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<p class="MsoNormal">Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Biology Department Seminar<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thursday, June 23, 2022 – 12:00 Noon <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Alia Hidayat<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">PhD Candidate MIT-WHOI Joint Program<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Neuroimmune Effects of Early Life Exposure to a Harmful Algal Toxin<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Domoic acid (DA) is a neurotoxin produced by the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia that can accumulate in shellfish and cause amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). DA-producing blooms can have significant impacts on human and wildlife health, with severe
consequences for communities dependent on impacted fisheries. Clinical signs of DA toxicosis such as disorientation, seizures, and uncoordinated movement have been reported in several wildlife species and in humans. Children and developing fetuses may be particularly
vulnerable to DA. Studies in animal models demonstrate that developmental exposure to DA can result in defects in brain structure and connectivity, increased sensitivity to subsequent stressors, and altered behavior. Despite this, the cellular mechanisms of
developmental DA toxicity are not well understood. I hypothesize that, as the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS) and primary responders to CNS injury, microglia are activated by DA exposure and that this could have long-term effects
on adult health and behavior. To investigate this hypothesis, I utilized the unique strengths of the zebrafish model including the availability of transgenic reporter lines, transparency, external development, and fast generation times. I first established
windows of sensitivity to DA exposure and showed that, interestingly, susceptibility to DA varies significantly based on developmental stage. I then used confocal microscopy to demonstrate that DA does induce microglial activation at concentrations that do
not result in permanent deformities. Additionally, I showed that this activation occurs independently of cell death, suggesting that DA may act directly on microglia. This work establishes that microglia are a novel target of early life DA exposure, which
may have long-term consequences on health.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>In person:</b> <span style="background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">
Clark 271 (Quissett campus)</span> <b>Zoom:</b> <a href="https://whoi-edu.zoom.us/j/95929945818">
https://whoi-edu.zoom.us/j/95929945818</a> Meeting ID: 959 2994 5818 <b>By dial:</b> Find your local number:
<a href="https://whoi-edu.zoom.us/u/abUN2KvnGI">https://whoi-edu.zoom.us/u/abUN2KvnGI</a>
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