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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Telomere Estimates By Qpcr In American Kestrel Birds, Esteban Palencia, Julie A. Heath (Mentor), Eric J. Hayden (Mentor)
Telomere Estimates By Qpcr In American Kestrel Birds, Esteban Palencia, Julie A. Heath (Mentor), Eric J. Hayden (Mentor)
Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research
Telomeres are highly conserved repeated sequences found at the ends of linear chromosomes. Measuring telomere length has been used to estimate the ages of individuals in several species. The research presented here focuses on developing telomere length estimates in the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), using Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). The verification of a primer pair that can amplify a reference gene and serve to normalize the telomere qPCR data is vitally important. The gene for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was preferably chosen because it occurs in a single copy in most birds. However, the Kestrel genome has not …
Arsenite Resistance Of Euglena Mutabilis, Nicole Loumarinett Rosendo Mercado, Doug G. Cole (Mentor)
Arsenite Resistance Of Euglena Mutabilis, Nicole Loumarinett Rosendo Mercado, Doug G. Cole (Mentor)
Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research
Euglena are photosynthetic unicellular protozoa. Commonly found in rivers, lakes and ponds, some Euglena are found in toxic environments, like areas of acid mine drainage where they can grow at low pH and in the presence of heavy metals and metalloids such as arsenite (e.g. Euglena mutabilis). The goal of this research is to determine if an Idaho Euglena isolate (SG6) belongs to the E. mutabilis species and to compare it’s level of arsenite resistance with other E. mutabilis strains. As part of the methodology, we have developed microtiter plate assays in which the cells are …
A Field Guide For Grasses And Grass-Like Plants Of Idaho, Justin J. Trujillo, Eva K. Strand (Mentor)
A Field Guide For Grasses And Grass-Like Plants Of Idaho, Justin J. Trujillo, Eva K. Strand (Mentor)
Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research
The purpose of this project is to develop a user-friendly field guide to grasses and grass-like plants in Idaho, specifically geared to those with limited background in botany. The guide will feature 60 Idaho grasses and grass-like plants, intended for K-16 educators and students, ranchers, land owners, recreationists, and nature enthusiasts, with accompanying K-12 lesson plans. In the form of both a printed book and an offline app for iPhones and Androids, the guide will include colorful images showing detailed characteristics and vegetative features of each grass, an easy-to-use dichotomous key, and information on each plant’s history, forage value, and …
The Utilization Of Polymerase Chain Reaction, Dna Barcoding And Bioinformatics In Identifying Plant Species, Lindee J. Triplett, Ryan Foo, Ronald W. Strohmeyer (Mentor)
The Utilization Of Polymerase Chain Reaction, Dna Barcoding And Bioinformatics In Identifying Plant Species, Lindee J. Triplett, Ryan Foo, Ronald W. Strohmeyer (Mentor)
Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research
Bioinformatics and DNA barcoding is a process used to identify plants, animals, and fungi. DNA barcoding in plants utilizes a key variable region in the genome, the RuBisCo large subunit (RbcL) on Chloroplast DNA. Once the DNA is extracted, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplifies that region and that sample is sent off for sequencing. Bioinformatics and DNA barcoding helps taxonomists determine the sequence of the RbcL gene as well as obtain a unique barcode that can be used to identify plants. Several plant species from our local campus were sequenced and identified using the previously described methods.
Speciation In Western North America: Lomatium As An Example Of Diversification And Convergent Evolution, Edgar M. Sosa, Lauren Polito, Mckayla Stevens, Donald H. Mansfield, James F. Smith (Mentor)
Speciation In Western North America: Lomatium As An Example Of Diversification And Convergent Evolution, Edgar M. Sosa, Lauren Polito, Mckayla Stevens, Donald H. Mansfield, James F. Smith (Mentor)
Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research
Species delimitations and understanding the processes that drive speciation are essential to nearly all aspects of human endeavor. Determining species boundaries traditionally used morphology. Phylogenetic analyses based on DNA sequence data provide a means to resolve species boundaries, as well as test hypotheses regarding the evolutionary processes. Numerous species radiations have occurred in Western North America. Among these are several plant groups such as Astragalus, Artemisia, and Lomatium. Recent phylogenetic analyses of Lomatium and related genera have demonstrated that many of the morphological characters used to delimit taxa have arisen multiple times and that most taxa are para- …
Photosynthetic Capacity Within The Phantom Gas Field Project, Traci L. Olson, Maria Pacioretty, Keith Reinhardt (Mentor)
Photosynthetic Capacity Within The Phantom Gas Field Project, Traci L. Olson, Maria Pacioretty, Keith Reinhardt (Mentor)
Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research
Anthropogenic noise has proven detrimental to organisms like bats, owls, and certain other species whose hunting or navigation success is affected by unnatural sound. However, few studies have quantified the effects of noise pollution across multiple trophic levels. Our study is quantifying the impacts of human noise on insect abundance and herbivory, and plant physiology, using experimental noise stations compared to quiet control sites in the sagebrush steppe southwest of Boise, Idaho. I am measuring variation in leaf chlorophyll fluorescence and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Both of these measurements are indirect measurements of photosynthetic capacity. We hypothesized that shrubs …
Investigations Into The Modification Of Dna By Doxorubicin Analogs, Hannah Kulm, Stephanie Torres, Chris Mallory, Kenneth Cornell (Mentor), Don Warner (Mentor)
Investigations Into The Modification Of Dna By Doxorubicin Analogs, Hannah Kulm, Stephanie Torres, Chris Mallory, Kenneth Cornell (Mentor), Don Warner (Mentor)
Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research
Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline chemotherapeutic that has seen widespread use to treat numerous cancer types. Its mechanism of action is still unclear, but is thought to include the intercalation of DNA, halting transcription and inducing apoptosis. Although DOX has shown strong antitumor activity, its usage is limited due to a dose-dependent onset of cumulative and irreversible life-threatening cardiac damage. Consequently, the harmful side effects necessitate the need for the production of new, less harmful anthracycline chemotherapeutics with greater effectiveness for the treatment of cancer. Three analogs of DOX (P-DOX, GPX-150 and GPX-160) have been synthesized and determined to have …