Mentor: Steven Weicksel, Bryant University
Project Location
Bryant University
Project Description
An emerging problem in aquatic ecosystems is the pollution of these habitats with microplastics. Microplastics impact every level of the food web and lead to the accumulation of chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) which have been shown to be carcinogens and affect organismal developmental. However, the specifics of the impact of microplastics and the chemicals that leach out of them has not been studied.
Our study aims at determining the impact of microplastics on vertebrate development using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model.
In particular we will monitor embryonic development looking for changes in morphology and gene expression.
Students will gain experience in molecular techniques such as PCR, genomic DNA isolation, RNA isolation, and in situ hybridization.
Rhode Island EPSCoR is funded by the National Science Foundation under EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Award #OIA-1655221 (Sept. 2017-Aug. 2022). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.