Project 1: Molecular mechanisms of neurotoxicity and genotoxicity by brominated flame retardants in sh-sy5y human neuroblastoma cells and Project 2: Whole-genome sequencing, finishing and analysis of three bacterial human pathogens

Sostare, Jelena (2014). Project 1: Molecular mechanisms of neurotoxicity and genotoxicity by brominated flame retardants in sh-sy5y human neuroblastoma cells and Project 2: Whole-genome sequencing, finishing and analysis of three bacterial human pathogens. University of Birmingham. M.Res.

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Abstract

This combined research thesis, submitted to the University of Birmingham, consists of two projects. The first project addressed the neurotoxic effects by three of the most widely used flame retardants – hexabromocylododecane, tetrabromobisphenol-A and decabromodiphenyl ether in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. The results demonstrated high toxicity potential in all three compounds even at low concentrations. Moreover, all compounds caused DNA single-strand breaks at non-cytotoxic concentrations. HBCD proved to be more potent than other two compounds tested. Therefore, it can be concluded that all three compounds are potentially neurotoxic and what more, genotoxic in human cells in-vitro.
The second project attempted to finish the genome of multidrug-resistant Elizabethkingia meningoseptica 501 and start finishing the genome of a new Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST395 strain, employing whole-genome Nextera XT and Mate Pair sequencing (Illumina). Optimization of Nextera XT for organisms with different GC content was also carried out in the study using 3 species – Escherichia coli (Medium GC), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (high GC) and Elizabethkingia meningoseptica (low GC). Finally, using PCR and Sanger sequencing, the genome of E. meningoseptica was almost completed, obtaining 4 gapped fragments of the genome, what makes HTS (high-throughput sequencing) a very powerful scientific tool.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Res.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Res.

Supervisor(s):