2020 Abstracts

Bonnett, Kelsie; Golden, Kaitlyn; Johnson, Jerry (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Johnson, Jerald (Brigham Young University, Biology)

Understanding life-history strategies allows us to know how a changing environment affects species and communities. Livebearing Poeciliid fish are commonly used as models to gain a better understanding of these strategies, but some species like Alfaro cultratus have been neglected in this process. A. cultratus is a freshwater fish with a unique keel-shaped anal fin commonly found along the eastern coast of Central America. To understand the life-history strategies of this species and use it as a future model, I am performing an experiment to: 1) determine if there is sexual selection in Alfaro cultratus considering both body size and anal fin length; 2) determine whether A. cultratus displays sexual selection; and 3) understand how predation influences both dimorphism and selection. To do this I will be performing a two-part experiment in which I will first analyze previously collected samples for morphological differences, and second perform a live experiment to test Alfaro female preference. By doing so I will be able to not only advance our understanding of A. cultratus, but of life-history theory and conservation strategies.

Szulik, Marta; Wang, Li; Franklin, Sarah. (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Franklin, Sarah (Medicine, Internal Medicine)

Heart failure (HF) is a type of heart disease characterized by the structural and functional impairment of ventricular filling. In 2016, HF was the underlying cause of death in approximately 78,000 individuals and today more than 6.2 million Americans suffer from heart failure. HF is the final stage for many types of heart disease including cardiac hypertrophy. During hypertrophy, the ventricular walls thicken to help maintain the proper workload needed to continue supplying the body with oxygenated blood. In addition to increase in cell size, cardiac hypertrophy leads to cell death, fibrosis, metabolic reprogramming and reactivation of fetal gene expression. Gene expression is often modulated by changes in chromatin and histone structure via post-translational modifications (PTMs). Histone methylation, a covalent PTM, has been shown to play a significant role in cardiac development.

Smyd1 is a muscle specific lysine histone methyltransferase protein that has a role in early cardiac development and is known to methylate histone H3 on lysine-4. Additionally, loss of Smyd1 in adult mice models has been shown to induce heart failure and hypertrophy whereas overexpression of Smyd1 has been shown to restrict hypertrophic growth in cell model. Although Smyd1 knockdown experiments have been performed in vivo, the effects of knocking down Smyd1 in isolated cardiomyocytes has not been examined. Furthermore, the effects Smyd1 overexpression in adult mammalian heart failure is unknown.

This project seeks to characterize changes in global levels of histone PTM's as a result of either overexpressing or silencing Smyd1. Using proteomic analysis, we have identified the changes in histone methylation and consequently gene expression in the adult heart and isolated cells in response to Smyd1. Our results help us better understand Smyd1 role in the failing heart and help determine it therapeutic potential.

Smith, Chyanne; Jal, Tumursukh; Duuji, Nyam-Ochir; Tumur, Battogtokh; Mull, John (Weber State University)
Faculty Advisor: Mull, John (Weber State University, College of Science; Zoology)

The Darhad Valley, Mongolia, is a sparsely populated area with abundant wildlife and numerous livestock, including: goats, yaks, horses, and sheep. Few studies completed in this location have placed an importance on obtaining baseline species data. To our knowledge, no data have been collected on small mammal diversity, density, and distribution. This study focused on live-trapping small mammals, with an emphasis on rodents, in six locations throughout the Darhad. We aimed to identify species currently present and develop protocols for future work. Captured rodents represented four families: Sciuridae, Arvicolinae, Cricetidae, and Muridae. Common species included striped dwarf hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis), Mongolian silver voles (Alticola semicanus), and Korean field mice (Apodemus peninsulae). Challenges encountered, which must be mitigated in future studies, include: curious humans, resource and waste management, grazing animals, and novel food sources. These studies should also emphasize community composition, range, and presence of ectoparasites, which could transfer zoonotic diseases.

Frandsen, Paul; Bursell, Madeline; Taylor, Adam; Wilson, Seth; Steeneck, Amy; Stewart, Russell (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Frandsen, Paul (Life Sciences, Plant and Wildlife Sciences)

Caddisfly (Insecta: Trichoptera) silk is unique from other insect's silk in that it retains its adhesive capabilities, strength and viscoelasticity when submerged in water. To understand how caddisfly silk is capable of possessing these characteristics, it is essential to understand the protein foundation of the silk proteins. Caddisfly silk is complex and made up of different structures generated by processes that are unique to caddisfly silk. H-Fibroin and L-Fibroin have been identified as two of the major protein components within caddisfly silk (Hatano & Nagashima, 2015). The caddisfly silk fibre experiences unique structures not typically seen in nature. An understanding of the primary structure of the silk fibre is essential in understanding the complexity of the silk's capabilities. In this study, we used proteomic techniques to analyze the complex H-Fibroin protein and the silk fibre in order to look at the underlying structural features of the protein. In doing so, we identified post-translational phosphorylation, metal cation incorporation, and other structural features which contributes to Caddisfly silk's adhesive capabilities, strength and viscoelasticity when submerged in water.

Wilson, Nancy; Johnson, Steven (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Johnson, Steven (Life Sciences, Microbiology & Molecular Biology)

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States today. Between sixty and ninety percent of diabetics also have sleep apnea. Although both sleep apnea and diabetes engender weight gain, the comorbidity of the two conditions is higher than can be explained by obesity alone.
In this study we explore the advantages of and evidence for the coevolution of diabetes and sleep apnea.
There is a metabolic shift that takes place when the cells of the heart need repair. Normally, hypoxic events cause a shift in heart-cell metabolism toward a high-glucose energy use. This shift mechanism is still fully functional in a diabetic heart cell, but because the underlying diabetes shifts the cellular metabolism to a primarily fatty-acid-based energy use, even a normally functioning hypoxia-induced cascade does not lead to full glucose metabolism or normal cellular repair.
So sleep apnea might serve a useful function in instigating heart tissue repair in cells. This suggests that sleep apnea and diabetes are not just frequently found together, but one condition may be causing the other.
After discussing some of the possible evolutionary drivers for co-adaptation of sleep apnea and diabetes, we examine some of the epigenetic marks associated with the two conditions, laying the groundwork for a better understanding of the underlying etiology.

Boyce, Zach; Smith, Calvin; Martin, Ashlyn; Ketch, Yuko; Dugan, James; Wright, Cole (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Jeffrey, Edwards (Brigham Young University, Physiology and Developmental Biology)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex psychological disorder that affects about 1 of 4 individuals after a stressful/traumatic experience. One common model to induce PTSD in rats is social defeat (SD) combined with chronic light exposure. First, we screened rats for natural anxiety to use in the SD protocol. Next, elevated plus maze (EPM) and light-dark transition (LDT) tests were used to detect anxious behavior after SD. The SD protocol induced significant anxious behavior when compared to controls. Next, we performed long-term potentiation (LTP) field electrophysiology synaptic plasticity physiology experiments in brain slices of the ventral hippocampus (VH) and basolateral amygdala (BLA), regions known to have altered enhanced plasticity in PTSD. SD significantly increased LTP in the VH (~25% greater than control) and BLA (~35% greater than control). To determine whether a prophylactic treatment could prevent the physiological changes of PTSD, we simultaneously administered two drugs at 10 mg/kg doses by intraperitoneal injection one week prior to and for the duration of SD. The first, propranolol, is a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, and the second, mifepristone, is a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist; thus, treatment would target the action of stress hormones altered in PTSD. To determine whether a prophylactic treatment could prevent the physiological changes of PTSD, propranolol and mifepristone, antagonists of two stress receptors, were simultaneously administered at 10 mg/kg doses by intraperitoneal (IP) injection one week prior to and for the duration of SThese drugs significantly decreased LTP in the VH and BLA back to near-control levels while SD rats with vehicle injections still had elevated LTP. However, SD drug-treated rats did not show significant reductions in anxious behavior compared to non-injected SD rats and also exhibited significantly more anxious behavior than control rats, suggesting the IP injection induced added stress. Next, we used rtPCR to examine gene expression of drug targets and plasticity markers to determine potential mechanisms for observed LTP changes. In both the VH and BLA, SD was associated with a significant decrease in glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor expression, which was restored to control levels under drug treatment. Overall, our data suggest that propranolol and mifepristone together may be a potential prophylactic treatment for preventing PTSD through a mechanism likely mediated by glucocorticoid/mineralocorticoid receptors.

Hales, Emily; Lundgren, Jane; Carter, John; Kempton, Colton; Johnson, Steven (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Johnson, Steven (Brigham Young University, Molecular and Microbiology)

The mechanisms of transgene silencing in C. elegans are poorly understood, despite the importance of the nematode as a model for genetic research. Insertion of a transgene led to the expression of GFP in both the body wall and pharyngeal muscle cells of C. elegans as expected. However, subsequent generations stopped expressing body wall GFP. To reverse silencing, we have flanked the enhancers responsible for GFP expression with 601 sequences. The 601 sequence strongly positions nucleosomes. We hypothesize that this positioning will eliminate transgenerational gene silencing of body wall GFP.

Ashley McCarty, Akila Ram, Max V. McDermott, Erin N. Bobeck (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Bobeck, Erin (College of Science, Biology Department)

Morphine is a potent opioid analgesic, but its long term use can lead to negative side effects, including tolerance, which is a decrease in the effectiveness of the opioid. An area of active interest is looking into the molecular effects of chronic morphine treatment in the Periaqueductal gray (PAG), a brain region that controls descending pain modulation. One such molecular target within the PAG is extracellular-signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK). Previous studies have shown that pharmacological inhibition of ERK enhanced morphine tolerance, indicating that ERK activity is associated with better responsiveness to morphine. The PAG is known to contain a heterogenous population of neurons including GABA and glutamate subtypes. However, which neurons ERK is activated in within the PAG following morphine tolerance is unknown. Further, there are known differences in PAG activity between male and female mice. However, these sex-differences have not been well studied after morphine tolerance using acute pain tests. The purpose of this research is to investigate differences in ERK activation following morphine tolerance in male and female mice. We treated wild-type male and female mice with morphine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline for 5 days to induce morphine tolerance, following which both behavior and protein immunofluorescence were assessed. We observe sex-specific differences in ERK activation levels and morphine antinociceptive tolerance in mice. We also assessed co-localization of ERK with GABA and glutamate neurons after morphine tolerance. The study will help us understand the cell-type specificity of kinase activation following morphine tolerance. Further this will give us more information about the nature of neurons that are contributing to sex-differences in opioid functions within the PAG

Berlin, Ian; Kenealey, Jason. (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Kenealey, Jason (Life Science; Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science)

Prostate cancer accounts for 9.9% of all new cancer cases in the United States annually, and thought it has high 5-year survival rate of 98%, but its prognosis changes if the cancer becomes drug resistant or metastases. Natural compounds are often used and studied for their potential chemotherapeutic effects or their sensitizing effects which increases the cancer cells susceptibility to treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine is a common source for finding bioactive small molecules which may have chemotherapeutic effects. This study focused on 9 putative natural compounds and their effectiveness of treating PC-3 prostate cancer cells. First their IC50s were calculated and then used in Mixture Design Response Surface Methodology (MDRSM) to determine the optimal mixture ratio and used in Chou Talalay statistical analysis to determine if combination effects were synergistic, antagonistic or additive. The compounds used in ascending order starting at the most potent or lowest IC50 to highest; Triptolide, .01819uM (Ttd), Shikonin, .6002uM (Shk), Curcumin 20.83uM (Cur), Emodin, 57.38uM (Em), Wogonin, 97.87uM (Wo) Berberine, 101.4uM (BB), Silibinin, 106.2uM (or Silybin) (Sy), Epigallocatechin gallate, 272.6uM (EGCG), and beta Elemene, 304.3uM (beta-E). Emodin, Silibinin and EGCG all appeared to act primarily via cell cycle inhibition and their effectiveness was found to increase in combination with other small molecules. The ideal combination was provided a multi-faced approach reduce cell viability which suggests it may help treat prostate cancer cells in vivo either in tandem or alone.

Park, Yeram; Lin, Jade; Ross, Micah; Stark, Michael; (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Stark, Michael (Life Sciences, Physiological and Developmental Biology); Hansen, Marc (Life Sciences, Physiological and Developmental Biology)

Neural tube defects (NTDs), which result from failure to close the neural tube during embryonic development, are one of the most widespread and common congenital malformations. Variance in these malformations can range from anencephaly (failure of the neural tube to close on the cranial end) to spina bifida (failure of closure on the posterior/dorsal end). Over the years, scientists have explored this field and have found different environmental factors that may attribute to the likelihood of NTDs. Some of these include fumonisin, valproic acid and more recently discovered, ceramide. To help counter NTDs, studies have shown that folic acid supplementation given to pregnant women has reduced the risk of NTDs and this has become a recommended suggestion by doctors. With its known preventative effects, this study aims to determine whether the preventative effects of folic acid can counter the harmful effects of fumonisin, valproic acid, or ceramide.

Bird, Devin; Nufer, Teresa; Wu, Bridget; Edwards, Jeffrey (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Edwards, Jeffrey (Brigham Young University, Physiology and Developmental Biology)

Drug addiction is a consequence of neural plasticity in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), an area of the brain's reward system, in which higher levels of dopamine are expressed. Research suggests that decreased activity of inhibitory _-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons in the VTA could be the cause of increased activity of dopaminergic cells in the VTA, and thus mediate opiate addiction (Tan). However, not much additional research has been performed to evaluate the plasticity of VTA GABA neurons and the role they play in addiction. Why are VTA GABAergic cells being inhibited and how? We hypothesize that inhibitory inputs onto GABA neurons in the VTA directly affect the degree of inhibition of VTA dopaminergic cells. Additionally, we hypothesize that GABAergic neurons of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) is a source input that extends into the VTA and inhibits VTA GABAergic neurons. We believe that inhibition from these LH neurons induces plasticity of VTA GABAergic neurons.

Through the use of optogenetics we have been able to isolate precise GABAergic pathways that lead into the VTA. Specifically, we have isolated input sources from the LH. These optogenetic experiments, in combination with electrophysiology, have allowed us to measure the specific effects that LH GABA neurons have on VTA GABA neurons. Currently, our data suggests that LH GABAergic cells do induce long-term depression (LTD) in VTA GABAergic cells, however, it is too soon to make any conclusions. Although experiments are still underway, we believe that LH GABAergic neurons play an important role in the drug addiction pathway by inhibiting VTA GABAergic neurons and inducing plasticity.

Pugh, Sam; Valentine, Julie; Miles, Leslie (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Valentine, Julie (Brigham Young University, College Of Nursing); Miles, Leslie (Brigham Young University, College of Nursing)

Rape is generally recognized as a sexual assault by a male perpetrator to a female victim. However, sexual assault is a crime that affects all genders. Although the majority of rapes are male to female, current findings indicate that one in seventy-one men will be raped in their lifetime. Over time, research has recognized the psychological effects and underreporting that ail male rape victims. However, very little has been reported regarding short tandem repeat (STR) DNA findings from sexual assault kits of male victim rapes. These STR DNA profiles prove to be highly influential in the detainment and prosecution of perpetrators. After an extensive search for earlier publications concerning the topic, only three articles were found to have relative correlation to this topic. Current best practice is to obtain STR DNA profiles from sexual assault kit samples to enter into the FBI Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate DNA analysis findings from 266 sexual assault kits collected from male sexual assault victims and compare predictors for the development of CODIS-eligible STR DNA profiles of male victims to female victims. Our study methodology is an exploratory, retrospective design to identify male rape victims from a sample size of 5,758 victims who received sexual assault forensic examinations with sexual assault kit evidence collection. Approximately 5% of the victims in our study were male (N=266). Male victims were found to have more physical or mental impairments. Male victim cases revealed significantly less development of STR DNA profiles and CODIS-eligible DNA profiles of the perpetrator (p=.007). Due to low STR DNA profile yields and increased targeting of mentally impaired or otherwise vulnerable male victims, we must improve our response to male victims to ensure justice to all victims of sexual assault.

McRae, Elisa; Solis Leal, Antonio; Giler, Noemi; Karlinsey, Dalton; Quaye, Abraham; Berges, Bradford (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Berges, Bradford (Brigham Young University, Microbiology and Molecular Biology)

HIV-1 infects CD4 T-cells by inserting its genome into a cell's genetic sequence. CRISPR technology allows for gene editing within the cell, causing a break in DNA sequences targeted by specific guide RNAs. Plasmids encoding CRISPR and guide RNA (gRNA) genes, in the context of lentiviral delivery vectors, will be transfected to produce two lentiviral vectors. In vitro experiments include human T cells that will be transduced with the lentiviral vectors and analyzed with flow cytometry to determine cells that express CRISPR and gRNAs. These cells will then be sorted to create a population of cells that express both the CRISPR and gRNA genes and will then be infected with the NL4-3 strain of HIV. For in vivo experiments, human hematopoietic stem cells will be transduced with the lentivirus vectors, after which they will be transplanted into humanized mice, thus producing a human-like immune system for testing the efficacy of our anti-HIV approach. After the human immune system has sufficiently developed in the mice, HIV-1 will be introduced. We expect that human immune cells with CRISPRs will be protected against HIV infection and death due to the use of gRNAs. These cells are postulated to no longer be susceptible to HIV-1 infection, thus preventing further cell lineages from becoming infected. We will analyze data for three main endpoints: 1. Cell killing of HIV, 2. HIV rebound due to the high mutation rate of the virus, 3. Amount of HIV replication, examined by assessing the viral RNA outside of cells using Q-RT-PCR. Data from this project will support whether cells transfected with CRISPR and guide RNAs offer cell lineages that adequately disrupt the HIV-1 genome. Efforts of this study hope to address HIV infection in humans following trials with humanized mice.

Mitchell, Emily (Weber State University)
Faculty Advisor: Arnold, Kristen (Engineering, Applied Science & Technology, Interior Design)

The design in this space will be used to keep the building fresh and calm with all of the changing that will be happening. This non-profit is here to help out women who are running from abusive relationships. Union Station is large enough so that they can house many different families or individuals. Giving them a space where they can get checkup when they are too afraid. There will be security in this locations so women will feel safe. (Aolain) There will be checkup rooms as well as therapy rooms where they can talk with someone private. There will be plenty of space to sleep for everyone that comes into this facility. To create a sense of home is to give them a space where they can have their own time and own space. (Falk, Wijk and Persson) There will be a small cafe and small store where they can buy small items for themselves or for their children. There will be classrooms for both the women and the children where everyone can learn to better themselves. Using the calming color of soft blue and soft green the space will be there for the women. (Instablogs.com) It will help with their fears of the unknown. The space will reflect the way that the women want with their time at the location. To be happy and healthy with themselves or their families. The space will have energy efficiency for this historical building. (Martinez-Molina, Tort-Ausina and Cho).

Doman, Abby (Dixie State University)
Faculty Advisor: Wolfe, John (Dixie State University, Humanities)

Jean-Paul Sartre argues in his essay, “Writing for One’s Age,” that all pieces of literature are influenced by the time period they are written in. This essay takes Sartre’s argument and analyzes the select works from four American pragmatists – Charles Sanders Peirce, John Dewey, William James, and Richard Rorty – through this lens. I also review Sartre’s literature in the light of his own philosophy. By taking into consideration the impact of prominent ideas of each pragmatist’s time period, a conclusion can be drawn for which ideas are relevant for the age they were written for and which ideas are consistent for the human condition. Therefore, the philosophies of American pragmatists can be reexamined to eliminate the contamination of the historical context.

Roberts, Katie (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Kinkead, Joyce (College of Humanities and Social Sciences, English Department)

The internet has provided students with countless opportunities for success and learning, online grammar checkers and blogs playing a significant role for many in their pursuit of education. Grammar blogs offer tips, tricks, and examples to help people learn grammar, while grammar checker websites, such as Grammarly, use AI technology to automatically review pieces of writing, sometimes offering plagiarism checks and citation suggestions with a paid subscription. While these websites proclaim to make all the difference in students' writing, are English majors finding these helpful? This research seeks to understand what upper-division English majors think of online grammar checkers.

Evans, Justin; Murray, Cameron; Crowley, Bailey; Welker, Dennis; (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Welker, Dennis (College of Science, Biology Department)

In previous experiments, we explored the abilities of a set of newly derived vectors to transform Lactobacillus casei, specifically, the 32G and the A2-362 strains. We have now expanded our research to study the abilities of these vectors to transform additional Lactobacillus species, Lactobacillus paracasei strain LPC-37 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain HN001. The vectors were transformed into the cells by electroporation, after which the cells were given a 4-hour incubation to allow expression of the erythromycin resistance gene carried on the vectors. The cells were then plated to MRS agar containing erythromycin and incubated for 2-3 days until colonies appeared. The colonies were counted and the transformation efficiencies for each vector tabulated as colony forming units per _g of vector DNA. These studies help us to understand how effective the vectors are at transforming different species of lactic acid bacteria. We can also start to ask why some vectors performed better in some bacterial strains than they did in other strains.

Maria Stokes (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Burnett, Brandon (Weber State University, Chemistry)

This paper considers the relationship between new technologies and the history of astronomy. Using a comparative framework, I show some of the ways in which new technological introductions alter scientific practice. I argue that this dynamic is a historical pattern. To make this case, I juxtapose two astrophysical developments: the invention and early uses of optical telescopes in the early seventeenth century, most famously by Galileo, and the introduction of gravitational wave detectors beginning with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). The former has been heavily examined by historians of science; the latter is almost exclusively of interest to astronomers and physicists. In constructing this comparison, I examine primary sources such as Galileo's Discourses and Mathematical Demonstrations Related to Two New Sciences and consult other commentaries on seventeenth-century astronomy, particularly remarking on the optics used in the Galilean telescope. I then provide a survey of gravitational wave astronomy. This comparative study evidences the importance of both empirical data and networks in the development of science. Such a conclusion is significant as it carries implications for the relationship between scientific and non-scientific communities.