Investigating the Interplay Between the Agrochemical Dieldrin and Huntington’s Disease

Project Title

Investigating the Interplay Between the Agrochemical Dieldrin and Huntington’s Disease

Faculty Mentor(s)

Project Description

Project Description: 

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the huntingtin protein (Htt). HD results in selective degeneration of the striatum in the brain, leading to a myriad of impairments in cognitive, motor, and psychiatric function. In addition to the genetic predisposition, exposure to environmental chemicals is known to induce nature-nurture interactions, which can lower the age of onset and exacerbate the disease severity. Dieldrin is a chlorocarbon insecticide banned from most of the world; however, dieldrin can be retained for decades in lipid-rich tissue. Specifically, dieldrin has been reported to accumulate in Parkinson’s disease (PD) postmortem tissues and has been shown to inhibit mitochondrial dynamics. Given the similarities in pathophysiological mechanisms between PD, HD, and insecticide exposure, we hypothesize that dieldrin will augment cellular processes regulated by the HD gene, thereby contributing to neurodegeneration. Our research identifies dieldrin as an environmental risk factor for HD and will help educate at-risk populations.  
 

Why is your research important?

The results from my research will help us identify the mechanism of neurotoxicity for the agrochemical dieldrin and therefore suggest potential therapeutic targets to combat dieldrin induced neurodegeneration in Huntington’s Disease patients. Dieldrin has been banned in most countries but is still in use in some. Establishing its neurotoxicity will also help to educate at-risk demographic groups who are persistently exposed to it and advocate for policies requiring the use of safer pesticides and tighter restrictions on the use of toxic ones such as dieldrin.
 

What does the process of doing your research look like?

The lab is a cellular and molecular lab, meaning we work with cells, so most of the work is microscopic. In the lab, we culture cells, expose them to various concentrations of dieldrin at different time points, and then conduct assays to assess how it may be mediating cell death and diminishing cell health. We usually measure cell death, cell viability, mitochondrial health, autophagy, as well as protein expression using a number of established scientific techniques.
 

What knowledge has your research contributed to your field?

The results from my research reveal a key underlying cellular mechanism of dieldrin-induced neurodegeneration in HD and suggest potential therapeutic targets to combat dieldrin-mediated progression in Huntington’s Disease patients.
 

In what ways have you showcased your research thus far?

I have presented my research at the Undergraduate Research Symposium as well as the Oberlin Summer Research Institute Symposium. My hope is that if we continue to work on this project, under the mentorship of Professor Kwakye, we can compile substantial findings and publish a paper.

 

How did you get involved in research? What drove you to seek out research experiences in college?

The emphasis on undergraduate research at Oberlin was one of my reasons for applying and coming to Oberlin. I was fortunate to be a part of the STRONG Program whose aim is to increase access to resources for marginalized students in STEM. STRONG gave me an early introduction to research through the Research and Reasoning First Year Seminar and also connected me to a mentor based off of my interests as early as freshman year.
 

What is your favorite aspect of the research process?

I especially enjoy the literature review and the data analysis of my research because it reminds me of the potential for impact that my project has. I’m passionate about health equity and I hope to contribute to narrowing the health disparities so that marginalized communities and groups can have access to good quality health and also be informed of the health risks of things they are exposed to on a daily basis. Contextualizing my research into the bigger picture during data analysis and literature review makes the implications of my research more tangible and substantial to me. 
 

How has working with your mentor impacted the development of your research project? How has it impacted you as a researcher?

My mentor is very supportive and encouraging  and this has helped boost my confidence when conducting experiments and presenting my research. My mentor’s constructive criticism has sharpened my critical thinking skills and problem solving skills. It's nice to work in an environment where I am trusted enough to handle things by myself while being encouraged to ask questions and also being assured that it is okay to make mistakes.
 

How has the research you’ve conducted contributed to your professional or academic development?  

The research has equipped me with technical and transferable skills that I can apply in future jobs. I've learnt to collaborate and communicate with my teammates, to think critically in proposing solutions as well as to troubleshoot when things don't always go as planned. The experience has also helped me hone certain techniques such as Western Blotting, Cell culture and other assays, and to use various softwares for data analysis such as GraphPad Prism, SPSS and Microsoft Office Suit. 

 

What advice would you give to a younger student wanting to get involved in research in your field?

Don’t be afraid to approach professors with research ideas or to ask them for mentorship. If you’re in STEM, attend Lab Crawl and the Research Symposiums because it can help you narrow down the specific research you’re interested in in your field. Also, it’s never too early to start seeking out research opportunities, Winter Term can be a good time to dip your foot into research before you decide to pursue it or not!