McGill University
M.Sc. candidate
Supervisor: Jessica Head
Start: 2023-08-29
End: 2025-08-01

Project

Comparative analysis of transcriptomic points of departure in fish larvae exposed to pesticide mixtures
Traditionally, organismal outcomes like survival, development, and reproduction are the benchmarks for toxicity after exposure to environmental contaminants. However, molecular changes that occur after toxic exposure, such as changes in gene expression, can be identified at much lower chemical concentrations. A transcriptomic point of departure (tPOD) is the concentration which results in a concerted change in gene expression. Though promising, tPODs have not yet been used to evaluate the effects of exposure to complex chemical mixtures. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effect that complex mixtures of contaminants will have on a known tPOD value. This will be done by testing copper sulphate (CuSO4) and two pesticides in one laboratory fish species (Zebrafish, Danio rerio) and one species of fish endemic to Quebec (Copper Redhorse, Moxostoma hubbsi).

Keywords

transcriptomic point of departure, early life stage, RNASeq, Danio rerio, Moxostoma hubbsi, chemical mixture, complex mixture, pesticides, copper sulphate, s-metolachlor, chlorantraniliprole