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Measuring the Effects of Radiation and Changes in DNA in Caenorhabditis Elegans

Undergraduate #83
Discipline: Physics
Subcategory: Physics (not Nanoscience)

Roshaun Mitchell-Cleveland - Southern University at New Orleans
Co-Author(s): Mostafa Elaasar (Physics, Southern University at New Orleans, New Orleans, LA), Illya Tietzel (Biology, Southern University at New Orleans, New Orleans, LA)



The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is used for research due to its similarity to the human genes such as genes involved in neurological disorders, and DNA damage repair. Therefore, it is useful in studying the effects of radiation on neurological functions such as locomotory behavior, DNA damage, and survival of a nuclear event. Exposure to radiation can be measured by observation of changes in the locomotory behavior, mutations, or DNA damage response. Wild type C. elegans was exposed to three radiation sources. Low activity exposure from 0.18 micro Curie (Ci) Cobalt 60, 3.54 micro Ci Strontium 90, and .073 micro Ci Cesium 137 inside of a protected petri dish. To test the hypothesis that direct exposure to radiation will decrease the viability of Caenorhabditis elegans, locomotory behavior, and cause changes of DNA damage response genes, C. elegans was exposed to radiation for three different observation periods: 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours. C.elegans which received radiation were compared to C.elegans which didn’t receive radiation. Control measures were enacted by observation before radiation treatment videos of nematode petri dishes, divided by quadrants, and observed after treatment. Locomotory behavior was measured by number of head movements before and after radiation treatment. Statistical analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test was used in measuring the viability of C.elegans, and its head movements. Results depict a decrease in movements and viability after radiation treatment. Polymerase Chain Reactions detected the ZTF-8 gene as a DNA damage response. Data for possible activation of the ATL-1gene as part of DNA damage response is undetermined. A decrease in the viability of Caenorhabditis elegans and locomotory behavior supports the hypothesis. Future research will include analysis of the DNA sequences for any mutations.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): This work is funded by a ROSES grant of U.S. Department of Energy /NNSA under Prime Agreement No. DE-NA0002683.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mostafa Elaasar, melaasar@suno.edu

Role: I cultured the nematodes, administered radiation treatments, data collection, statistical analysis, video observation, PCR, and discussed results along with the conclusion.

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

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