ExHuMId

ExHuMId compiles and analyzes curated data on environmental contaminants detected in human milk across India to characterize contaminant identities, concentrations, physicochemical properties, and interactions with lactation-related genes for maternal and infant exposure assessment.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Data Compilation: Aggregates detailed information on 101 environmental contaminants detected in human milk samples from 13 Indian states, curated from 36 research articles.
• Contaminant Characteristics and Concentrations: Provides measured concentrations alongside chemical structures, physicochemical properties, and donor-associated sample factors.
• Comparative Analysis with Global Standards: Compares detected contaminants against global chemical regulations and guidelines to identify high-concern substances, including potential carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and neurotoxins.
• Physicochemical Insights: Analyzes physicochemical properties to assess propensity for transfer into human milk and elucidate exposure pathways.
• Systems Biology Approach: Identifies interactions between contaminants and genes associated with lactation, cytokine signaling and production, and protein-mediated transport.

Scientific Applications:

• Exposome Research: Supports analysis of the human milk exposome in India by providing a standardized dataset of contaminant occurrences and properties.
• Risk Assessment and Management: Enables chemical exposure and risk assessment for maternal and infant health by linking concentrations, physicochemical properties, and regulatory comparisons.
• Mechanistic Investigation: Facilitates mechanistic studies by mapping contaminant–gene interactions involving lactation, cytokine signaling, and transport processes.
• Policy and Intervention Development: Informs policy-making and intervention strategies by identifying high-concern contaminants and comparative regulatory gaps.

Methodology:

Performs a three-pronged analysis integrating data from multiple sources, including 36 research articles on human milk contaminants in India, and applies bioinformatics tools to analyze complex datasets and characterize contaminant properties and contaminant–gene interactions.