Characterization of Genomic and Epigenomic Biomarkers of Nanoparticle Toxicity Using the Zebrafish Model System

Nanoparticles have gained considerable attention in various sectors of the biomedical, commercial, and industrial fields. The widespread use of nanoparticles further necessitates an evaluation of their safety levels and health risks before any application. Considering various toxicity biological model systems, zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) presents exceptionally advantageous features, including apparent genetic and physiological parameters that are comparable to those of mammals. This chapter is a comprehensive collection of data that address the general toxicity mechanisms of nanoparticles (identified using the zebrafish as a whole-animal model system) and the differences between nanoparticles and their derivatives in terms of routes of toxicity and molecular determinants. The chapter also presents the major peculiarities of the zebrafish genome and its importance in present era, along with various genetic markers of nanoparticle toxicity in the physiological functions of the zebrafish. It details major genomic biomarkers in different tissue lineages such as the neuronal cell lineage, the immune system, markers of reproductive health, and embryonic developmental markers. Epigenomic biomarkers of nanoparticle toxicity (identified using the zebrafish) are also described, and the overall applicability of different “omic”-based techniques is discussed. The chapter generally emphasizes the relevance of the zebrafish as a complementary model for nanoparticle toxicity assessments: the zebrafish links phenotypic outcomes to genomic and epigenomic biomarkers, providing knowledge on the adverse health consequences of nanoparticles.