are not doing something controversial, you are not doing something important.”

Environment link may be ‘major finding’

Everyone has something that keeps them going. For Michael Skinner, director for the Center for Reproductive Biology at WSU, those things are a basic curiosity and a drive to find the answers to questions.Over the past couple of years, Skinner and his research team discovered a direct link between environmental exposures and human reproductive health. […]