Applying Genomic and Genetic Tools to Understand and Mitigate Damage from Exposure to Toxins
Abstract
Use of the pyridostigmine bromide during the 1991 Gulf War has been implicated as a contributing factor for increased risk of Gulf War Illness (GWI). Stress and genetic factors are postulated to modulate the effects of PB. We have proposed to use mRNA-seq to study the response to PB exposure and modulating factors, using zebrafish as a model organism. In the past year, we have studied the dose-response to PB in larval and adult zebrafish at the biochemical and transcriptomic levels, validated a methods of treatment for inducing stress in adult zebrafish, and conducted a preliminary study to identify unique effects of PB by comparison with the effects of other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Our preliminary results have identified transcripts altered due to the effects of PB or genetic background, with the effects of genetic background being the larger effect of the two. sequencing of additional samples is currently underway and data analysis will be ongoing. We propose a time course study and investigation of PB and stress treatments in adult fish as additional work that will help elucidate the effects of PB that may be related to the symptoms of GWI. We also propose to perform additional experiments, with existing funds, to begin examining more toxins for their effects on genomic measurements in zebrafish.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA554215
Entities
People
- Kelly T. Williams
- Richard Myers
Organizations
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology