Meeting Abstract
Micronuclei are pieces of chromosomes that separate atypically from the group of chromosomes that aggregate in the nucleus during cell division. These micronuclei can be used as a measure of environmental damage to DNA experienced by the organism. We worked to develop an immunohistochemistry protocol to fluorescently tag micronuclei within buccal cells. Buccal cells divide rapidly, and thus are a good candidate for investigating cellular responses to environmental challenges. Buccal swabs were collected from adult Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) during the breeding season in western Virginia. A method was developed to optimize the concentration of cells that were transferred and fixed onto slides. These slides were then used to adapt the immunohistochemistry protocol for buccal cells. We will utilize immunohistochemistry moving forward to look at DNA damage, in the form of micronuclei, to provide a way to compare environmental effects on birds across different habitat types. The results of these future studies will add to our understanding of urbanization effects and highlight the importance of management systems to protect a variety of species.
