Jill Jenkins, Ph.D.
Jill Jenkins is a Research Microbiologist at the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center.
Jill Jenkins’ efforts emphasize the study of potential impacts of environmental stressors at the cellular and molecular levels. Her major areas of focus include biomarker development, endocrine disruption, genetics, and comparative immunology. Key laboratory biotechnologies she uses are photomicroscopy and flow cytometry. Primary cell types studied are blood and spermatozoa, and assays are tailored to the particular species requirements and hypotheses being addressed.
Jenkins specializes in the development and application of biomarkers; these are measures of variables that respond in quantifiable ways to changes in the environment. The choice of particular biomarkers at specific biological levels of organization (such as genetic, cellular, tissue, hormonal, and organismal levels) depends on the study at hand. Because molecular and biochemical responses of cells are preceded by chemical changes in nuclei, cytoplasm, membranes, and extracellular fluids, these responses can be diagnostic and contribute to an assessment of ecosystem health.
BACKGROUND
1991-1992: Postdoctoral Res.; Reproductive Genetics Labs, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Univ. of TN, with Stephen Wachtel
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Microbiology, Memphis State University, 1991
M.S., Microbiology and Biochemistry, Idaho State University, 1985
B.S., Biology, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1981
Science and Products
Organic Chemical Concentrations and Reproductive Biomarkers in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Collected from Two Areas in Lake Mead, Nevada, May 1999-May 2000
Use of eyeballs for establishing ploidy of Asian carp
Cell proliferation detected with flow cytometric cell cycle analysis and immunohistochemical detection of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) from somatic tissues of Eastern Oysters, Crassostrea virginica
Assessment of gamete quality for the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) by use of fluorescent dyes
Bioindicators from Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) Sampled from the Imperial Valley in Southern California
Cryopreservation of sperm of red abalone (Haliotis rufescens)
Viability of male gametes in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) along the Lower Colorado River from the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Havasu NWR, and Lake Mohave of Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Guidelines for the use of fishes in research
Fish bioindicators of ecosystem condition at the Calcasieu Estuary, Louisiana
Flow cytometric analysis of crayfish haemocytes activated by lipopolysaccharides
Flow cytometric analysis of lectin binding to in vitro-cultured Perkinsus marinus surface carbohydrates
Pallid sturgeon in the Lower Mississippi Region: Hematology and genome information
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
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Organic Chemical Concentrations and Reproductive Biomarkers in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Collected from Two Areas in Lake Mead, Nevada, May 1999-May 2000
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and Nevada Department of Wildlife, collected and assessed data to determine the general health and reproductive status of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) at two study areas in Lake Mead, Nevada, during May 1999-May 2000. These data will form the basis of interpretations aAuthorsSteven L. Goodbred, Thomas J. Leiker, Reynaldo Patiño, Jill A. Jenkins, Nancy D. Denslow, Erik Orsak, Michael R. RosenUse of eyeballs for establishing ploidy of Asian carp
Grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella, silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, and bighead carp H. nobilis are now established and relatively common in the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers. Commercial fishers of Louisiana's large rivers report recurrent catches of grass carp, and the frequency of bighead carp and silver carp catch is increasing. Twelve black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus were recentAuthorsJ.A. Jenkins, R.G. ThomasCell proliferation detected with flow cytometric cell cycle analysis and immunohistochemical detection of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) from somatic tissues of Eastern Oysters, Crassostrea virginica
Two novel biomarker of response assays were developed and compared for use with bivalves. Bivalve mollusks are often used as bioindicators to monitor contaminant body burdens and are employed globally in pollution monitoring and as sentinels of environmental quality. The prevalence of proliferating cells in tissues of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, (n = 10) was investigated by using imAuthorsJill A. Jenkins, Jerome F. LaPeyreAssessment of gamete quality for the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) by use of fluorescent dyes
Evaluation of sperm motility is the single most widely used parameter to determine semen quality in mammals and aquatic species. While a good indicator for fresh sperm viability, post-thaw motility is not always effective at predicting fertilizing ability. Techniques using fluorescent dyes can assess functionality of mammalian sperm, but have not been widely applied in aquatic organisms. The easteAuthorsC. G. Paniagua-Chavez, J. Jenkins, M. Segovia, T.R. TierschBioindicators from Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) Sampled from the Imperial Valley in Southern California
The Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge (SSNWR) is located 64 km north of the Mexican border at the southern end of the Salton Sea in California's Imperial Valley. Freshwater ponds and managed habitats at the SSNWR, Calipatria, Calif. are supplied with Colorado River water that carries compounds from upstream sources. Components include municipal and industrial discharges, agriculturalAuthorsJill A. Jenkins, Rassa O. Draugelis-DaleCryopreservation of sperm of red abalone (Haliotis rufescens)
Abalone culture, a developing industry in Baja California, Mexico, would benefit from genetic improvement and controlled breeding. The use of cryopreserved sperm would allow germplasm availability, and this study was designed to develop sperm cryopreservation protocols for red abalone Haliotis rufescens. The acute toxic effects of the cryoprotectants dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), propylene glycol (PGAuthorsL. Salinas-Flores, C. G. Paniagua-Chavez, J.A. Jenkins, T.R. TierschViability of male gametes in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) along the Lower Colorado River from the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Havasu NWR, and Lake Mohave of Lake Mead National Recreation Area
To contribute to an investigation on possible endocrine impacts in three sites along the lower Colorado River in Arizona, especially in male fishes, this study addressed the null hypothesis that aquatic species in southern sites did not exhibit evidence of endocrine disruption as compared with those in nonimpacted sites. The results presented are intended to provide managers with science-based infAuthorsJill A. Jenkins, Steven L. GoodbredGuidelines for the use of fishes in research
No abstract available.AuthorsJ.G. Nickum, H.L. Bart, P.R. Bowser, I.E. Greer, C. Hubbs, Jill A. Jenkins, J.R. MacMillan, J.W. Rachlin, J. D. Rose, P. W. Sorenson, J.R. TomassoFish bioindicators of ecosystem condition at the Calcasieu Estuary, Louisiana
No abstract available.AuthorsJill A. JenkinsFlow cytometric analysis of crayfish haemocytes activated by lipopolysaccharides
Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria are strong stimulators of white river crayfish, Procambarus zonangulus, haemocytes in vitro. Following haemocyte treatment with LPS and with LPS from rough mutant R5 (LPS Rc) from Salmonella minnesota, flow cytometric analysis revealed a conspicuous and reproducible decrease in cell size as compared to control haemocytes. These LPS molecules alAuthorsW. Cardenas, J.R. Dankert, J.A. JenkinsFlow cytometric analysis of lectin binding to in vitro-cultured Perkinsus marinus surface carbohydrates
Parasite surface glycoconjugates are frequently involved in cellular recognition and colonization of the host. This study reports on the identification of Perkinsus marinus surface carbohydrates by flow cytometric analyses of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated lectin binding. Lectin-binding specificity was confirmed by sugar inhibition and Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistics. Clear, measurable fluoreAuthorsJ.D. Gauthier, J.A. Jenkins, Jerome F. La PeyrePallid sturgeon in the Lower Mississippi Region: Hematology and genome information
This project (Project 1448-43270-2M-002) has been coordinated through the Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery (NNFH) and the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC). From November 2001 to April 2002, over 280 sturgeon of the genus Scaphirhynchus (including pallid sturgeon, shovelnose, and their hybrids) were sampled from the outflow channel of the Old River Control StructAuthorsJill A. JenkinsNon-USGS Publications**
Jenkins, J.A. and D.D. Ourth. 1990. Membrane damage to Escherichia coli and bactericidal kinetics by the alternative complement pathway of channel catfish. Comparative Biochemisty and Physiology, 97B:477-481. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2286064**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.