Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Ionizing radiation (IR) contains sufficient energy to ionize atoms within the cell, which can result in damage to biomolecules and cellular structures such as DNA. IR can affect genetics via changes to genetic code (DNA mutations) or epigenetic changes (changes in gene expression without changes in gene sequence). The brain is a complex organ which plays essential roles in higher-order processing and basic life support functions. Previous studies have shown that ionizing radiation during gestation can lead to dysregulation in function. This study is going to investigate cellular, tissue and whole-animal mechanisms behind brain dysregulation caused by x-ray irradiation. We are going to look at the structural and functional characteristics of x-ray-induced brain dysregulation, characterization of cellular and molecular effects (transcriptomic, proteomic and epigenetic changes), and an in-vivo physiological assessment of the offspring. Pregnant mice will be irradiated and fMRI will be used prior to euthanasia to asses vascular blood flow within the brain. The whole brain will be dissected for histological assessment (structural layers) and for analysis of transcriptomic, proteomic, and epigenetic changes. A sub-group of mice will deliver their pups, which will be reared until adulthood to assess long-term physiological and behavioural effects. This research is critical to understand the potential long-term effects caused by exposure to IR during development, with a focus on cellar, tissue and whole-animal level effects to understand the biological effects of multiple levels. The future goals of this research are to develop radiation countermeasures, which aim to mitigate the harmful effects of high-dose IR exposure and protect the developing offspring.