Assistant Professor for WWAMI Cindy Knall researches iqmik, a form of smokeless tobacco

Cindy Knall, assistant professor in the WWAMI biomedical program, will begin conducting research on March 1 to determine how a form of smokeless tobacco, iqmik, may contribute to development of oral cancer. Knall's research was recently featured in an Alaska Dispatch article. Below is an excerpt from the article by Margaret Bauman:

Iqmik is subject of new UAA research

A University of Alaska Anchorage researcher will begin a year-long project March 1 to determine how iqmik, a form of smokeless tobacco particularly popular with pregnant Alaska Natives, may contribute to development of oral cancer.

Her goal, said Cindy Knall, an assistant professor in UAA's WWAMI biomedical program, is to show how cells in the mouth exposed to iqmik may be altered.

"We think we will see more nicotine in cells exposed to iqmik," Knall said.

"Basically nicotine from iqmik can enter the cells more easily. The ash in the iqmik changes the chemical characteristics of the nicotine, making it easier to enter the cell.

"What we will do is prepare the ash and tobacco with artificial saliva and mix it with the (human oral) cells," she said.

Knall's research funded through the federal INBRE (Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence) is one of a growing number of studies borne of health officials' concern over use of tobacco.

Read more of the article at www.alaskadispatch.com/article/iqmik-subject-new-uaa-research.