Tianyi

Who is Tianyi Li?

I am a PhD student in Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology at Karolinska Institute (KI), Sweden. I obtained my master’s degree in Toxicology at KI focusing on the role of CYP1/AHR regulations in steroid hormone signaling in ovary. Now I am studying the mechanisms of ovarian disruptions by environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

What is your focus in the FREIA project?

In the FREIA project, my studies are mainly on effects of EDCs in adult human ovarian cortex (in-vitro) and in rats (in-vivo). I am trying to identify potential biomarkers in response to EDCs exposure and investigating the underlying mechanisms both in human and rats using RNA sequencing technique.  

What is an interesting result you have obtained so far? 

We are now analysing RNA sequencing data to identify possible biomarkers and mechanisms of two well-known EDCs, diethylstilbestrol and ketoconazole, exposure and found two potential biomarkers for ketoconazole exposure. Validation of these two potential biomarkers is ongoing.

What would you like to accomplish within the FREIA project?

FREIA project aims to develop a more accurate method for EDC identification and screening and amend the current OECD test guideline. It would be great if I can identify biomarkers for EDC exposure during different life stages and relevant to human to improve our regulatory guidelines and help chemical regulation worldwide.

How is the COVID-19 pandemic affecting you/your work?

A major part of my study relies on the clinical samples obtained in our university hospital. COVID-19 pandemic stopped patient recruitment and delay my experiment for a period. However, the research is ongoing, and we manage well to do our planned experiments.