2024 Abstracts

Authors: Daniel Davis, Paul B Frandsen. Mentors: Paul B. Frandsen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. The nut and acorn weevils of the genus Curculio (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are a diverse group of beetles with a unique life history. A female weevil uses her rostrum (snout) that is about the length of her body to dig into the flesh of a developing hard-shelled seed and lay her eggs inside where they can safely develop into larvae. After the grown larvae exit their seeds, they spend one or more years burrowed in the soil near host trees. During this time they enter diapause, a state of suspended development to minimize the energy that they expend. Studies indicate that a major purpose of this behavior is to align their adult emergence with masting events (large scale seed production every 2-5 years) of their host trees. Between, and even within, Curculio species, there is significant variation in diapause lengths and behaviors (Higaki, 2016). This wide array of adaptive behaviors is a result of the coevolution between these insects and their various hosts. Here, we present a high quality genome of a Curculio species. With this genome, we discuss the genetic and evolutionary factors that have given rise to this unique life history of Curculio and future plans to compare the genomes of multiple Curculio to further unravel this mystery.

Authors: Lauren Silvatti.. Mentors: Zoe Thompson. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) deficiency, stemming from a mutation in the Pomc gene, presents a myriad of health challenges, including extreme hyperphagia, early-onset obesity, and infertility. This study leverages a mouse model exhibiting Pomc-deficiency to delve into the root causes of infertility. While the correlation between obesity and fertility is well-established, our primary focus is to discern whether the POMC mutation independently contributes to reproductive challenges. Our investigation extends into the interplay of genetics, endocrinology, and obesity through data analysis using R, with an emphasis on deploying advanced statistical models.Video recordings of sexual behavior interactions have been analyzed manually, with independent observers marking each behavior. The frequency and duration of each behavior will be compared among three groups of pairings: wildtype-wildtype, heterozygote-heterozygote, and homozygous POMC-deficient mice. Techniques will include data cleaning, timestamp manipulation, and behavior categorization in R, a programming language commonly used for data analysis. To discern patterns and variations, our analysis will also employ statistical models such as linear mixed-effects models. We can account for potential confounding variables and significant differences in durations of previously identified important reproductive behaviors. Visualization tools, including box plots and violin plots, will provide an initial glimpse into the distribution of behavior durations. Subsequently, we plan to conduct inferential statistics, employing techniques such as Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to assess the significance of differences across multiple groups. Our investigation extends beyond descriptive statistics, with a focus on predictive modeling. Regression analyses will explore potential relationships between behavior durations and reproductive success. Machine learning algorithms will be applied to uncover complex interactions within the dataset.The anticipated results promise not only a nuanced understanding of the interplay between Pomc mutations and reproductive challenges but also the identification of potential biomarkers or predictors of successful reproduction. This comprehensive statistical approach contributes significantly to the fields of genetics, endocrinology, and obesity research, offering a robust framework for future investigations into the intricate relationship between genotype and behavior.

Authors: Seth Leavitt. Mentors: Nathan Crane. Insitution: Brigham Young University. One common form of 3D printing is Fused filament fabrication (FFF). In this process, a plastic filament is melted and extruded one line at a time to form a 3D shape. FFF often has problems that arise during printing that can cause the rest of the print to fall apart or otherwise fail. We assessed the feasibility of classifying 3D printing errors in prints using Thermography and data processing. We did this by taking constant thermal video of a specially designed printer to collect our temperature data. Then, using a constant travel speed on the printhead and using the distance traveled, we calculated the speed at which the cooling occurs. We collected cooling data on both control prints as well as parts with simulated defects (gaps in the print substrate). By analyzing the differences between the two sets of data, we determined that is feasible to identify anomalies in the printed part. This is a first step towards improving the quality of 3D-printed parts.

Authors: Hunter Morrill, Ryley Parrish. Mentors: Ryley Parrish. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Spreading depolarizations (SDs) are slow propagating waves of depolarization that move through the brain and have been associated with a wide variety of neuropathologies including the termination of seizures, the cellular correlate of aura in migraines, traumatic brain injury, and ischemic stroke. Though first characterized by Aristides Leão in the 1940s, only a very limited understanding of the mechanisms of SD induction has been achieved. SDs have been induced in mouse models using a variety of techniques, however regardless of the method of induction, high extracellular potassium and/or a strong cellular depolarization have been largely hypothesized as necessary conditions for SD induction. Interestingly, we have recently demonstrated that using a light-induced chloride pump (Halorhodopsin) to drive chloride ions into the neurons can reliably induce SDs even in the absence of high extracellular potassium levels (Parrish, 2023). It was also demonstrated that the triggering of archaerhodopsin, which removes protons from the cell and therefore hyperpolarizes the neuronal membrane without affecting chloride levels, did not induce SDs, suggesting the implication of chloride loading as a primary mechanism in SD induction. This challenges the prevalent hypothesis regarding the induction of SDs and results in a novel method of induction that allows for more characterization of the mechanisms involved. The use of genetically expressed light-gated ion channels or pumps is referred to as optogenetics. Using zebrafish, a common model for electrophysiology recordings that is also cost-effective to genetically manipulate, we have established an optogenetically induced model of SD induction. We are currently characterizing mechanisms that result in optogenetically induced SDs with pharmacology to further our understanding of SD initiation and propagation.Parrish, R. R.-G.-T. (2023). Indirect Effects of Halorhodopsin Activation: Potassium Redistribution, Nonspecific Inhibition, and Spreading Depolarization. The Journal of neuroscience: the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 43(5), 685-692.

Authors: Lais Oliveira, Corinne Jackson. Mentors: Spencer Magleby. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Space applications, such as LiDAR telescopes and reflectarray antennas, often need large arrays that deploy to meet specific mission requirements. These deployable arrays transform from a compact stowed volume to a large deployed surface area, and it is crucial for them to be light and compact with a high functional area. In this project we are improving the ratio with research in deployment by investigating the deployment of various array designs developed by the Compliant Mechanisms Research lab, intended for space applications. We obtain relative metrics, including the deployment energy curves for each design, so designs can be compared for specific applications. Specifically, we aim to assess each design’s compatibility with the aim to minimize volume and maximize surface area. This research will allow us to determine which deployment techniques can be combined, or design for external structures to aid in deployment, if needed, to create an efficient deployable array.

Authors: Maddalena Willis. Mentors: Alexandra Giannell. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Water is the most essential ingredient for life. In the desert, it is much more valuable. As Utah’s population rises, its high desert climate that provides beautiful scenery and fun recreational activities is running on a limited amount of water. Therefore it is vital that our reservoirs, lakes, streams and groundwater supply are in good condition, but this is impossible without our own efforts to help. As such, it is imperative that we avoid water contamination and negligent overconsumption. Displayed are the two paintings titled Churned and Drought. They are commentaries on the observable effects humans have had on the water condition in Wasatch and Utah County. The painting titled Churned uses the imagery of a boat prop agitating the picture plane of the painting. The serene blues and greens have been mangled and torn apart. The painting titled Drought uses the imagery of abstracted storm drains, pipes and fishing lures to illustrate the alterations humans have made on the waterways. It is very grid-like and inorganic. Combined, these two paintings are a reflection on the current state of our marine desert ecosystem.

Authors: Ezra Bradley, Sam Wald, Steve Francis, Derek Hansen, Jason McDonald, Jon Balzotti. Insitution: Brigham Young University. This presentation discusses the frameworks used to create an extended reality (XR) technical training for use in a nuclear handling context. Many of these insights can be applied to technical equipment training in various applications. In addition to describing the process for the creation of the training, design considerations are also expounded. These include approaches for colocation within the training, content presentation and navigation, and instructional design.

Authors: Tyler Peterson, Anna Jensen, Daniel Orr, Anton E Bowden. Mentors: Anton E Bowden. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Prior to approval for usage, spinal disc replacements undergo rigorous and costly tests to ensure that they will perform as designed once implanted. Wear testing, specifically, is one of the most important tests as any loose foreign particles can cause osteolysis of the surrounding tissue. Due to this, minimizing the wear experienced by a joint replacement is of extreme importance, however, wear testing is often done in latter stages of the design process as a functioning prototype is needed. These tests can be prohibitively expensive and adjustments to the prototype only add to the costs, thus a more accessible test to get an initial estimate of the wear is desirable. There are current methods employed to perform these preliminary test results, including the use of a Tribometer, which tests friction and wear. Benefits of using a tribometer are that it can control environmental factors that parallel the ISO testing standards, however, these devices cost thousands of dollars. In the present work, we designed a cost-effective preliminary testing apparatus that accurately recreates loadings that the implant will experience in flexion and extension, as well as lateral bending. The machine consists of a roller that can be loaded axially by compressing a spring to mimic realistic compressive loading conditions, and a motor that will move the roller to replicate spinal bending. The design incorporates a spring element to ensure that contact between the roller and the implant is preserved. Predictable, repeated motions achieved with this machine can provide early insights into the implant wear modes, which can facilitate iterative design improvements. Such knowledge early in the design process can save costs by reducing the need for major design changes in the late stages of product development.

Authors: Gabriella Proctor, Luke Alder. Mentors: Marcos Corchando Sonera. Insitution: Southern Utah University. The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is known to cause the disease chytridiomycosis and is notorious for its role in decimating anuran populations worldwide. A highly prevalent invasive species, the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), is understood to play an important role in the transmission of this disease in invaded regions. Notably, American bullfrogs are often largely immune to the effects of Bd, making them important reservoirs of the pathogen. Within southern Utah, this species has successfully invaded the Virgin River watershed, yet this population has not been the subject of prior study regarding its potential as a reservoir for Bd. We hypothesize that the Utah population has also been infected with Bd, potentially endangering native amphibian species. We sampled 46 bullfrog specimens from eight distinct aquatic habitats within the Virgin River basin in southwest Utah. Skin swabs will undergo purification and quantification, followed by PCR and gel electrophoresis to visualize and confirm results. We hope that our findings will be valuable in comprehending the impact of invasive American bullfrogs on amphibians within the Colorado River basin, particularly in relation to the spread and effects of chytridiomycosis.

Authors: Lant Jenkins, Dalyn Davis, Caleb Kratt. Mentors: Jeffery Barrow. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Currently, nematodes, fruit flies, and zebrafish are effective models for gene manipulation due to their rapid embryonic development and capacity for producing a large number of offspring. Avians such as the chicken have also served as embryonic models and have proven to be powerful tools for exploring developmental processes such as neural tube or limb development. Because of high chick fecundity, a relatively short period of development, and the accessibility of the chick embryo, the chicken would make an excellent model for gene manipulation that would significantly enhance our study of the relationship between genes and phenotypes in vertebrates. The aim of our research is to develop a line of genetically modified chicken germ cells into which new DNA vectors can be seamlessly introduced via cassette exchange. The design of the germ cells is such that the DNA vectors will be incorporated into the chicken genome at specified safe harbor locations, areas of euchromatin where the introduced DNA will not interfere with other genes. These modified germ cells can then be injected into chicken embryos and contribute to the chick’s germline. We anticipate that this model for modifying the chicken’s genome will significantly enhance our ability to introduce new DNA vectors, making the chicken a more desirable model for studying embryonic development via genetic manipulation.

Authors: Natalie Welsh, Lauren Brooks, Skyler Belka. Mentors: Natalie Welsh, Lauren Books. Insitution: Utah Valley University. When bacteria gain resistance to antimicrobial substances, they become a public health threat due to an inability to treat infections and control outbreaks. Staphylococcus aureus is a common element of the human microbiome that is widely associated with antibiotic resistance. While MRSA (or methicillin-resistant S. aureus) has long been prevalent, new types of antibiotic resistance, including VRSA (or vancomycin-resistant S. aureus), have become an increasing threat in recent years. This research aims to collect samples and use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to screen for genes associated with resistance to common antibiotics, such as erythromycin, tetracycline, methicillin, and vancomycin. Molecular biology techniques are used to test various resistant genes. First, sample collection uses FloqSwabs dipped in phosphate-buffered saline and swabbed on various locations on the UVU campus (e.g., door handles/knobs, vending machines, elevators, stair rails, water fountains, cash registers and keypads, countertops). Then, DNA from collected swabs was extracted using the DNeasy PowerSoil Kit. PCR was used to amplify the 16S rRNA gene to act as a positive control and confirm the methodology captured bacteria. Once confirmed, we also examined the samples for various antibiotic-resistant genes (e.g., ErmA, ErmC, TetM, TetT, etc.). Lastly, amplified DNA is visualized using electrophoresis gels, observing under UV light to verify amplification. Understanding the genes found on campus and where they are most prevalent will help elucidate the risks to students on UVU’s campus, providing valuable public health knowledge.

Authors: Allen Otterstrom. Mentors: Joe Price. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Data quality is a key input in efforts to link individuals across census records. We examine the extreme version of low data quality by identifying census US enumerators in the US who fabricated entire families. We provide clear evidence of fake people included in the census in Homestead, Pennsylvania. We use the features of this case study to identify other places where there seem to be fake people. Our automated approach identifies census sheets that have much lower match rates to other census records that would be expected, given the characteristics of the people recorded on each sheet.

Authors: Caroline Torgersen, Tyler O'Loughlin, Ellie Evans, Vern Hart, Clint Flinders. Mentors: Vern Hart. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Stage-IV cancers are commonly identified by tumors having metastasized to other parts of the body. However, studies have shown that cancerous tissues often release “seeds” of circulating tumor clusters (CTCs) into the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems long before metastasized sections of the tumor are identifiable. These CTCs can circulate or remain dormant for long periods of time, even after the lesion is excised. In addition, these structures exist on scales that are not currently identifiable using conventional imaging modalities and are only detectable after being isolated. To address this issue, we demonstrate a simple optical diffraction system utilizing visible laser light and a beam profiler to collect speckle images from polystyrene microbeads (mimicking CTCs) flowing through an IV tube (mimicking a vein or artery). These scattering images were used to train a convolutional neural network, which was able to distinguish bead sizes ranging from 30 to 120 microns (comparable to the diameter of CTCs). A Softmax classifier was included with multiple target categories corresponding to different clusters sizes. As blood cells are significantly smaller (5-20 microns), this system could be used to non-invasively identify the presence of larger scatterers in a blood stream in situ, indicating the presence of CTCs, and providing a potential diagnostic biomarker for early-stage cancer.If a oral presentation is not available we would still love to present a poster.

Authors: Jaylee Montague, Skylar Belka, Gabe Espinoza, Geoff Zahn, Alma Laney. Mentors: Alma Laney. Insitution: Utah Valley University. In May of 2022, a several unidentified trees on Utah Valley University (UVU) campus property exhibited severe virus-like symptoms including: mosaic patterning; yellowing, curling, deformed leaves; and flaking bark. Due to the presence of unidentified aphids and after a literature search, we began investigating the sample for a +ssRNA virus. Extensive testing and RNA sequencing using the MinION v9.4.1 and the cDNA PCR Barcoding kit revealed that neither a ssRNA nor a dsRNA virus were present in the samples, thus, it was suspected that a DNA virus could be the cause. We utilized Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA) on extracted DNA. Following the RCA, gel electrophoresis revealed a strong amplicon larger than 10 kb, suggesting the presence of a DNA virus. Sequencing of the viral genome from the RCA product using the MinION vs10.4.1 chip showed that the mulberry did contain baculoviruses and large DNA viruses. Unfortunately, though, the MinION did not get results for DNA plant viruses, so we sent samples for RNAseq on the Illumina NovaSeq, with results still pending. This is significant since it is likely that the other symptomatic plants near these trees—including redbud and spirea—were infected with the same virus due to RCA amplification in those samples and the presence of the same potential aphid vector. Mechanical inoculations to several herbaceous hosts were done using infected spirea tissue. Furthermore, to our knowledge this is the first report of a DNA virus infecting spirea and redbud in the United States.

Authors: Elise Bennett, Megan Frisby, Rob Hess, Max Taylor, Erin Riggs, Alma Laney. Mentors: Alma Laney. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Beet curly top virus (BCTV) is a highly destructive virus found in most of the Western United States characterized by curling of the leaves, yellowing, and lack of produce. Historically, BCTV was a key factor in the decline of sugar beet production in Utah, formerly a large factor in the state economy. Commonly found in beets, tomatoes, and peppers, BCT is vectored by the beet leafhopper, Circulifer tenellus, as it feeds on the phloem tissue. Novel hosts of this virus found in Utah include sunflower, mallow, eggplant, hemp, big sagebrush, and Solanum jamesii, the Four Corners potato. Sunflowers showed symptoms of curled leaves and stunting. Similarly, the eggplant developed shriveled leaves and a mosaic at the leaf tips. Four Corners potato, a staple food source of the Indigenous peoples of the Southwest, displayed strong symptoms including stunting, leaf yellowing, and leaf curling. Weedy species and other garden plants displaying various viral symptoms were also collected for testing. Detection was done using published BCTV detection primers and rolling circle amplification with the use of Phi29 polymerase to prepare the genome for whole genome sequencing. A 518 bp region was sequenced to 4x coverage from eight host samples. To ensure the validity of diagnosis, a triple antibody sandwich ELISA was performed confirming the results. Considering the history of BCTV in relation to the agriculture industry of Utah, the discovery of novel hosts is cause for concern since this virus is adaptable and limits crop yield. The diagnosis of BCTV in native plants, such as the Four Corners potato and the big sagebrush, is pressing as it these local flora are unique to the region. The verification of BCTV in these novel hosts allows for the agriculture industry of Utah to prepare prevention methods including the monitoring of beet leafhoppers and increased integrated pest management strategies are needed to protect our local environment.

Authors: Brynlyn Hastings, Dante Cervantes, Jaime Analuisa. Mentors: Lindsay Chaney. Insitution: Snow College. Ants are a diverse and ecologically significant group of insects, yet their species identification in the field can be challenging due to their small size and morphological variation. In this study conducted at Snow College, we employed DNA barcoding techniques to unravel the ant species diversity within the local ecosystem of Snow College's Campus. Our research aimed to shed light on the ant species biodiversity concerning areas that had more human interference compared to those with little human interference contributing to a better understanding of local biodiversity.

Authors: Owen Damitz. Mentors: Jeffrey Tessem. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Type one and two diabetes affect the everyday lives of millions of people worldwide. These diseases are characterized by decreased functional beta cell mass. Functional beta cell mass is defined by the beta cell’s ability to proliferate, secrete insulin, and resist apoptosis. Wehave shown that the orphan nuclear receptor Nr4a3 is sufficient to induce beta cell proliferation. We have sought to define compounds that can interact with and modulate Nr4a3 activity. Using AutoDock Vina we have defined a number of compounds that interact with Nr4a3. Here wepresent data demonstrating the ability of these compounds to modulate Nr4a3 mediated proliferation, survival, and insulin secretion in the beta cell. Furthermore, we demonstrate the effect of these compounds to modulate Nr4a3 transcriptional control. These findings are the basis for developing interventions to increase functional beta cell mass as a treatment for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Authors: Tessa C Black, Craig D Thulin. Mentors: Craig Thulin. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are a distinctive and beloved species due to their unique wing coloration. In 2022, UVU student Kyri Forman and Dr. Craig Thulin identified seven pigments in monarch butterfly wings, three of which have not yet been identified in any other organism. The novel pigments are modified versions of xanthommatin, and their discovery implies the existence of presently unknown enzymes which catalyze the pigments’ biosynthesis. The western blot and its modified technique, the far western blot, are useful tools for identifying protein-protein interactions using antibodies and bait-proteins, respectively. To identify xanthommatin-binding proteins present in monarch butterfly pupae, we are developing a new blotting technique which we are calling the midwestern blot. This technique uses pigment molecules to identify the presence of pigment-binding proteins within a mixture. The midwestern blot technique will be validated is being validated using cytochrome C, hemoglobin, and myoglobin, three heme-binding proteins of known molecular weight and structure. Once validated, we will use the midwestern blot to identify xanthommatin-binding proteins extracted from monarch butterfly pupae. The midwestern blot will help promote future investigations into pigment-binding proteins, including the enzyme responsible for the novel pigments identified in monarch butterfly wings.