Genetics and Genomics Commons^™

Effects Of Aurora Kinase C Expression On Retina Pigmented Epithelial Cell Migration, Proliferation, And Anchorage Independent Growth, Justin Bejar

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Cancer is a common and deadly disease in the United States with 1,806,590 new cancer cases in 2019 and 606,520 cancer deaths projected in 2020. These deaths are primarily due to the uncontrolled cell proliferation and migratory nature of the disease. Many cancer cells express genes normally restricted to meiotic cells. For example, Aurora Kinase C (AURKC) is known to regulate chromosome segregation in meiotic cells yet it is expressed in many different types of cancer, such as breast, prostate, colorectal, liver, cervical, thyroid, and testicular cancers. As a means to study the function of AURKC, an …

Applications Of Sirna For Cancer Gene Therapy, Christopher Nicholas Cultrara

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Gene therapy is a potent and versatile nano-medicine strategy in the treatment of cancer. Of the many tools currently used in this application, short-interfering RNA (siRNA) are among the most commonly employed due to their ability to silence oncogenic mRNA with high precision through the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway potentially leading to cancer cell death. Our work revolves around silencing the Glucose-Regulated Proteins (GRPs) whose expressions are upregulated in cancerous tissues and are implicated in the proliferative, pro-survival, and anti-apoptotic pathways that govern tumor biology. Here we present a variety of applications to improve the potency and functionality of GRP-targeting …

Effects Of Crude Oil On Tumor Suppressor P53 Polymorphisms In Laboratory-Exposed Atlantic Killifish, Fundulus Heteroclitus, Allison Margaret Nadler

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), constituents of crude oil, are implicated as a potent source of adverse toxicological effects on living organisms. To model the effects of PAHs in response to environmental oil spill disasters a species of killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) was captured and exposed to crude oil in a laboratory-controlled setting. Over a period of 7 days, fish were dosed with crude oil by gavage, culled, and organs were harvested for analysis. Excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy (EEMS) of gall bladder tissue homogenates was used to verify exposure. Effects of PAHs on the p53 gene were evaluated as an indicator …

Development Of Markers For Embryonic Reproductive Competence In Assisted Reproduction, Xin Tao

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

In humans, early embryo development is a complex process that consists of sequential events: oocyte maturation, fertilization, embryonic growth and implantation. Disruption of these highly regulated processes results in reproductive failure and infertility. This study characterizes and describes embryonic aneuploidy, mitochondrial content level and endometrial microbial environment related to reproductive competence, in particular instances in which failure results.

To examine the molecular underpinnings of mammalian gamete and early embryo chromosome segregation, we established a comprehensive chromosomal screening (CCS) method for mice poly bodies, oocytes and embryos by the application of whole genome amplification (WGA) and next generation sequencing (NGS). First, …

Transcriptome Approach For Identifying Potential Biomarkers For Endocrine Disruption Due To Crude Oil Exposure Using Killifish (Fundulus Heteroclitus)., Frank J. Zadlock Iv

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, is a common fish model in aquatic toxicology. However, little is known in this organism about how endocrine disrupting compounds, (EDCs) including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), impact the reproductive status from a molecular standpoint. The objective of this project is to apply high throughput sequencing to F. heteroclitus testes to examine the molecular mechanisms that impair reproduction when exposed to crude oil. First, a crude oil exposure experiment was conducted. Following exposure, semi-quantitative PCR was performed to detect changes in gene expression of the following genes known to respond to EDCs: gonadal aromatase (CYP19a), vitellogenin …

A Bioinformatics Methodology For The Annotation And Analysis Of Sperm Chromatin Remodeling Proteins In Sequenced Drosophila Species, Zain A. Alvi

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Spermatogenesis is the process by which mature functional spermatozoa are formed, and is initiated in the stem cell niche of the testes. During the post-meiotic stage of spermatogenesis, spermiogenesis, transition proteins facilitate the transformation of chromatin from a histone-based nucleosome structure to a protamine-based nucleosome structure. This study is aimed at analyzing genomic, transcript, and protein sequences of transition proteins in 13 sequenced Drosophila species. The Drosophila melanogaster spermatid specific transition protein-like protein (Tpl^94D) was used as the reference sequence in this study. An extensive bioinformatics approach was employed in establishing the Tpl^94D orthologs. We identified …

Exploring Barriers To The Adoption Of Pharmacogenomic Technology In The Clinical Setting By Clinical Healthcare Providers, Jason Sudia

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The changing landscape of healthcare in the US has created new questions about how to best provide cost-effective, individualized care. Personalized medicine and more specifically, pharmacogenomic technology have offered new tools for healthcare providers to use to increase the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of care. However, these tools are not being utilized to their predicted extent in the clinical setting. This study utilized Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations theory to investigate some of the reasons why. A multi-question survey, the PI-created, Pharmacogenomic Adoption Instrument (PAI) ©, was developed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and experience concerning pharmacogenetic technology in a spectrum …

Transcriptome Analysis Of Sea Lamprey Embryogenesis, Zakary Ilya Yermolenko

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) has survived throughout evolution for hundreds of millions of years. It is considered an invasive species to the Great Lakes that has caused dramatic changes in the ecosystem for fish communities resulting in the collapse of a fishing industry that was previously valued at billions of dollars. Successful management of the sea lamprey is essential to a sustainable fishing industry and biodiversity. Therefore sea lamprey embryos were studied at various stages of development by growing them in a simulated habitat. RNAs from adult female ovaries and embryos at different time points during embryogenesis …

The Experience Of Having Primary Caregiving Responsibilities For An Adult Sibling With Down Syndrome, Patricia Sciscione

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Abstract

Background: The current generation of adults with Down syndrome is living longer and is likely to outlive their parents. Siblings have been identified as the likely future caregivers for adults with Down syndrome, yet little is known about what the experience is like for those who are currently caring for their siblings. It is necessary to gain an understanding of what the service needs are for this population in order to assist sibling caregivers.

Objectives: To explore and describe the experience of being an adult who is partially or fully involved with primary caregiving responsibilities for a sibling with …

The 5' Bop Gene Stem-Loop Sequence: Stability, Structure, And Function, Srikanth Tangelloju

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

In pursuit of GPCR characterization, our lab chose to work with a model organism Halobacterium salinarum (H sal). This organism contains the bacterioopsin gene (bop), which encodes the protein precursor of the purple membrane protein bacterioopsin (Bop). The bacterioopsin gene (bop) was chosen as the reporter for the study. The putative stem-loop structure within the bop gene is considered to be a key component of the molecular machinery that regulates Bop synthesis. Previous work in our lab has indicated that single base pair disruptions dramatically reduced stem-loop stability (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), circular dichroism (CD) and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy analysis). …

Evaluation Of Genetic Diversity In Wild Chironomid Populations Using Rapd And Hemoglobin Protein As Molecular Biomarkers, Virendrasinh N. Jadeja

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Chironomid Hemoglobin Genetic Diversity As An Indicator Of The New Jersey Hackensack Meadowlands Wetland Health, Lene Marie De Coursin Jacobs

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Kearny Marsh located within the Hackensack Meadowlands is a freshwater wetland impacted by multiple environmental stressors from human activity. The marsh is located in the northeastern New Jersey metropolitan area. Chironomid larvae, aquatic larvae of midge fly, were analyzed from two Kearny Marsh sample sites, W9 and W22. A previous sediment analysis and toxicity study characterized heavy metal contaminants the marsh. The data results were applied in this thesis study to determine the correlation between environmental stressors and chironomid genetic diversity. Site W9 sediment was impacted by severe levels of total heavy metal contamination, whereas site W22 had just below …

Chironomid Hemoglobin Genetic Diversity As An Indicator Of The New Jersey Hackensack Meadowlands Wetland Health, Lene Marie De Coursin Jacobs

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Multiple Kh Domains Of Poly C Binding Protein Are Required For Its Trans-Activation On The Proximal Promoter Of The Mu-Opioid Receptor Gene, Adnan K. Malik

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The mu-opioid receptor (MOR) has been shown to mediate morphine induced analgesia, addiction, and tolerance. The expression of the major product of the MOR (MOR-1) gene has been found to be driven by two promoters, a distal promoter and a proximal promoter. The proximal promoter region has been shown in previous studies to be the major promoter for the regulation of MOR gene transcription in the adult mouse brain and embryonic development. Recent studies have shown that single-stranded DNA binding proteins (such as Poly C Binding Protein) are involved in transcriptional regulation of mouse MOR gene. Poly C binding protein …

Genetic Diversity Of Balbiani Ring L Gene In Two Species Of Chironomus, Lola-Mae Palmer

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Differences in genetic composition have been predicted among aquatic midge fly larva called chironomids. Although several genes including microsatellites and ribosomal protein genes have been explored in our lab, the gene that has so far been studied the most is the Balbiani Ring (BR) 1 gene. There are several genes in this family, including Balbiani Ring 2.1, 2.2 and 6. These BR genes are known to contain long arrays of tandemly repeated units with a ranked repeat organization (Paulsson et al.1992). This secretory protein gene forms a large puff located on polytene chromosome IV (Bentivegna et al., 1993). The gene …

Cloning Of Hsds Gene And Characterization Of The Protein From Haemophilus Influenzae Rd, Srividya Chalapatti

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Analysis Of Genetic Factors Affecting High Density Lipoprotein Levels And Apoall Levels In C57 B1/6j And Fvb/N Wildtype Mice Using A Qtl Mapping Approach, Judith Barrios

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Studying The Expression Of A Novel Microsatellite Mrna In Chironomous Riparius, Mina Ranzurmal

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The expression of a unique mRNA containing a microsatellite sequence was studied in C. riparius using differential display. First, the rnicrosatellite fragment was sequenced using Sanger's Sequencing method. The microsatellite cDNA contained 11 "ACA" repeats, 12 "AC" repeats, and 5 "CTC" repeats. Second, the affects of cadmium and heat shock on rnicrosatellite mRNA expression were studied. In cadmium experiments, larvae were exposed to low cadmium concentrations (0, 0.04, 0.4, and 4.0 mM) for 24 and 48 h and high cadmium concentrations (0, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, and 16.0 mM) for 48 h. The effects of cadmium on fed larvae at …

Developing A Gene Specific Probe For Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase Mrna, Stephen M. Kuntz

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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