Optimizing Immunotherapies For Improved Cancer Treatment, 2024 National Institute of Standards and Technology
Optimizing Immunotherapies For Improved Cancer Treatment, Anne Talkington, Anthony Kearsley
Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference
No abstract provided.
Screen For Beneficial Genetic And Chemical Modifiers In Drosophila Models Of Als And Traumatic Brain Injury, 2024 Southern Methodist University
Screen For Beneficial Genetic And Chemical Modifiers In Drosophila Models Of Als And Traumatic Brain Injury, Will Bonderer
Biological Sciences Theses and Dissertations
The underlying molecular processes of aberrant protein expression in neurodegeneration are intricate and multifaceted, with ribosome-associated quality control (RQC) emerging as a promising avenue of exploration. Ribosome-associated quality control is integral to cellular function. Its evolutionarily conserved pathway encompasses a network of mechanisms designed to ensure the fidelity of protein synthesis, folding, and degradation within the cells of all eukaryotes. The ribosome, central to protein synthesis, plays a pivotal role in this quality control network, and its malfunction can lead to the accumulation of misfolded or aberrant proteins. In the context of neurodegenerative disorders, this dysfunction can have dire consequences. …
With Love, ; An Interdisciplinary And Intersectional Look At Why Creativity Is Essential, 2024 Whittier College
With Love, ; An Interdisciplinary And Intersectional Look At Why Creativity Is Essential, Theo Starr Gardner
Whittier Scholars Program
My Whittier Scholars Program self-designed major, Teaching Creativity, is a mixture of Art, Literature, and Education classes. My research and praxis classes have been focused on the ‘how?’s and 'why?’s of creativity, so it felt only right that my project should be a constructivist, generative project. The project I have been working on throughout my time at Whittier, and that has just fully come to fruition on April 11th, 2024, was a solo art gallery/open mic event entitled ‘With Love,’. With Love, was conceptually inspired by the research I’ve conducted on creativity and creative arts education over the past few …
Selection During Reproduction In Mimulus Guttatus, 2024 Portland State University
Selection During Reproduction In Mimulus Guttatus, Desmond C. Willson, Karla De Lima Berg, Mitch Cruzan
Student Research Symposium
A lack of genomic studies examining gametophytic selection and selective embryo abortion—which occur during the reproduction of angiosperms—leaves questions regarding the adaptive and evolutionary effects of these processes. Analyzing deviations from Mendelian segregation offers an avenue for identifying loci targeted by GS and SEA, and their contributions to purging of genetic load. However, other selective processes such as meiotic drive and cytonuclear interactions, as well as pollen and ovule abortion, can cause distortion. To distinguish the effects of GS and SEA from other causes of distortion, we will perform reciprocal crosses between highly homozygous and highly heterozygous individuals of Mimulus …
Improved Genome Maintenance And Dna Replication In The Anoxia Tolerant Annual Killifish, 2024 Portland State University
Improved Genome Maintenance And Dna Replication In The Anoxia Tolerant Annual Killifish, Riley A. Roth-Carter
Student Research Symposium
Timely and faithful replication of the genome is a requirement for cell survival and proliferation, with errors in this process leading to cancers and cell death. DNA replication during exposure to stressful conditions can lead to increased mutational burden, with collapsed replication forks causing mutations leading to cancers due to loss of repair capabilities during these exposures. Learning how stressful DNA replication takes places can lead to a better understanding of how resistant cancers survive similar conditions, like hypoxic tumor microenvironment, direct irradiation, and DNA damaging chemotherapeutics. Using an extremophile model, Austrofundulus limnaeus, which can survive these genotoxic stressors could …
Guide Rna Design And Delivery For Crispr/Cas9 Editing In Annual Killifish, 2024 Portland State University
Guide Rna Design And Delivery For Crispr/Cas9 Editing In Annual Killifish, Keria N. Moritsugu-Vandehey, Isabel Henkes, Yekaterina Chmykh, Amie Romney, Jason Podrabsky
Student Research Symposium
The CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing tool has shown to be successful in knocking out genes in model organisms such as zebrafish, turquoise killifish, and cichlid fish. CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing has been demonstrated in many species of fish, but this technology has not been verified in the annual killifish, Austrofundulus limnaeus. We hypothesize that targeted editing of the tyrosinase gene in embryos of A. limnaeus would lead to the development of fish without the ability to produce melanin, the black/brown pigment molecule. Early embryos (1-cell stage) were injected with a Cas9 cocktail containing a mix of guide RNA molecules that target …
Genetic Variants For Head Size Share Genes And Pathways With Cancer., 2024 The Texas Medical Center Library
Genetic Variants For Head Size Share Genes And Pathways With Cancer., Maria J Knol, Raymond A Poot, Tavia E Evans, Claudia L Satizabal, Aniket Mishra, Muralidharan Sargurupremraj, Sandra Van Der Auwera, Marie-Gabrielle Duperron, Xueqiu Jian, Isabel C Hostettler, Dianne H K Van Dam-Nolen, Sander Lamballais, Mikolaj A Pawlak, Cora E Lewis, Amaia Carrion-Castillo, Theo G M Van Erp, Céline S Reinbold, Jean Shin, Markus Scholz, Asta K Håberg, Anders Kämpe, Gloria H Y Li, Reut Avinun, Joshua R Atkins, Fang-Chi Hsu, Alyssa R Amod, Max Lam, Ami Tsuchida, Mariël W A Teunissen, Nil Aygün, Yash Patel, Dan Liang, Alexa S Beiser, Frauke Beyer, Joshua C Bis, Daniel Bos, R Nick Bryan, Robin Bülow, Svenja Caspers, Gwenaëlle Catheline, Charlotte A M Cecil, Shareefa Dalvie, Jean-François Dartigues, Charles Decarli, Maria Enlund-Cerullo, Judith M Ford, Barbara Franke, Barry I Freedman, Nele Friedrich, Melissa J Green, Simon Haworth, Catherine Helmer, Per Hoffmann, Georg Homuth, M Kamran Ikram, Clifford R Jack, Neda Jahanshad, Christiane Jockwitz, Yoichiro Kamatani, Annchen R Knodt, Shuo Li, Keane Lim, W T Longstreth, Fabio Macciardi, Outi Mäkitie, Bernard Mazoyer, Sarah E Medland, Susumu Miyamoto, Susanne Moebus, Thomas H Mosley, Ryan Muetzel, Thomas W Mühleisen, Manabu Nagata, Soichiro Nakahara, Nicholette D Palmer, Zdenka Pausova, Adrian Preda, Yann Quidé, William R Reay, Gennady V Roshchupkin, Reinhold Schmidt, Pamela J Schreiner, Kazuya Setoh, Chin Yang Shapland, Stephen Sidney, Beate St Pourcain, Jason L Stein, Yasuharu Tabara, Alexander Teumer, Anne Uhlmann, Aad Van Der Lugt, Meike W Vernooij, David J Werring, B Gwen Windham, A Veronica Witte, Katharina Wittfeld, Qiong Yang, Kazumichi Yoshida, Han G Brunner, Quentin Le Grand, Kang Sim, Dan J Stein, Donald W Bowden, Murray J Cairns, Ahmad R Hariri, Ching-Lung Cheung, Sture Andersson, Arno Villringer, Tomas Paus, Sven Cichon, Vince D Calhoun, Fabrice Crivello, Lenore J Launer, Tonya White, Peter J Koudstaal, Henry Houlden, Myriam Fornage, Fumihiko Matsuda, Hans J Grabe, M Arfan Ikram, Stéphanie Debette, Paul M Thompson, Sudha Seshadri, Hieab H H Adams
Journal Articles
The size of the human head is highly heritable, but genetic drivers of its variation within the general population remain unmapped. We perform a genome-wide association study on head size (N = 80,890) and identify 67 genetic loci, of which 50 are novel. Neuroimaging studies show that 17 variants affect specific brain areas, but most have widespread effects. Gene set enrichment is observed for various cancers and the p53, Wnt, and ErbB signaling pathways. Genes harboring lead variants are enriched for macrocephaly syndrome genes (37-fold) and high-fidelity cancer genes (9-fold), which is not seen for human height variants. Head size …
Rnai “Flexon” Approach To Gonad Gene Knockdown In C. Elegans, 2024 Bellarmine University
Rnai “Flexon” Approach To Gonad Gene Knockdown In C. Elegans, Sofia Suzanne Douglas
Undergraduate Theses
All living things require some form of genetic regulation so that gene products are correctly produced and maintained. One significant form of post-transcriptional gene expression is RNA silencing, a biological mechanism in which double stranded RNA molecules inhibit gene expression by blocking translation of targeted mRNA molecules. Due to its extensive applications in biotechnology, it’s been adapted as an experimental technique referred to as RNAi. This technique is temporary, transient, and easy to use. A new form of RNAi, referred to as the “Flexon” technique, is a novel approach that provides a method for post-transcriptional gene regulation that allows for …
The Role Of B Cell Activation State And Sex In Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Mediated Induction Of Chemokine Receptor 9 And Alpha4beta7 Expression In Vitro, 2024 University of Northern Colorado
The Role Of B Cell Activation State And Sex In Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Mediated Induction Of Chemokine Receptor 9 And Alpha4beta7 Expression In Vitro, Logan Bauerle
Master's Theses
Defense of mucosal tissues from microbial infection and allergy is reliant on continual production of antibodies. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is known to regulate B cell development and is associated with suppression of systemic humoral immunity. Recent attention has been paid to the role of the AhR in altering expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). B cells express CAMs and chemokine receptors to migrate around the body for localized secretion of antibodies. AhR agonists promote B cell migration to the small intestine through upregulation of chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9) and integrin α4β7. Both the AhR …
Characterizing The Role Of Pa5189 Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa In Deletion And Overexpression Mutants, 2024 University of Nebraska at Omaha
Characterizing The Role Of Pa5189 Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa In Deletion And Overexpression Mutants, Seh Na Mellick
Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects
In the context of rising multidrug resistance in biofilm-forming pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, this study investigates the role of the understudied transcription factor PA5189 in antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. PA5189 deletion and overexpression mutants were created in a parent P. aeruginosa strain using pEX18Tc-based recombinant suicide vectors, with genotypic verification of putative triparental conjugants achieved through restriction digestion and PCR. The study revealed that PA5189 overexpression significantly increases resistance to commonly used broad spectrum antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and imipenem. Additionally, differential expression of PA5189 was found to notably affect biofilm formation, with variations contingent on the nutrient …
Towards Understanding The Function Of An Ets-Like Gene In Nematostella Vectensis: Generation Of A Knockout Mutant Line And A Transgenic Reporter Line, 2024 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Towards Understanding The Function Of An Ets-Like Gene In Nematostella Vectensis: Generation Of A Knockout Mutant Line And A Transgenic Reporter Line, Emily Bullock
Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses
Due to their unique phylogenic position as sister to Bilateria, Cnidaria are often credited with the utility of allowing for reconstruction of ancestral biology based on characteristics shared with bilaterians and other animals. This factor makes investigation into the nervous systems of cnidarians critical in understanding early neural evolution. Wamides, a class of neuropeptides, have been shown to play a regulatory role in life cycle transitions across many different species. The cnidarian specific Wamide neuropeptide, GLWamide, has previously been identified to play an accelerator role in the metamorphic timing of a specific species of sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis. However, …
Elucidation Of The Overexpression Of Taf2 In Eukaryotic Cells, 2024 University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Elucidation Of The Overexpression Of Taf2 In Eukaryotic Cells, Morgan Osborn
Honors Theses
Through several studies, Taf2 has been found to be upregulated in various cancer cells. However, the mechanism through which this increased expression of Taf2 occurs remains unknown. As evolutionarily conserved ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) maintains protein homeostasis for normal cellular function, we hypothesized that stability of Taf2 may be regulated by this UPS and this UPS may be dysregulated in cancer cells causing overexpression of Taf2. To test our hypothesis, we assessed the role of the UPS in the regulation of the stability of Taf2 by 26S proteasome-mediated degradation. To do so, we performed molecular experiments mainly through two steps: 1st …
Exploring Genomic Convergence For Adaptations To Freezing Environments In Polar Fish, 2024 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Exploring Genomic Convergence For Adaptations To Freezing Environments In Polar Fish, Ethan Talley
Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses
Convergent evolution provides valuable insights into how natural selection shapes species traits. Genomic analysis of lineages that display convergent traits has the potential to identify candidate genes for environmental adaptations across the scope of entire genomes. One remarkable example of convergent evolution is the independent development of antifreeze proteins (AFPs) in phylogenetically distant polar fish lineages. While AFPs themselves are relatively well studied, the full genomic context of adaptation to freezing conditions in these fish lineages remains largely unexplored. Leveraging the whole genome sequences previously assembled in our lab, along with other high-quality genomes available in GenBank, I examined the …
Examining Population Structure Of Cismontane And Desert Populations Of Zebra-Tailed Lizards (Callisaurus Draconoides) Using Mitochondrial And Nuclear Intron Dna., 2024 California State University, San Bernardino
Examining Population Structure Of Cismontane And Desert Populations Of Zebra-Tailed Lizards (Callisaurus Draconoides) Using Mitochondrial And Nuclear Intron Dna., Lauren Nicole Morrison
Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations
Callisaurus draconoides, also known as the Zebra-Tailed lizard, belongs to the family Phrynosomatidae family (Pianka, et al. 1972). C. draconoides is a widespread desert lizard found western North America. In California, this species can be found in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. There are currently several populations that reside in the San Bernardino basin on the cismontane side of the Transverse and Peninsular ranges. These mountain ranges have the potential to have isolated the cismontane populations from their typical desert ranges. In addition, geological passes have the potential to serve as migration corridor between the Deserts and cismontane regions. The …
Trna Anticodon Cleavage By Target-Activated Crispr-Cas13a Effector, 2024 Rutgers University - New Brunswick/Piscataway
Trna Anticodon Cleavage By Target-Activated Crispr-Cas13a Effector, Ishita Jain, Matvey Kolesnik, Konstantin Kuznedelov, Leonid Minakhin, Natalia Morozova, Anna Shiriaeva, Alexandr Kirillov, Sofia Medvedeva, Alexei Livenskyi, Laura Kazieva, Kira S Makarova, Eugene V Koonin, Sergei Borukhov, Konstantin Severinov, Ekaterina Semenova
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Faculty Scholarship
Type VI CRISPR-Cas systems are among the few CRISPR varieties that target exclusively RNA. The CRISPR RNA–guided, sequence-specific binding of target RNAs, such as phage transcripts, activates the type VI effector, Cas13. Once activated, Cas13 causes collateral RNA cleavage, which induces bacterial cell dormancy, thus protecting the host population from the phage spread. We show here that the principal form of collateral RNA degradation elicited by Leptotrichia shahii Cas13a expressed in Escherichia coli cells is the cleavage of anticodons in a subset of transfer RNAs (tRNAs) with uridine-rich anticodons. This tRNA cleavage is accompanied by inhibition of protein synthesis, thus …
How Dna Reveals God’S Design, 2024 Liberty University
How Dna Reveals God’S Design, Alan L. Gillen
Faculty Publications and Presentations
Codes are big in today’s world: QR codes, barcodes, computer codes, cell phone codes, and more. Specific information is needed to identify, diagnose, and inform. DNA is the code for life: microbes, plants, parasites, animals, and man. DNA Day is April 25 because it was this day in history (April 25, 1953) when James Watson and Francis Crick described DNA as the double helix and the code for life. Although we consider DNA the genetic blueprint for life, it has only been known for 80 years. On February 1, 1944, Oswald Avery, Colin MacLeod, and Maclyn McCarty wrote a revolutionary …
Differential Behavioral Responses In Male And Female Mice Lacking Either Rgs2 Or Rgs4 Proteins After Acute Administration Of Antidepressants And Anxiolytics, 2024 Ohio Northern University
Differential Behavioral Responses In Male And Female Mice Lacking Either Rgs2 Or Rgs4 Proteins After Acute Administration Of Antidepressants And Anxiolytics, Hiroyoshi Matsui, Sarah Seeley, Manoranjan S. D'Souza
ONU Student Research Colloquium
The overall objective of the study was to assess the acute behavioral effects of currently used antidepressants and anxiolytics in male and female mice lacking regulator of G protein-signaling (RGS) proteins 2 and 4 and their wild-type counterparts. RGS 2 and 4 proteins negatively modulate signaling pathways of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which play an important role in mediating the effects of monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These neurotransmitters in turn play an important role in the action of antidepressant and anxiolytic medications. The study was undertaken because no studies till date have systematically assessed the behavioral …
Annotation Of Hypothetical Genes In Lactococcus Lactis Ssp. Il403, 2024 University of Lynchburg
Annotation Of Hypothetical Genes In Lactococcus Lactis Ssp. Il403, Jennifer A. Tangires
Student Scholar Showcase
The human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) harnesses various microbial organisms involved in almost all processes of physiological homeostasis, among these are lactic acid bacteria (LAB). These bacteria, almost all of which belong to the order Lactobacillales, are able to produce lactic acid, and play an important role in food preservation because they produce bacteriocins. Bacteriocins are antimicrobial proteins that are used to fight off related bacteria in their environment that are competing for the same resources. This study focuses on a specific LAB strain, Lactococcus lactis ssp. IL1403 where 21.9% of its predicted genes have not yet been assigned a function. …
Unravelling The Genetic Basis Of Schizophrenia, 2024 Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland; Center for Disease Neurogenomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States;
Unravelling The Genetic Basis Of Schizophrenia, Clara Casey, John F. Fullard, Roy D. Sleator
Department of Biological Sciences Publications
Neuronal development is a highly regulated mechanism that is central to organismal function in animals. In humans, disruptions to this process can lead to a range of neurodevelopmental phenotypes, including Schizophrenia (SCZ). SCZ has a significant genetic component, whereby an individual with an SCZ affected family member is eight times more likely to develop the disease than someone with no family history of SCZ. By examining a combination of genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic datasets, large-scale ‘omics’ studies aim to delineate the relationship between genetic variation and abnormal cellular activity in the SCZ brain. Herein, we provide a brief overview of …
Comparative Genomics Of Selected Lactobacillus Helveticus Strains, 2024 Mississippi University for Women
Comparative Genomics Of Selected Lactobacillus Helveticus Strains, Cain Petty
Undergraduate Research Conference
My research is to compare two strains (D76 and H10) of Lactobacillus helveticus and a shared gene between them. I would want to experiment with overexpression to test for any difference in the regulatory function of genes associated with CggR - the central glycolytic genes regulator. The poster I am presenting would outline this and provide a clearer understanding of genes and potential overexpression.