Nanoparticle toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster: a case study with nickel, nickel oxide, and iron-nickel alloy nanoparticles
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Tian Zhang (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Amy Adamson
Abstract: With an increase use of nanomaterials, growing concerns have risen about their potential exposure to environment and the risk of side effects on human health. My research investigates the ecological and mechanistic insights of in vivo nanoparticle toxicology via oral exposure, specifically metallic nickel, nickel-iron alloy, and nickel oxide particles, using the Drosophila melanogaster model system. In order to understand the physical and chemical behavior of the nickel-based nanoparticles that were used in this study, I characterized the particle size, morphology, aqueous aggregation state, and hydrodynamic zeta potential of these nanomaterials. I found that these nanomaterials displayed a distinct set of physicochemical properties and that these properties appear to have a significant role in the toxicological effects that I observed. Metallic nickel nanoparticles were toxic to the larvae D. melanogaster, having a dose-dependent mortality, a development delay in pupariation, inhibition of tissue growth, reduction of wing size, as well as the induction of the stress protein Hsp70 and ROS production. I also found unique fluorescent mineral depositions form in the Malpighian tubules after oral exposure to nickel nanoparticles. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy reveals that the chemical composition of these mineral crystals was calcium carbonate. The experimental evidence of the toxic effects of nickel nanoparticle effect via the oral route provides valuable information of risk and biohazard to the community.
Nanoparticle toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster: a case study with nickel, nickel oxide, and iron-nickel alloy nanoparticles
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Created on 8/1/2018
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2018
- Keywords
- Drosophila, Mineral Deposion, Nanoparticles, Nickel
- Subjects
- Nanoparticles $ Toxicology
- Nickel oxide $x Physiological effect
- Nickel alloys $x Physiological effect
- Drosophila melanogaster