Robert L. Brent, M.D., Ph.D.

Head, Clinical and Environmental Teratology Research Lab
A.I. duPont Hospital for Children
Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, Radiology and Pathology
Thomas Jefferson University

Contact

Room 308 R/A
A.I. duPont Hospital for Children
Wilmington, DE 19899

Phone: 302-651-6880
Fax: 302-651-6888
E-mail: rbrent@nemours.org

Education

A.B., M.D., Ph.D., Postdoctoral: University of Rochester

Research Interests

Environmental causes of birth defects involving animal studies concerned with environmental exposure to drugs, chemicals, ionizing radiation, microwaves and ultrasound. Specific interest of the laboratory at the present time deal with nutritional requirements of the embryo with emphasis on the folic acid methionine cycle.

Current Projects

Analysis of folic acid metabolic cycle to understand which element of the cycles most vulnerable to perturbations that result in neural tube defects.

Research Group

• Lynda Fawcett, Ph.D. - Studying the evaluation of the teratogenicity of homocyseine in rat embryos cultured in vitro.
• Joan Pugarelli, B.S.

Selected Publications

Brent, R.L., Tanski, S. and Weitzman, M.: A Pediatric Perspective on the Unique Vulnerability and Resilience of the Embryo and Child to Environmental Toxicants: The Importance of Rigorous Research Concerning Age and Agent. In Brent, R.L. and Weitzman, M. (editors), Pediatric Supplement: Vulnerability, Sensitivity and Resiliency of Infants, Children and Adolescents to Environmental Agents. Pediatrics, 113(4):935-944, 2004.

Brent, R.L.: Environmental Causes of Human Congenital Malformations: The Pediatrician's Role in Dealing with these Complex Clinical Problems Caused by a Multiplicity of Environmental and Genetic Factors. In Brent, R.L. and Weitzman, M. (editors), Pediatric Supplement: Vulnerability, Sensitivity and Resiliency of Infants, Children and Adolescents to Environmental Agents. Pediatrics, 113(4):957-968, 2004.

Brent, R.L.: Utilization of Animal Studies to Determine the Effects and Human Risks of Environmental Toxicants (Drugs, Chemicals and Physical Agents). In Brent, R.L. and Weitzman, M. (editors), Pediatric Supplement: Vulnerability, Sensitivity and Resiliency of Infants, Children and Adolescents to Environmental Agents. Pediatrics, 113(4):984-995, 2004.

Brent, R.L. and Weitzman, M.: The Current State of Knowledge about the Effects, Risks and Science of Children's Environmental Exposures: Concluding Remarks. In Brent, R.L. and Weitzman, M. (editors), Pediatric Supplement: Vulnerability, Sensitivity and Resiliency of Infants, Children and Adolescents to Environmental Agents. Pediatrics, 113(4):1158-1166, 2004.

Brent, R.L. and Weitzman, M.: The Pediatrician's Role and Responsibility in Educating Parents about Environmental Risks. In Brent, R.L. and Weitzman, M. (editors), Pediatric Supplement: Vulnerability, Sensitivity and Resiliency of Infants, Children and Adolescents to Environmental Agents. Pediatrics, 113(4):1167-1172, 2004.

Brent, R.L.: Commentary on and Birth Defects: Hopefully, the Final Chapter. Birth Defects Research 67(2):79-87, 2003.