Life Sciences
COI barcoding in mayflies (Ephemeroptera)
Presenters: Avery Larsen, College of science, Biology
Is Coloburiscidae Monophyletic: A Test of the Gondwanan Hypothesis
Meecham, Jarod; Ogden, T. Heath (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Ogden, Thomas (Science, Biology)
This research aims to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of the mayfly family Coloburiscidae
(Ephemeroptera) - the spinose gilled mayflies. This family is comprised of three genera: Murphyella, Coloburiscoides, and Coloburiscus. A unique characteristic of this family is that they demonstrate Gondwanan distribution being found in New Zealand, Australia, and Southern South America. In past studies, combined morphological and molecular data have questioned the family's monophyly. The molecular data that has been used mostly comes from five "traditional" genes used in insect molecular phylogenetics. We compared our newly generated phylogenomic data to these traditional genes. We used targeted capture next generation sequencing to generate over 400 exons from the mayfly genome to create a large phylogenomic dataset. Bioinformatic software was used to align the data and carry out phylogenetic tree reconstruction using maximum likelihood, Bayesian, and maximum parsimony analyses. The resulting trees support the monophyly of Coloburiscidae, confirming the hypothesis of this research.
Faculty Advisor: Ogden, Thomas (Science, Biology)
This research aims to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of the mayfly family Coloburiscidae
(Ephemeroptera) - the spinose gilled mayflies. This family is comprised of three genera: Murphyella, Coloburiscoides, and Coloburiscus. A unique characteristic of this family is that they demonstrate Gondwanan distribution being found in New Zealand, Australia, and Southern South America. In past studies, combined morphological and molecular data have questioned the family's monophyly. The molecular data that has been used mostly comes from five "traditional" genes used in insect molecular phylogenetics. We compared our newly generated phylogenomic data to these traditional genes. We used targeted capture next generation sequencing to generate over 400 exons from the mayfly genome to create a large phylogenomic dataset. Bioinformatic software was used to align the data and carry out phylogenetic tree reconstruction using maximum likelihood, Bayesian, and maximum parsimony analyses. The resulting trees support the monophyly of Coloburiscidae, confirming the hypothesis of this research.
Characterization of Halophyte Rhizosphere Microbiomes at Great Salt Lake, Utah
Calhoun, Emily; Staab, Ambur; Parrott, David (Westminster College)
Faculty Advisor: Parrott, David (Westminster College, Biology)
The saline soils comprising the shoreline of Great Salt Lake, Utah (GSL) provide a unique habitat for both halophytes (salt-tolerant plants) and the microorganisms that inhabit their rhizosphere. While plant diversity has been well documented at GSL, little is known about the microbial diversity in the rhizosphere. Here we present preliminary data characterizing the halophyte rhizosphere microbiome at two GSL locations; the more saline North Arm near the artwork, Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty (SJ), and the less saline South Arm on Antelope Island (AI). The rhizosphere of several plants along the shoreline at both SJ and AI locations was sampled. For each sample, plants were identified, soil salinity was quantified, DNA was isolated, and microbial cultures were established on either MGM or TSA medium. Numerous unique isolates were observed on both media, indicating the presence of both halophiles and non-halophiles in the rhizosphere. Subsequent 16s rDNA sequencing substantiated this, identifying a combined total 58 species of Archaea and more than 1100 Bacterial species among all collected samples. Our data suggest differences in the composition of rhizosphere microbiomes depending on location, soil type and salinity, and plant species. Decreased diversity of both Archaeal and Bacterial species was observed in rhizospheres at SJ compared to AI. Interestingly, a corresponding increase in the representation of halophilic Archaea at SJ was observed, possibly linked to the much higher salt concentration in the North Arm. Our results provide insight into the halophyte rhizosphere microbiome and expand our current knowledge of halophyte-halophile relationships.
Faculty Advisor: Parrott, David (Westminster College, Biology)
The saline soils comprising the shoreline of Great Salt Lake, Utah (GSL) provide a unique habitat for both halophytes (salt-tolerant plants) and the microorganisms that inhabit their rhizosphere. While plant diversity has been well documented at GSL, little is known about the microbial diversity in the rhizosphere. Here we present preliminary data characterizing the halophyte rhizosphere microbiome at two GSL locations; the more saline North Arm near the artwork, Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty (SJ), and the less saline South Arm on Antelope Island (AI). The rhizosphere of several plants along the shoreline at both SJ and AI locations was sampled. For each sample, plants were identified, soil salinity was quantified, DNA was isolated, and microbial cultures were established on either MGM or TSA medium. Numerous unique isolates were observed on both media, indicating the presence of both halophiles and non-halophiles in the rhizosphere. Subsequent 16s rDNA sequencing substantiated this, identifying a combined total 58 species of Archaea and more than 1100 Bacterial species among all collected samples. Our data suggest differences in the composition of rhizosphere microbiomes depending on location, soil type and salinity, and plant species. Decreased diversity of both Archaeal and Bacterial species was observed in rhizospheres at SJ compared to AI. Interestingly, a corresponding increase in the representation of halophilic Archaea at SJ was observed, possibly linked to the much higher salt concentration in the North Arm. Our results provide insight into the halophyte rhizosphere microbiome and expand our current knowledge of halophyte-halophile relationships.
The Ramp Atlas: A user-friendly online repository of tissue and cell-type specific ramp sequences
Presenters: Taylor Meurs, College of Life Sciences, Biology
Paucilactobacillus wasatchsensis WCD04 biofilm formation and adherence to stainless steel
Presenter: Lizell Mejias, College of Science, Microbiology
Green Fluorescent Protein Transfection for Enhanced Structural Differentiation of Mixed Cell Culture Images
Presenter: Tyson Hoyt, College of Science, Biology
Gluconate Metabolism by Paucilactobacillus wasatchensis WDC04 can be a cause of Late Gas Defect in Aging Cheese
Presenter: Kate Sorensen, College of Science, Microbiology
Association of genetic polymorphisms of Cyclooxygenase II gene and prostatic diseases.
Presenters: Bryson Edwards, College of Science, Biology
Effect of Inorganic Salts on the Growth of Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria
Presenter: Niharika Mishra, College of Science, Microbiology
Can Little Changes Kill You? Using Great Salt Lake Brine Shrimp to Examine Developmental Mortality
Presenters: Jessica Jones, College of Science, Biology
Downstream Targets of Nkx6.1 and Pdx1 Present Targets for Inducing Beta-Cell Proliferation
Presenter: Daelin Jensen, College of Life Sciences, Plant and Wildlife Sciences
Acetobacter to Lactobacillus Ratios within Drosophila Melanogaster Microbiota, Diet and Environment Across a Latitudinal Range
Presenter: Amanda Morrison, College of Life Sciences, Plant and Wild Life Sciences
Exploring the Effects of Oleate on Nr4a1 Transcriptional Activity and Binding
Presenter: Liana Leininger, College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences, Neuroscience
DNA Comparison Within Owlfly Genus Ululodes Reveals New Species
Presenter: Jeremy Jensen, College of Science, Department of Biology
Beta Cell Replication through Nkx6.1
Presenter: Connor Littlefield, College of Life sciences, Nutrition, dietetics and food science
Microbiome Effects on Drosophila melanogaster Metabolomics
Presenter: Sarah Gottfredson, College of Life Sciences, Plant and Wildlife Sciences
Evaluating Feature Correlation in Large Alzheimer's Disease Multi-Domain Datasets
Presenters: Erik Huckvale, College of Life Sciences, Biology
Effects of the Ketogenic Diet on Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation
Presenters: Anna Everett, College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences, Neuroscience
The Effect of Glucotoxicity Induced ROS on Beta Cell Nkx6.1 Expression and Insulin Secretion
Presenter: Weston Elison, College of Life Sciences, Physiology and Developmental Biology
Staying or Leaving STEM: Factors Influencing Undergraduate Major Decision
Presenters: Amanda Aamodt, College of Life Sciences, Biology
Feeding rate as a prediction tool for intraindividual variation in D. Melanogaster
Presenter: Tyler Burke, BYU, Plant and Wildlife Sciences
Effects of TMAO on Beta-cell Apoptosis
Presenter: Jordan Davis, College of Life Sciences, Physiology and Developmental Biology
The Effects of Nr4a3 on Insulin Secretion
Presenter: Peter Ellsworth, College of Life Sciences, Plant and Wildlife Sciences
Epigenetic Profiling of Human Peripheral Blood Monocytes
Presenter: Nolan Cole, Life Sciences, Micor-Molecular Biolody
Why Parents Say No to Having Their Children Vaccinated Against Measles: A Systematic Review
Presenters: Mallory Showalter, College of Life Sciences, Public Health
A signaling pathway-driven bioinformatics pipeline for predicting therapeutics against emerging infectious diseases
Presenter: Tiana Scott, College of Life Sciences, Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Synaptic Plasticity: Learning and Unlearning
Presenters: Austin Stewart, College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences, Neuroscience
Environmental Variation Shapes the D. Melanogaster Microbiota
Presenter: Ashton Tanner, College of Life Sciences, Plant and Wildlife Sciences
Interviews of Undergraduate Bioinformatics Students Suggest Contrasting Reasons Why Men and Women Do or Do Not Participate in Cl
Presenters: Emilee Severe, College of Life Sciences, Plant and Wildlife Sciences
Reciprocal Peer Tutoring Homework Assignment on Student Learning: Effective Across Different Courses with Different Instructors?
Presenters: Madeleine Tullis, College of Life Sciences, Biology Science Education
Can students reap the benefits of reciprocal peer tutoring individually, or is the social interaction required?
Presenters: Inori Tsuchiya, College of Life Sciences, Bioinformatics
The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Limited Nkx6.1 Synthesis and Translocation
Presenter: Jared Wieland, College of Life Sciences, Biology
Nkx6.1 overexpression restores beta cell functionality under glucotoxic conditions
Presenter: Kristopher Wieland, College of Life Sciences, Nutrition
The Effects of NR4A1 on Insulin Secretion
Presenter: Drake Watkins, College of Life Science, Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Lactobacillus curvatus Metabolomics
Presenter: Dallin Leatham, College of Science, Microbiology
Antimicrobial Activity of Artemesia tridentata
Presenter: David Suisse, College of Humanities and Social Science, Communication Studies
Making Octahedral Particles
Presenter: Miles Robertson, University of Utah, Biochemistry
Interleukin-6 mediated regulation of ENaC via Time-Dependent MAPK Family Activation
Presenter: Harini Srinivasan, College of Science, Chemistry
Isolation and purification of bacterial species from rhizosphere of native plant Ceanothus velutinus (Snowbrush)
Presenters: Katherine Webb, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Department of Plants, Soils, and Climate
Effects of Phragmites australis destruction on the concentration of trace metals in Utah Lake water, sediments, and plants
Presenters: Ikaikaolahui Danner, College of Science, Biology
Competitive night-time stomatal response of Populus trichocarpa during drought
Presenter: Karrin Tennant, College of Science, School of Biological Sciences
PRSKB: A Web-based Polygenic Risk Score Calculator and Knowledge Base
Presenters: Ed Ringger, College of Life Sciences, Biology
Does Gender Influence Participation and Performance in Bioinformatics?
Presenter: Mikaylie Parco, College of Life Sciences, Biology
Visualizing and Describing Science Identity Through an Image Association Survey
Presenters: Preston Carroll, Utah Valley University, Biology
Identification and characterization of PD-L1 in bovine placentas
Presenter: Andre Nguyen, College of Science, Biology
Bird Age and Likelihood of Fatal Collisions
Presenter: Taylor Kenyon, College of Science, Biology
Do Cocoa Flavanol Metabolites Induce Proliferation and Protect Against Apoptosis in Pancreatic β-cells?
Presenter: Chad Mourino, College of Life Sciences, Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences
The Utilization of Liposomes for Delivery of Gentamicin to Biofilms
Presenter: Nathan Buhler, College of Humanities and Life Sciences, Biology
How Consumers Can Reduce Carbon Emissions By Utilizing Human Powered And Electric Assisted Locomotion.
Presenter: Andrew Grover, Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, Marketing and Strategy