Development of Novel Toxicity Testing Assays for Fishes

It’s estimated that more than half of all fish species in Canada are threatened by anthropogenic pressures, including pollution. Two chemical classes that are ubiquitous in freshwater ecosystems- polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BUVSs) – can cause toxicity to early life-stages of fishes by activating of the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor protein. However, not all fish species are equally sensitive to these chemicals, and it is not possible to conduct traditional toxicity testing with all species of fish. Through this Mitacs GRA, two HQP will receive training to develop high-throughput assays to determine toxicity of PAHs and BUVSs to any fish species from which a tissue sample can be obtained, including threatened or endangered species. Assays can then be used for other chemicals that act via the Ah receptor protein. Data from these assays can be used to understand the risks that some classes of chemicals pose to Canadian fish species.

Faculty Supervisor:

Steve Wiseman

Student:

Partner:

Louisiana State University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Life Sciences (not health); Environmental Science and Technology; Water

University:

University of Lethbridge

Program: