Applications of Aptamers for Toxicological Remediation of PFOA

Miller, William; Wigren, Hayley

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Applications of Aptamers for Toxicological Remediation of PFOA

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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of compounds that are pervasive in the environment due to their historical use in commercial and industrial applications. These pollutants are particularly stable against thermal and chemical degradation and have been shown to cause reproductive toxicity in a variety of species. We aimed to investigate DNA aptamers targeted against perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and their potential for use in toxicological remediation in both C. elegans and E. coli. CD spectroscopy illuminated a capacity for PFOA binding in both the PFOA-binding and antisense aptamers, potentially due to their similar secondary structures. C. elegans brood size assays indicated no acute reproductive toxicity after exposure to up to 100𝜇M PFOA. In E. coli, PFOA has an estimated IC_50 of 83.81 ± 27.1 𝜇M. However, in cell viability assays testing 20𝜇M aptamers against 100𝜇M PFOA, the aptamers themselves were found to significantly inhibit E. coli growth with insignificant changes with the addition of PFOA. While aptamers cannot ameliorate PFOA toxicity in E. coli, the binding capabilities of the PFOA-binding and antisense aptamers may be effective in alternate systems.

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.

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