Apr 14, 2024
Assessing the post-nuclear testing genetic health of Pacific Islanders on Mo'orea, French Polynesia
- 1UC Berkeley
Protocol Citation: Kedhar Bartlett 2024. Assessing the post-nuclear testing genetic health of Pacific Islanders on Mo'orea, French Polynesia. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.dm6gpzry8lzp/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: April 13, 2024
Last Modified: April 14, 2024
Protocol Integer ID: 98161
Keywords: cancer, genetic disorder(s), Pacific Islander, Mo'orea, nuclear, radiation
Funders Acknowledgement:
Tetiaroa Society
Abstract
The atrocities of imperial nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean have gone without widespread recognition or addressing for too long. Health effects caused by radiation exposure can be screened for and examined genetically. The objective of this project is to collect data regarding the genetic health of ethnic Pacific Islanders on the island of Mo’orea; this data will be used to properly assess the lasting genetic and genomic effects of nuclear testing on Pacific Islanders, and to facilitate genetic counseling to individuals at no cost.
Materials
- Retrofitted van with mobile doctor's office, including electrical outlets
- DNA sequencer (find)
- Thermal cycler (find)
- Sterile cheek swabs (plastic, disposable)
- Lysis solution
- DNA buffer
- Ethanol solution
- Miniature centrifuge
- Miniature vortexer
- Test tubes
- Polypropylene centrifuge tubes
- Gloves
- Computer with internet access
- NCBI BLAST database
Safety warnings
Risk of disease transmission is inherent with the handling of buccal cell samples, which will also involve saliva and, if the sample if collected incorrectly, potentially blood. These biological materials have the potential to carry infectious diseases. Care should be taken to keep everything as aseptic as possible.
Ethics statement
Throughout all aspects of this process, the underlying theme in executing this project should be building and respecting local trust. In order to call attention to the issue of generational maladies caused by the nuclear testing history in the Pacific, we have to extract information from and maintain the respect of the Pacific Islanders we seek to help. Team members who are not Pacific Islanders themselves should take extra care to observe this theme throughout the execution of this protocol.
Before start
Participants will have been contacted randomly following a public outreach campaign assisted by local government and cultural leaders. Those interested will fill out a form.
Contacting Participants
Contacting Participants
Contact participant by email and (if phone number provided) phone, attempting to set up a time and location to meet for data collection
Confirm date, time, and location at least one week in advance. Record on team calendar.
Collecting DNA Sample
Collecting DNA Sample
Lay out all materials
Put lysis solution in test tubes
Explain to patient how to perform the buccal swab
Unwrap buccal swab and ensure the collection end does not touch anything but the inside of your cheek
Gently swab the inside of both cheeks, then "scrape" the inside of both cheeks
Return swab to technician
Stir swab around lysis solution (breaking membranes, first step to isolating DNA)
Sequencing DNA
Sequencing DNA
Isolate DNA
Pour the contents of the test tube into centrifuge tubes
Follow lab procedure to isolate DNA
Perform PCR
Thermal cycler is automatic; place centrifuge tubes in thermal cycler and let run
Put amplified DNA in sequencer and allow text file to download to computer
DNA Analysis
DNA Analysis
Paste DNA sequence into NCBI BLAST software
Run comparative analyses with pre-selected positive controls for radiation-related diseases such as thyroid and colon cancer, and other common radiation mutagen-associated genetic conditions
Record data in sheet provided (positive or negative for each condition, as well as specific marker indication for conditions that are associated with multiple mutations)
(Optional) Genetic Counseling
(Optional) Genetic Counseling
If concerning results are found with regards to patient health outlook, gently inform the patient and give them our informational pamphlet on genetic counseling services offered.
Answer any questions they may have and direct to resources (hospitals, specialists, etc.) on the pamphlet.