K.C. Donnelly Externship - Promotion of Translational/Transdisciplinary Efforts in Graduate and Post-Doctoral Research - Dasgupta

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION (ABSTRACT) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)- a group of environmental contaminants commonly found in Superfund sites- have been well-established as developmental neurotoxicants. Prenatal exposure to PAHs has been associated with decreased cognitive status among children. As a part of the OSU SRP, our lab uses the zebrafish model to study the mechanisms of PAH toxicity, including the role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Work from our group has shown that in addition to neurodevelopmental effects, developmental exposures to some PAHs, such as benzo-a-pyrene (BaP), result in cognitive and behavioral deficits in adults; however, the mechanisms are still not clear. The brain is a complex organ with specific areas and cell-types regulating various nervous system functions, including behavioral patterns. Single cell sequencing is an ideal technology that can identify cell type-specific transcriptomic atlas of an organ using deep sequencing and established transcriptomic markers. I will achieve training in this technology from Dr. Bruce Danton and Dr. Britton Goodale at the Dartmouth Superfund Center to study changes in the transcriptomic atlas of zebrafish brain that drives persistent neurotoxic effects of PAHs. Briefly, I will expose zebrafish embryos 4 µM BaP- a concentration that has been shown to induce adult behavioral deficits- from 6 to 120 h post fertilization (hpf), grow them out in clean water, dissect their brains and perform single cell sequencing and bioinformatic analyses through hands-on training in Dartmouth. This project will result in a better understanding of the biology driving PAH- induced long-term behavioral disruptions. Through experiential learning, I will add this state-of-the-art technology to my research portfolio and can apply this to diverse groups of chemicals when I transition into my independent research program.