Pesticides are ubiquitous in the environment and are found in human tissues. Using fluorescence microscopy, we examined the effects of the pesticides N-phosphonomethyl glycine (glyphosate) and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on formation of stress granules (SGs), cytoplasmic aggregates of silenced mRNPs formed under stress conditions. 2,4-D caused dose-dependent formation of SGs from 1 to 4 mM, while glyphosate caused no SG formation. Our work suggests some pesticides may affect cellular stress responses, and that further research is warranted.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Lawell, Miranda Paige
• Cotter, Cecelia Li

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-032017-162729

Advisor

• Farny, Natalie
• Buckholt, Michael Allan

Year

• 2017

Date created

• 2017-03-20

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry
• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright