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Lipidomic Analysis Of Metastatic Kidney Cancer, Brendan Coutu, Dr. John Prince Sep 2013

Lipidomic Analysis Of Metastatic Kidney Cancer, Brendan Coutu, Dr. John Prince

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cancer not only affects individuals and families but has the greatest economic effect worldwide than any other premature cause of death.1 Diverse aspects of cancer biology are under investigation to better understand the mechanism of action of different cancer types, that biomarkers can be identified for early diagnosis, and, most importantly, that a lasting cure can be discovered.32 In the development of cancer, cells undergo a number of phenotypic changes, known as the hallmarks of cancer.2 The hallmarks of cancer are described as sustained proliferative signaling, evading growth suppressors, activating invasion and metastasis, enabling replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, and resisting …

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Ongoing Development Of An Anti-Sporulation Media And The Methodology To Efficiently Quantify Spores, Jared Balaich, Dr. Richard Robison Sep 2013

Ongoing Development Of An Anti-Sporulation Media And The Methodology To Efficiently Quantify Spores, Jared Balaich, Dr. Richard Robison

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Spore forming bacteria are of great medical importance because of their ability to infect, and sustain infection in the human host. A spore consists of the bacterium’s DNA surrounded by thick membranes and is resistant to desiccation, disinfectants, radiation. The spore can then form a living bacterium after remaining dormant for thousands or even millions of years. Although much is now known about the structure and pathways involved in spore formation, much mystery remains around exactly what triggers spore formation to occur. The focus of this research project is to culture spore forming bacteria on medias of differing composition and …

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Does Monitor Peptide Produce Anorexia Through The Release Of Endogenous Cholecystokinin?, Cory A. Talbot, Dr. Gregory N. Ervin Sep 2013

Does Monitor Peptide Produce Anorexia Through The Release Of Endogenous Cholecystokinin?, Cory A. Talbot, Dr. Gregory N. Ervin

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a gut hormone released following the ingestion of a meal. It was first shown in 1973 by Gibbs et al. that administration of exogenous CCK-8 (CCK-8 is the smallest part of the CCK molecule that possesses its biological activity) before a meal leads to a decrease in food intake and the onset of satiety-like behaviors in rats.1 Extensive evidence now exists demonstrating that exogenous CCK-8 can produce a selective decrease in food intakes in humans, as well. By using CCK receptor antagonists to block endogenous CCK or trypsin inhibitors to elevate released endogenous CCK, some evidence is …

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A Blood Test For Alzheimer’S Disease, Frederick Rohlfing, Dr. John Kauwe Sep 2013

A Blood Test For Alzheimer’S Disease, Frederick Rohlfing, Dr. John Kauwe

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a severe chronic neurodegenerative disorder and the most common form of dementia1. Unfortunately, there is little understanding of its cause, let alone a cure for the 5.3 million affected Americans2. In my research, a novel proteomics method is being used to identify peptides in the serum that are linked with AD. We have already identified 36 peptides as statistically significant biomarkers and need to characterize these amino acid sequences. By characterizing these biomarkers we will be able to provide important information on how to accurately diagnose AD, its causes, and how to cure it.

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Histological Validation Of Iron As An Imaging Biomarker For Amyloid Beta And Tau Depositions In Alzheimer’S Disease, Ashley Salin, Dr. Jonathan Wisco Sep 2013

Histological Validation Of Iron As An Imaging Biomarker For Amyloid Beta And Tau Depositions In Alzheimer’S Disease, Ashley Salin, Dr. Jonathan Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

At present, no one can diagnose a patient with Alzheimer’s disease until postmortem examination. It was our goal to change that theory and make it possible to diagnose varying degrees of Alzheimer’s through Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Analysis of the spatial overlap of non-heme iron, phosphorylated tau protein, and Amyloid Beta depositions in consecutive tissue slices of the hippocampus of post-mortem subjects ultimately facilitated characterization and detection of diseases, such as Alzheimer’s through MRI’s.

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Three-Dimensional Characterization And Mapping Of Gluteus Medius Muscle Fibers, Kylen Zibetti, Dr. Jonathan Wisco Sep 2013

Three-Dimensional Characterization And Mapping Of Gluteus Medius Muscle Fibers, Kylen Zibetti, Dr. Jonathan Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The human body is amazingly complex. Every structure and function affects multiple other structures and functions in a very automated way. Going from sitting to standing includes thousands of activated neurons, millions of contracting muscle fibers, and perfect balance coordinated between the semicircular canals and brain. With so much to study it was difficult to narrow it down. I decided though that I wanted to better understand anatomy, and especially the very fine anatomy of the hip because I am interested in gait pattern. After working with Dr. Wisco, I concluded that I would create a three dimensional model of …

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Lipid Regulation After Induction Of The C-Met Pathway In Mdck Cells, Kristen Alexander, Dr. Marc Hansen Sep 2013

Lipid Regulation After Induction Of The C-Met Pathway In Mdck Cells, Kristen Alexander, Dr. Marc Hansen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A key characteristic of cancer is metastasis of the primary tumor to other locations in the body. Hepatocyte-growth factor (HGF) is a highly characterized and studied factor that induces epithelial cell scattering, through the c-met pathway, and mediates a similar response to metastasis (Cecchi, et al., 2012, Lai, et al, 2012). Trademarks of the c-Met pathway, as stimulated by HGF, include proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation, cell survival and migration (Bozkaya, et al., 2012). When activated in cancer patients, the c-Met pathway leads to a poor prognosis (Wang, et al., 2003). The scientific community is trying to understand characteristics and cellular changes …

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The Role Of Wnt Ligands In The Development Of Limb Musculature, Jordan Huber, Dr. Jeffery Barrow Sep 2013

The Role Of Wnt Ligands In The Development Of Limb Musculature, Jordan Huber, Dr. Jeffery Barrow

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Wnt family of secreted proteins consists of 19 family members (in the mouse) and is known to signal through multiple pathways that regulate crucial processes in the development of almost all tissues. Dissecting the roles of individual Wnts has been hampered due to functional redundancy that exists between family members. By making a conditional allele of the O-acyltransferase, Porcupine (Porcn), that is required for the secretion of all Wnt ligands, and a tissue specific enhancer to drive Cre expression, we are able to eliminate the secretion of all Wnt ligands in tissues of interest. We eliminated the secretion of …

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Cellular Mechanisms Underlying The Operations Of The Brain’S Memory Center, Spencer Bella, Dr. Jeffrey Edwards Sep 2013

Cellular Mechanisms Underlying The Operations Of The Brain’S Memory Center, Spencer Bella, Dr. Jeffrey Edwards

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Participating in mentored research funded by ORCA has again provided me with valuable research experience and taught me valuable lessons about the research process. Although due to certain setbacks my project was not able to progress to the point of conclusive results, the results we have at this point may show support of our hypothesis. Other members of Dr. Edwards’ lab will continue the project as I have graduated and am pursuing further education elsewhere.

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Inhibition Of Nek2 And Proteasome Activity, Jessica Flory, David Bearss Sep 2013

Inhibition Of Nek2 And Proteasome Activity, Jessica Flory, David Bearss

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Nek2 is a kinase that promotes centrosome separation during the cell cycle. Our lab has shown that Nek2 over-­‐expression is the best predictor of a poor outcome in multiple myeloma therapy, but the mechanism is unknown. The standard therapy for treating multiple myeloma is use of Bortezomib, an inhibitor of the proteasome (which degrades proteins). Mitosis is often triggered by the degradation of proteins that are unnecessary for the cell to divide. The evidence that Nek2 over-­‐expression can predict the outcome of multiple myeloma therapy leads us to the hypothesis that Nek2 affects proteasome activity in multiple myeloma cells. The …

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Endocannabinoid Biosynthetic Enzymes In Hippocampal Stratum Oriens Interneurons, Ryan Williamson, Dr. Jeff Edwards Sep 2013

Endocannabinoid Biosynthetic Enzymes In Hippocampal Stratum Oriens Interneurons, Ryan Williamson, Dr. Jeff Edwards

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The hippocampus is thought to mediate learning and memory by altering the strength of synapses within its circuitry [1]. The plastic nature of these synapses allows the brain to alter the sensitivity of neurons to excitatory input. Improper regulation of synaptic plasticity may cause memory loss associated with neurodegenerative disease [2].

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Isolation Of A Novel Francisella Sp. In Environmental Samples Using A Modified Selective Medium, David Drake, Dr. Richard Robison Sep 2013

Isolation Of A Novel Francisella Sp. In Environmental Samples Using A Modified Selective Medium, David Drake, Dr. Richard Robison

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Our initial goal was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a new selective medium for isolating Francisella species from environmental samples, including those from soil, feces, and ponds. We successfully developed the medium, CHAB-PACCVI, and used it to isolate a novel Francisella species from hot springs samples obtained in Salt Lake.

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Effects Of Tlr-4 Blockers On The Severity Of Oa In Rage Knockout Mice, Jeffrey Kartchner, Dr. David Kooyman Sep 2013

Effects Of Tlr-4 Blockers On The Severity Of Oa In Rage Knockout Mice, Jeffrey Kartchner, Dr. David Kooyman

Journal of Undergraduate Research

As the population in the US continues to age, osteoarthritis (OA) is becoming a larger issue, currently effecting over 27 million people1. Presently, pharmaceutical options aim to lessen the effects of the disease, while no preventative treatment is currently available. Much of the current arthritis research is targeted at the effects of inflammation on the progression of OA. Our lab has shown in previous research that mice lacking the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) are protected from OA2. Other labs have shown the possibility of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) involvement in the progression of the disease as well3. …

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Human-Swarm Interaction: Effects On Operator Workload, Scale, And Swarm Topology, Brian O. Pendleton Sep 2013

Human-Swarm Interaction: Effects On Operator Workload, Scale, And Swarm Topology, Brian O. Pendleton

Theses and Dissertations

Robots, including UAVs, have found increasing use in helping humans with dangerous and difficult tasks. The number of robots in use is increasing and is likely to continue increasing in the future. As the number of robots increases, human operators will need to coordinate and control the actions of large teams of robots. While multi-robot supervisory control has been widely studied, it requires that an operator divide his or her attention between robots. Consequently, the use of multi-robot supervisory control is limited by the number of robots that a human or team of humans can reasonably control. Swarm robotics -- …

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Scale-Sensitive Linear Analysis Of Granivorous Rodent Population Dynamics, Nikkala A. Pack, Dr. Brian A. Maurer Sep 2013

Scale-Sensitive Linear Analysis Of Granivorous Rodent Population Dynamics, Nikkala A. Pack, Dr. Brian A. Maurer

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Ecological systems undergo perturbations; populations grow, decline, or go extinct. If the effect of one population on another can be determined, when one population is perturbed, we can predict the response of the second population. This is important for conservation efforts, for example, in predicting the effects of species removal by forest fire.

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Genetic Comparison Of Bear Lake Cutthroat (Oncorhynchus Clarki Utah), Yellowstone Cutthroat (Oncorhynchus Clarki Bouveri), And Bonneville Cutthroat (Oncorhynchus Clarki Utah), Jared Tadje, R. Paul Evans Sep 2013

Genetic Comparison Of Bear Lake Cutthroat (Oncorhynchus Clarki Utah), Yellowstone Cutthroat (Oncorhynchus Clarki Bouveri), And Bonneville Cutthroat (Oncorhynchus Clarki Utah), Jared Tadje, R. Paul Evans

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Geologic evidence indicates that there was a volcano about 30,000 years ago in Southern Idaho. Before the volcano, Bear Lake was connected to the Snake River, but lava flow from this volcano separated them. Currently, a river connects Bear Lake to the Lake Bonneville region surrounding the Great Salt Lake (Fig. 1). Many people believe that the Bear Lake cutthroat trout evolved from other cutthroat subspecies in the Lake Bonneville Region. My hypothesis is that they are more closely related to the cutthroat subspecies in the Snake River system, and that they evolved together before the volcano separated them. I …

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Assay For Protective Malaria Antibody, Rachel L. Robison, Dr. James B. Jensen Sep 2013

Assay For Protective Malaria Antibody, Rachel L. Robison, Dr. James B. Jensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Investigations have determined that people living in areas where malaria is widespread have developed an acquired immune response that resists the malaria parasite. Normally, the malaria parasite enters the cell and takes over certain cellular functions. This cellular invasion provides nutrients to the parasite which perpetuates its life cycle. In cases where an immune response has been developed, the immune system produces antibodies which prevent the malaria parasite from invading the erythrocyte. This type of immune response is effective through two possible mechanisms. The first mechanism prevents parasite attachment to the erythrocyte plasma membrane. The second mechanism restricts the parasite …

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Translational Control Of Poly(A)-Binding Protein Expression, Eliott Spencer, Dr. Roger Kaspar Sep 2013

Translational Control Of Poly(A)-Binding Protein Expression, Eliott Spencer, Dr. Roger Kaspar

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Poly(A)-binding protein or PABP is found in high concentrations in all eukaryotic cells. Cell biologists have speculated for a long time that PABP plays an important role in stabilizing the fragile MRNA molecule so that it can be more effectively translated into its final gene product. PABP does this by binding to the Poly(A) tail at the 3′ end of the MRNA. 1,2

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Analyzation Of The Cellular Mrna Content For 6 And Cyclooxygenase In Rat Adrenal Cells, Sean David Paulsen, Dr. Allen M. Judd Sep 2013

Analyzation Of The Cellular Mrna Content For 6 And Cyclooxygenase In Rat Adrenal Cells, Sean David Paulsen, Dr. Allen M. Judd

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Recent neuroimmunoendocrine research has focused on points of convergence between what have traditionally been labeled the “nervous,” “immune,” and “endocrine” systems. We are beginning to realize that the walls marking the boundaries of these systems are not as exclusive as once thought. Certain commonalities or areas of overlap exist. One such point of convergence between the endocrine and immune systems is the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6).

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Isolation Of Molecular Markers Linked To Sw-5 Using Genetically Directed Representational Difference Analysis (Gdrda), Rachel E. Raphael, Dr. Mikel R. Stevens Sep 2013

Isolation Of Molecular Markers Linked To Sw-5 Using Genetically Directed Representational Difference Analysis (Gdrda), Rachel E. Raphael, Dr. Mikel R. Stevens

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Tospoviruses, including tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), infect over 550 plant species worldwide. In the commercially grown tomato (Lycopersicon 1 esculentum) TSWV decreases fruit yields and quality in up to 80-90% of the crop in South Africa2 with similar losses in Hawaii3 and other areas around the world.

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Genetic Variation In Gila Ataria, Peter D. Pixton, Dr. Mark C. Belk Sep 2013

Genetic Variation In Gila Ataria, Peter D. Pixton, Dr. Mark C. Belk

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Utah chub (Gila Atraria) is a small fish native to the ancient Bonneville Basin. After a series of floods, Lake Bonneville receded approximately ten thousand years ago, isolating fish and other fauna that had been a part of the Greater Bonneville drainage. Pockets of Gila Atraria become isolated in drainages throughout Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho, and the genetic flow between these stranded populations stopped.

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Inhibition Of P-21 Ras Translocation Of Ht-29 Cell Line By Fresh Garlic (Allium Sativum), Jordan D. Smith, Dr. Byron K. Murray Sep 2013

Inhibition Of P-21 Ras Translocation Of Ht-29 Cell Line By Fresh Garlic (Allium Sativum), Jordan D. Smith, Dr. Byron K. Murray

Journal of Undergraduate Research

How does fresh garlic oil affect human colon cancer cells? HT-29 is a cell line of human colon cancer originally extracted from a primary tumor in 1964. 3-hydroxy-3- methylglutaryi-CoA reductase (HGMR) is an enzyme responsible for attaching a lipid group to the 21 kilodalton (kD) Ras protein (p2l Ras), a molecule involved in cell signaling. This attachment is essential for the movement and anchoring of Ras from the cytosol to the membrane, as well as for biological activity. Diallyl disulfide (DADS) is a specific chemical found in garlic which has been shown to inhibit this enzyme1 and the translocation of …

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Caffeine Inhibits The Rate Of Nucleotide Excision Repair In Multiple Human Cell Lines, Bryan S. Poe, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill Sep 2013

Caffeine Inhibits The Rate Of Nucleotide Excision Repair In Multiple Human Cell Lines, Bryan S. Poe, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

During the course of a lifetime the human genome encounters endless assaults on its fragile genetic material, many of which are potentially teratogenic, mutagenic or even oncogenic events. To counter these genetic insults, the cell (the fundamental building unit of the human body), has in place a myriad of protective and reparative mechanisms. One of the major defenses against an existing chromosomal lesion is the nucleotide excision repair pathway.

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Optimization Analysis Of The Needleman-Wunsch Algorithm, Mark Kendell Clement, Dr. Sean Warnick Sep 2013

Optimization Analysis Of The Needleman-Wunsch Algorithm, Mark Kendell Clement, Dr. Sean Warnick

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Needleman-Wunsch algorithm is a classic example of dynamic programming – a technique that solves large problems by breaking them down into small problems. The simplest problems are solved first and are then used to solve the larger problems. Over this past year, I studied the impact of computer science optimization techniques on the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm as applied to DNA sequence alignment.

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Transcription Factor Binding Site Identification Using Mathematical Algorithms, Colin Rogerson, Dr. W. Evan Johnson Sep 2013

Transcription Factor Binding Site Identification Using Mathematical Algorithms, Colin Rogerson, Dr. W. Evan Johnson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of our research project was, originally, first to identify the likely binding sites of the Estrogen Receptor transcription factor, and second to identify likely co-factors that interact with Estrogen Receptor in the binding process. We planned to do this using a computational algorithm which scanned sequences of DNA, and by utilizing the position weight matrices of many transcription factors, statistically identify likely binding sites and co-factors.

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Understanding Cancer Metastasis: The Role Of Zyxin In Actin Dynamics, Nicholas Bishop, Dr. Marc D. Hansen Sep 2013

Understanding Cancer Metastasis: The Role Of Zyxin In Actin Dynamics, Nicholas Bishop, Dr. Marc D. Hansen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

My research aims to elucidate the protein interactions at cell-cell contacts (adherens junctions or AJ’s) by studying the fluorescence recovery of three known AJ proteins (zyxin, VASP, and actin) after photobleaching. At AJ’s, zyxin interacts with VASP (Vasioukhin et al., 2000) which in turn encourages the polymerization of actin (Vasioukhin et al., 2000). Mutation of certain regions of zyxin may reveal their role in zyxin-VASP binding and regulation. The effects of altering VASP activity should be evident in actin turnover rate. In Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP), regions of cell-cell adhesions with fluorescently labeled zyxin, VASP, or actin are bleached …

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Origami-Based Design For Engineering Applications, Kevin Campbell Francis Sep 2013

Origami-Based Design For Engineering Applications, Kevin Campbell Francis

Theses and Dissertations

Origami can be a powerful source of design inspiration in the creation of reconfigurable systems with unparalleled performance. This thesis provides fundamental tools for designers to employ as origami-based designs are pursued in their respective fields of expertise. The first chapter introduces origami and makes connections between origami and engineering design through a survey of engineered applications and characterizing the relationship between origami and compliant mechanisms. The second chapter evaluates the creasing of non-paper sheet materials, such as plastics and metals, to facilitate origami-based compliant mechanism design. Although it is anticipated that most origami-based design will result from surrogate folds …

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Cognitive Conflict Adaptation In Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Scott A. Baldwin, Michael J. Larson, Ann Clawson, Peter E. Clayson Sep 2013

Cognitive Conflict Adaptation In Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Scott A. Baldwin, Michael J. Larson, Ann Clawson, Peter E. Clayson

Faculty Publications

ndividuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) display poor emotional conflict adaptation, a cogni- tive control process requiring the adjustment of performance based on previous-trial conflict. It is unclear whether GAD-related conflict adaptation difficulties are present during tasks without emotionally-salient stimuli. We examined conflict adaptation using the N2 component of the event-related potential (ERP) and behavioral responses on a Flanker task from 35 individuals with GAD and 35 controls. Groups did not differ on conflict adaptation accuracy; individuals with GAD also displayed intact RT conflict adaptation. In contrast, individuals with GAD showed decreased amplitude N2 principal component for conflict adap- tation. …

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A Nuclear Variant Of Gdf5 May Present Novel Insights On Arthritis Formation, Michael Baldwin, Dr. Laura Bridgewater Aug 2013

A Nuclear Variant Of Gdf5 May Present Novel Insights On Arthritis Formation, Michael Baldwin, Dr. Laura Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

More than 40 million Americans suffer from the pains of arthritis. Arthritis is characterized by joint inflammation and cartilage deterioration (3). For many years growth differentiation factor 5 (Gdf5) has been associated with cartilage formation and maintenance (4, 1). Recently, a new variant of Gdf5 was discovered in the nucleus. Nuclear Gdf5 (nGdf5) presents a new mechanism by which Gdf5 regulates cartilage development and preservation. The long-term purpose of my research was aimed at learning the specific function of nGdf5 and determining its regulatory pathway. Understanding the role of nGdf5 would provide new information on cartilage breakdown and could establish …

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A Survey Of Reproductive Biology Of Zenarchopterus Dispar In Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, Tu Tran, Dr. Mark Belk Aug 2013

A Survey Of Reproductive Biology Of Zenarchopterus Dispar In Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, Tu Tran, Dr. Mark Belk

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Different selective environments could often predict life-history strategies (sensu Endler 1986). Resource levels of the environments strongly affect fitness and evolutionary stable strategies of species (Patrick and Pierre 1993). Similarly, predators also have a major effect on the life history of fish populations. The fish population from the predator’s area attained maturity at a smaller size, produced more, and smaller offspring relative to populations from predator-free environments (Johnson and Belk 2001).

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