The purpose of this study is to determine the role that epigenetics play in gene expression due to altered environments on organisms. Specifically, those that contribute to a change in body construction in response to pH level differences in their environment. This study will be done using Caenorhabditis elegans, a species of thread worms, which will be grown and then placed in varying pH level environments. We will assess the capacity of C. elegans to survive in altered ph level environments. Additionally, we will investigate methylation changes to determine if altered pH conditions effect the epigenetics of C. elegans. This will reveal which/ if any proteins are produced differently in gene expression of C. elegans. This study will provide important preliminary data for studying the epigenetics of organisms in changing environments due to climate change.
