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Bmp2 Nuclear Variant And Expression Of Cancer Genes, Devin Holden, Dr. Laura Bridgewater Aug 2013

Bmp2 Nuclear Variant And Expression Of Cancer Genes, Devin Holden, Dr. Laura Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2) is a protein that is secreted outside many different types of mammalian cells and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various forms of cancer. Recently, a variant of this protein that is localized to the nucleus (nBMP2) of the cell was discovered and characterized “i”. In order to further characterize this novel variant of BMP2 a microarray analysis was performed to assess what influence nBMP2 has on the expression levels of different genes in a typical mammalian cell. This analysis revealed a list of several genes whose expression levels are potentially altered by nBMP2. …

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Testing For The Mafia Mouse Suicide Gene, Robert Kitz, Dr. Sandra Burnett Aug 2013

Testing For The Mafia Mouse Suicide Gene, Robert Kitz, Dr. Sandra Burnett

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Macrophage Fas-Induced Apoptosis (Mafia) mouse is a transgenic mouse model designed by Dr. Sandra Burnett to study the role of macrophages in the absence of macrophages. The Mafia transgene contains the genetic code for the Green Florescent Protein, a suicide gene and a c-fms promoter that makes the gene specific to macrophages. The transgene inserted randomly in more than one place causing it to express at different levels within different mice. In order to identify the separate insertion points within the mouse genome, I used several methods of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing followed by DNA sequencing.

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Identification And Characterization Of An Effective Antimicrobial Peptide Defensin And Its Effects On Transmission Efficiency, Kody Johnson, Dr. David Erickson Aug 2013

Identification And Characterization Of An Effective Antimicrobial Peptide Defensin And Its Effects On Transmission Efficiency, Kody Johnson, Dr. David Erickson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Among many transmissible infectious diseases falls the Bubonic Plague, a disease that is caused by Yersinia pestis, a bacterium. It is still a concern because there have been human cases as recent as last year in our home state of Utah. While health care has advanced significantly since the last large plague epidemic, there are still areas of the world where health care is not as efficient or advanced and it is in these areas that this disease causes the greatest harm.

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Feun As A Regulator In A Two Component System, Rebecca Carlyon, Dr. Joel Griffitts Aug 2013

Feun As A Regulator In A Two Component System, Rebecca Carlyon, Dr. Joel Griffitts

Journal of Undergraduate Research

How does infection work? There exists a process in which a bacterium receives a signal from the environment which starts a series of events which initiates infection. This process is vital for understanding both disease-causing and beneficial bacteria, and could prove to be vital for the agricultural process, yet remains an under-researched subject.

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Lymphocyte Apoptosis In The Involuting Mammary Gland And The Application Of Qpcr In Gene Expression Profiling, Kathryn Distelhorst, Dr. Eric Wilson Aug 2013

Lymphocyte Apoptosis In The Involuting Mammary Gland And The Application Of Qpcr In Gene Expression Profiling, Kathryn Distelhorst, Dr. Eric Wilson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The initial aim of this project was to discover the fate of lymphocytes in the mammary gland after lactation. I hypothesized that lymphocytes, in an analogous mechanism used by mammary gland-specific epithelial cells, undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death. This non-inflammatory mechanism ensures cell homeostasis, and defects in this process are implemented in certain diseases such as multiple myeloma, a severe cancer of plasma cells that is generated from an over-proliferation of antibody-secreting cells (ASCs).

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Discovering The Involvement Of Lipid-Rafts In The Interleukin-6 Pathway Of Cortisol Release From Adrenal Cells, Timothy Chang, Dr. Allan M. Judd Aug 2013

Discovering The Involvement Of Lipid-Rafts In The Interleukin-6 Pathway Of Cortisol Release From Adrenal Cells, Timothy Chang, Dr. Allan M. Judd

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex and is involved in response to stress and increases blood pressure, blood sugar levels, suppresses the immune system, and may cause infertility in women. The pathway in which protein Interleukin-6, also known as IL-6, stimulates the synthesis of this steroid is not completely understood. One aspect of the pathway that has not been studied is whether or not the IL-6 pathway is dependent on cell membrane lipid-rafts for cortisol release. In discovering the involvement of lipid-rafts in the IL-6 pathway, we will not only further understand IL-6 involvement in cortisol …

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Trpv1 Modulation Of Synaptic Plasticity In The Hippocampus, Douglas Bennion, Dr. Jeff Edwards Aug 2013

Trpv1 Modulation Of Synaptic Plasticity In The Hippocampus, Douglas Bennion, Dr. Jeff Edwards

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Learning and memory are phenomena that are made possible via physical changes at neuronal synapses in the brain, a phenomenon known as synaptic plasticity. Because synaptic plasticity affects physical changes in the brain in response to external stimuli, it is suspected of playing an essential role in strengthening or weakening the neural pathways regulating short-term learning and memory within the hippocampus. Dysfunctions in synaptic plasticity contribute to such diseases and disorders as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and retrograde amnesia.1 By further clarifying the mechanism of synaptic plasticity, in which TRPV1 is suspected of participating, I have tried to fill a …

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Pegleg Crutch, Levi Leishman, Darrel Zeltner Aug 2013

Pegleg Crutch, Levi Leishman, Darrel Zeltner

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The progress of a cheap, simple and practical substitute for the common crutch for us has had many design improvements and successes in this year. We were able to meet with medical, educational, and engineering professionals who were all able to input their criticisms and advice. We have decided on a final design that is not the best design for use, but the best when considering cost. See figure 1 for a visual of the final design.

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Mutant Bacterium Photorhabdus Luminescens’ Effect On Nematode’S Ability To Enter Endotokia Matricida, Jared Nielsen, Dr. Byron Adams Aug 2013

Mutant Bacterium Photorhabdus Luminescens’ Effect On Nematode’S Ability To Enter Endotokia Matricida, Jared Nielsen, Dr. Byron Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Nematodes (roundworms), like all organisms, must develop, survive, and reproduce. For entomopathogenic nematodes (insect pathogens) such as H. bacteriophora, this is only possible when the worm can find an adequate food source (host insects). As the nematode scours the surrounding soil and finds a potential host, it will pass directly into the hemolymph of the insect. Inside its newly-found host, the nematode will then regurgitate a colony of bacteria. This particular bacteria, P. luminescens, works together with the nematode in a symbiotic relationship to kill and devour the insect (3). After the bacteria and nematodes have feasted on their host …

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Actin Reorganization Events In Zyxin Mutant Cells, Stephen Filios, Dr. Marc Hansen Aug 2013

Actin Reorganization Events In Zyxin Mutant Cells, Stephen Filios, Dr. Marc Hansen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cell migration is an important part of understanding how cancer affects the body. Benign tumors are non-migratory, and can be removed from a patient surgically. Once cancer cells start to migrate, or metastasize, the cancer is considered malignant. As a result, cancer spreads to other parts of the body. This research looked at the process by which epithelial cells become migratory, known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition or EMT.

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Creating A Healthy College Lifestyle, Chantelle Fowler, Dr. Stefinee Pinnegar Aug 2013

Creating A Healthy College Lifestyle, Chantelle Fowler, Dr. Stefinee Pinnegar

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In 2000, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released Healthy People 2010. This document sets forth 476 national objectives for bettering the health of the people of the United States. These then lead to two overall goals of 1) increasing the quality and years of healthy life and 2) eliminating health disparities. That same year, the American College Health Association created Healthy Campus 2010 as a companion to aid the nation in reaching these goals. Of the 476 national objectives, 178 are college specific, covering topics in all areas of holistic health (American College Health Association, 2000). In …

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Homocitric Acid In Nitrogenase: Interactions With The Cofactor Of The Molybdenum-Iron Protein, Christopher M. Lee, Dr. G. D. Watt Aug 2013

Homocitric Acid In Nitrogenase: Interactions With The Cofactor Of The Molybdenum-Iron Protein, Christopher M. Lee, Dr. G. D. Watt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Ammonia is extremely valuable in the industrial production of fertilizer, plastics, explosives, dyes, and other compounds. The most plentiful and common source of ammonia comes from the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas to ammonia. In industry the 80-year-old Haber method is used, which is a costly process that relies on very high temperatures and pressures to catalyze the reaction.

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Effects Of Interleukin-6, Interleukin-1, And Tumor Necrosis Factor On Adrenal Steroid Secretions, Brenda Mickelson Crawford, Dr. Allan M. Judd Aug 2013

Effects Of Interleukin-6, Interleukin-1, And Tumor Necrosis Factor On Adrenal Steroid Secretions, Brenda Mickelson Crawford, Dr. Allan M. Judd

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin- I (IL- 1) are cytokines released in response to infection in the body. One signal of infection is lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of the outer coat of grain negative bacterial cells. When bacteria die, LPS circulates in the blood and stimulates the immune system to release IL- 1, IL-6, and TNF. Septic shock is a syndrome in which LPS stimulates the release of large amounts of cytokines, causing adverse effects such as severe hypotension (low blood pressure), rashes, fever, edema, and finally multiple organ failure, including the heart.

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A Bond Valence-Based Force Field: A Multi-Body Approach, Matthew Harris Davis Aug 2013

A Bond Valence-Based Force Field: A Multi-Body Approach, Matthew Harris Davis

Theses and Dissertations

The typical form for a molecular mechanics force field consists of a foundation of pair-wise terms to describe bonded and non-bonded atomic interactions, with multi-body correction terms to deal with the limitations of pair-wise terms. I present here the first attempts of a molecular mechanics model that is founded on multi-body terms, which are based on the Bond Valence Model (Brown, 2002) and recent developments in the Vectorial Bond Valence Model (Bickmore et al., 2013a; Harvey et al., 2006). I calibrated these models on pressure vs. energy curves for a set of SiO2 polymorphs. The average deviation for the best-fit …

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Effects Of Metabolic Rate On Muscle Cell Phospholipid Profile, Aaron Miller, Danny Sims, Dr. Steven Wood Aug 2013

Effects Of Metabolic Rate On Muscle Cell Phospholipid Profile, Aaron Miller, Danny Sims, Dr. Steven Wood

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Animal and human cell membranes are composed primarily of phospholipids that form a bi-layer around the cell. Phospholipids play a crucial role in cell membrane function by regulating fluidity and structure. Alterations in the cell membrane composition can drastically affect cell function and metabolism. The purpose of our research study was to identify muscle cell membrane compositional changes due to exercise and muscular dystrophy. Also, we sought to identify the specific chemical changes occurring in the cell membrane by characterizing the structures of the cell membrane phospholipids using mass spectrometry.

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Ovarian Cyst Development In Dairy Cattle, Rachael G. Johnson, Dr. Roy W. Silcox, Dr. John S. Gardner Aug 2013

Ovarian Cyst Development In Dairy Cattle, Rachael G. Johnson, Dr. Roy W. Silcox, Dr. John S. Gardner

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Ovarian cysts are follicular structures greater than 25 mm in diameter present on an ovary for 10 days or more in the absence of a corpus luteum 1. These cysts halt the normal ovarian cycle and reduce the fertility of the female. Cysts occur in all domestic livestock species, as well as rats, humans, and other primates. The incidence of cystic ovarian disease (COD) in dairy cattle has a significant economic impact on the dairy industry since cows that produce the most milk are often those affected by COD.

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Intraspecific Life History Variation In The Knife-Edged Livebearer Alfaro Cultratus (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae) From Costa Rica, Lacey Nay, Dr. Jerry Johnson Aug 2013

Intraspecific Life History Variation In The Knife-Edged Livebearer Alfaro Cultratus (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae) From Costa Rica, Lacey Nay, Dr. Jerry Johnson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A species’ life history traits, including growth and reproduction, follow patterns of natural selection. Evolution is driven by natural selection which, in short, can be described as the ability of an organism to conform to its environment (Pianka 2000). Individuals possessing those traits that are more favorable in a specific environment tend to have higher rates of survival and reproduction, causing those traits to become more prevalent in the population. In this manner, a trait is “selected for” by nature. Life history evolution is based on the concept of trade-offs. The more energy an individual expends on growth, the less …

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Pcr Genotyping And Analysis Of Bacteriocin Production By Natural Salmonella Isolates For Potential Use As Inhibitors Of Pathogenic Salmonella, Ramesh Tiwari, Dr. Brent Nielsen Aug 2013

Pcr Genotyping And Analysis Of Bacteriocin Production By Natural Salmonella Isolates For Potential Use As Inhibitors Of Pathogenic Salmonella, Ramesh Tiwari, Dr. Brent Nielsen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Salmonella is a genus of bacteria that is a major cause of food borne illness throughout the world. Species of Salmonella like S. thyphimurium and S. enteriditis still pose significant health problems. Poultry and egg products are the main food sources infected by these species (Portrait et al. 1999). The main problem with these infections is their rapid spread among the infected species (in a flock). An infected bird (which has Salmonella infection in its intestinal tract) or a flock of birds can transfer the infection to others rapidly even before the appearance of symptoms and thus the urgency of …

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Binding Site Sequence Motifs Estrogen Receptor Mediation Of Transcriptional Repression By Interactions Determined By Cis-Regulatory Dna Sequences, Brianna Teerlink, Dr. Chin-Yo Lin Aug 2013

Binding Site Sequence Motifs Estrogen Receptor Mediation Of Transcriptional Repression By Interactions Determined By Cis-Regulatory Dna Sequences, Brianna Teerlink, Dr. Chin-Yo Lin

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States and affects millions each year. Much of the current research on hormonal regulation in breast cancer systems focuses on up-regulation of genes (increased rates of transcription) by estrogen receptors (ERs); however, repression, or down-regulation, of genes can also play a significant role in estrogen-responsive expression of genes. (Lin et al., 2004) Since the mechanisms of down-regulation, or gene repression, have not been well-studied, information on repression becomes a foundation for potential future application of hormonal down-regulation to other cancer systems and biological processes.

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Acetaminophen Induced Dna Damage Evaluated With The Single Cell Gel Assay, Karl A. Kirby, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill Aug 2013

Acetaminophen Induced Dna Damage Evaluated With The Single Cell Gel Assay, Karl A. Kirby, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Acetaminophen is a popular non-prescription analgesic and antipyretic drug. Therefore, studies concerning its effects on human DNA are of great value. In this study, the single cell gel, or comet assay, was used to study the extent of Acetaminophen induced DNA damage at varying concentrations and times. The human lymphocyte Raji cell line was used for the experiments.

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Inflammation And Apoptosis In Developing Dmm, Cho, And Sedc Articular Cartilage: The Role Of The Unfolded Protein Response (Upr), Caitlin Nichols, Dr. Laura Bridgewater Aug 2013

Inflammation And Apoptosis In Developing Dmm, Cho, And Sedc Articular Cartilage: The Role Of The Unfolded Protein Response (Upr), Caitlin Nichols, Dr. Laura Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Dmm, cho, and sedc mutations in mice collagen genes activate unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways in developing cartilage tissues. The inflammation or cell death triggered by the UPR may contribute to the weakened articular cartilage and premature osteoarthritis (OA) observed in these mouse lines.

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Aqueous Polymer Nanografting: Afm Patterning Of Polymers On Oxide Surfaces, Brian Davis, Dr. Robert Davis Aug 2013

Aqueous Polymer Nanografting: Afm Patterning Of Polymers On Oxide Surfaces, Brian Davis, Dr. Robert Davis

Journal of Undergraduate Research

We have developed a biologically gentle technique of creating nanoscale (< 20 nm) chemical patterns. The technique is compatible with the creation of multiple patterns on a surface with the option of having different chemicals in each distinct patterned area.

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The Effect Of Selenium On Nuclear Factor-Κb And Androgen Receptor Expression In Human Prostate Cancer Cells, Daniel Tandberg, Dr. Merrill J. Christensen Aug 2013

The Effect Of Selenium On Nuclear Factor-Κb And Androgen Receptor Expression In Human Prostate Cancer Cells, Daniel Tandberg, Dr. Merrill J. Christensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

According to the American Cancer Society prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer, as well as the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States. The trace mineral and essential nutrient selenium has been established as a promising chemopreventive element for prostate cancer. Plant foods are the best source of selenium; however, the selenium content of plants varies significantly based on the soil in which it was grown in. This study attempted to provide further insight into the molecular mechanism by which selenium effects cancer development. Specifically we looked at the expression of the Nuclear …

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The Study Of Genetic Mutations Resulting In Dwarfism, Jonathon Jackson, Dr. Robert Seegmiller Aug 2013

The Study Of Genetic Mutations Resulting In Dwarfism, Jonathon Jackson, Dr. Robert Seegmiller

Journal of Undergraduate Research

As has been outlined, I am submitting this report of the accomplishments that have been made over the past semester in conjunction with the 1,000 dollar award that I received from your office.

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Mechanisms Of Estrogen Receptor Α Mediated Transcriptional Repression, Joseph Sin Aug 2013

Mechanisms Of Estrogen Receptor Α Mediated Transcriptional Repression, Joseph Sin

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In the US, the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2008, breast cancer killed 40,930 people. Breast cancer remains the most common form of cancer among women today and results in almost 1% of all deaths worldwide. Various types of treatment for breast cancer exist today such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc. Breast cancer treatments are usually selected based on the specific character of breast cancer: estrogen receptor (ER) positive or estrogen receptor negative. Treatment of breast cancer through estrogen modulation is a common form of treatment. Predicting the overall longer cancer-free survival is best done through measuring the levels …

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Comparing Riparian Fly Diversity (Diptera) To Environmental And Human Pressures In Mongolia, Joss R. Wertz, Dr. C. Riley Nelson Aug 2013

Comparing Riparian Fly Diversity (Diptera) To Environmental And Human Pressures In Mongolia, Joss R. Wertz, Dr. C. Riley Nelson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Mongolia is as large as the eastern United States with the lowest population density in Asia. This has kept development and its effects at a minimum. Thus, Mongolia retains much of the biota that has been lost in the surrounding countries. In the past 15 years, Mongolia has begun the difficult process of transitioning to a free market system. With this transition have come many pressures to exploit Mongolia’s extensive natural resources, while the number of scientists to monitor the effects of these developments is small. These pressures make an immediate need for biomonitoring methods to be developed. In addition, …

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Finding Interactions Between Smpb And Tmrna During Trans-Translation, David Healey, Dr. Allen Buskirk Aug 2013

Finding Interactions Between Smpb And Tmrna During Trans-Translation, David Healey, Dr. Allen Buskirk

Journal of Undergraduate Research

During the last year, I have worked in collaboration with Allen Buskirk and DeAnna Cazier to study the interactions between SmpB and tmRNA during a process called bacterial trans-translation. To understand our experiments, it is necessary to know a little about what trans-translation is, and how it works.

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Comparative Imaging Of Apoptotic Cell Membrane Morphology As Induced By Cytotoxic And Chemotherapeutic In S49 Lymphoma Cells By Confocal Microscopy, Celestine Yeung, Dr. John Bell Aug 2013

Comparative Imaging Of Apoptotic Cell Membrane Morphology As Induced By Cytotoxic And Chemotherapeutic In S49 Lymphoma Cells By Confocal Microscopy, Celestine Yeung, Dr. John Bell

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This project studied and documented the membrane changes of cancer cells undergoing the complex cellular process apoptosis, or programmed cell suicide. More specifically, the purpose of this project was to achieve a visual comparison between S49 mouse lymphoma cells experiencing apoptosis induced by a variety of cytotoxic and chemotherapeutic drugs. This comparison was to be accomplished through cell imaging obtained by merocyanine (MC) 540 fluorescence confocal microscopy. Imaging accomplished in this project is an extension of ongoing research conducted by Dr. Bell and fellow colleagues concerning the action of the secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) enzyme with respect to the effects …

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Identifying Selection In The Angptl4 Gene Using Treesaap, Jeffrey Staples, Dr. Keith Crandall Aug 2013

Identifying Selection In The Angptl4 Gene Using Treesaap, Jeffrey Staples, Dr. Keith Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Geneticists have successfully identified the sources of many diseases that are inherited according to Mendelian rules (e.g. cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease). However, not all diseases are caused by one faulty gene; these so-called complex diseases (e.g. asthma, obesity, and diabetes) result from any number of mutated genes, faulty pathways, or environmental conditions. Association studies have identified a particular gene family (Angiopoietin-like proteins or ANGPTL) to be correlated with several of these complex diseases, namely diabetes, obesity, and heart disease1, 2; however, the function and contribution of these genes to these complex diseases is not completely understood.

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An Analysis Of Genetic Complexity, Gabriel Proulx, Dr. Keith Crandall Aug 2013

An Analysis Of Genetic Complexity, Gabriel Proulx, Dr. Keith Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Sequencing genomes still requires considerable equipment and resources. While a full sequencing of all known species is obviously the end goal, analyzing ESTs, short sequences of expressed genes, can suffice in the meantime as an easier and less resource-intensive method to mapping out a species’ expressed genes. ESTs, however, are limited in both length and quality.

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