Prevention of Lead-Induces Neurodevelopmental Deficits in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Mentor 1
Michael Carvan
Start Date
28-4-2023 12:00 AM
Description
Exposure to lead (Pb) is a common concern to humans, especially in Milwaukee County. As a significant pollutant in the environment and in the home, research to find a treatment is growing. Lead is primarily known for its ability to cause neurodevelopmental deficits when exposed to at young ages, even at very low exposures. Metformin is a common medication used to treat diabetes, however it has been shown to be able to treat lead toxicity in rats. Danio rerio are commonly used in studies of developmental toxicity for both humans and ecologically, due to their ability to absorb chemicals through water and being great vertebrate models for humans. For the study, D. rerio embryos were dosed with Pb-acetate (0nM, 30nM, 100nM, and 300nM) in standard e2 media continuously from 2-144 hours post fertilization. 3 behavioral assays are performed over the course of 6 weeks to study the severity of behavioral effects of each dose. At 14 days post fertilization (dpf), anxiety and locomotion were studied. At 21 dpf, socialization will be studied. Lastly, at 42 dpf, learning and memory will be studied. All assays include recordings of D. rerio that will be imported into EthoVision XT to be analyzed. Expected results are that as Pb-acetate dose is heightened, the behaviors in all three assays will become more impaired. The next steps in the project will be to choose a Pb-acetate dose that would be best suited for metformin treatments, and the same assays will be performed with and without metformin. As treatments for reversing the effects of lead poisoning are currently non-existent, research in this area is vital.
Prevention of Lead-Induces Neurodevelopmental Deficits in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Exposure to lead (Pb) is a common concern to humans, especially in Milwaukee County. As a significant pollutant in the environment and in the home, research to find a treatment is growing. Lead is primarily known for its ability to cause neurodevelopmental deficits when exposed to at young ages, even at very low exposures. Metformin is a common medication used to treat diabetes, however it has been shown to be able to treat lead toxicity in rats. Danio rerio are commonly used in studies of developmental toxicity for both humans and ecologically, due to their ability to absorb chemicals through water and being great vertebrate models for humans. For the study, D. rerio embryos were dosed with Pb-acetate (0nM, 30nM, 100nM, and 300nM) in standard e2 media continuously from 2-144 hours post fertilization. 3 behavioral assays are performed over the course of 6 weeks to study the severity of behavioral effects of each dose. At 14 days post fertilization (dpf), anxiety and locomotion were studied. At 21 dpf, socialization will be studied. Lastly, at 42 dpf, learning and memory will be studied. All assays include recordings of D. rerio that will be imported into EthoVision XT to be analyzed. Expected results are that as Pb-acetate dose is heightened, the behaviors in all three assays will become more impaired. The next steps in the project will be to choose a Pb-acetate dose that would be best suited for metformin treatments, and the same assays will be performed with and without metformin. As treatments for reversing the effects of lead poisoning are currently non-existent, research in this area is vital.
