Research Biologist — Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology

Nan Mei, Ph.D.
(870) 543-7121
NCTRResearch@fda.hhs.gov  

Back to NCTR Principal Investigators page

About  |  Publications  |  Lab Members

Background

Dr. Nan Mei received his M.D. in 1984 from the Hebei Medical University, China and his Ph.D. degree in 1997 from the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan. He began his scientific career in clinical cancer research in 1988 at the 4th Hospital of Hebei Medical University. He worked as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Experimental Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute (Canada) from 1998 to 2001, and as a Research Fellow in the Department of Environmental Oncology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences (Japan) from 2001 to 2002. He joined the FDA/NCTR as an ORISE Research Fellow in the Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology in 2002 and became an FDA Research Biologist in 2005. During his research career, Dr. Mei has published >100 peer-reviewed research articles in scientific journals and 14 book chapters. He has given >30 oral presentations at national/international scientific meetings. 

Research Interests

Dr. Mei’s research program is focused on utilizing appropriate in vivo and in vitro mutation assays and toxicogenomic techniques to provide key toxicological information for FDA priority chemicals. He utilizes the in vivo cII transgenic mutation assay (mouse and rat), the in vitro standard test battery for genotoxicity, and gene expression and pathway analysis to evaluate FDA-relevant chemicals or model carcinogens for their mutagenicity and for determining the mechanisms involved in chemically induced genetic toxicity. His completed and on-going projects include the evaluation of the mutagenic effects of direct mutagens, herbal dietary supplements, industrial compounds, nanoparticles, ingredients in cosmetics and other retail products, and tobacco products. Dr. Mei has incorporated toxicogenomic approaches into his research to elucidate molecular mechanisms and create gene signatures for developing potential biomarkers. His research results demonstrate that both in vivo and in vitro mutation assays serve as reliable tools for detecting the types of mutations found in cancer genes and are useful for the hazard identification portion of human risk assessment.

Professional Societies/National and International Groups

American Association of Chinese in Toxicology (AACT), the Society of Toxicology (SOT)
Member 
2013 – Present

President-Elect (with Presidential Chain)
2020 – 2021 (President, 2021-2022)

Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society (EMGS)
Member
2001 – Present

Education, Student and New Investigator Affairs Committee
Member
2014 – Present

Councilor
2017 – 2020

International Life Sciences Institute/Health and Environmental Sciences Institute
Genetic Toxicology Technical Committee
2016 – Present

Botanical Safety Consortium
2019 – Present

Society of Toxicology (SOT)
Member
2003 – Present

Regional Chapter Collaboration and Communication Committee (RC4) 
Member
2017 – 2018

South Central Chapter of the Society of Toxicology (SCC-SOT)
Member
2011 – Present

President
2017 – 2018

Select Publications

Publication titles are linked to text abstracts on PubMed.

Development and Application of TK6-Derived Cells Expressing Human Cytochrome P450s for Genotoxicity Testing. 
Li X., Chen S., Guo X., Wu Q., Seo J.E., Guo L., Manjanatha M.G., Zhou T., Witt K.L., and Mei N. 
Toxicol Sci. 2020, 175(2): 251-265.

Genetic Toxicity Assessment Using Liver Cell Models: Past, Present, and Future. 
Guo X., Seo, J.E., Li X., and Mei N. 
J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev. 2020, 23(1): 27-50.

Aristolochic Acid-Induced Genotoxicity and Toxicogenomic Changes in Rodents. 
Li X., Guo X., Wang H., Chen T., and Mei N. 
World J Tradit Chin Med. 2020, 6(1): 12-25.

In Vivo Genotoxicity Testing Strategies: Report From the 7th International Workshop on Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT).
Kirkland D., Uno Y., Luijten M., Beevers C., van Benthem J., Burlinson B., Dertinger S., Douglas G.R., Hamada S., Horibata K., Lovell D.P., Manjanatha M., Martus H.J., Mei N., Morita T., Ohyama W., and Williams A. 
Mutat Res. 2019, 847: 403035.
 
Benchmark Dose Modeling of In Vitro Genotoxicity Data: A Reanalysis. 
Guo X. and Mei N. 
Toxicol Res. 2018, 34(4): 303-310.

Comparative Genotoxicity of TEMPO and 3 of its Derivatives in Mouse Lymphoma Cells.
Guo X., Seo J.E., Bryce S.M., Tan J.A., Wu Q., Dial S.L., Moore M.M., and Mei N.
Toxicol Sci. 2018, 163(1): 214-225.

Quantitative Differentiation of Whole Smoke Solution-Induced Mutagenicity in the Mouse Lymphoma Assay.
Guo X., Heflich R.H., Dial S.L., De M., Richter P.A., and Mei N.
Environ Mol Mutagen. 2018, 59(2): 103-113.

ROS Generation and JNK Activation Contribute to 4-Methoxy-TEMPO-Induced Cytotoxicity, Autophagy, and DNA Damage in HepG2 Cells.
Zhang Z., Ren Z., Chen S., Guo X., Liu F., Guo L., and Mei N.
Arch Toxicol. 2018, 92(2): 717-728.

Review of Ginkgo Biloba-Induced Toxicity, from Experimental Studies to Human Case Reports.
Mei N., Guo X., Ren Z., Kobayashi D., Wada K., and Guo L.
J Environ Sci Health C Environ Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev. 2017, 35(1): 1-28.

Aloe Vera: A Review of Toxicity and Adverse Clinical Effects.
Guo X. and Mei N.
J Environ Sci Health C Environ Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev. 2016, 34(2): 77-96.

Quantitative Analysis of In Vitro Mutagenicity Induced by Five Chemical Constituents of Tobacco Smoke.
Guo X., Dial S.L., Heflich R.H., Richter P.A., Moore M.M., and Mei N.
Mutagenesis. 2016, 31: 287–296.

Ginkgo biloba Leaf Extract Induces DNA Damage by Inhibiting Topoisomerase II Activity in Human Hepatic Cells.
Zhang Z., Chen S., Mei H., Xuan J., Guo X., Couch L., Dobrovolsky V.N., Guo L., and Mei N.
Scientific Reports. 2015, 5: 14633.

Neonatal Exposure of 17β-Estradiol has No Effects on Mutagenicity of 7,12-Dimethylbenz[A]Anthracene in Reproductive Tissues of Adult Mice.
Zhang Z., Li H., Manjanatha M.G., Chen T., and Mei N.
Genes and Environment. 2015, 37: 16.

Reactive Oxygen Species and C-Jun N-Terminal Kinases Contribute to TEMPO-Induced Apoptosis in L5178Y Cells.
Guo X., Chen S., Zhang Z., Dobrovolsky V.N., Dial S.L., Guo L., and Mei N.
Chem Biol Interact. 2015, 235: 27-36.

Assessment of the Toxic Potential of Grapheme Family Nanomaterials.
Guo X. and Mei N. 
J Food Drug Anal. 2014, 22(1): 105-115.
 
Mechanistic Evaluation of Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract-Induced Genotoxicity in L5178Y Cells. 
Lin H., Guo X., Zhang S., Dail S.L., Guo L., Manjanatha M.G., Moore M.M., and Mei N. 
Toxicol Sci. 2014, 139(2): 338-349.
 
Nitroxide TEMPO: A Genotoxic and Oxidative Stress Inducer in Cultured Cells.
Guo X., Mittelstaedt R.A., Guo L., Shaddock J.G., Heflich R.H., Bigger A., Moore M.M., and Mei N. 
Toxicol In Vitro. 2013, 27(5): 1496-1502.
 
Silver Nanoparticles Induced Genotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Mouse Lymphoma Cells. 
Mei N., Zhang Z., Chen Y., Guo X., Ding W., Ali S.F., Biris A.S., Rice A., Moore M.M., and Chen T. 
Environ Mol Mutagen. 2012, 53(6): 409-419.
 
Mutagenicity and DNA Adduct Formation by Aristolochic Acid in the Spleen of Big Blue Rats.
McDaniel P.L., Elander E., Guo X., Chen T., Arlt V.M., and Mei N.
Environ Mol Mutagen. 2012, 53(5): 358-368.
 
Mutagenicity of 11 Cigarette Smoke Condensates in Two Versions of the Mouse Lymphoma Assay.
Guo X., Verkler T.L., Chen Y., Richter P.A., Polzin G.M., Moore M.M., and Mei N. 
Mutagenesis. 2011, 26(2): 273-281.

Lab Members

Contact information for all lab members:
(870) 543-7121
NCTRResearch@fda.hhs.gov  

Stacey L. Dial  
Biologist

Xilin (Shawn) Li
ORISE Fellow

Yuan (Cindy) Le
ORISE Fellow