James Metcalf

Student opportunities:

I am always looking for undergraduate and graduate students interested in performing research in my lab. If you are interested in performing research, then please email me.

Research Interests:

The Metcalf (TaBS, Toxins and Bioactive Substances) Lab is dedicated to the discovery, analysis and toxicology of novel bioactive substances and an understanding of the short- and long-term effects of exposure on human and animal health. The research also considers different exposure routes and is increasingly examining the potential adverse effects from exposure via airborne and aerosol exposures. In addition, the research in the TaBS lab is interested in understanding the toxicological risk to multiple toxins that are present in air and water and also the investigation of natural intoxications in e.g, dogs that are exposed to these compounds. This includes chemoheterotrophic human pathogens, xenobiotics and other chemical hazards that may be present in water. Ultimately, the goal of the TaBS lab is to understand what components of concern are present in water, air and soil, in particular those derived from cyanobacteria and how they interact to affect short- and long-term human health.

Recent Publications:

(1)  Nowruzi, B., Becerra-Absalon, I., Metcalf, J.S. (2023). A novel microcystin producing cyanobacterial species from the genus Desmonostoc, Desmonostoc alborizicum sp. nov., isolated from a water supply system of Iran. Current Microbiology 80:49

(2)  Porzani, S.J., Lima, S.T., Metcalf, J.S., Nowruzi, B. (2021). In vivo and in vitro toxicity testing of cyanobacterial toxins. Rev. Env. Contam. Toxicol. 258: 109150

(3)  Metcalf, J. S., Banack, S.A., Wessel, R.A., Lester, M., Pim, J.G., Cassani, J.R. Cox, P.A., (2021). Analysis of cyanobacterial and marine harmful algal blooms on the west coast of Florida and implications for estuarine environments. Neurotox. Res. 39: 27-35.

(4)  Metcalf, J.S., Banack, S.A., Powell, J.T., Tymm, F.J.M., Murch, S., Brand, L.E., Cox, P.A. (2018). Public health responses to toxic cyanobacterial blooms: perspectives from the 2016 Florida event. Water Policy 20: 919-932.

Impact publications: 

(1)  Metcalf, J.S., Tischbein, M., Cox, P.A., Stommel, E.W. (2021). Cyanotoxins and the nervous system. Toxins 13(9): 600. 

(2)  Metcalf, J.S., Codd, G.A. (2020). Co-occurrence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins with other environmental health hazards: impacts and implications. Toxins 12(10):629. 

(3)  Jungblut, A.D., Wilbraham, J., Banack, S.A., Metcalf, J.S., Codd, G.A. (2018). Microcystins, BMAA andBMAA isomers in 100-year-old Antarctic cyanobacterial mats collected during Captain R.F. Scott’s Discovery Expedition. Eur. J. Phycol. 53: 115-121.

(4)  Metcalf, J.S., Lobner, D., Banack, S.A., Cox, G.A., Nunn, P.B., Wyatt, P.B., Cox, P.A. (2017). Analysis of BMAA enantiomers in cycads, cyanobacteria and mammals: In vivo formation and toxicity of DBMAA. Amino Acids 49: 1427-1439.

(5)  Banack, S.A., Metcalf, J.S., Jiang, L., Craighead, D., Ilag, L, Cox, P.A. (2012). Cyanobacteria produce N-(2-aminoethyl)glycine, a backbone for peptide nucleic acids which may have been the first genetic molecules for life on earth. PLoS One DOI: 10.371/journal.pone.0049043.