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
Nuclear transfer of synchronized African wild cat somatic cells into enucleated domestic cat oocytes
Hurricane Mitch: development of immunological tools to assess the health status of shrimp
Biosecurity and regulatory considerations for transfer of cryopreserved sperm and early life stages of aquatic species
Flow cytometric evaluation of antibiotic effects on viability and mitochondrial function of refrigerated spermatozoa of Nile tilapia
A flow cytometric approach to the study of crustacean cellular immunity
Induction of triploidy and tetraploidy in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)
Elicitation of macrophages from the peritoneal cavity of channel catfish
Technology transfer opportunities : new development : new protocol verifies sterility of newly hatched fish
An alternative bacteriological medium for the isolation of Aeromonas spp.
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.
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 69
Nuclear transfer of synchronized African wild cat somatic cells into enucleated domestic cat oocytes
The African wild cat is one of the smallest wild cats and its future is threatened by hybridization with domestic cats. Nuclear transfer, a valuable tool for retaining genetic variability, offers the possibility of species continuation rather than extinction. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of somatic cell nuclei of the African wild cat (AWC) to dedifferentiate within domesticAuthorsM.C. Gomez, J.A. Jenkins, A. Giraldo, R.F. Harris, A. King, B.L. Dresser, C.E. PopeHurricane Mitch: development of immunological tools to assess the health status of shrimp
No abstract available.AuthorsJohn R. Dankert, Jill A. JenkinsBiosecurity and regulatory considerations for transfer of cryopreserved sperm and early life stages of aquatic species
No abstract available.AuthorsTerrence R. Tiersch, Jill A. JenkinsFlow cytometric evaluation of antibiotic effects on viability and mitochondrial function of refrigerated spermatozoa of Nile tilapia
Improved techniques for storage and evaluation of fish sperm would enhance breeding programs around the world. The goal of this study was to test the effect of antibiotics on refrigerated sperm from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by use of flow cytometry with 2 dual-staining protocols for objective assessment of sperm quality. Concentrations of 1 x 109 sperm/mL were suspended in Ringer's bufAuthorsM. Segovia, J.A. Jenkins, C. Paniagua-Chavez, T.R. TierschA flow cytometric approach to the study of crustacean cellular immunity
Responses of hemocytes from the crayfish Procambarus zonangulus to stimulation by fungal cell walls (Zymosan A) were measured by flow cytometry. Changes in hemocyte physical characteristics were assessed flow cytometrically using forward- and sidescatter light parameters, and viability was measured by two-color fluorescent staining with calcein-AM and ethidium homodimer 1. The main effects of zymoAuthorsW. Cardenas, J.A. Jenkins, J.R. DankertInduction of triploidy and tetraploidy in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)
Induction of triploidy and tetraploidy in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, was investigated by heat shock, cold shock, hydrostatic pressure, and/or chemicals (cytochalasin A, B, and D). Additionally, efficacy of combined protocols was determined. Heat shock 10 min after fertilization induced triploidy when incubation temperature was 24 C but not when incubation temperature was 31 C. Heat shocAuthorsA.-R.A. El Gamal, K. B. Davis, J.A. Jenkins, Torrans E. LesElicitation of macrophages from the peritoneal cavity of channel catfish
Four chemicals were evaluated for elicitation of macrophages in peritoneal cavities of 250–300‐g healthy channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Cellular exudates were collected at 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 20 d following intraperitoneal injections with squalene, Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA), goat serum, thioglycollate, or as a control, phosphate‐buffered saline. Injection with either squalene or FIAuthorsJ.A. Jenkins, P.H. KlesiusTechnology transfer opportunities : new development : new protocol verifies sterility of newly hatched fish
U.S. Geological Survey's Biological Resources Disicipline scientists have developed a procedure that could save commercial producers of triploid grass carp between $2000 and $3000 per pond. Since 1983, triploid grass carp have been commercially available for managing aquatic weeds that can cause water quality problems, replace native plants, or impede recreational and commercial use of fisheries aAuthorsJ.A. JenkinsAn alternative bacteriological medium for the isolation of Aeromonas spp.
Two solid bacteriologic media were compared for cultivating Aeromonas spp. from piscine sources: the Rimler-Shotts (RS) medium and a starch-glutamate-ampicillin-penicillin-based medium (SGAP-10C) used for the recovery of Aeromonas spp. from water samples. The selective and differential capacities of the media were assessed March through October 1992 by recovery rate and phenotype of 99 isolates reAuthorsJ.A. Jenkins, P.W. TaylorNon-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.