The Martyniuk Lab investigates the effects of chemical contaminants on broad biological systems such as the nervous system, endocrine system, digestive system-microbiome, and reproductive system. Some examples of current research projects are listed below.
Contaminants and the nervous system:
We use cell models and the zebrafish model to determine the mechanisms of environmental toxicants, focusing specifically on pesticides that have been associated with Parkinsons disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The cell lines we use are dopaminergic from both rat and human, as well as primary cell cultures including astrocytes and neurons. We also use Crispr technology to understand the functional significance of genes during pesticide exposures.
We aim to link neurotoxicity and neurological impairment to behavior, by measuring different behaviors using specialized tracking software (Daniovision). This better links toxicant exposure to specific adverse outcome pathways.
Larvae are tracked (using Daniovision) with an infrared camera during different periods of light and…
Xuefang Liang presenting her research on tributytin.
Xuefang, a visiting scientist from China, recently studied the effect of the neurotoxin tributyltin on zebrafish development at concentrations currently present in some water systems. Her work was recently published in Chemosphere. Congratulations, Xuefang!
Edward Schontz, dopamine receptor family, ZF embryos
Edward Shontz presented his project which characterized the dopaminergic system in developing zebrafish embryos. This research is important as ZF are increasingly used as a model for human neurodegenerative disease. Edward is now studying to become a medical doctor. Congratulations, Edward!
Awesome job Nirali!
UF Veterinary DVM student Nirali Pathak at the NVSS Symposium (Minnesota) presenting the lasted on canine CRISPR approaches for gene therapy.
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2019 Manatee Health Assessment with the USFS Sirenian Project.
Cristina (DVM student) and Andrea (research assistant) are developing gene editing tools in Doberman Pinschers…
Martyniuk Lab members at UF genetics symposium
SETAC North America 40th Annual Meeting in Toronto
Congrats to Tora, Liz, and all the students and their amazing presentations at the Florida Genetics Symposium 2022
Adverse outcome pathways for mitochondrial bioenergetics:
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a significant contributor to human neurodegenerative diseases. We are developing adverse outcome pathways for mitochondrial dysfunction using computational approaches to identify chemicals that potentially affect oxidative phosphorylation. We conduct these high-throughput toxicity assays in both cell culture and whole embryos.
RNA-seq, proteomics, and metabolomics are used to understand complex signaling cascades related to toxicant exposures in both rodent and fish models. Pathway analysis is used to identify novel mechanisms of action, and to support the adverse outcome pathway framework.
Chemicals can affect lipid signaling in the body and some have been labelled “obesogens”. We study how these chemicals affect signaling pathways related to lipids. We can use transgenic ZF to investigate the extent of gut inflammation present after exposure to a chemical of interest. We are interested in understanding the connection between the gut microbiota and inflammation in rodent and fish models.
We use transgenic zebrafish (e.g. NF-kappa B) to understand how chemicals activate inflammation in the gut.
Recently, UF veterinary student Amy Hanlon presented her work on gut neuropeptides in ZF regulated by DEHP – a type of plastic that is found in many consumer products such as toys and bottles. Dr. Adamovsky explored sex-specific differences in the transcriptomic responses of ZF gut after exposure to DEHP.
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Amy Hanlon, DEHP, ZF gut.
DEHP, sex-specific responses, ZF transcriptome
Environmental monitoring and risk assessment:
After identifying pathways that are regulated by environmental contaminants in animal models, we aim to leverage this information for environmental monitoring and risk assessment for toxicants of concern. We try to understand how transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics information can be used to protect the environment, wildlife, and human health.
