Life Sciences
Spatial variation of endpoint Temperature in cooked pork measured by spontaneous Raman spectroscopy
Author(s): Korryn Narvaez, Eliza Ballantyne, Savannah West
The potential effects of meth on common gut bacteria using structurally similar drugs
Author(s): Emily Allan, Cori Bailie, Elyza Lester
Bat Diversity and Habitat Preference in Southern Utah
Author(s): Ammon Miles, Anthony Kemp, Connor Baty
Microbiota Effects on Drosophila Melanogaster Life History Approach
Author(s): Ricardo Romo
Mechanism of copper-coated CICNT inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation
Author(s): Emilia Gregory, Lucy Bowden
Leveraging Drosophila immune responses through changes to the gut microbiome.
Author(s): Killian Bynum
Measuring the Hydraulic Permeability of Bovine and Human Spinal Vertebral Bony Endplates
Author(s): Dallin Dodds, Ethan Ence
Effects of cytosporone B on β-Cell proliferation and insulin secretion
Author(s): Brigham Blackwell
The Impact of Dihydroergotamine (DHE) on Nr4a1 Expression and Activity in Pancreatic β-Cells
Author(s): Michael Avondet
Species Richness and Environmental Factors of Avian Populations in Southern Utah Cemeteries
Author(s): Ellie Horrocks, Charley Beck
Measuring the Efficacy of Various Test Anxiety Reducing Methods
Author(s): Amber Best, Makenzie Porter, Kenna Olaya, Rachel Chapman
Cannabis and the Mind: A Review of the Bidirectional Relations with Depression and Anxiety
Author(s): Michael Coover, Ives Hong, Mattison Hillin, Hallee Hassell, Andrew Shepard
How Metabolic Differences in T Cells from CD5 Deficiency Impacts Anxiety
Author(s): Sophie Daines
Mapping the Relationship between Model Plants and the Labs That Research Them
Author(s): Ruby Olpin
Hyperglycemia Stimulates Local Lactate Production in the Hypothalamus
Author(s): Akhil Sundar
Hyperaccumulator Salicornia and the Current State of Mercury at Utah’s Great Salt Lake.
Author(s): Mattigan Wheelwright, Ethan Ence
Effects of palmitate and oleate on beta cell gene expression.
Author(s): Luke Jackson
Deciphering Autoinducer Expression Dynamics in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: One Step Closer to Unraveling Signaling Pathways and Virulence
Author(s): Braden Warden, David Mefford
Characterization of the Relationship Between PAS Kinase and NAD Kinase
Author(s): Ashley Jones
The relationship between food depth and microbiota composition in Drosophila Melanogaster
Author(s): Rebecca Kreutz
Uncovering Genetic Resistance to DNA Viruses in Brassica Species
Author(s): Adam Hales, Laureana Lazarte
The Effect of the Microbiota on Drosophila melanogaster Activity at Low Temperatures
Author(s): Cooper Johnson
Effects of Alprostadil on Beta Cell Nr4a1 Expression and Activity
Author(s): Kyla King
Enhancing Water Efficiency in Tomato Plants through Abscisic Acid (ABA) Regulation for Desert Agriculture
Author(s): David Shropshall,
L-DOPA, naloxone, and DOI decrease nicotine preference in C. elegans
Author(s): Emily Mellon, Violet Czech, Kirsten Sumampong, Hailey Kim
Evolution of Tolerance: Adaptive Responses of Staphylococci to Alcohol-based Disinfectants
Author(s): Charles Jacob, Riley Weaver, Braden Francom
Investigating the impacts of depression on the transcriptome of human neurons
Author(s): Alex Everett
Arthropod Specimen Classification in Post-Fire Brian Head, Utah 2017-2018 Wildfire
Author(s): Emmy Spencer, Davette Serrano
Developing a Zebrafish Model for Investigation of 4H Leukodystrophy with POLR3B
Author(s): Syrus Miner, Troy Webb
Analyzing the estrus cycle in POMC-deficient mice
Author(s): Mariah McDonald, Kaden Smith
The microbiota contributes to seasonal adaptation of Drosophila melanogaster
Author(s): Dean Peterson,
Age-Dependent Molecular Effects of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors on β-cell Proliferation
Jensen, Daelin; Aitken, Talon; Baxter, Melanie (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Tessem, Jeffery (Brigham Young University; Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science)
As of 2017, over 400 million people were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. This is becoming a worldwide concern as the number of people affected by diabetes is growing at an alarming rate. Functional pancreatic β-cell mass is responsible for maintaining healthy blood glucose levels through the production of insulin. A hallmark of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes is a relative or absolute loss of functional β-cell mass and, consequently, decreased insulin production. Two possible approaches for replenishing the β-cells are: 1) replacement through cadaveric donors and 2) regeneration of endogenous β-cells. A major impediment to these approaches is that aged β-cells are refractory to genes that are known to induce proliferation in young β-cells. It is currently unknown why aged β-cells are refractory. . We hypothesized that age-dependent changes to the proliferative capacity of β-cells are influenced by increasing levels of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKI). CDKI's bind to cyclin-dependent kinases, effectively halting the cell cycle and proliferation. Here, we demonstrate the expression of the Ink4 and Cip/Kip families of CDKI's by mRNA and protein expression in five week old and five month old Wistar rat β-cells. Greater understanding of the proliferative mechanisms of the β-cell will allow greater application of the aforementioned treatments.
Faculty Advisor: Tessem, Jeffery (Brigham Young University; Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science)
As of 2017, over 400 million people were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. This is becoming a worldwide concern as the number of people affected by diabetes is growing at an alarming rate. Functional pancreatic β-cell mass is responsible for maintaining healthy blood glucose levels through the production of insulin. A hallmark of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes is a relative or absolute loss of functional β-cell mass and, consequently, decreased insulin production. Two possible approaches for replenishing the β-cells are: 1) replacement through cadaveric donors and 2) regeneration of endogenous β-cells. A major impediment to these approaches is that aged β-cells are refractory to genes that are known to induce proliferation in young β-cells. It is currently unknown why aged β-cells are refractory. . We hypothesized that age-dependent changes to the proliferative capacity of β-cells are influenced by increasing levels of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKI). CDKI's bind to cyclin-dependent kinases, effectively halting the cell cycle and proliferation. Here, we demonstrate the expression of the Ink4 and Cip/Kip families of CDKI's by mRNA and protein expression in five week old and five month old Wistar rat β-cells. Greater understanding of the proliferative mechanisms of the β-cell will allow greater application of the aforementioned treatments.
Akt and Inflammatory Pathways Activation by Cache Valley Particulate Air Pollution
Sagers, Rachel; Nguyen, Andy; Weston, Jake; Grooms, Nicholas; Eggleston, Morgan; Martin, Randy; Coulombe, Roger (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Coulombe, Roger (College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences; Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences Department)
The scenic mountain views of Cache Valley in Northern Utah stand in stark contrast with the valley's high concentrations of fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5), some of the worst reported in the United States. The unique geography promotes formation of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) from nitrogen oxides produced by motor vehicles and ammonia from dairy cow excreta. Winter atmospheric inversions, exacerbated by the mountainous terrain, trap and concentrate air pollutants. Epidemiological studies have revealed an association between PM exposure and early all-cause mortality. Exposure to PM2.5 is also associated with a variety of cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary, and neurodegenerative diseases, including myocardial infarction, stroke, COPD, lung cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Previous studies have shown that Cache Valley PM (CVPM) has pro-inflammatory effects, which has been linked to enhanced activation of Akt in human pulmonary epithelial cells. This research examined the cellular responses of human lung (BEAS-2B) cells exposed to CVPM and diesel exhaust particles (DEP), at 1 and 12 µg/ml concentrations of each particle type for a 24 hour exposure period. The CVPM used was collected onto stainless steel plates by a Tisch impactor. Assessment by the comet assay reveal genetic damage to CVPM exposed cells with equal potency to DEP exposed cells. Flow cytometry (p < 0.05) showed CVPM exposed cells had a significant increase in the number of actively-dividing cells compared to control cells. Whole-genome microarray identified affected genes related to inflammatory pathways, as well as activated Akt-dependent pathways. Subsequent qRT-PCR showed that CVPM exposure significantly increased expression of inflammatory markers, including IL-6, CD40LG, PLAG27, and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 (p < 0.05). Immunoblotting confirmed activation of Akt by phosphorylation of Thr308 in both CVPM and DEP exposed cells. This data supports the hypothesis that CVPM may induce pro-carcinogenic pathways with potency similar to DEP.
Faculty Advisor: Coulombe, Roger (College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences; Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences Department)
The scenic mountain views of Cache Valley in Northern Utah stand in stark contrast with the valley's high concentrations of fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5), some of the worst reported in the United States. The unique geography promotes formation of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) from nitrogen oxides produced by motor vehicles and ammonia from dairy cow excreta. Winter atmospheric inversions, exacerbated by the mountainous terrain, trap and concentrate air pollutants. Epidemiological studies have revealed an association between PM exposure and early all-cause mortality. Exposure to PM2.5 is also associated with a variety of cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary, and neurodegenerative diseases, including myocardial infarction, stroke, COPD, lung cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Previous studies have shown that Cache Valley PM (CVPM) has pro-inflammatory effects, which has been linked to enhanced activation of Akt in human pulmonary epithelial cells. This research examined the cellular responses of human lung (BEAS-2B) cells exposed to CVPM and diesel exhaust particles (DEP), at 1 and 12 µg/ml concentrations of each particle type for a 24 hour exposure period. The CVPM used was collected onto stainless steel plates by a Tisch impactor. Assessment by the comet assay reveal genetic damage to CVPM exposed cells with equal potency to DEP exposed cells. Flow cytometry (p < 0.05) showed CVPM exposed cells had a significant increase in the number of actively-dividing cells compared to control cells. Whole-genome microarray identified affected genes related to inflammatory pathways, as well as activated Akt-dependent pathways. Subsequent qRT-PCR showed that CVPM exposure significantly increased expression of inflammatory markers, including IL-6, CD40LG, PLAG27, and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 (p < 0.05). Immunoblotting confirmed activation of Akt by phosphorylation of Thr308 in both CVPM and DEP exposed cells. This data supports the hypothesis that CVPM may induce pro-carcinogenic pathways with potency similar to DEP.
A Proposal to Investigate Protein Expression of Rhizopus oryzae Biofilms Upon Treatment with Extracorporeal Shockwaves and Amphotericin B
Nanasi Sekona, Ashley Balderrama, Carlos Nunez, Kyle Hendricks, Tyson Hillock, and Dr. Olga Kopp (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Kopp, Olga (Utah Valley University, Biology)
Over the last 30 years, the incidence of fungal infections has gradually increased. Mucormycosis is a fungal infection primarily caused by Rhizopus Oryzae. The majority of patients who develop invasive mucormycosis die within 12 weeks of diagnosis. Mucormycosis is commonly treated with an antifungal agent called Amphotericin B (AMB). When used in high concentrations, AMB causes severe side effects such as nephrotoxicity. It has been reported that 99% of microbes exist as biofilm: thus, there is a direct association between mucormycosis and biofilms. Shockwave has been shown to inhibit living bacteria in biofilm, but few studies have focused on the effects of shockwave on fungal biofilm. Previous work in our lab showed that shockwaves were effective in damaging biofilms of R. oryzae; but at the same time helped promote the metabolism of surviving R. oryzae. This study aims to investigate the proteins expressed in fungal biofilms when introduced to different intensities of shockwave coupled with the treatment of AMB. This will be accomplished by culturing sporangiospores and propagating R. oryzae biofilms. Standardized biofilm will be treated with 0.5 µg/mL AMB in 1% DMSO, and/or shockwave treatment of 300 pulses at 0.19 mJ/mm2 energy density to be measured against a control group. The proteins will be extracted, determined by 2D gel electrophoresis, and identified by mass spectrometry. Studying protein expression resulting from combination therapy of extracorporeal shockwave and AMB on R. oryzae biofilm could progress research surrounding the difficulties of mucormycosis treatments. Particularly, research aimed at counteracting the antifungal and antimicrobial resistance contributed by proteins in the fungi's biofilm.
Faculty Advisor: Kopp, Olga (Utah Valley University, Biology)
Over the last 30 years, the incidence of fungal infections has gradually increased. Mucormycosis is a fungal infection primarily caused by Rhizopus Oryzae. The majority of patients who develop invasive mucormycosis die within 12 weeks of diagnosis. Mucormycosis is commonly treated with an antifungal agent called Amphotericin B (AMB). When used in high concentrations, AMB causes severe side effects such as nephrotoxicity. It has been reported that 99% of microbes exist as biofilm: thus, there is a direct association between mucormycosis and biofilms. Shockwave has been shown to inhibit living bacteria in biofilm, but few studies have focused on the effects of shockwave on fungal biofilm. Previous work in our lab showed that shockwaves were effective in damaging biofilms of R. oryzae; but at the same time helped promote the metabolism of surviving R. oryzae. This study aims to investigate the proteins expressed in fungal biofilms when introduced to different intensities of shockwave coupled with the treatment of AMB. This will be accomplished by culturing sporangiospores and propagating R. oryzae biofilms. Standardized biofilm will be treated with 0.5 µg/mL AMB in 1% DMSO, and/or shockwave treatment of 300 pulses at 0.19 mJ/mm2 energy density to be measured against a control group. The proteins will be extracted, determined by 2D gel electrophoresis, and identified by mass spectrometry. Studying protein expression resulting from combination therapy of extracorporeal shockwave and AMB on R. oryzae biofilm could progress research surrounding the difficulties of mucormycosis treatments. Particularly, research aimed at counteracting the antifungal and antimicrobial resistance contributed by proteins in the fungi's biofilm.
Transcriptomics of Ephemeroptera (Mayflies): Generation of New Data and Bioinformatics Workflow
Vilela, Ernie; Seal, Isaac; Ogden, Heath T. (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Ogden, Thomas (College of Science, Biology Deapartment)
We are interested in using transcriptome data, generated with next generation sequencing technology, to investigate the evolutionary trends of specific genes and their associated expression in mayflies. We generated an additional transcriptome for mayflies. RNA was extracted from a freshly frozen specimen preserved in RNAlater® (Ambion) using TRIzol® Reagent (Ambion) and cDNA libraries were prepared from mRNA. RNA-seq data was generated using a paired-end protocol (PE100) on Illumina HiSeq2000 with an expected 60 million reads. In order to effectively investigate the large amount of sequences, we created a bioinformatics workflow to analyze the newly generated transcriptome data along with previous data for mayflies. The workflow consists of these main steps: Trinity (Assemblying the transcripts), Transdecoder (Identifying candidate coding regions), HMMER (Searching biological sequence databases for homologous sequences). We tested the workflow looking at opsin genes.
Faculty Advisor: Ogden, Thomas (College of Science, Biology Deapartment)
We are interested in using transcriptome data, generated with next generation sequencing technology, to investigate the evolutionary trends of specific genes and their associated expression in mayflies. We generated an additional transcriptome for mayflies. RNA was extracted from a freshly frozen specimen preserved in RNAlater® (Ambion) using TRIzol® Reagent (Ambion) and cDNA libraries were prepared from mRNA. RNA-seq data was generated using a paired-end protocol (PE100) on Illumina HiSeq2000 with an expected 60 million reads. In order to effectively investigate the large amount of sequences, we created a bioinformatics workflow to analyze the newly generated transcriptome data along with previous data for mayflies. The workflow consists of these main steps: Trinity (Assemblying the transcripts), Transdecoder (Identifying candidate coding regions), HMMER (Searching biological sequence databases for homologous sequences). We tested the workflow looking at opsin genes.