Location

Presentation- College of Science and Mathematics

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis Presentation (Restricted to Georgia Southern)

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Aaron Schrey

Faculty Mentor Email

aschrey@georgiasouthern.edu

Presentation Year

2021

Start Date

26-4-2021 12:00 AM

End Date

30-4-2021 12:00 AM

Keywords

Georgia Southern University, Honors Symposium, Presentation

Description

Epigenetics is the study of phenomenon that change gene expression without changing DNA sequence. DNA methylation is the addition of a methyl group to the base cytosine. This is locally inhibitory to binding of regulatory proteins and is used to regulate gene expression. One way we know animals use DNA methylation is in their response to environmental stress. One common environmental stressor is human made dams that are used to alter the flow of rivers. Channel catfish are a common river species that may be affected by this stressor. Rivers in Illinois have been altered by dams. These dams change the habit, which may cause physiological stress to the fish. My research question is, in these stressful environments, do channel catfish alter their DNA methylation? If so, they could be using DNA methylation to fine-tune their gene expression to change their phenotypes in response to the stress. I used epiRADseq to measure DNA in channel catfish from multiple locations, some interrupted by dams. I will test patterns of DNA methylation to see if there are detectible differences associated with the presence of dams. I will test the statistical hypothesis that there are no significant differences in DNA methylation among individuals predicted by the presence of dams.

Academic Unit

College of Science and Mathematics

Comments

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Apr 26th, 12:00 AM Apr 30th, 12:00 AM

DNA Methylation in the Response to Stress of Channel Catfish

Presentation- College of Science and Mathematics

Epigenetics is the study of phenomenon that change gene expression without changing DNA sequence. DNA methylation is the addition of a methyl group to the base cytosine. This is locally inhibitory to binding of regulatory proteins and is used to regulate gene expression. One way we know animals use DNA methylation is in their response to environmental stress. One common environmental stressor is human made dams that are used to alter the flow of rivers. Channel catfish are a common river species that may be affected by this stressor. Rivers in Illinois have been altered by dams. These dams change the habit, which may cause physiological stress to the fish. My research question is, in these stressful environments, do channel catfish alter their DNA methylation? If so, they could be using DNA methylation to fine-tune their gene expression to change their phenotypes in response to the stress. I used epiRADseq to measure DNA in channel catfish from multiple locations, some interrupted by dams. I will test patterns of DNA methylation to see if there are detectible differences associated with the presence of dams. I will test the statistical hypothesis that there are no significant differences in DNA methylation among individuals predicted by the presence of dams.