Cell and Developmental Biology Commons^™

Fluorescence Microscopy Digital Deconvolution Comparison, George Mcnamara, Vinita Popat

George McNamara

Presentation by Ms. Vinita Popat, Cornell University, 2013 summer student in Prof. Laurence J.N. Cooper lab, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. Project was evaluation of several deconvolution software for improving (or making worse!) fluorescence microscopy Z-series.

Characterization Of Genes Required For Preimplantation Embryo Development, Marc P. Maserati Jr

Marc P Maserati Jr

Preimplantation embryo development in the mouse is a time of rapid cellular morphological and molecular changes leading to embryo implantation for the generation of offspring. The Mager lab studies these events occuring between fertilization and implantation in order to better understand the initial events which set the stage for all future aspects of development. The result of this research impacts many scientific disciplines including in-vitro based means of embryo culture, establishment of epigenetic marks, differentiation and cellular reprogramming and can be used in translational research for the improvement of in-vitro culture techniques and develop novel therapies such as cell replacement …

Enhanced Transmission Of Higher Order Plasmon Modes With Random Au Nanoparticles In Periodic Hole Arrays, Fang-Tzu Chuang

Fang-Tzu Chuang

The enhanced transmission of higher order plasmon modes with random gold nanoparticles embedded in periodic hole arrays using asymmetric pair aperture as a unit is investigated in the midinfrared regime. Different thicknesses of gold film were deposited inside holes and then annealed to form randomly sized and distributed nanoparticles. The holes deposited with thin gold film exhibit significantly enhanced transmission in higher order modes after thermal annealing. The enormous local electric field around the nanoparticles enhances the scattering effect that contributes to the enhanced infrared transmission. This unique design, which integrates localized and propagating surface plasmons, provides an easy way …

Microfabricated Nanotopological Surfaces For Study Of Adhesion-Dependent Cell Mechanosensitivity, Weiqiang Chen, Yubing Sun, Jianping Fu

Weiqiang Chen

Cells exhibit high sensitivity and diverse responses to the intrinsic nanotopography of the extracellular matrix through their nanoscale cellular sensing machinery. A simple microfabrication method for precise control and spatial patterning of the local nanoroughness on glass surfaces by using photolithography and reactive ion etching is reported. It is demonstrated that local nanoroughness as a biophysical cue could regulate a diverse array of NIH/3T3 fi broblast behaviors, including cell morphology, adhesion, proliferation, migration, and cytoskeleton contractility. The capability to control and further predict cellular responses to nanoroughness might suggest novel methods for developing biomaterials mimicking nanotopographic structures in vivo for …

Surface-Micromachined Microfiltration Membranes For Efficient Isolation And Functional Immunophenotyping Of Subpopulations Of Immune Cells, Weiqiang Chen, Nien-Tsu Huang, Boram Oh, Raymond H. W. Lam, Rong Fan, Timothy T. Cornell, Thomas P. Shanley, Katsuo Kurabayashi, Jianping Fu

Weiqiang Chen

An accurate measurement of the immune status in patients with immune system disorders is critical in evaluating the stage of diseases and tailoring drug treatments. The functional cellular immunity test is a promising method to establish the diagnosis of immune dysfunctions. The conventional functional cellular immunity test involves measurements of the capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines when stimulated ex vivo. However, this “bulk” assay measures the overall reactivity of a population of lymphocytes and monocytes, making it difficult to pinpoint the phenotype or real identity of the reactive immune cells involved. In this research, we …

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 Inhibition Of Tgfβ-2 Induced Cross-Linked Actin Networks In Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells, Rafael A. Lima, Michela Montecchi-Palmer, Jaclyn Bermudez, Abbot F. Clark Phd, Robert J. Wordinger Phd

ral5@rice.edu

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 Inhibition of TGFβ-2 Induced Cross-Linked Actin Networks (CLANs) in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells

RAFAEL A. LIMA1, MICHELA MONTECCHI-PALMER2,3, JACLYN BERMUDEZ2 ABBOT F. CLARK2, AND ROBERT J. WORDINGER2

1 Rice University, Houston, Texas, 2 Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, 3 Alcon Research, Ltd., Fort Worth, Texas

Background:

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a degenerative eye disease characterized by irreversible loss of retinal ganglion cells. One of the most significant risk factors for POAG is increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Elevated IOP is …

Phenotypic And Genotypic Characterization Of Escherichia Coli Isolated From Untreated Surface Waters, Kai F. Hung, Steven L. Daniel, Kristopher J. Janezic, Blake Ferry, Eric W. Hendricks, Brian A. Janiga, Tiffany Johnson, Samantha Murphy, Morgan E. Roberts, Sarah M. Scott, Alexandra N. Theisen

Kai F. Hung

A common member of the intestinal microbiota in humans and animals is Escherichia coli. Based on the presence of virulence factors, E. coli can be potentially pathogenic. The focus of this study was to isolate E. coli from untreated surface waters (37 sites) in Illinois and Missouri and determine phenotypic and genotypic diversity among isolates. Water samples positive for fecal coliforms based on the Colisure® test were streaked directly onto Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar (37°C) or transferred to EC broth (44.5°C). EC broth cultures producing gas were then streaked onto EMB agar. Forty-five isolates were identified as E. coli …