Digital Commons Network^™

A Photography-Based, Social Media Walking Intervention Targeting Autonomous Motivations For Physical Activity: Semistructured Interviews With Older Women, Michael C Robertson, Maria Chang Swartz, Ursela Christopherson, Jason R Bentley, Karen M Basen-Engquist, Debbe Thompson, Elena Volpi, Elizabeth J Lyons

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Older adult women are at risk for negative health outcomes that engaging in sustained physical activity can help prevent. However, promoting long-term maintenance of physical activity in this population has proven to be a challenge. Increasing autonomous motivations (ie, intrinsic, integrated, and identified regulations) for physical activity may facilitate enduring behavior change. Digitally delivered games for health that take a celebratory technology approach, that is, using technology to create new ways to experience valued behaviors and express valued beliefs, may be a useful way to target autonomous motivations for physical activity. Formative research with the target population is needed …

Discovery And Investigation Of Novel Bacteriophage Duncansleg, Kaitlynn Burbage, Edenborough Hibionada Jr., Kirsten Presnell

Undergraduate Research Competition

The Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Sciences (SEA-PHAGES) program was formed to conduct research on bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria. Using the bacterial host Mycobacterium smegmatis, DuncansLeg was isolated from a soil sample found on August 27th, 2021, at Coastal Carolina University's Campus. The enriched isolate obtained from an environmental distillate was purified via picking a well-isolated plaque and amplified by making webbed plates in preparation for DNA extraction. This isolate's DNA was characterized and analyzed through restriction digests. Once we obtained enough lysate we were able to send in the samples to be sequenced and further …

Cloning And Overexpression Of Phayonce Genes 12 And 77 In M. Smegmatis, Amber Wilson

Undergraduate Research Competition

Bacteriophage or phage are a diverse class of viruses that infect and reproduce in bacterial cells. Their diverse genomes represent an immense source of novel protein functions and a deeper understanding of phage genes will contribute to emerging treatments for antibiotic resistant bacterial infections. The goal of the research described here is to isolate and study individual genes from the bacteriophage Phayonce. Gene specific primers were used to PCR amplify Phayonce genes 12 and 77 (Phayonce 12 and Phayonce 77). The PCR products were then ligated into a plasmid vector by isothermal assembly. Following confirmation of the cloned gene by …

Cloning And Overexpression Of Phayonce Genes To Assess Cytotoxicity In Mycobacterium Smegmatis, Abbey Montoya, Olivia Sundman

Undergraduate Research Competition

Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, posses the potential to be utilized for therapeutic purposes. Despite being the most abundant biological entity, the biological function of many phage genes has not been established. Our lab is analyzing each gene of the phage Phayonce, which infects Mycobacterium smegmatis. First, individual genes are inserted into an inducible expression vector. Then, these plasmids were used to transform M. smegmatis and determine if individual genes have toxic effects on host cells. Because functions of gene number 35 and 52 of Phayonce cannot be inferred by sequence comparison, they were selected for analysis. These genes were …

Detecting Potential Neurotoxic Pseudo-Nitzchia Species In The Grand Strand, Chesney Price, Sean Ferrano

Undergraduate Research Competition

Pseudo-nitzschia is a globally distributed diatom genus which contains 26 neurotoxin (domoic-acid) producing species. In shallow coastal waters these diatoms are associated with both the development of harmful algal blooms and the bioaccumulation of toxins in shellfish that can impact human health. Environmental DNA (eDNA) samples drawn from the public shellfish harvesting area at Huntington Beach State Park (SC) during the summer of 2021 were PCR- screened for Pseudo-nitzschia species using genus specific primers. The sequences of the recovered amplicons are used to molecularly characterize the species of Pseudo-nitzschia present and their potential to produce domoic acid.

Bioinformatic Investigation Into Mycobacterium Phage Duncansleg, Connor Hadwin, Michael Moore

Undergraduate Research Competition

Bacteriophage research is increasingly important to perform as antibacterial resistance becomes more common. The novel phage DuncansLeg was isolated and sequenced by students in the HHMI SEA-PHAGES Phage Discovery course in the fall of 2021 at Coastal Carolina University's campus. The DNA sequence of DuncansLeg (75,593 base pairs) was subjected to bioinformatic auto-annotation, which placed the phage into subcluster L3. The scope of this investigation goes beyond lab work and discovery, instead focusing on applying multiple bioinformatic approaches to refine the genomic auto-annotation and assign potential gene functions where possible. To this end, the bioinformatic programs used to identify coding …

Investigation Of Oncogenic Ras And Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondria Calcium Flux And Their Relationship In The Context Of Tumorigenesis, Emma Anderson

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal

The Presence Of Ehrlichia In White-Tailed Deer In Central Virginia, Brenna Kurtz

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal

Investigating Antimicrobial Chemicals Released From Developing Amphibian Eggs, Christian Sorensen, Abigail Piddock, Alexandria Hannah, Ciara Johnson, Connor Chapman

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal

Redox Transition Of Iron-Sulfur Clusters In Mitoneet, Homyra Tasnim

LSU Master's Theses

Iron-sulfur proteins are ubiquitous in nature, and they play a crucial role in multifarious biological processes such as electron transfer, enzymatic catalysis, and homeostatic regulation. MitoNEET is the first discovered iron-sulfur protein in the outer mitochondrial membrane. Previous studies have shown that the [2Fe-2S] clusters of mitoNEET can be reduced by FMNH₂ in the presence of NADH and Flavin reductase (Fre) under aerobic conditions suggesting that mitoNEET is novel redox enzyme catalyzing electron transfer from NADH via FMN to oxygen.

The molecular docking models suggest that mitoNEET has a specific binding site for FMN close to its [2Fe-2S] cluster …

A Multi-Spatial Analysis Of Land Use Effects On Freshwater Mussels In The Upper Cuyahoga River And Tinkers Creek, Tamar Atwell

ETD Archive

Mussels are considered one indicator of good water quality in rivers, but over the past 20 years mussel populations have continued to decline, while water quality improves. According to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA), water quality in the Cuyahoga River is now within safe levels for all parameters. However, what are safe levels for humans may not be safe for mussels. An analysis of freshwater mussel populations in two similarly sized watersheds, the Upper Cuyahoga River and Tinkers Creek was conducted. Correlations of mussel abundance and diversity were assessed by multivariate GIS/remote sensing tools to contrast water flow rates, …

Improving Photosynthetic Efficiency In Microalgae Through The Genetic Engineering Of Energy Sensors And Photoreceptors, Taylor L. Britton

Biology ETDs

Through photosynthesis microalgae can convert sunlight, water, and CO₂ into chemical energy that can be used to generate carbon neutral biofuels and biomass. With an ever-increasing demand and need for petroleum substitutes it is imperative that we improve the output of industrial-relevant crops such as microalgae. One important way of improving output in algae is by understanding the roles that stress and energy conversion is regulated in these organisms. Photosynthetic organisms fundamentally depend on light- and sugar-driven metabolic and signaling networks, which integrate environmental cues to govern and sustain growth and survival. SnRKs (SNF1-related protein kinases) and the photoreceptor …

Aquatic Macroinvertebrates As Sentinels Of Changes In Local Stream Conditions In East Texas, Courtney Plummer, Erin Shepta

Undergraduate Research Conference

Study objective: To use aquatic macroinvertebrates to assess the habitat quality and biological conditions of a stream, La Nana Creek, impacted by different land use.

Urbanization Increases Isolation Of A Threatened Fish Species In East Texas Streams: A 20-Year Perspective, Zachary Hutchens

Undergraduate Research Conference

We conducted monthly surveys of fish and in-stream habitat conditions from August 2020 to August 2021 in reaches along Banita Creek and La Nana Creek to investigate ecology and population status of the Sabine shiner (Notropis sabinae) within these streams. On average, Banita Creek had shallow water with low flow, more diverse instream habitats, and lower values of salinity, conductivity, and turbidity compared La Nana Creek. The movements of Sabine shiners were tracked monthly using Visual Implant Elastomer tags. Over a year-long survey, we collected 267 Sabine shiners from Banita Creek and 10 individuals from La Nana Creek. Out of …

Casein Kinases Are Required For The Stability Of The Glucose Sensing Receptor Rgt2 In Yeast, Danny Bloor

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Molecular Cloning Of Genes From The Bacteriophage, Phayonce, Kelly Walsh

Undergraduate Research Competition

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that infect bacteria, and have one of the most vast and diverse global populations of all biological entities. Despite this immense population size, the roles, and functions of individual phage genes within their genome, are widely unknown. The first, and one of the most important steps, toward elucidating the function of a phage gene, is molecular cloning. Because gene expression is easily influenced by other genes, it is essential to isolate and clone each individual gene into a plasmid expression vector. Once a single gene insert is cloned into a plasmid, we can introduce the …

Isolation Of Antibiotic Producing Bacteria From Local Soil, Sihlelelwe Joy Dlamini, Paige Julius

2022 Student Academic Showcase

Dr. Bewick and I have partnered with the Small World Initiative to transform our Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology lab into an authentic Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE). Our students are isolating bacteria from soil and testing to see if they produce antibiotics. The students haven't finished collecting data yet, so I am submitting this "dummy" abstract in place of their real abstract. The students are going to vote as a class on April 5 as to who should present at the SAC. We talked to Dr. Bagley earlier in the semester and she said this would be fine. …

A Diverse Flea (Shiponaptera) Assemblage From The Small Mammals Of Central New Mexico, Dianne Esther Peterson

Biology ETDs

The geographical ranges of many mammals and their associated parasites are dynamic. Comprehensive documentation of these communities over time provides a foundation for interpreting how changing environmental conditions, driven by accelerating climate change, other anthropogenic disturbances, and natural events may influence host-parasite interactions. Fleas (Order Siphonaptera) are obligate, hematophagous parasites of birds and mammals with medical interest due to their role in transmitting pathogens. From 2016 to 2019, we sampled the small mammal and associated flea communities in El Malpais National Conservation Area (El Malpais) in Cibola County, New Mexico. Among 898 mammalian specimens, 925 fleas representing 29 species were …

Analysis And Identification Of Lipolytic Bacterial Species For The Degradation Of Wastewater Lipids, Lindsay C. Smoak

Honors College Theses

The aim of this study was to isolate native bacterial strains from the wastewater treatment facilities of Statesboro, GA to identify their lipolytic activities. Obtained bacterial strains were further assessed via morphological and biochemical methods to determine their enzymatic capabilities. Use of the detergent Tween-20 in growth mediums was the first criteria to assess lipase activity, and these isolates were further investigated to quantitatively measure lipase presence and activity. Lipase protein was precipitated and dialyzed to perform a lipase activity assay, followed by Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate–Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to confirm the presence of the lipolytic enzymes. Sanger sequencing was …

Investigation To Discover Antibiotic Producing Soil Bacteria, Sophia Juliana, Joscelyn White, Sydney Mcash

2022 Student Academic Showcase

Dr. Bewick and I have partnered with the Small World Initiative to transform our Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology lab into an authentic Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE). Our students are isolating bacteria from soil and testing to see if they produce antibiotics. The students haven't finished collecting data yet, so I am submitting this "dummy" abstract in place of their real abstract. The students are going to vote as a class on April 5 as to who should present at the SAC. We talked to Dr. Bagley earlier in the semester and she said this would be fine. …

Antibiotics Isolated From Soil, Aryan Hudson, Anna Arauz

2022 Student Academic Showcase

Dr. Bewick and I have partnered with the Small World Initiative to transform our Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology lab into an authentic Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE). Our students are isolating bacteria from soil and testing to see if they produce antibiotics. The students haven't finished collecting data yet, so I am submitting this "dummy" abstract in place of their real abstract. The students are going to vote as a class on April 5 as to who should present at the SAC. We talked to Dr. Bagley earlier in the semester and she said this would be fine. …

The Interplay Between Hydrogen Sulfide And Phytohormone Signaling Pathways Under Challenging Environments, Muhammad Saad Shoaib Khan, Faisal Islam, Yajin Ye, Matthew Ashline, Daowen Wang, Biying Zhao, Zheng Qing Fu, Jian Chen

Faculty Publications

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) serves as an important gaseous signaling molecule that is involved in intra- and intercellular signal transduction in plant–environment interactions. In plants, H₂S is formed in sulfate/cysteine reduction pathways. The activation of endogenous H₂S and its exogenous application has been found to be highly effective in ameliorating a wide variety of stress conditions in plants. The H₂S interferes with the cellular redox regulatory network and prevents the degradation of proteins from oxidative stress via post-translational modifications (PTMs). H₂S-mediated persulfidation allows the rapid response of proteins in signaling networks …

Human Pancreatic Microenvironment Promotes Β-Cell Differentiation Via Non-Canonical Wnt5a/Jnk And Bmp Signaling, Jolanta Chmielowiec, Wojciech J Szlachcic, Diane Yang, Marissa A Scavuzzo, Katrina Wamble, Alejandro Sarrion-Perdigones, Omaima M Sabek, Koen J T Venken, Malgorzata Borowiak

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

In vitro derivation of pancreatic β-cells from human pluripotent stem cells holds promise as diabetes treatment. Despite recent progress, efforts to generate physiologically competent β-cells are still hindered by incomplete understanding of the microenvironment's role in β-cell development and maturation. Here, we analyze the human mesenchymal and endothelial primary cells from weeks 9-20 fetal pancreas and identify a time point-specific microenvironment that permits β-cell differentiation. Further, we uncover unique factors that guide in vitro development of endocrine progenitors, with WNT5A markedly improving human β-cell differentiation. WNT5A initially acts through the non-canonical (JNK/c-JUN) WNT signaling and cooperates with Gremlin1 to inhibit …

Characterization Of A Putative Serine-Threonine Kinase In Cryptococcus Neoformans, Joshua Sparks

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Binding Affinities Of Bpa Derivatives To The Human Estrogen Receptor: Utilization And Assessment Of Autodock Vina, Luke Newman

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Cover Objects Can Mitigate The Effects Of Timbering On The Peaks Of Otter Salamander: A Survival Story, Savannah Mckee, Lauren Benedict, Hayley Sprague

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Backyard Conflict: The Effect Of Urban Development On A Population Of Eastern Box Turtles, Blakely Logsdon, Janna Knight

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

The Effect Of Bpc Exposure On Ikaros And Rag-1 Gene Expression In Zebrafish, Robert Fisher, Anna Osborn, Asia Eskaros, Michael Chembars, Pierce Knepley, Thomas Russell

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

The Use Of Molecular Beacon Sirna To Induce Degradation Of Sars Cov-2 Mrna In Infected Cells, Katelynn Sepke, Hanna Dutt

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Casein Kinases Interact And Stabilize Glucose Sensing Receptors In Yeast, Julia Humble, Levi Mailloux, Sophia Adams

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic