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Stimulus Dependence Of Visually Guided Behavior In Drosophila Melanogaster, Jessica Osarenoma Airhienbuwa

Biological Sciences

Vision is very important for navigating the world around us. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is a great model for studying how the brain controls visually guided behavior. This is because they have a small nervous system, good genetic tools, and a complete map of their brain connections. In fruit flies, visual projection neurons (VPNs) send information from the eyes to the central brain, which affects what they see and how they act. This research looks at how certain groups of nerve cells influence fruit flies' behavior based on what visual stimuli. To study the brain circuits behind these behaviors, …

Genomic Diversity Of Salmonella Enterica Serotype Braenderup In New York State, Nicole Zac Soligno

Biological Sciences

The Gram-negative Salmonella enterica (family Enterobacteriaceae) is a common foodborne pathogen mainly isolated from foods of animal origin. Salmonella can be transmitted to humans, causing diverse symptoms, from self-limiting gastrointestinal diseases to more fatal typhoid fever. The young, elderly, and Individuals with weakened immune systems are especially at risk from salmonellosis. Salmonella is a concern to public health and the food industry throughout the world, and its severity depends largely on its serotype, a classification based on the unique combination of surface antigens. In this study, I aimed to elucidate the population structure and antimicrobial resistance determinants of S. enterica …

Gonadal Absence Of Ceh-22: Degradation Of Ceh-22 In The Gonads Of Caenorhabditis Elegans, Andreya C. White

Undergraduate Theses

The reproductive system of hermaphrodite Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) comprises two gonadal arms, each with a terminating distal tip cell (DTC), connected by a common uterus. The DTC has two functions: leader and niche. In C. elegans, ceh-22/nkx2,5 has been found to work together with Wnt signaling to determine the fates of the DTC (Lam et al., 2006). This is an indication that ceh-22 aids in the specification of DTCs. Our research aims to determine the specific function of ceh-22 in the gonad of both male and hermaphrodite C. elegans. This will be accomplished by observing …

Comparing Parasitism And Resistance To Flow In Two Populations Of Elimia Virginica, Morgan G. Hicok, Abbie Tomba, Kate Green

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Snails are important in freshwater ecosystems as primary consumers and are good indicators of the stability of a habitat. Trematodes are parasitic flatworms that infect freshwater snails and can cause changes in metabolic function and growth. Flow rates and water levels are now more variable due to climate change, increasing stress and dislodgment in the snail population. This study investigates how parasites, shell morphology, and native flow environment influence resistance to disturbance. Elimia populations were sampled for differences in parasitism, shell morphology, and ability to withstand high flow environments in two different rivers. Sample sites at the Potomac River were …

The Role And Expression Of Pros-1 In The C. Elegans Gonad, Brandon W. Thomas, Mary B. Kroetz, Roberta Challener

Undergraduate Theses

The nematode, formally known as Caenorhabditis elegans, has served as an excellent model organism in understanding fundamental biological processes, including those governed by conserved genes like pros-1. pros-1 is partially responsible for the formation of tubular structures within the organism. Glial cells and excretory canals are both examples of tubular structures governed by pros-1. pros-1 orchestrates the embryonic development of these cell types by modulating cell proliferation and differentiation, thus ensuring proper morphogenesis and organogenesis. Its regulatory influence likely extends beyond embryogenesis, potentially affecting reproductive processes as well. Furthermore, the evolutionary conservation of pros-1 underscores its significance …

Effects Of Roadways On Seasonal Movement Strategies And Mate Location Success In An Imperiled Pit Viper (Crotalus Horridus), Dominic Desantis

Academic Affairs

A detailed understanding of animal movement behavior is fundamental to effective conservation and management. Within populations, a diversity of movement strategies can be displayed in search of critical resources, and these strategies are influenced by multiple interacting factors related to individuals and the environment. Mating partners are one critical resource that often serves as a prominent selective force shaping movement during mating seasons. For many large-bodied snakes, such as pit vipers (Viperidae: Crotalinae), male mate-searching movements are the primary determinant of mate location success. During this time, males incur significant risks associated with elevated movement. In an increasingly human-modified world, …

Apigenin Attenuates Ischemia–Reperfusion-Induced Pulmonary Ferroptosis And Fibrosis By Activating The Nrf2/Ho-1/Gpx4 Axis In Mice, Liang Zhang, Haojie Li, Shichen Xu, Hao Wen, Chaoxiao Yu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI). In recent years, pulmonary ferroptosis and its associated fibrosis have been recognized as important causes of LIRI. The purpose of this study is to investigate apigenin (APG) as a potential therapeutic target for treating LIRI-induced pulmonary ferroptosis and fibrosis.

Materials and methods: A rat model of LIRI was established and the rats were randomly divided into three groups, a sham group, a LIRI group, and an APG group. The pathological changes of the lung tissue were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin staining and …

Progression Of Electrophysiological Impairments In Diabetic Cardiomyopathy And Intervention Using Enicostemma Axillare, Victor Arokia Doss, Dharaniyambigai Kuberapandian

Turkish Journal of Biology

Earlier studies widely reported advanced ventricular impairments only at the later stages of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). The present study aimed to understand the duration-based early to late stages of cardiac electrophysiological impairments using electrocardiography (ECG) and intervention using Enicostema axillare subsp. littorale. The experimental rats were streptozotocin (SZ)-induced diabetic rats that were administered E. axillare formulations as follows: (1) normal; (2) SZ - 40 mg/kg, single, i.p.); (3) SZ + insulin (2 U/day) + losartan (10 mg/kg); (4) SZ + insulin + losartan + E. axillare decoction (2 mL/day); (5) SZ + E. axillare decoction; (6) SZ + E. axillare …

Knockdown Of Plexin C1 Induces Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition And Confers Resistance To Multikinase Inhibitors In Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells, Gamze Güngör Topcu, Arzu Aysan, Şevval Di̇k, Mai̇de Şeker, Meli̇ke Bi̇nnur Bahçekapili, Sude Topkaraoğlu, Di̇lek Yavuzer, Tamer Yağci

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: HCC is a common and lethal malignancy and multi-kinase inhibitors (MKIs) are among the therapeutic options for unresectable cases. However, response rates to MKIs remained variable, necessitating the identification of predictive biomarkers. Plexin C1 (PLXNC1), a receptor involved in cell signaling, has emerged as a potential candidate to regulate tumor responses. This study aims to evaluate the impact of PLXNC1 expression on the sensitivity of HCC cells to MKI therapy.

Materials and methods: shRNA-mediated PLXNC1 knock-down and control clones of HCC cell lines PLC/PRF/5 and Hep3B were generated, and downregulation of PLXNC1 was confirmed using Western blotting. …

Diapause And Anoxia-Induced Quiescence Are Unique States In Embryos Of The Annual Killifish, Austrofundulus Limnaeus, Patrick R. Clouser, Claire L. Riggs, Amie L. T. Romney, Jason E. Podrabsky

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Diapause is a state of developmental and metabolic dormancy that precedes exposure to environmental stresses. Yet, diapausing embryos are typically stress-tolerant. Evidence suggests that diapausing embryos “prepare” for stress as part of a gene expression program as they enter dormancy. Here, we investigate if diapause II embryos of the annual killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus, which can survive for hundreds of days of anoxia, can mount a transcriptomic response to anoxic insult. Bulk RNAseq was used to characterize the transcriptomes of diapause II embryos exposed to normoxia, 4 h and 24 h anoxia, and 2 h and 24 h normoxic recovery …

A Tetracycline-Inducible Split Turboid System For Specific Biotinylation And Identification Of Nuclear Proteins From Hek293t Cells, Mehmet Sarihan, Fatma Zehra Özen, Murat Kasap, Gürler Akpinar

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: To overcome the limitations of conventional organelle isolation methods including low purity, low yield, sample degradation, scalability and the need for multiple centrifugation steps, an improved nuclear protein enrichment approach was developed using the modified Split TurboID biotin ligase enzyme.

Materials and methods: A construct was created in which the N-terminal domain of TurboID, fused to the FK506-binding protein (FKBP) was targeted to the nucleus. This construct was incorporated into a tetracycline-inducible gene expression vector. Similarly, the C-terminal domain of TurboID was fused to the rapamycin-binding domain of mTOR (FRB) and directed to the nucleus. This construct …

All Stressed Out: An Investigation On The Effects Of Environmental Stressors On The Northern Leopard Frog (Rana Pipiens), Ella C. Wittmuss

Honors Thesis

Corticosterone (CORT) is the primary glucocorticoid in many vertebrates, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. When an organism is exposed to external or internal stressors, CORT levels often increase (Rich & Romero, 2005; Titon et al., 2021). An increase in CORT can cause adverse physiological effects such as slower growth, malformations in different parts of the body, and specific blood sugar diseases such as diabetes (Glennemeier & Denver, 2002; Tarlow &Blumstein, 2007). CORT levels are indicators of survival, growth, and reproduction in larval amphibians. Many species, including our model organism, the Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens), are often subjected to …

Comparison Of Morphological Characteristics And Dna Sequences Of Platyhelminthes Within Dabbling And Diving Ducks Species, Elise A. Betcher, Karolyn M. Kolstad, Ashley L. Marks, Marguerite C. Reitano, Alexander J. Train

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Platyhelminthes, also known as flatworms, are among the most common parasites found in North American duck species. This phylum of parasites includes tapeworms and flukes. This study focused on identifying various Platyhelminthes found in Minnesota and Wisconsin wild ducks using both morphological characteristics and genetic sequencing. Both diving and dabbling species of ducks were used for this study, including green winged-teal (Anas carolinensis) and ring-necked ducks (Aythya collaris). Platyhelminthes were removed from legally harvested ducks and stained before examining and imaging under the microscope to identify key morphologic features for a presumptive identification. Subsequently, DNA was extracted …

Classification Of Trematode Species Of Wisconsin Ducks Using Morphological And Molecular Methods, Athena B. Lueken, Isabella T. Xiong, William J. Harvey

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Trematoda is a class of flatworms and it encompasses approximately 20,000 species. Trematoda has two subclasses, Digenea and Aspedogastria. The families observed in this study were Echinostomatidae and Strigeidae from the subclass Digenea. Trematoda can be found in most species of animals, usually ingested from their food source. The Trematodes in this study were collected from three different duck species including Aythya affinis (Lesser Scaup,) Anas acuta (Pintail,) and Aix sponsa (Wood Duck) donated by hunters between 2023 and 2024. All ducks were harvested in the state of Wisconsin and the dissections were performed at Winona State University, Winona Minnesota. …

Demography And Habitat Associations Of The Basalt Cactus Pediocactus Nigrispinus, Zarha S. Dillon-Zuppelli, Mary E. Poulson, Eric A. Graham

Biology Faculty Scholarship

Cacti are iconic members of arid ecosystems. Pediocactus nigrispinus is a species of cactus endemic to the Pacific Northwest and has been listed as a sensitive species due to its vulnerability to habitat loss. Best conservation methods for this species are poorly understood, due in part to a limited understanding of its demography and habitat associations that may help define its occurrence. A demographic study from four plots in Washington State was implemented in 2016 to provide a baseline of the population dynamics for P. nigrispinus and to enhance conservation efforts for this sensitive species. Five years of size, fecundity, …

Quantifying The Relationship Between Biomass And Edna​, Andrew K. Hogan

Biology Student Scholarship

Andrew K. Hogan ’27, Environmental Biology and English Literature major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Markert, Biology

In this project, we compared eDNA concentration in water to the biomass of present creatures and the time the eDNA in each sample took to decay. With this data, standard curves for both variables can be created and can be used for future experiments and field research. This data will give researchers a greater level of understanding about what animal populations might look like based on the eDNA obtained.

Exploring Ddr2’S Role In Caf Extracellular Matrix Production And Tumor Progression, Favour Ayomide Akinjiyan

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Ovarian cancer has poor survival outcomes particularly for advanced stage, metastatic disease. Metastasis is promoted by interactions of stromal cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME), with tumor cells. CAFs play a key role in tumor progression by remodeling the TME and extracellular matrix (ECM) to result in a more permissive environment for tumor progression. It has been shown that fibroblasts, in particular myofibroblasts, utilize metabolism to support ECM remodeling. However, the intricate mechanisms by which CAFs support collagen production and tumor progression are poorly understood. In this study, we show that the fibrillar collagen receptor, …

Diversity And Habitat Use Of Bats In Modified Suburban Landscapes, Brittany Morgera

Biology Presentations

Bats occupy critical ecological niches and perform important ecosystem services like controlling insect populations. However, humans have altered bat habitat substantially, resulting in the reduction of bat populations. The goals of this research are to assess bat diversity and habitat use across different levels of suburban habitat modification. To accomplish this, we deployed passive acoustic recorders at twelve locations with varying human impact in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In accordance with The North American Bat Monitoring Program’s standards, acoustic analysis software was used to identify bat species. Manual identification methods from The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative were used to verify these …

Passive Integrated Transponders: An Effective Marking Technique For Individual Identification Of Anaxyrus Fowleri?, Emily Leprell

Honors College Theses

With the rise of fungal disease such as Chytridiomycosis, known as chytrid, causing massive population declines for many species of frogs and toads (order Anura), specific conservation strategies are needed now more than ever. In many cases, being able to mark and identify individuals is a necessary step in developing an effective conservation plan. Individual identification allows researchers to obtain accurate population estimates, which are needed to test the progress and validity of conservation management decisions. However, due to their unique life history, including cutaneous respiration and a dichotomous lifestyle, anurans are among the most difficult wildlife species to …

A Natural Short Sleep Mutation Promotes Longevity Through Mitochondrial Respiration In Drosophila, Pritika Pandey

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Aging is an irreversible process characterized by progressive physiological decline and an increased risk of metabolic disorders, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegeneration. Disruptions to the circadian clock—whether due to genetic mutations or behavioral factors—accelerate aging and age-related pathologies, highlighting a strong link between circadian regulation and longevity. However, certain individuals harbor a dec2^P384R mutation, which enables natural short sleep without the detrimental effects of chronic sleep deprivation. This suggests that these individuals have evolved adaptations that activate pro-health pathways, allowing them to function optimally with reduced sleep. To investigate the genetic mechanisms underlying these changes, we developed a …

Effects Of Hyperglycemia In Cognition And Sex, Erin E. Mcdonald

Senior Honors Theses

An empirical study tested the effects of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) on cognitive function in a hyperglycemic mouse model. Strong correlations between mental illnesses, such as major depressive disorder, neuropathologies like Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes suggest comorbid pathology. Considering the prevalence of both T1D and cognitive decline within the general population, the findings were relevant and aimed to identify early signs of cognitive decline in diabetic patients. Behavioral tests and immunohistochemical staining were utilized to determine the cognitive function of the mice, revealing decline or deterioration caused by hyperglycemia. Data gathered from the hyperglycemic or control mice were analyzed based …

Impacts Of Climate Change On Cannibalism And Disease Transmission In The Fall Armyworm, Kale Rougeau

LSU Master's Theses

Climate change may alter host-pathogen dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems due to rising global temperatures and carbon dioxide levels. Here, we examined cannibalism and disease transmission using the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive agricultural pest, and its species-specific lethal baculovirus, Spodoptera frugiperda multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV), under various potential challenges of climate change. We used three temperature treatments (cooler, optimal, warmer) based on the fall armyworm’s thermal performance curve to simulate a changing climate and four artificial diets with various protein-to-carbohydrate ratios (low, equal, high, standard) to manipulate resource quality from altered carbon dioxide levels. We found that higher …

A Geospatial Livestock-Carrying Capacity Model (Glcc) In The Akmola Oblast, Kazakhstan, Jiaguo Qi, Zihan Lin, Mark A. Weltz, Kenneth Spaeth, Gulnaz Iskakova

Biological, Geological, and Environmental Faculty Publications

Spatial disparities in rangeland conditions across Kazakhstan complicate field-based assessments of livestock-carrying capacity (LCC), a critical metric for the country's food security and economic planning. This study developed a geospatial livestock-carrying capacity (GLCC) modeling framework to quantify LCC spatio-temporal dynamics at the Oblast level, by integrating satellite-derived data on vegetation, water resources, and terrain with in situ measurements. By providing ground-truth observations and contextual detail, field-based measurements complement remote sensing data and help to validate estimates and improve the reliability of the GLCC model. The modeling framework was successfully applied and validated in a case study in the Akmola Oblast, …

Yellow Stingray (Urobatis Jamaicensis) Jaw, Marissa Rosas, David Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Pharmacologic And Genetic Manipulation Of Gaba-A Receptors On Network Activity, Peter Michael Lambert

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

GABAA receptors (GABAARs) are the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors in the central nervous system. A rich diversity of receptor subtypes are produced by the combination of various GABA receptor subunits into a heteropentameric chloride channel. Inhibitory signaling through GABAARs occurs on timescales ranging from fast synaptic events lasting milliseconds to tonically active receptors providing standing inhibitory tone. GABAARs are modulated by many clinically important drugs including anesthetic, hypnotic, anxiolytic, and antidepressant agents. Of note, GABAARs are modulated by neurosteroids, which have recently been developed as novel therapeutic agents for psychiatric disease. The synchronized activation of GABAARs through coordinated activity of …

Roles Of Cpsa And Slamf1 In The Innate Immune Response To Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Steven Grigsby

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), possesses an arsenal of virulence factors to evade host immunity. Not only is Mtb able to evade innate immunity, but adaptive immunity also often fails to adequately control Mtb infection. A mechanistic understanding of how Mtb establishes infection and evades immunity is critical to the development of a protective vaccine and novel therapeutics. The Mtb protein CpsA protects Mtb against the host NADPH oxidase and LC3-asociated phagocytosis of the innate immune system. Consequently, a ΔcpsA mutant is initially attenuated in vivo but eventually reaches the same bacterial burden in the lungs …

Effects Of Cooking Oil And Bitter Gourd On Obesity Development In C57bl/6j Mice, Justin Talmadge Mcguire

Honors Theses

This study examined the use of different oils in the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with bitter gourd incorporated into unhealthy diets to assess its effects. A total of 72 mice were divided into six groups. Two of these groups were gavaged with an aqueous solution of bitter gourd, with one group additionally receiving corn oil and the other receiving lard. The four groups that did not receive bitter gourd were each fed a different diet containing either corn oil, lard, canola oil, or olive oil. Measurements of weight, food intake, water consumption, blood glucose levels, …

Novel Therapeutics For Myeloid Malignancies, Tim Kong

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Myeloid malignancies are a group of heterogenous and clonal disorders that include myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). These blood cancers are driven by characteristic oncogenes and propagated by pro-inflammatory niches; MPNs demonstrate hyperactive JAK-STAT signaling and upregulate cytokines including TNF, IL-6, and IL-8. Current therapeutics such as ruxolitinib targeting JAK2 providing symptomatic benefit to MPN patients but are not curative and do not prevent disease transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). As such, greater understanding of the underlying disease biology is still required with means of uncover cancer dependencies. Here, we utilize a series of multi-omic approaches …

Senescent Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Mediate Immunosuppression And Promote Breast Cancer Progression, Jiayu Ye

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide, and aging is the largest risk factor for breast cancer development. The process of aging is typically accompanied by a progressive accumulation of senescent cells, which are characterized by a series of markers such as p16INKA4 (p16) positivity and a distinctive profile of secretory factors including mitogens, cytokines, and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins that are collectively recognized as senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Numerous data so far have shown that senescent stromal cells play critical roles in modulating tumor microenvironment and progression. For example, senescent fibroblasts induced in vitro could …

Designing An Optimal Thermal Preference Arena For Southern Cricket Frog (Acris Gryllus) Juveniles, Eleanor E. Briggs, David M. Phillips Jr.

Honors Theses

Climate change has been altering ecosystems across the world at a substantial rate, disrupting the delicate ecophysiological relationships between ecosystems and the organisms that live in them. Ectotherms, such as amphibians, rely on external temperatures to behaviorally thermoregulate, making it especially imperative to study their thermal biology. Thermal preference, which assesses the environmental temperature an organism would seek out in the absence of external stimuli, provides valuable information about an amphibian’s thermal biology and can be used to predict the effects of climate change on a species or population. A commonly used method to measure thermal preference is an arena …