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Is Coloburiscidae Monophyletic: A Test of the Gondwanan Hypothesis

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
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.

Characterization of Halophyte Rhizosphere Microbiomes at Great Salt Lake, Utah

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
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.

Paucilactobacillus wasatchsensis WCD04 biofilm formation and adherence to stainless steel

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Lizell Mejias, College of Science, Microbiology

Effect of Inorganic Salts on the Growth of Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Niharika Mishra, College of Science, Microbiology

Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 Role in Retinal Regeneration

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenters: Landry Batis, College of Science, Zoology

Gluconate Metabolism by Paucilactobacillus wasatchensis WDC04 can be a cause of Late Gas Defect in Aging Cheese

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Kate Sorensen, College of Science, Microbiology

Lactobacillus curvatus Metabolomics

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Dallin Leatham, College of Science, Microbiology

Environmental Variation Shapes the D. Melanogaster Microbiota

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Ashton Tanner, College of Life Sciences, Plant and Wildlife Sciences

A signaling pathway-driven bioinformatics pipeline for predicting therapeutics against emerging infectious diseases

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Tiana Scott, College of Life Sciences, Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Development of a Unique Antibiofilm Therapy for Diabetic Foot Ulcers

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Marissa Badham, College of Science, Chemistry

Interleukin-6 mediated regulation of ENaC via Time-Dependent MAPK Family Activation

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Harini Srinivasan, College of Science, Chemistry

Does Gender Influence Participation and Performance in Bioinformatics? 

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Mikaylie Parco, College of Life Sciences, Biology

ß-cell reduced proliferation under glucolipotoxic conditions are exacerbated by prolonged TMAO supplementation

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Kacie Russon, College of Life Sciences, Nutritional Science

Host acquisition on the effects of the geography specific microbiota of Drosophila melanogaster

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Shayna Scott, College of Life Sciences, Microbiology

Interviews of Undergraduate Bioinformatics Students Suggest Contrasting Reasons Why Men and Women Do or Do Not Participate in Cl

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenters: Emilee Severe, College of Life Sciences, Plant and Wildlife Sciences

Correlation of Physical Activity with White Matter Hyperintensity Change

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Gauri Garg, College of Science, Biology

Synaptic Plasticity: Learning and Unlearning

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenters: Austin Stewart, College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences, Neuroscience

The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Limited Nkx6.1 Synthesis and Translocation

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Jared Wieland, College of Life Sciences, Biology

Investigation of a Translatable Animal Model in Order to Understand the Etiology of Heterotopic Ossification

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Rose Godfrey, College of Medicine, Orthopaedics

PRSKB: A Web-based Polygenic Risk Score Calculator and Knowledge Base

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenters: Ed Ringger, College of Life Sciences, Biology

Reciprocal Peer Tutoring Homework Assignment on Student Learning: Effective Across Different Courses with Different Instructors?

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenters: Madeleine Tullis, College of Life Sciences, Biology Science Education

Why Parents Say No to Having Their Children Vaccinated Against Measles: A Systematic Review

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenters: Mallory Showalter, College of Life Sciences, Public Health

The Effects of NR4A1 on Insulin Secretion

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Drake Watkins, College of Life Science, Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Can students reap the benefits of reciprocal peer tutoring individually, or is the social interaction required?

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenters: Inori Tsuchiya, College of Life Sciences, Bioinformatics

Lineage Tracing in Zebrafish with CRISPR Prime Editing

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Sahar Kanishka, College of Science, School of Biological Sciences

Nkx6.1 overexpression restores beta cell functionality under glucotoxic conditions

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Kristopher Wieland, College of Life Sciences, Nutrition

COI barcoding in mayflies (Ephemeroptera)

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenters: Avery Larsen, College of science, Biology

The Utilization of Liposomes for Delivery of Gentamicin to Biofilms

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Nathan Buhler, College of Humanities and Life Sciences, Biology

Identification and characterization of PD-L1 in bovine placentas

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Andre Nguyen, College of Science, Biology

Isolation and purification of bacterial species from rhizosphere of native plant Ceanothus velutinus (Snowbrush)

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenters: Katherine Webb, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Department of Plants, Soils, and Climate

Competitive night-time stomatal response of Populus trichocarpa during drought

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Karrin Tennant, College of Science, School of Biological Sciences

Can Little Changes Kill You? Using Great Salt Lake Brine Shrimp to Examine Developmental Mortality

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenters: Jessica Jones, College of Science, Biology

Association of genetic polymorphisms of Cyclooxygenase II gene and prostatic diseases.

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenters: Bryson Edwards, College of Science, Biology

Bird Age and Likelihood of Fatal Collisions

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Taylor Kenyon, College of Science, Biology

Does the Pesticide Imidacloprid Affect the Wing Muscle Tissue in the Honey Bee?

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Holly Thelin, College of Life Sciences, Biology

DNA Comparison Within Owlfly Genus Ululodes Reveals New Species

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Jeremy Jensen, College of Science, Department of Biology

Contributions to an Insect Survey of Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Ernie Vilela, College of Science, Biology

The Mayflies of Utah

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Tabitha Weir, College of Science, Biology

Antimicrobial Activity of Artemesia tridentata

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: David Suisse, College of Humanities and Social Science, Communication Studies

Visualizing and Describing Science Identity Through an Image Association Survey

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenters: Preston Carroll, Utah Valley University, Biology

DNA barcoding of Vietnamese Mayflies

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenters: Jake Reed, College of Science, Biology

Making Octahedral Particles

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Miles Robertson, University of Utah, Biochemistry

Effects of Celiac Disease and a Gluten-Free Diet on the Human Gut Microbiome

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenters: Clayton Rawson, College of Science, Biology

How Consumers Can Reduce Carbon Emissions By Utilizing Human Powered And Electric Assisted Locomotion.

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Andrew Grover, Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, Marketing and Strategy

Evaluating Feature Correlation in Large Alzheimer's Disease Multi-Domain Datasets

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenters: Erik Huckvale, College of Life Sciences, Biology

Exploring the Effects of Oleate on Nr4a1 Transcriptional Activity and Binding

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenter: Liana Leininger, College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences, Neuroscience

Effects of the Ketogenic Diet on Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation

January 01, 2022 12:00 AM
Presenters: Anna Everett, College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences, Neuroscience