Project director: Joseph Shaw

Genomic technologies can be important tools to determine the state of the environment. Sensitive and specific gene expression patterns (in key indicator species) to toxins and environmental changes can be effective early indicators of danger to entire ecosystems before natural communities are significantly impacted. Such tools can also help improve environmental health standards; toxic elements like metals can chronically impact populations at sub-lethal levels that are common in the environment. To date, genotypic responses of aquatic organisms to environmental stressors have not yet been well characterized. This study aims to develop functional genomic tools necessary for Daphnia, apply these tools using model stressors (alone and in combination), and link the genomic-level responses to population-level responses in nature.

Several well developed molecular techniques are employed, including differential display, RNase protection assays and cDNA microarrays to identify and characterize candidate toxin response genes. These are coupled with ecological assays in the form of life-history analyses of birth, death, reproduction and developmental rates. Combining these measures to an extensive field program builds a link between molecular and ecological responses of a globally significant organism to ecotoxicological challenges.

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