Life Sciences Commons^™

Integration Of Bmp And Insulin/Igf-1 Signaling Regulates Multiple Homeostatic Functions In Caenorhabditis Elegans, James F. Clark

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The maintenance of homeostatic functions is key to the survival and well-being of an organism. Regulation of homeostasis relies on varied inputs, both intrinsic and extrinsic, to potentiate a web of interconnected signaling relays. Insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) is a well-known regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as having far reaching effects in other homeostatic mechanisms. On the other hand, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), a member of the transforming growth factor beta signaling superfamily, is known for its role in differentiation and development, with only recent studies highlighting potential roles in metabolic homeostasis. Here we elucidate new functions for …

Compact Gene Regulatory Cassettes Support Hallmark Features Of T-Cell Receptor (Tcr)-Alpha Gene Locus Control Region (Lcr) Activity, Jordana Lovett

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Despite the promise of emerging stem cell transplant gene therapy strategies, there remains a gap in the ability to predictably generate robust, temporally controlled long-lasting, therapeutic gene expression in specific target cell lineages following stem cell differentiation. There exists a locus control region (LCR) in the mouse T-cell receptor (TCR)-α locus that confers an ab TCR-like spatiotemporal expression pattern upon a linked transgene, regardless of its site of integration in the genome. These properties are well suited to direction of high-level, physiological expression of therapeutic antigen receptor genes to the T cell progeny of vector-transduced stem cells. The endogenous LCR …

Characterizing Venom Gene Expression, Function And Species Diversity In Predatory Marine Snails Of The Terebridae, Juliette Gorson

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The Terebridae is a group of predatory marine snails that use their venom to feed on marine annelids. Similar to other venomous organisms, the Terebridae have evolved over millions of years, diverging from their closest relative in the Paleocene era. This thesis investigates what is driving terebrid evolution and species diversification by applying a multidimensional approach.

Investigating The Effects Of Trans-Spinal Direct Current Stimulation On The Expression Of Nkcc1 In Mice, Pasindu Weliwaththage

Student Theses

Trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) is a non-invasive powerful tool demonstrated to positively affect behavior and motor function. tsDCS is a neuromodulatory technique capable of altering spinal and cortical excitability and even regain motor function after complete motor paralysis (Cortes et at, 2017). tsDCS causes immediate and long-term effects in spinal excitability (Ahmed, 2011, 2013; Ahmed and Wieraszko, 2012; Cogiamanian et al., 2011, 2012). Studies have been conducted on both healthy and injured subjects. The ultimate goal is to ameliorate the devastating effects of Spinal Cord Injury. Though researchers have been successful in improving motor function, the molecular basis of …

The Y-Screen Assay: Validation And Evaluation Of Subsequent Str Success, Kassandra Luyando

Student Theses

There are hundreds of untested sexual assault kits in police custody. As of 2017, New York State passed a law stating that all untested kits must be turned over to forensic laboratories to be tested, causing backlogs at laboratories to increase. The Y-Screen assay is a DNA extraction protocol which utilizes NaOH to rapidly lyse epithelial and sperm cells, and the Quantifiler Trio DNA quantification kit to detect the presence or absence of male DNA prior to standard sample processing. The Y-Screen assay is a commercial product used in this research to test a defined set of validation samples with …

Using Molecular Markers To Trace The Population History Of Volant Organisms At Differing Temporal Scales, Noah A. Burg

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Using molecular markers to test phylogenetic and phylogeographic hypotheses is critical for tracking the population origin of invasive, introduced species (Chapter 2, Chapter 4) and to identify the systematic relationships of disparate lineages at both shallow and deep evolutionary time scales (Chapters 3, Chapter 4). In this thesis, Sanger Sequencing was used to generate datasets based on fresh and preserved tissue from specimens collected in the field, as well as museum tissue vouchers granted from various institutions in the US and Europe. In combining these source materials, data were generated for three focal studies: 1) In the first research section …

The Role Of Oxidative Stress And Signal Transduction In Chemotherapy-Mediated Cognitive Impairment In The Menopause Rat Model, Ciara Bagnall

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Systemic chemotherapy treatment is associated with long-term cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors. While many studies have established the forms of cognition and corresponding regions in the brain most affected, very little is revealed about the potential molecular mechanisms that mediate these changes. The effects of systemic treatment on the brain is likely attributed to many different mechanisms including oxidative stress and immune dysregulation. Earlier studies from our lab have investigated the effects of the chemotherapy cocktail doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC Chemotherapy) in an ovariectomized menopause animal model of ‘chemo brain’ (Salas-Ramirez et al., 2015). We observed that animals injected …

A Contribution Toward A Global Monograph Of Gyroporus: Taxonomy, Phylogeny, Biogeography, Naveed Davoodian

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Gyroporus (Sclerodermatineae, Boletales, Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota, Fungi) is a genus of ectomycorrhizal mushroom-forming fungi distributed throughout the world in suitable habitats. Previous attempts to untangle the diversity of this genus proved difficult due to the presence of semi-cryptic species and equivocal results from phylogenetic analysis of ribosomal RNA markers. To overcome these obstacles, a combined taxonomic and phylogenetic (emphasizing protein-coding genes) approach is used here to delimit species and elucidate geographic and evolutionary patterns of Gyroporus. Careful study of relevant literature and herbarium specimens was augmented by field work in North America, Australia, and East Asia for observation and collection …

Regulation Of The Tubulin Homolog Ftsz In Escherichia Coli, Monika S. Buczek

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Escherichia coli is a well-known pathogen, and importantly, a widely used model organism in all fields of biological sciences for cloning, protein purification, and as a model for Gram-negative bacterial species. And yet, researchers do not fully understand how this bacterium replicates and divides. Every year additional division proteins are discovered, which adds complexity to how we understand E. coli undergoes cell division. Due to their specific roles in cytokinesis, some of these proteins may be potential targets for development of antibacterials or bacteriostatics, which are much needed for fighting the current global antibacterial deficit. My thesis work focuses on …

Insights Into The Cyclooxygenase Pathway In A Progressive Rat Model Of Parkinson’S Disease Induced By Prostaglandin J2: Protection With Ibuprofen, Chuhyon Corwin

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease with aging as a major risk factor. Its defining symptoms are motor deficits that are primarily associated with dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) in the midbrain. Post-mortem PD brains exhibit abnormal intraneuronal inclusions of α-synuclein and ubiquitinated protein aggregates known as Lewy bodies, a hallmark of PD pathology.

Currently, there is no validated biomarker for PD. Especially the early stage of PD is difficult to detect as the pathology develops progressively. While symptom-managing treatments are available, there is no neuroprotective treatment as of yet, mainly due to the …

Anti-Proliferative Effects Of Garcinia Fruits In Breast Cancer Cells, Harini Anandhi Senthilkumar

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Breast cancer continues to be the second leading cause of death in women, even with the recent advances in research that has led to an improved understanding of molecular pathways and targets. Increasing mortality due to recurrence and lack of targeted drugs, especially in aggressive breast cancer subtypes such as triple negative breast cancer, has gained attention from the research community. With nearly 50% of the commonly used cancer drugs being sourced from plants, bioactive small molecules derived from a natural origin have immense potential as therapeutics. This study focuses on the anti-proliferative activities of benzophenones isolated from the edible …

How The Egg Rolls: A Morphological Analysis Of Egg Shape In The Context Of Displacement Dynamics, Ian R. Hays

Theses and Dissertations

Very little is known about how morphology effects the motion, stability and the resulting viability of avian eggs. The limited research that exists focuses on the pyriform or ‘pointed’ egg shapes found in the Alcidea family. This unusual shell form is thought to suppress displacement and prevents egg loss on the cliffside nesting habitat of the Uria genera. Unfortunately, these studies never isolated or quantify the specific morphological features (elongation, asymmetry and conicality) of these pyriform eggs, which limits their applicability to other taxa and hampers a robust proof of concept. We isolated each feature as a variable, produced models …