Amphiphilic gold nanoparticle surfactants can self-assemble at oil-water interfaces to form stable Pickering emulsions. These nanoparticle surfactants have previously been synthesized by functionalizing gold nanoparticles with thiol terminated polyethylene glycol (PEG-thiol), and subsequently with an alkane-thiol. It is necessary to improve the bio-compatibility of the nanoparticles if they are to...
DNA damage, if not repaired, can become a mutation. Mutation
accumulation is associated with initiation and progression of tumorigenesis. DNA
mismatch repair (MMR) is required for maintaining genetic stability by repairing
replication errors. Biochemical studies have shown that MMR also recognizes
mismatch-causing DNA lesions, suggesting the role of MMR in...
Incorporation of nanoparticles (NPs) into consumer products is on the rise and human exposure to NPs is unavoidable. Currently, there is insufficient data to assess the safety of nanoparticles. I conducted a series of five studies using the zebrafish model to determine which NP components (i.e., core material or surface...
Modern electronics have created increased demand for innovative cooling solutions. Typical forced convective cooling systems consist of pumps that circulate cooling fluid. However pumps can be unwieldy for many applications. This research is a continuation of work done at Oregon State University and Auburn University on the passive pumping of...
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most widely known and studied environmental contaminants, originating from a range of natural and anthropogenic sources. PAHs are known to occur in the environment as complex mixtures, containing both unsubstituted PAHs, as well as a range of PAH derivatives. Among the less-studied of...
There are more than 87,000 chemicals in current use with little to no toxicity information available. Assessing such a large number of chemicals using traditional methods would take an unreasonable amount of time and money, and require the use a large number of animals. The incorporation of high-throughput in vivo...
Laboratories around the world are using the zebrafish model for biomedical research and conducting investigations using morphological, physiological, behavioral, and genomic endpoints. All assays provide information, but physiological and behavioral endpoints or phenotypes are a fast way to understand how an animal is responding to its environment. We investigate the...
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental contaminants that occur in complex mixtures. These environmental mixtures can consist of both parent PAHs and their derivatives. Several parent PAHs are known or suspected mutagens and/or carcinogens, and a handful of PAH derivatives are known to be more potent mutagens and/or carcinogens...
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand activated transcription factor that is a member of the basic helix-loop-helix PER-ARNT-SIM (bHLH/PAS) protein family of cellular sensors. The AHR is conserved across multiple animal phyla and is required for proper vertebrate development. A structurally diverse group of chemicals, including polycyclic aromatic...
The numerous different types of nanomaterials and paucity of reliable in vivo information on toxicity has resulted in enduring uncertainties associated with health and safety risks, thereby slowing progress in nanotherapeutic assessment and development. This dissertation explores how the embryonic zebrafish model can be applied to prioritize commonly used nanomaterial...