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Full-Text Articles in Biology

Mir125a As Molecular Target Of Vitamin D Mediated Inhibition Of Cd4+ T Cell Differentiation Into Th17 Cells In Mrl/Lpr Lupus-Prone Mice, Miranda Hilt Apr 2023

Mir125a As Molecular Target Of Vitamin D Mediated Inhibition Of Cd4+ T Cell Differentiation Into Th17 Cells In Mrl/Lpr Lupus-Prone Mice, Miranda Hilt

Undergraduate Distinction Papers

The dynamic function of vitamin D in an array of immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms and its implication in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases has been the topic of much recent scholarship. Here I attempt to elucidate the molecular mechanism of vitamin D-mediated inhibition of the differentiation of CD4+ T cells into pro-inflammatory Th17 cells in MRL/lpr lupus prone mice by investigating how miR-125a expression is affected by dietary modulation of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). MRL/MpJ and MRL/lpr mice were split into three experimental groups and fed specially formulated diets that varied in their concentrations of vitamin D. …


Effects Of Heavy Metal Uptake On Growth, Chlorophyll Content, And Calcium Oxalate Crystals In Lemna Minor (Duckweed), Olivia F. Miller Apr 2023

Effects Of Heavy Metal Uptake On Growth, Chlorophyll Content, And Calcium Oxalate Crystals In Lemna Minor (Duckweed), Olivia F. Miller

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Lemna minor L., duckweed, is a common aquatic plant used for the phytoremediation of wastewater. Heavy metal contamination poses a significant issue, and numerous studies have been conducted on the efficiency of L. minor’s hyperaccumulation ability of these metals. Calcium oxalate crystals are an important aspect of the growth and development of L. minor, but how they are influenced by the uptake of heavy metal has not been extensively studied. This study aims to determine the effects that lead, cadmium, and copper have on the formation of calcium oxalate crystals, vegetative growth, and chlorophyll a and b content on L. …


Effects Of Temperature And Plant And Animal Diets On Metabolic Rate In The Juvenile Red Eared Slider (Trachemys Scripta Elegans), Taylor Macdonald, Sarah Bouchard Apr 2022

Effects Of Temperature And Plant And Animal Diets On Metabolic Rate In The Juvenile Red Eared Slider (Trachemys Scripta Elegans), Taylor Macdonald, Sarah Bouchard

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Specific dynamic action (SDA) is the energy expended during ingestion, digestion, absorption, and assimilation of a meal, and is influenced by meal (type, size, composition, and temperature) and environmental temperature. Understanding the effect of meal type and environmental temperature on SDA in turtles is important in describing how T. s. elegans may acclimate with changing environmental temperatures. In this study, we conducted feeding trials in which we fed juvenile T. s. elegans duckweed and mealworm diets at 25°C and 30°C. We measured the rate of oxygen consumption as a proxy for metabolic rate after feeding for four 30 minute consecutive …


Ohio Anuran Gut Microbiomes, Serena Hoffman Mar 2022

Ohio Anuran Gut Microbiomes, Serena Hoffman

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Recent studies focusing on the skin and gut microbiome of vertebrates have found how important microbiomes are to maintaining host health. Understanding the role the gut microbiome plays to host health is of great importance for conservation. Less is known about the gut microbiome than the skin microbiome for amphibians. Literature is especially lacking for local Ohio anuran species. The purpose of this study was to establish the baseline composition of the gut microbiome for local Ohio anurans and to determine whether host species or habitat is the best predictor of gut microbiome composition. Tadpoles were collected from seven different …


Determining Age-Related Visual Memory And Line Length Perception In Children And Adults, Katie Exline Apr 2020

Determining Age-Related Visual Memory And Line Length Perception In Children And Adults, Katie Exline

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

There is little research in the field of visual memory and perceptual abilities of children as compared to adults. This thesis seeks to understand and provide new perspectives to this field with potential implications in the fields of optometry and education. Through two basic experiments, this thesis evaluates the abilities of individuals to perceive a visual stimulus and compare it other visual stimuli, while also observing their abilities to learn and remember various visual stimuli. Through experimentation using line length as the visual stimulus, the method of constant stimuli (MCS) evaluates subjects’ visual perception and the method of single stimuli …


Impact Of Animal Programming On Human Attitudes Of Local Wildlife, Ashton Jerger Apr 2020

Impact Of Animal Programming On Human Attitudes Of Local Wildlife, Ashton Jerger

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Attitudes towards wildlife can have direct implications on peoples’ interest in conserving local habitats and their overall ecological choices. Attitudes are formed by multiple components of an individual’s life history. However, through interactive, educational experiences, there is a potential to change current attitudes. Animal programs are an example of interactive, educational experiences that provide individuals the opportunity to get up-close to animal ambassadors and participate in engaging conversations about them. An animal program assessment was conducted with the 2019 summer camps at the Ohio Wildlife Center to quantify the changes in peoples’ affiliation for local wildlife and their willingness to …


The Effects Of Leaf Litter On Predation Cue Response In Gray Tree Frog Tadpoles, Hyla Versicolor, Dani Mccauley Apr 2020

The Effects Of Leaf Litter On Predation Cue Response In Gray Tree Frog Tadpoles, Hyla Versicolor, Dani Mccauley

Undergraduate Distinction Papers

Plant litter is an important resource for consumers, particularly in freshwater environments where it influences the development processes of larval amphibians. Leaf litter alters the physiochemical environment by lowering dissolved oxygen while increasing nitrogen, tannin, and phenolic acid levels. Many anuran species show plastic responses to the threat of predation. This is communicated through a kairomone when a tadpole is consumed, allowing surviving tadpoles to alter their behavior and morphology to evade predators. The purpose of this study was to analyze the interactive effects of leaf litter and predation on gray treefrog tadpoles (Hyla versicolor). The chemical output of the …


Antimicrobial Properties Of An Unknown Microorganism Isolated From The Local Environment, Danielle Duryea Apr 2020

Antimicrobial Properties Of An Unknown Microorganism Isolated From The Local Environment, Danielle Duryea

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Bacterial species that cause disease can usually be combatted with antibiotics; but as the years pass, more and more bacterial pathogens are becoming resistant to these treatments. In fact, the Center for Disease Control has identified eighteen classes of bacteria ranging from urgent to concerning threats due antibiotic resistance (2019), warning the advance of an antibiotic resistance crisis in which untreatable bacterial infections will become a leading cause of death (Bennadi, 2014). The Small World Initiative is a program created in 2012 at Yale University to address the antibiotic crisis through a crowdsourcing effort where undergraduate students are encouraged to …


A Reexamination Of The Freshwater Mussel Community Of The Little Miami River, Emily Davis Apr 2020

A Reexamination Of The Freshwater Mussel Community Of The Little Miami River, Emily Davis

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Understanding the changes in biodiversity and local freshwater mussel populations is critical to mitigate the risks to these populations. Freshwater ecosystems continue to degrade rapidly. The freshwater mussel community of the Little Miami River is degraded and has been in decline for many years. The biodiversity contained within freshwater ecosystems is lost at unprecedented rates influenced by human activity. Freshwater mussels play a key role in understanding the effects of human activity on freshwater ecosystems as well as maintaining the health of freshwater habitats. However, they are also sensitive to changes and disturbances, in their ecosystems. This study involved monitoring …


Life Line March 2020, Otterbein Biology And Earth Science Department Mar 2020

Life Line March 2020, Otterbein Biology And Earth Science Department

Life Line - The Biology Department Newsletter

The Department Welcomes Dr. Sinn; Modeling to Help with Global Research; The Paradise of Bombs Revisited; The End of an Era in Conesville Ohio; Reports from two recipients of the Melinda Phinney Award for Pre-Med Travel Experiences; Preparing Skins for Study; Genomics in the Jungle; Zoo Program Gets New T -Shirt and Sweatshirt Designs; Aquarium Track Dives Right In; Dr. Svitana’s Sabbatical Accomplishments;Biology Behind Bars; Grossology: The Science of Icky, Sticky, Disgusting Things.


Effects Of Polystrene Foam On The Growth And Development Of Darkling Beetles (Tenebrio Molitor), Nick Langlois Apr 2019

Effects Of Polystrene Foam On The Growth And Development Of Darkling Beetles (Tenebrio Molitor), Nick Langlois

Undergraduate Distinction Papers

The growing field of entomoremediation explores the use of insects and other invertebrates as biological agents for the natural removal of hazardous substances, and recent research has investigated the potential for using mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) to digest and decompose polystyrene. Two experiments conducted over two years tested the tolerance of mealworm populations to the inclusion of polystyrene in their diet, and the ability of these diets to support multi-generational populations. The first experiment compared mealworms raised on a diet of 100% polystyrene foam with mealworms raised on a control diet of wheat bran and potatoes. The second experiment …


Characterization Of Developmental Genes In Streptomyces, Erin Orr Apr 2019

Characterization Of Developmental Genes In Streptomyces, Erin Orr

Undergraduate Distinction Papers

Characterization of two developmental genes in Streptomyces was carried out by different genetic manipulation techniques in two different species. The construction of an overexpression mutant for a gene encoding a putative c-di-GMP binding protein in Streptomyces scabies was started. This gene was found to be a homologue of a protein that was found to bind to c-di-GMP in a protein binding assay that consisted of streptavidin coated beads and biotinylated c-di-GMP. Attempts at cloning the gene encoding this protein into an overexpression construct were made. Another developmental gene was also investigated. Gene disruption by PCR targeting was used to isolate …


Characterization Of The Perilipin 5 C-Terminus, Tim D. Clinton Apr 2019

Characterization Of The Perilipin 5 C-Terminus, Tim D. Clinton

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

The crystallization of protein with subsequent X-Ray crystallography analysis is a powerful technique for uncovering a protein’s structure. This methodology is cutting edge and innovations are being made daily on how to best use the fundamentals of this technique for clearer characterizations. The protein Perilipin 5 could benefit from this technique as properties involving the structure of the molecule are still largely unknown. Knowing the structural aspects of perilipin 5 is important as several research efforts indicate that is a key factor in the regulation of lipolysis, or the breakdown of fats within a biological system. In the life sciences, …


Cell Differentiation And Proliferation During Brain Development, Sarah Maxson Mar 2019

Cell Differentiation And Proliferation During Brain Development, Sarah Maxson

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

During brain development, cells can proliferate and differentiate into either neuronal or glial cells. Neuronal cells are capable of sending signals, while glial cells function to provide nutrients and structural support. The ratio of these cell types can give insight into brain function in comparative studies among species and in studies of phylogenesis and pathology. In order to complete this project in neuroscience, a new technique called the isotropic fractionator was utilized to estimate a neuronal vs. non-neuronal cell count of the rodent brain. Brains ranging from age postnatal day 1 to postnatal day 23 were dissected into 4 regions …


Life Line - February 2019, Otterbein Biology And Earth Science Department Feb 2019

Life Line - February 2019, Otterbein Biology And Earth Science Department

Life Line - The Biology Department Newsletter

Curricular Changes, Dr. Young's Sabbatical, Coal, Gas & Oil - Geology trip to eastern Ohio, Rebekah Perry is engaging the community in natural history, Student Research, Fem in STEM, Zoo students on Belize Trip, Scientific Art


2018 Senior Research Symposium, Otterbein University Department Of Biology & Earth Science Apr 2018

2018 Senior Research Symposium, Otterbein University Department Of Biology & Earth Science

Biology and Earth Science Student Scholarship

This is the schedule for the 2018 Senior Research Symposium and the abstracts from each presentation.


Life Line March 2018, Otterbein Biology And Earth Science Department Mar 2018

Life Line March 2018, Otterbein Biology And Earth Science Department

Life Line - The Biology Department Newsletter

Welcome Andrew Calinger-Yoak - Outdoor Laboratory - Conservation Biology - Safari in South Africa - Chengdu Panda Base - Mussells


Characterization Of Two Cyclic Di-Gmp Phosphodiesterases Hypothesized To Regulate Virulence In Streptomyces Scabies, Madison Flasco Jan 2018

Characterization Of Two Cyclic Di-Gmp Phosphodiesterases Hypothesized To Regulate Virulence In Streptomyces Scabies, Madison Flasco

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Common scab is a devastating disease that affects the marketability of potatoes. The disease results in raised and pitted lesions seen on the surface of the potato and is caused by the soil pathogen, Streptomyces scabies. The S. scabies genome has two cyclic-di-GMP phosphodiesterases, RmdA and RmdB, both regulators of morphology and development. These proteins break down the ubiquitous second messenger molecule cyclic di-GMP, a molecule in charge of cell cycle progression and virulence. Both proteins contain diguanylate cyclase domains and phosphodiesterase domains, GGDEF and EAL, respectively, while RmdA contains an additional PAS_4 domain. Despite similar domain configurations, the two …


Life Line June 2017, Otterbein Biology And Earth Science Department Jun 2017

Life Line June 2017, Otterbein Biology And Earth Science Department

Life Line - The Biology Department Newsletter

Research presented at Intl. Coral Reef Symposium - Mussels - South African Internship Experience - EHS Degree Coming - Otterbein Rock Garden - Nicaragua - Chris Shockley


Inquiry Into Perilipin-5a Expression In Triacylglycerol Rich Vs Normal Fed Mouse Tissue, Kobi Agyepong Apr 2017

Inquiry Into Perilipin-5a Expression In Triacylglycerol Rich Vs Normal Fed Mouse Tissue, Kobi Agyepong

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

The steep rise in both childhood and adult obesity over the past three decades has moved to the forefront of public consciousness in recent years. This development has generated a marked increase in general health awareness and lifestyle changes for a vast number of individuals, most notably in the form of increased physical activity and diet alterations. The latter point is especially salient in a biochemical context, because of the myriad factors that can result in “fat accumulation”. Chief among these factors is the Perilipin 5A gene, (known as PLIN5A) which encodes the protein Perilipin 5A of the Perilipin family …


Ecological Correlates With Dioecy In The Flora Of A Tropical Premontane Wet Forest In Costa Rica., Breanne Held Apr 2017

Ecological Correlates With Dioecy In The Flora Of A Tropical Premontane Wet Forest In Costa Rica., Breanne Held

Undergraduate Distinction Papers

There is a considerable disagreement about the selective forces that have led to the evolution of dioecy (i.e., the condition of having separate male and female flowers on separate plants). Historically, selection to enforce outcrossing has been the primary explanation despite there being little empirical evidence. Hence, many scientist argue that the selection of dioecy is driven by ecological traits that influence male and female fitness and seed dispersal. The objective of this study was to examine the association between plant sexual system (particularly, dioecy) with various ecological traits for the flora of a tropical premontane wet forest in Costa …


Department Of Biology And Earth Science: 2016 Senior Symposium, Otterbein University Apr 2016

Department Of Biology And Earth Science: 2016 Senior Symposium, Otterbein University

Biology and Earth Science Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.


Feasibility Study Of Biogas Generated Electricity For The Austin E. Knowlton Center For Equine Science At Otterbein University, Jillian Strimbu Apr 2016

Feasibility Study Of Biogas Generated Electricity For The Austin E. Knowlton Center For Equine Science At Otterbein University, Jillian Strimbu

Undergraduate Distinction Papers

Manure removal is an important issue for Otterbein University’s Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science. Evaluating alternative methods for manure removal at Otterbein is essential for both economic and green energy initiatives. Two companies who manufacture waste to energy systems, SEaB Energy and Bioferm Energy Systems, were contacted regarding the feasibility for the small-scale anaerobic digesters that they currently market (the Muckbuster and EUCOlino, respectively). Quasar Energy Corporation was also contacted as a possible off-site manure disposal option at their Zanesville large-scale dry digestion facility. Both the Muckbuster and EUCOlino options were determined to be economically infeasible for Otterbein …


Life Line March 2016, Otterbein Biology And Earth Science Department Mar 2016

Life Line March 2016, Otterbein Biology And Earth Science Department

Life Line - The Biology Department Newsletter

Department welcomes Dr. Elizabeth Berkeley - Ben Titus '08 - Panama Research - Fracing in Toga County, PA. - Students Intern in China - Faculty Partnerships in Africa


Distinct Components Of Retrograde Cav1.1-Ryr1 Coupling Revealed By A Lethal Mutation In Ryr1, David Sheridan Feb 2016

Distinct Components Of Retrograde Cav1.1-Ryr1 Coupling Revealed By A Lethal Mutation In Ryr1, David Sheridan

Biology and Earth Science Faculty Scholarship

The molecular basis for excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle is generally thought to involve conformational coupling between the L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (CaV1.1) and the type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1). This coupling is bidirectional; in addition to the orthograde signal from CaV1.1 to RyR1 that triggers Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, retrograde signaling from RyR1 to CaV1.1 results in increased amplitude and slowed activation kinetics of macroscopic L-type Ca2+ current. Orthograde coupling was previously shown to be ablated by a glycine for glutamate substitution at RyR1 position 4242. In this study, we investigated whether the RyR1-E4242G mutation affects retrograde …


Determination Of Cyclic-Di-Gmp- Controlled Gene Expression In A Pharmacologically Important Bacterium, Morgan A. Stark Jan 2016

Determination Of Cyclic-Di-Gmp- Controlled Gene Expression In A Pharmacologically Important Bacterium, Morgan A. Stark

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

The second messenger molecule cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) regulates a myriad of processes in gram-negative bacteria. However, less is known about the roles it plays in gram-positive bacteria. Differential gene expression in three strains of the gram-positive bacterium, Streptomyces coelicolor, is being studied using RNA sequencing and Real Time PCR to gain insight into c-di-GMP signaling. The rmdA rmdB (regulator of morphology and development) double mutant was compared to the wild type strain known as MT1110. The rmdA and rmdB genes are needed for the formation of aerial mycelium, an important step in the life cycle of Streptomyces coelicolor (Hull …


Resurgence Of Acropora Corals On Mid Shelf Patch Reefs, Southwater Caye Marine Reserve, Central Belize, Jillian J. Keefer Jan 2016

Resurgence Of Acropora Corals On Mid Shelf Patch Reefs, Southwater Caye Marine Reserve, Central Belize, Jillian J. Keefer

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Acropora cervicornis (staghorn) and Acropora palmata (elkhorn) are ecologically important corals that grow quickly and provide topography and refuges for fish and invertebrates. Historically, Acropora was the most abundant coral in shallow patch reef zones in the Caribbean. During the 1980s, white band disease eliminated most Acropora causing a loss in rugosity and an increase of macroalgae on many reefs. Although Acropora remains rare throughout most of the Caribbean, this study documents its partial comeback and possible limiting factors in Southwater Caye Marine Reserve (SWCMR), Central Belize. Patch reefs in the reserve averaged 19% live coral cover with A. palmata …


The Effect Of Red Maple Leaf Toxicosis On Reduced Glutathione Levels In Equine Erythrocytes In Vitro, Madeline A. Rohl Apr 2015

The Effect Of Red Maple Leaf Toxicosis On Reduced Glutathione Levels In Equine Erythrocytes In Vitro, Madeline A. Rohl

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Red maple leaf toxicosis is an equine blood disorder resulting from the consumption of wilted red maple (Acer rubrum L.) leaves by horses. Compounds within the leaves of red maple have oxidative effects on equine erythrocytes and can cause hemolysis of erythrocytes, the conversion of hemoglobin to methemoglobin, and the production of Heinz bodies. Reduced glutathione is important in the protection of equine erythrocytes from these oxidative events; however, in the presence of red maple toxin, glutathione is rapidly oxidized and is unavailable. The objective of this study is to determine whether the presence of vitamin C alters levels …


Life Line March 2015, Otterbein Biology And Earth Science Department Mar 2015

Life Line March 2015, Otterbein Biology And Earth Science Department

Life Line - The Biology Department Newsletter

Trees - Erin Miller '97, Young Alumni Award Winner - Dave Sheridan joins the faculty - Melinda S. Phinney MD Award - OU Heritage Dr. of Osteopathy Early Assurance Program - China Visit


Life Line March 2014, Otterbein Biology And Earth Science Department Mar 2014

Life Line March 2014, Otterbein Biology And Earth Science Department

Life Line - The Biology Department Newsletter

Dr. Svitana - In Remembrance of Kyle Miller - Remembering Alima Kasongo - Sustainable Aquarium - Dr. Vasiloff Gives Concert - Student Research in Panama - The Aviary