Using Fish Models to Understand the Effect of PFAS

Ecotoxicology has long relied on fish as laboratory models to understand the effects of contaminants on higher order outcomes such as survival, development, growth and reproduction. We have used two models, fathead minnow and largemouth bass, to obtain specific information regarding molecular endpoints. These fish are widely found in the environment in North America and each has a unique reproductive cycle that can help provide information. The fathead minnow has been used by EPA as a laboratory model for ecological risk assessment, creating a vast database of traditional toxicology endpoints. Development of molecular tools for each species lag behind mammalian models, yet sufficient information exists to identify biochemical pathways that are altered by the exposures. Several case studies will be presented that illustrate how molecular endpoints have augmented the understanding we have about chemicals and the possible adverse outcomes they produce on survival, development, growth, and reproduction.

Biography

Nancy Denslow is a professor in the Department of Physiological Sciences and in the Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology at the University of Florida. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Florida in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Nancy has pioneered the use of molecular technologies for environmental toxicology especially focusing on high throughput in vitro assays, biomarker development and toxicogenomics approaches for evaluating contaminants of emerging concern. She has used several fish models in her research including largemouth bass, sheepshead minnow, fathead minnow, zebrafish and menidia. Nancy has over 250 peer-reviewed publications. She is a member of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Society of Toxicology, and Association of Biomolecular Research Facilities, a society devoted to the "OMICS" technologies. Nancy's research has received funding from EPA, NSF, USGS and NIH.