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Research Summary
Dori Germolec, Ph.D., is a biologist who joined National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in 1985. She specializes in the effects of chemicals on the immune system, establishing scientific confidence in alternative methods to evaluate immunotoxicity, and the potential health effects of indoor exposures to mold.
Germolec designs research and/or testing protocols to characterize the biologic, toxicologic and/or physiologic effects of chemicals and/or agents on the immune systems. Germolec serve as a project leader for the toxicologic and carcinogenic assessments of agents of interest to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) as well as a subject matter expert in multidisciplinary review teams comprised of in-house and external scientists evaluating studies on selected chemicals. Germolec also serves as a resource for regulatory and research agencies, and the public who are looking for information on the toxicity of chemicals and how they affect function and burden of disease.
Major Areas of Research
- Immunotoxicology Testing Program - Develops and establishes methods with predictive value to evaluate potentially immunotoxic chemicals and drugs; examines selected agents for immunotoxicity in adult and developing animals employing a suite of well-established tests to identify specific targets and effects; and conducts mechanistic studies to define the cellular and molecular events associated with immunotoxicity
- Increase the scientific confidence in and use of alternative methods to assess immune modulation and hypersensitivity
- Initiate and develop research projects or programs to investigate the mechanisms underlying the targeted toxicity of chemicals
Current Projects
Johnson V, Gulledge T, Luster M, Burleson G, Burleson F, Germolec D. Investigation of the potential of bisphenol A substitutes to induce allergic contact sensitization using OECD defined approaches. ALTEX. 2026;43(3):453-463. [Abstract]
Johnson V, Luster M, Kashon M, Quist E, Burleson G, Burleson F, Germolec D. Modification of the dextran sodium sulfate model to identify agents that induce or exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of immunotoxicology. 2026 Dec;23(1):2594800. [Abstract]
Johnson V, Waidyanatha S, Germolec D, Cora M, Cesta M, Shockley K, Jeffers A, Cimon K, Mutlu E, Cristy T, Pierfellice J, Luster M, Burleson G, Ryan K. Immune system evaluation of Echinacea Purpurea root extract in female Harlan Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD) rats. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association. 2026 Sep;215:116226. [Abstract]
Reinke E, Petersen E, Gordon J, Uhl R, Adams V, Rua D, Johnson V, Burleson G, Strickland J, Gutierrez R, Sprankle C, LaPratt T, Lehmann D, Germolec D, Kleinstreuer N. Validation of the Electrophilic Allergen Screening Assay for Detection of Key Event 1 of the Skin Sensitization Adverse Outcome Pathway. Toxics. 2026 Jun 11;14(6):. [Abstract]
Johnson V, Germolec D, Luster M, Corsini E. Assessment of immunotoxicity in the 21st century: Where we are and what we need to replace animals. Current opinion in toxicology. 2025 Sep;43:. [Abstract]
NTP Reports
National Toxicology Program. Toxicity study of Stachybotrys chartarum (CASRN 67892-26-6) administered by inhalation to B6C3F1/N mice. Toxicity report series. 2024 Oct [Epub ahead of print]. [Abstract]
National Toxicology Program. Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of an isomeric mixture of tris(chloropropyl) phosphate administered in feed to Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD) rats and B6C3F1/N mice. National Toxicology Program technical report series. 2023 Jun [Epub ahead of print]. [Abstract]
National Toxicology Program. Toxicity studies of select ionic liquids (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium chloride, and n-butylpyridinium chloride) administered in drinking water to Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD) rats and B6C3F1/N mice. Toxicity report series. 2022 May [Epub ahead of print]. [Abstract]
National Toxicology Program. Toxicity studies of Aspergillus fumigatus administered by inhalation to B6C3F1/N mice (revised). Toxicity report series. 2021 Jul [Epub ahead of print]. [Abstract]
National Toxicology Program. Toxicity studies of a gum guggul extract formulation administered by gavage to Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD) rats and B6C3F1/N mice. Toxicity report series. 2020 Jun [Epub ahead of print]. [Abstract]