YPIE Scientist: Jayce Gurciullo and Kium Hwangbo

Research: Effects of Epigenetic Transgenerational Inheritance on Locomotive Ability Among Generations of Drosophila

Research Location: Yonkers, NY

Awards: Westchester Science and Engineering Fair (WESEF) Leason Ellis Team Project Award

Abstract:

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a widespread form of light pollution that disrupts natural light cycles and has been linked to metabolic dysregulation, immunosuppression, and altered gene expression in both animals and humans. Studies show that ALAN exposure can extend infectious periods of viruses such as West Nile virus (WNV) and increase survival of infected individuals by 40%, thereby elevating human infection risk. Despite extensive research on ALAN’s physiological and immunological effects, little is known about whether ALAN can induce epigenetic changes that persist across generations. This study investigated whether ALAN triggers transgenerational epigenetic mechanisms in Drosophila melanogaster by exposing flies to 5000K, 3000K, or 1800K light for one full generation and assessing behavioral changes using negative geotaxis assays. It was hypothesized that ALAN would initially impair climbing ability, followed by improvement in subsequent generations due to epigenetic compensation, similar to how “epigenetic mechanisms may become more or less expressive depending on environmental circumstances during prenatal development.” Over a 44‑day period, three experimental groups and one control group were monitored across P1, F1, and F2 generations under controlled light conditions using a custom Arduino‑regulated FLAN (Fly Light At Night) system. Behavioral assays were conducted twice per generation to track potential inherited changes. This study aims to determine whether ALAN can induce heritable epigenetic modifications, contributing to broader understanding of how environmental light pollution may influence biological systems across generations.

Presentation Slides

About this Scientist:

Jayce Gurciullo is a current senior at Yonkers Middle High School. In college, Jayce plans on majoring in mechatronics engineering at SUNY Delhi where he intends on continuing his passion for robotics at the intersection of engineering, design and control systems.

Kium Hwangbo is a senior Full IB Diploma candidate at Yonkers Middle High School. Kium remains undecided whether to double major in Biochemistry and Biophysics or submatriculate into a master’s program in the Vagelos Program in Molecular and Life Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania but intends on combining technical mastery in the natural sciences with a career in management.