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Full-Text Articles in Genetics and Genomics

Adaptive Variation In Tiger Salamander Populations, Meghan Parsley Oct 2017

Adaptive Variation In Tiger Salamander Populations, Meghan Parsley

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Amphibians face an unknown future in a time of rapid environmental change due to global climate perturbations. Since amphibians are perceived to be indicators of ecosystem health, understanding the causes of their declines can improve our perception of threats to other species. Molecular techniques have allowed us to explore how environmental change affects genetic variation and to predict evolutionary adaptive potential of amphibian populations. The identification of populations with the greatest potential to respond to changing environmental variables may be an important conservation strategy to aid in future management efforts. I utilized targeted exon capture sequencing to identify adaptive variation …


Landscape Genetics Of The California Tiger Salamander: Inferences From Multiple Methods, Samantha Gabrielle Thomas Oct 2017

Landscape Genetics Of The California Tiger Salamander: Inferences From Multiple Methods, Samantha Gabrielle Thomas

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Landscape genetics is a rapidly growing field of study that compares patterns of gene flow among populations with habitat heterogeneity across a landscape to infer the interaction between dispersal of individuals and their physical environment. Empirical data generated from a landscape genetics study can inform conservation and management strategies, making the field increasing popular. However, concerns have arisen in the literature that the field is expanding faster than the analytic framework that supports it. Multiple methods for generating estimates of the association among habitat types and dispersal (i.e., least-cost paths and resistance surfaces) have been proposed, and there is a …


Sequence Extension Of The Tryptophan And Shikimate Operons In Clostridium Scatologenes Atcc 25775, Shawn Johnston Smiley Oct 2017

Sequence Extension Of The Tryptophan And Shikimate Operons In Clostridium Scatologenes Atcc 25775, Shawn Johnston Smiley

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

3-Methylindole and 4-methylphenol are cytotoxic and malodorant compounds derived from tryptophan and tyrosine, respectively. Each is present in swine waste lagoons and contributes to malodorous emissions from agricultural facilities. Clostridium scatologenes ATCC 25775 produces both compounds and serves as a model organism to study their metabolism and function. Through the repeated assembly and annotation of the Clostridium scatologenes genome, we propose a novel pathway for tryptophan degradation and 3-methylindole production by this organism. The genome of Clostridium scatologenes was sequenced, and re-assembled into contigs. Key elements of the tryptophan and shikimate pathways were identified. Contigs containing these elements were extracted …


Effect Assessment Of Tio2 Nanoparticles Exposure On Medicago By Monitoring Morphophysiology, Charles Towey Jul 2017

Effect Assessment Of Tio2 Nanoparticles Exposure On Medicago By Monitoring Morphophysiology, Charles Towey

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

In recent years titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) have been ingredients in everything from paints to cosmetics, and even in some kinds of food. This growth in use has resulted in a substantial increase in the amount of titanium released into the environment, which could have detrimental effects on nearby plant and animal life. Currently, the number of studies conducted on the effects of TiO2NPs is quite small, especially when it comes to edible crops. Because of this lack of research data, this study has been designed to assess the effect of TiO2 NPs exposure on …


Consumer Knowledge, Perception And Attitudes Of Unlabeled Genetically Modified Foods Of An Educated Population In The State Of Kentucky, Aldious A. Waite Jul 2017

Consumer Knowledge, Perception And Attitudes Of Unlabeled Genetically Modified Foods Of An Educated Population In The State Of Kentucky, Aldious A. Waite

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Genetically modified (GM) foods technology is a novel idea for improving food and crop production, but the supposed health risk of GM foods, such as possible negative long-term health effects to humans, animals and the environment, have provoked the European Union to create assessment protocols to monitor and regulate the safety of GM foods and crops. This research investigates the perception and attitudes of unlabeled GM foods of the WKU faculty and staff. A survey was administered via WKU Qualtrics, and chi-square tests were performed to see how the benefits and disadvantages of GM foods may affect the purchasing decisions …


Analysis Of Population Structure In A California Newt (Taricha Torosa) Metapopulation, Jessica Vincent Jun 2017

Analysis Of Population Structure In A California Newt (Taricha Torosa) Metapopulation, Jessica Vincent

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

As anthropogenic influences take an ever-increasing toll on the environment, understanding how environmental change affects species is paramount. Concern regarding decline in amphibian populations has spurred research examining the effects of habitat change on the dynamics of populations at landscape levels. One important goal is to understand how gene flow among populations is affected by changes in habitat. Biologists need to consider the relationship between gene flow and habitat alterations so that movements among individual breeding ponds can be maintained over time, reducing risk of local extinction events. This study focuses on patterns of gene flow among thirteen populations of …


An Approach To Identify Mycobacteriophage Diversity Prior To Dna Sequencing, Charles Gregory Jun 2017

An Approach To Identify Mycobacteriophage Diversity Prior To Dna Sequencing, Charles Gregory

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Over 6,869 Mycobacteriophages have been isolated and purified. Of these, 1,367 genomes have been sequenced at the DNA level and more are added each year through the SEA-PHAGES program. Sequenced mycobacteriophages are grouped into clusters based on a 50% or greater nucleotide identity. The number and breadth of these clusters represents the diversity present in the environment. Each year, as new phages are discovered by students in the SEA-PHAGES program, the question arises, “Which isolates should we sequence?” In order to sequence phages that represent the greatest possible diversity, and thus broaden under-represented clusters and identify new singletons, we need …


Molecular Evolution Of App Gene In Alzheimer's Disease, Mary E. Husk Apr 2017

Molecular Evolution Of App Gene In Alzheimer's Disease, Mary E. Husk

Student Research Conference Select Presentations

The purpose of my study is to examine the role of the APP gene in Alzheimer's Disease. Also this study intends to explore the interactions between the APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 genes in the molecular pathways related to the Alzheimer's disease . My central theme of research is to decipher the molecular evolution of the APP gene and utilize the phylogenetic analyses to examine specific molecular domains involved in the molecular pathways related to Alzheimer's disease . Current research indicates the role of several types of mutations discovered in the APP gene related to disease. My study intends to look …