|
|
|
Toxicogenomics for Environmental Health Research Kun Yan Zhu Oxygen depletion, a phenomenon that occurs in aquatic environments when dissolved oxygen concentrations decrease to a point detrimental to aquatic organisms, is a growing global concern. However, very little is known about hypoxic (low oxygen) stress-induced changes in metabolism and response to other environmental stressors in aquatic organisms. Our research interests include the development and application of a multi-applicable cDNA microarray to examine the transcriptional response to hypoxic stress and other environmental stressors (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals, nutrients) in the aquatic midge, Chironomus tentans, an ecologically important bioindicator species. Our long-term goal is to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms controlling an organism’s responses to environmental challenges. The specific hypothesis behind this project is that hypoxic stress can affect an organism’s metabolism, leading to alterations of numerous genes’ expression. This hypothesis is mainly based on: 1) oxygen is an essential molecule in energy production and various biochemical reactions; and 2) hypoxic stress has been found to significantly affect the metabolism of mammals and fish. In this project, we will construct a C. tentans cDNA library, develop a cDNA microarray, and examine genomic responses of C. tentans to hypoxia using the microarray. The microarray can also be used to examine genomic responses of the organism to other environmental stressors in aquatic systems. Further characterization of the stress-responsive genes can eventually help us: 1) understand the mechanism of stressor’s effects, and cellular and molecular responses to the stressor; 2) develop stress-specific marker genes for assessing environmental quality; and 3) identify effects at higher levels of biological organization, such as communities and ecosystems.
|
