Date Thesis Awarded
5-2022
Access Type
Honors Thesis -- Access Restricted On-Campus Only
Degree Name
Bachelors of Science (BS)
Department
Biology
Advisor
Eric Bradley
Committee Members
Margaret Saha
Diane Shakes
Dana Lashley
Abstract
Mercury, especially methylmercury (MeHg), poses a significant health risk to both humans and animals. Neurologic and developmental defects have been tied to both acute and chronic mercury exposure. RNA sequencing was used to analyze the effects of MeHg on the zebra finch genome in the brain after chronic, low-level exposure and in the developing organism after the parents experienced chronic, low-level exposure. 104 differentially expressed genes were discovered in brain tissues that corresponded to metabolism, neurodevelopment, behavior, and immunity or toxicity mediation. Developmental gene expression between day E4 and day E6 in untreated embryos revealed 597 genes that were differentially expressed, while the gene expression on the same days for mercury treated embryos revealed 155 differentially expressed genes. Of these genes only 13 overlapped in both groups. Pathways associated with these genes include neurologic pathways, musculoskeletal pathways, and apoptosis pathways. These studies revealed that MeHg affects the genome even at low levels, which can impact neurology and development.
Recommended Citation
Petersen, Paula, "Transcriptome Analysis of Zebra Finch Tissue After Chronic Low-Level Methylmercury Exposure" (2022). Undergraduate Honors Theses. William & Mary. Paper 1776.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/1776
