Life Sciences Commons^™

Qualitative And Quantitative Characterization Of Epithelial Cell Mixtures Using Hormone Antibody Probes And Flow Cytometry, Luke Baldridge

Theses and Dissertations

“Touch” DNA is evidence that consists of epidermal cells deposited by handling objects and it is becoming more common in evidence samples processed in crime labs. Because “touch” DNA evidence samples may be low-template DNA and are often mixtures, there is a need to both nondestructively estimate the amount of DNA present prior to DNA purification and to identify and characterize mixtures prior to DNA typing. The purpose of this study was to test the use of FITC-labeled anti-testosterone antibodies as a potential tool to estimate the number of contributors in two-, three-, and four-person mixtures of epidermal skin cells, …

Quantitative Pcr And Sanger Sequencing Of Mitochondrial Dna Recovered From Waterlogged Bone, Kailey Babcock

Theses and Dissertations

In forensic contexts, samples containing heavily fragmented DNA are commonly encountered. Compromised biological samples are especially prevalent in instances where human remains have been submerged in an aqueous environment for extended periods of time. Nuclear DNA is particularly vulnerable to the prolonged exposure to heat, moisture, and bacterial degradation that are prevalent in aquatic settings. Paired with the difficulty of recovering DNA from skeletal remains, which are often the only remaining component after the soft tissues have been stripped away, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis serves as an invaluable alternative. In this multifaceted study, mtDNA analysis was performed on waterlogged bone …

Comparison Of Semi-Automated And Manual Differential Separation Methods For Mock Sexual Assault Samples, Stephanie Rink

Theses and Dissertations

In the event of a sexual assault, separation of suspect from victim DNA is possible through differential extraction if the evidentiary mixture consists of female epithelial cells and male spermatozoa. The basis of differential extraction is the differing properties of epithelial and sperm cell membranes, specifically the comparative sturdiness of the proteins making up the sperm head containing the male DNA. Effective retrieval and separation of male and female DNA fractions is important in generating high-quality STR profiles that can be utilized in identifying suspects in a sexual assault case. Differential extraction has been conventionally performed using Proteinase K (PK) …

Attitudes And Opinions About Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing In Undergraduate Science Students, Morgan N. Driver, Sally I-Chun Kuo, Olivia Nayeri, Chloe J. Walker, Chelsea Derlan Willians, Tricia Smith, Amy E. Adkins, Danielle M. Dick

Graduate Research Posters

Background: There has been exponential growth in the number of direct-to-consumer genetic testing kits sold in the past decade. Consumers utilize direct-to-consumer genetic tests for a number of reasons which include learning about one’s ancestry and potential ways to manage health. Emerging adults tend to be early adopters of new technologies; however, there has been little research regarding the opinions about direct-to-consumer genetic testing in emerging adults.

Methods: Data came from a study conducted in an upper-level biology course focusing on understanding undergraduate science students’ overall experiences with receiving personalized genetic testing results from 23andMe. The present study used data …

Transcriptional Repressor Protein Based Macrolide Biosensor Development With Improved Sensitivity, Jayani A. Christopher

Graduate Research Posters

Macrolide antibiotics are in high demand for clinical applications. Macrolides are biosynthesized via giant assembly line polyketide synthases (PKS) which are arranged in a modular fashion. Combinatorial biosynthetic methods have been used to produce diversified macrolides by reprograming these modules and modifying tailoring enzymes required for post synthetic modifications. However it is challenging due to the size and complexity of PKSs. To overcome this challenge, new enzymes for macrolide diversification could be obtained by directed evolution where a large number of enzyme variants need to be screened. Therefore it is important to develop high throughput screening methods to identify the …

Principal Components Analysis Corrects Collider Bias In Polygenic Risk Score Effect Size Estimation, Nathaniel S. Thomas, Peter B. Barr, Fazil Aliev, Sally I. Kuo, Danielle M. Dick, Jessica E. Salvatore

Graduate Research Posters

BACKGROUND: Genome-wide polygenic scoring has emerged as a way to predict psychiatric and behavioral outcomes and identify environments that promote the expression of genetic risks. An increasing number of studies demonstrate that the effects of polygenic risk scores (PRS) may be biased by the inclusion of heritable environments as covariates when the environment is influenced by unmeasured confounding variables, an example of collider bias. Inclusion of the principal components of observed confounders as covariates may correct for the effect of unmeasured confounders.

METHODS: A simulation study was conducted to test principal components analysis (PCA) as a correction for collider bias. …

Vasculogenic Mimicry: Role Of Melanoma Differentiation Associated Gene-9/Syntenin, Jinkal Modi, Anjan Pradhan, Luni Emdad, Swadesh Das, Paul Fisher

Graduate Research Posters

Malignant melanoma (MM) is the most aggressive skin cancer and the most frequent skin disorder in Caucasians. MM is associated with aggressive and progressive disease states, leading to major cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Recent investigations identify a new non-angiogenesis-dependent pathway vasculogenic mimicry (VM), which is considered a cancer hallmark that can independently facilitate tumor neovascularization by the formation of fluid-conducting and vascular endothelial cells. MM cells undergoing VM can dedifferentiate into numerous cellular phenotypes and acquire endothelial-like features, resulting in the formation of the de novo matrix-rich vascular-like network, such as plasma and red blood cells. The co-generation of endothelial …

Influence Of 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Iodoamphetamine (Doi) On Ethanol Preference And Consumption In C57bl/6 Male Mice, Alaina M. Jaster, Sam Gottlieb, Michael Miles, Javier González-Maeso

Graduate Research Posters

Substance use disorders (SUD) account for a large number of mental health diagnosis in the United States and around the world. Approximately 13.6 million adults 26 or older and 5.1 million young adults (ages 18-24) battled with a SUD in 2017. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) alone effects nearly 6% of the adult population within the United States. This creates a substantial burden on the individual, with alcohol being the third-leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Few treatments for AUD exist, with no new FDA-approved therapeutic treatments within the last 15 years. Additionally, the limited treatments we do …

Validity Of The Actigraph Gt9x Accelerometer Step-Count Function In Adults With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction, Jonathan D. Kenyon, Hayley Billingsley, Natalie J. Bohmke, Danielle Kirkman, Salvatore Carbone, Youngdeok Kim

Graduate Research Posters

Low physical activity is associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Step-counts, a measure of physical activity, can be measured via accelerometry. To date, few studies have examined validity of accelerometer-derived step-counts in the adults with HFpEF.

PURPOSE To assess criterion validity of the Actigraph GT9X accelerometer step-count function in adults with HFpEF via ankle, waist, and wrist placement, compared with manually counted, directly observed steps.

METHODS Six adults with HFpEF (age: 57.2 ± 9.4 y; African American: 50%; females: 100%) completed a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a treadmill while wearing synchronized GT9X accelerometers on the ankle, …

Pharmacogenomics And Ssris Appropriateness In Older Community Dwelling African Americans, Wint War Phyo, Lana Sargent, Elvin T. Price

Graduate Research Posters

Background: Depressive and anxiety disorders are among the most common illnesses experienced by older adults (age > 60). The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are preferred class of antidepressants for these disorders due to their high efficacy and safety profiles among older adults. However, SSRIs are metabolized by highly polymorphic cytochrome P450 enzymes, specifically CYP2D6 and CYP2C19. This can lead to variable dose-response outcomes, especially among older African American population.

Objective: Analyze the frequency of CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 polymorphisms in African American older adults who are taking SSRIs and identify potential inappropriate use of SSRIs in these older adults using the …

Activity Of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae By Single Entity Electrochemistry, John Lutkenhaus

Graduate Research Posters

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, antibiotics decrease in effectiveness as bacteria gain resistance for previously treatable illnesses. Currently, antibiotic susceptibility is typically carried out via the Kirby-Bauer method. Even with automation, this process requires two incubation periods so a less time-consuming technique is desirable. Single entity electrochemistry (SEE) detects changes in current when collisions of individual particles at an ultramicroelectrode (UME) are linked with an electrochemical event. Our group has obtained step-like and spike-like responses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae at the UME surface as a result of adsorption and desorption, respectively. This response is due to the …

Qualitative And Quantitative Characterization Of Epithelial Cell Mixtures Using Hormone Antibody Probes And Flow Cytometry, Luke Baldridge

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

“Touch” DNA is evidence that consists of epidermal cells deposited by handling objects and it is becoming more common in evidence samples processed in crime labs. Because “touch” DNA evidence samples may be low-template DNA and are often mixtures, there is a need to both nondestructively estimate the amount of DNA present prior to DNA purification and to identify and characterize mixtures prior to DNA typing. The purpose of this study was to test the use of FITC-labeled anti-testosterone antibodies as a potential tool to estimate the number of contributors in two-, three-, and four-person mixtures of epidermal skin cells, …

The Mechanisms And Consequences Of Shrub Encroachment On The Virginia Barrier Islands, Lauren K. Wood

Theses and Dissertations

Shrub encroachment is a global phenomenon driven by direct and indirect anthropogenic influence which alters plant communities and ecosystem function. Many studies have investigated drivers and consequences of woody plant establishment, but mesic landscapes are underrepresented in the literature. My objective was to assess the mechanisms of Morella cerifera encroachment into coastal mesic grassland, the potential for self-reinforcement, and consequences on community composition, nutrients, and landscape productivity. I studied temperature and water microclimate modification by Morella cerifera presence and removal to understand ecosystem engineering and community composition changes. Additionally, I examined the influence of shrubs on surrounding grassland species traits …

Dendrimer-Based Antibiotics For The Treatment Of Bacterial Biofilm In Cystic Fibrosis (Cf), Younan Ma

Theses and Dissertations

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is the predominant pathogen in chronic lung infections of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The most important mechanism of adaptation of PA to host defense and antibiotic treatment is the formation of biofilms within the mucus layer covering the lung bronchi. The effectiveness of antibiotics such as aminoglycosides is significantly attenuated by their limited penetration through thick mucus and embedded biofilm matrix in patients’ lung. Inhaled tobramycin (Tobra), which is the most commonly used antibiotics in the treatment of PA infections for CF patients, is usually found to be in very high concentration in patients’ lung, and yet …

Identification And Optimization Of Mirna Biomarkers For Body Mass Index (Bmi) Estimation In Forensic Samples, Jennifer J. Shealy

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

DNA profiles do not provide as much evidentiary value when either all known samples can be excluded or when there is no known suspect. DNA phenotyping is a technique used for investigative purposes to predict externally visible characteristics (EVCs) based on specific markers found in the genome. Most phenotyping panels are currently restricted to markers stable over a lifetime within an individual and are not able to predict environmental or metabolic impacts on EVCs. It is known that miRNA expression levels change due to environmental and metabolic factors, such as BMI, and research has proven associations between circulating plasma miRNAs …

A Mechanism Behind The Mechanotransduction Of Surface Characteristics In Osteoblasts, Otto J. Juhl Iv

Theses and Dissertations

Biomaterials for use in bone regeneration and healing range from metal and metal alloy implants to hydrogel-based solutions. These materials can be optimized to increase bone healing and integration by improving the mechanical and biological properties. Regardless of the material itself, the cell-substrate interaction is key to the success of the biomaterial once implanted. Substrate surface characteristics such as roughness, wettability, and particle density are well-known contributors to a substrate’s overall osteogenic potential, and therefore the substrate's overall success. Unfortunately, it is still unknown how these substrate surface characteristics are transduced into intracellular signals by cells, preventing specific tailoring of …

Comparing The Sensitivity And Specificity Of Cbct And Mri In Detecting Osteoarthritis Of The Tmj: A Systematic Review, Gabriel R. Saavedra

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this systematic review was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting osteoarthritis (OA) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This was done by using computed tomography (CT) and the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD) as reference methods and using CBCT and MRI as index methods. A specific search strategy was developed and applied to these electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, DOSS, and Cochrane. The search results returned 802 articles, which were then narrowed down using the inclusion/exclusion criteria, to four final articles that were included in …

Prolactin Drives A Dynamic Stat5a/Hdac6/Hmgn2 Cis-Regulatory Landscape Exploitable In Er+ Breast Cancer, Justin M. Craig

Theses and Dissertations

The hormone prolactin has been implicated in breast cancer pathogenesis and regulates chromatin engagement by the transcription factor, STAT5A. STAT5A is known to inducibly bind promoters and cis-regulatory elements genome-wide, though the mechanisms by which it exerts specificity and regulation of target gene expression remain enigmatic. We previously identified HDAC6 and HMGN2 as cofactors that facilitate prolactin induced, STAT5A mediated gene expression. Here, multi-condition STAT5A, HDAC6, and HMGN2 ChIP-seq with parallel condition RNA-seq are utilized to reveal the cis-regulatory landscape and cofactor dynamics underlying prolactin stimulated gene expression in breast cancer. We find that prolactin regulated genes are …

Targeting Transferrin Binding Protein A For Vaccine Development In Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Ashley Greenawalt

Theses and Dissertations

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of the sexually-transmitted infection gonorrhea, has recently been labeled a superbug. With dwindling treatment options, there is urgent need for a gonococcal vaccine. TonB-dependent transporters (TDTs) are important gonococcal virulence factors that allow the gonococcus to pirate metals directly from host proteins. The TDTs, TbpA and TbpB, are promising vaccine targets because both proteins are expressed and highly conserved in gonococcal strains, and they are not subject to high-frequency antigenic variation. Because the Tbps bind to host protein as their natural function, our immune system does not recognize them as foreign antigens; thus, immunogenicity is …

Il-36g Cytokine Induction In Oral Epithelial Cells Triggered By Treponema Denticola And Their Role In Chronic Periodontitis, Christopher Blake

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease is a polymicrobial disease affecting 10-15% of the population. Periodontal disease affects the quality of life by reducing mastication and potentially causing tooth loss. Periodontal disease is also linked to more severe, systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Development of the diseased state occurs when the plaque biofilm shifts from healthy to dysbiotic. The shift to a dysbiotic biome brings with it a shift in bacterial presence, specifically an increase in gram-negative bacteria, such as T. denticola. T. denticola is a gram-negative, anaerobic spirochete whose relationship with oral epithelial cells is poorly understood. Preliminary data …

Interclass Gpcr Heteromerization Affects Localization And Trafficking, Rudy Toneatti

Theses and Dissertations

Class A serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) 2A (5-HT_2AR) and class C metabotropic glutamate 2 receptors (mGluR2) are seven transmembrane receptors (7TMRs or G protein-coupled receptors – GPCRs) involved in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. Previous findings from our laboratory reported that 5-HT_2AR and mGluR2 are dysregulated in the prefrontal cortex of patients suffering from this psychiatric condition, although 5-HT_2AR’s expression was recovered in antipsychotic-medicated patients. Genome-wide association studies on schizophrenia reported that endosomal trafficking that regulates cell surface abundance of another 7TMR implicated in this disease (dopamine D2 receptor) can be altered. Ligand-activated receptors, including the …

Glucocorticoid Receptor Dysregulation Underlies 5-Ht2a Receptor-Dependent Synaptic And Behavioral Deficits In A Mouse Neurodevelopmental Disorder Model, Justin M. Saunders

Theses and Dissertations

Schizophrenia is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder that presents with diverse symptoms, some of which remain resistant to treatment. Increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia has been observed following gestational infection in humans, leading to development of maternal immune activation (MIA) animal models. Increased density of the serotonin 5-HT2AR receptor (5-HT2AR), the primary target of hallucinogenic drugs and a key target of atypical antipsychotics, has been observed in postmortem antipsychotic-free prefrontal cortex samples from schizophrenia subjects, a change reflected in frontal cortex of adult MIA offspring. To model MIA, we administered 20 mg/kg i.p. of the viral mimetic poly-(I:C) …

Quantitative Pcr And Sanger Sequencing Of Mitochondrial Dna Recovered From Waterlogged Bone, Kailey Babcock

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

In forensic contexts, samples containing heavily fragmented DNA are commonly encountered. Compromised biological samples are especially prevalent in instances where human remains have been submerged in an aqueous environment for extended periods of time. Nuclear DNA is particularly vulnerable to the prolonged exposure to heat, moisture, and bacterial degradation that are prevalent in aquatic settings. Paired with the difficulty of recovering DNA from skeletal remains, which are often the only remaining component after the soft tissues have been stripped away, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis serves as an invaluable alternative. In this multifaceted study, mtDNA analysis was performed on waterlogged bone …

Mathematical Modeling Of Lung Inflammation: Macrophage Polarization And Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury With Methods For Predicting Outcome, Sarah B. Minucci

Theses and Dissertations

Lung insults, such as respiratory infections and lung injuries, can damage the pulmonary epithelium, with the most severe cases needing mechanical ventilation for effective breathing and survival. Furthermore, despite the benefits of mechanical ventilators, prolonged or misuse of ventilators may lead to ventilation-associated/ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI). Damaged epithelial cells within the alveoli trigger a local immune response. A key immune cell is the macrophage, which can differentiate into a spectrum of phenotypes ranging from pro- to anti-inflammatory. To gain a greater understanding of the mechanisms of the immune response in the lungs and possible outcomes, we developed several mathematical models …

Post-Mortem Brain Nuclei Isolation For Single Nucleus Rna Sequencing, Charles J. Tran, Lin Y. Xie, Min Zhao, Edwin Jcg Van Den Oord, Karolina A. Aberg

Undergraduate Research Posters

Abstract

Post-Mortem Brain Nuclei Isolation for Single Nucleus RNA Sequencing

Charles Tran, Dept. of Biology, with Dr. Karolina Aberg, VCU School of Pharmacy

When tissue samples are studied in bulk without consideration for different cell proportions and types, results can be biased due to the attenuation of unique cellular expressions. In order to study cell type specific RNA expression profiles within tissue, single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is used. For scRNA-seq studies it is critical to have intact cells. However, when investigating frozen post-mortem brain tissue, it is often challenging to isolate intact whole cells. An alternative solution is to …

Identification Of Compounds Causing Cellular Autofluorescence In Touch Samples, Elora C. Wall

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

As DNA analysis has advanced and produced tests with higher sensitivities, attention has turned toward obtaining DNA profiles from cells left with fingermarks. Recent studies have reported that cells deposited within fingermarks can exhibit differences in autofluorescence emission in the ‘red’ region of the visible spectrum (e.g., between 650-670 nm), which can be used to differentiate contributor cell population and separate them before DNA profiles. Interestingly, this emission was not consistent to the individual day-to-day and likely not a genetically-controlled attribute of the contributor. Instead, this emission signature results from extended exposure of the skin to certain materials such as …

Comparison Of Semi-Automated And Manual Differential Separation Methods For Mock Sexual Assault Samples, Stephanie Rink

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

In the event of a sexual assault, separation of suspect from victim DNA is possible through differential extraction if the evidentiary mixture consists of female epithelial cells and male spermatozoa. The basis of differential extraction is the differing properties of epithelial and sperm cell membranes, specifically the comparative sturdiness of the proteins making up the sperm head containing the male DNA. Effective retrieval and separation of male and female DNA fractions is important in generating high-quality STR profiles that can be utilized in identifying suspects in a sexual assault case. Differential extraction has been conventionally performed using Proteinase K (PK) …

How Does Direct Volunteering Affect The Onset Of Alzheimer’S Dementia In Elderly Patients With Preexisting Cardiac Comorbidities?, Sneha R. Gade

Undergraduate Research Posters

Alzheimer's Dementia is a disease that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. The Alzheimer's Association reported Alzheimer's as the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, and a cure does not exist. Donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor drug, is frequently prescribed to treat Alzheimer's disease. Still, patients must continuously take the medication for years to receive any measurable improvement in quality of life after developing Alzheimer's Dementia. Further, research shows prolonged use of Donepezil can lead to other health problems, such as QTc prolongation, for cardiac disease patients. Therefore, the effectiveness of non-drug interventions, such as volunteering to prevent the disease's …

Exploring The Connection Between The Spontaneous Regression Seen In Neuroblastomas, Hypertumors, And Reactive Oxygen Species, Shahad Musa, Manitha Mulpuru

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Peto’s Paradox is defined as the lack of correlation between larger animals and cancer risk. Under the assumption that all cells have equal risk of becoming cancerous, larger animals should have greater rates of cancer. However, the inverse is true. Determining the cause of this variation may allow a supplemental approach to cancer treatment. A combination of two reasons may account for this correlation including hypertumors and metabolism. Hypertumors, or cheater cells, are hypothesized to suppress cancer growth through spontaneous autophagic degradation and overexpression of the RAS g-protein. Both of these characteristics are exhibited in Neuroblastomas. An anticancer drug used …

Slowing Down The Clock: Cellular Senescence And Aging, Saad Bhatti

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

No abstract provided.