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Student Poster Display
Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology
Student
Student Competition
Ella Grace Mullins
Student
University of St. Thomas
Tomball, Texas
Robert Chhea
Student
University of St. Thomas
Houston, Texas
Ellie Salsman
Student
University of St. Thomas
Houston, Texas
Emma Kubeczka
Student
University of St. Thomas
Houston, Texas
Catherine Duong
Student
University of St. Thomas
Houston, Texas
Merissa Dias
Student
University of St. Thomas
Houston, Texas
Giselle Lopez
Student
University of St. Thomas
Houston, Texas
Rosmarie Rosell
Professor/Advisor
University of St. Thomas
Houston, Texas
Our research focuses on the effect that delivery of sublethal concentrations of toluene to fruit flies has on reproductive potential. Although toluene is not carcinogenic, long-term exposure can lead to negative effects on organ function, fetal development, and hormone regulation. To determine the effects of toluene exposure on reproductive mechanisms, we used Drosophila melanogaster because of their shared gene homology with humans and their ability to rapidly reproduce.
We exposed flies to toluene using a system where air flows through an impinger and carries small amounts of toluene to a glass chamber containing flies, and we found both lethal and sublethal effects on the offspring. A failure of the mass flow controller (MFC), which controls the magnitude of air flow, necessitated replacement and recalibration of the entire exposure system. Currently, we are testing various mass flow controller settings, by collection of the air/toluene mixture followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS) to precisely determine the concentration of toluene in parts/million (ppm) being delivered to the exposure chamber. Previously, we established the female LE50 (50% of the population dead in 24 hours) to be 1000-1200 ppm, and now we must establish the MFC setting that correlates with this LE50. Once known, studies on male fruit fly exposure to toluene followed by fecundity and life stage effects of both F1 and F2 generations will be conducted. Future research will focus on finding the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying reduced reproductive capabilities after toluene exposure.