Project 3: Zebrafish Model
Developmental VOC exposure in zebrafish: Toxic mechanisms and biomarkers
Rationale/Goals
The goals for this project core include evaluating adverse health outcomes associated with environmentally relevant VOCs at low-level concentrations, determining the potential additive or synergistic effects of complex VOC mixtures, and identifying the downstream transcriptomic and epigenetic impacts of low-level VOC exposure as they relate to adverse health outcomes.
Methods
This investigation will utilize the high-throughput zebrafish animal model for their short generation times, high fecundity, detailed genomic information, and ease of husbandry. Zebrafish will be exposed in airtight VOC chambers to minimize atmospheric loss of VOCs. Developmental exposures will occur through aqueous solution from either 0-5 days post fertilization (dpf) in sealed VOC vials or from 4-5 dpf in the exposure chamber. Phenotypic, transcriptomic, behavioral, and reproductive endpoints will be analyzed.
Expected Outcomes
Results from this project will advance the CLEAR mission by providing translatable effects and biomarkers for human health outcomes related to VOC exposure via the high-throughput zebrafish model. This work will inform studies in a placental mammal model, enable the identification and tracking of VOC exposure in expecting mothers, support the development of a stringent monitoring program to evaluate the health of pregnant women and provide new clues into potential therapeutic steps to reduce preterm birth rates.
Project 3 Research Team
| Tracie Baker, DVM, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Environmental and Global Health University of Florida Co-Investigator, Project 3, CLEAR | |
 | Shawn McElmurry, Ph.D. Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering Co-Investigator, Project 3, CLEAR |
 | David Pitts, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences Co-Investigator, Project 3, CLEAR |