How does the exposure of Titanium dioxide nanoparticles affect the life cycle and gene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans?
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Sophomore
Institution
Western Kentucky University
KY House District #
20
KY Senate District #
32
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Dr. Nilesh Sharma, PhD
Department
Dept. of Biology
Abstract
Nanoparticles are widely used in industrial fields such as medicine, electronics, and agriculture. However, the consequences of increased use of nanoparticles and nanomaterials have not been systematically determined. In order to continue to exploit various metallic nanoparticles safely, there is a need of thorough research involving various models of ecosystems or organisms. This investigation examined how exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles affects the life span and motility of Caenorhabditis elegans (Maupas), the soil nematode that has recently been studied widely in molecular biology and toxicological investigations. When wild and ADR-2 mutant individuals were exposed to increasing doses of Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) (0-100 ppm), significant mortality of adult organisms occurred, depending on the dose of exposure. A two fold decrease in population with respect to the control was observed in both groups of the organisms at 50-100 ppm of TiO2NPs. Similarly, the movement study following the exposure also exhibited significant effects on the ability of the organism to display normal behavior (thrashes). Thrashes in wild type decreased from 50 (control) to 44 at 25 ppm and 36 at 50 ppm. A similar pattern was observed in the mutant variant. The mutant type demonstrated more severe loss of activity than the wild-type due to its genetic susceptibility. Analysis of expression patterns of notable genes (daf-1, sod-1, sod-3, dyn-1, act-5) involved in the life cycle development are being carried out.
How does the exposure of Titanium dioxide nanoparticles affect the life cycle and gene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans?
Nanoparticles are widely used in industrial fields such as medicine, electronics, and agriculture. However, the consequences of increased use of nanoparticles and nanomaterials have not been systematically determined. In order to continue to exploit various metallic nanoparticles safely, there is a need of thorough research involving various models of ecosystems or organisms. This investigation examined how exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles affects the life span and motility of Caenorhabditis elegans (Maupas), the soil nematode that has recently been studied widely in molecular biology and toxicological investigations. When wild and ADR-2 mutant individuals were exposed to increasing doses of Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) (0-100 ppm), significant mortality of adult organisms occurred, depending on the dose of exposure. A two fold decrease in population with respect to the control was observed in both groups of the organisms at 50-100 ppm of TiO2NPs. Similarly, the movement study following the exposure also exhibited significant effects on the ability of the organism to display normal behavior (thrashes). Thrashes in wild type decreased from 50 (control) to 44 at 25 ppm and 36 at 50 ppm. A similar pattern was observed in the mutant variant. The mutant type demonstrated more severe loss of activity than the wild-type due to its genetic susceptibility. Analysis of expression patterns of notable genes (daf-1, sod-1, sod-3, dyn-1, act-5) involved in the life cycle development are being carried out.