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Mice Show Decreased Muscle Strength Bearing A Targeted Inactivation Of Nbmp2, Alina Schmidt, Dr. Laura Bridgewater Aug 2013

Mice Show Decreased Muscle Strength Bearing A Targeted Inactivation Of Nbmp2, Alina Schmidt, Dr. Laura Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

An important secreted growth factor, bone morphogenic protein 2 (Bmp2), is involved in mesoderm formation, heart development, neurogenesis, skeletal development, axis formation, and muscle development 1 and is a member of the TGF-β superfamily of proteins. Members of the TGF-β superfamily are commonly known as secreted growth factors but has recently been discovered in the nucleus, known as nuclear Bmp21. nBmp2 bypasses the secretory pathway by having an alternative start codon downstream of the signal peptide.

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Inflammation: A Key Component Of The Immunosuppression Observed In Aggressive Breast Cancer?, Bryan Swanson, Dr. Kim O'Neill Aug 2013

Inflammation: A Key Component Of The Immunosuppression Observed In Aggressive Breast Cancer?, Bryan Swanson, Dr. Kim O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are current treatments used to combat cancer. Future treatments may directly involve the cancer patient’s immune system. The immune system has the potential to destroy tumors. This destructive potential is orchestrated by small secreted proteins called cytokines and chemokines. These proteins control communications between immune cells, endothelial cells, and other cell types found within the body. In addition, cytokines and chemokines have growth, differentiation, and activation effects on target cells. Increasing evidence suggests the effects of these proteins may lead to tumor growth, tumor progression, and host immunosuppression in cancer patients.

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Evaluating Biodiversity Trends For Improved Implementation Of Global Environmental Policy, Tyler Greathouse, Dr. Gary Bryner Aug 2013

Evaluating Biodiversity Trends For Improved Implementation Of Global Environmental Policy, Tyler Greathouse, Dr. Gary Bryner

Journal of Undergraduate Research

There have been numerous international and national attempts to formulate environmental policies that would effectively curb the potentially debilitating decrease in biological diversity; however, many of these policies have failed to meet their goals. The most recent attempt to conserve biodiversity on the international stage was the 2002 agreement at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Agreeing parties pledged to slow biodiversity loss in their own respective countries by 2010. However, follow up studies showed that the 2010 targets will not be met.

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Assessing Premature Arthritis In Sedc Mutant Mice, Shaela Avery, Dr. Robert Seegmiller Aug 2013

Assessing Premature Arthritis In Sedc Mutant Mice, Shaela Avery, Dr. Robert Seegmiller

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A recently discovered collagen gene mutation, spondyloepiphiseal dysplasia congenita (sedc), is found on the Col2a1 gene in both mice and humans. The mouse mutation is molecularly similar to the human SEDC mutation, which causes premature osteoarthritis. Studies, such as this one, in mouse models provide a greater understanding of this recently discovered mutation and help in finding ways to prevent osteoarthritis in humans.

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Chemical Susceptibility Of High-Risk Native Human Papilloma Virus Virions, Jordan Meyers, Dr. Richard Robison Aug 2013

Chemical Susceptibility Of High-Risk Native Human Papilloma Virus Virions, Jordan Meyers, Dr. Richard Robison

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This project was designed to take an in-depth look into how resistant papilloma viruses are to common clinical disinfectants. This idea was investigated because there is no published data on papillomavirus.

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Phenotypic Divergence In Boldness/Shyness In Brachyraphis Fishes, Scott Miller, Dr. Jerry Johnson Aug 2013

Phenotypic Divergence In Boldness/Shyness In Brachyraphis Fishes, Scott Miller, Dr. Jerry Johnson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Among some of the most exciting research in evolutionary biology involves animal social behavior. Of particular interest is whether social behaviors are inheritable. If social behaviors are inheritable, they become a selective force and are capable of shaping the life history of an animal. Dr. Culum Brown has pioneered much of the research in this field with fishes. My research is based on his preliminary research and supplemented with work by Dr. Jerry Johnson. The goal of my research was to test if behaviors evolve in response to differences in mortality pressures in the environment. A greater understanding of how …

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Evaluating The Fitness Costs Of Rnai Resistance In C. Elegans, Stephen Jenkins, Dr. Byron Adams Aug 2013

Evaluating The Fitness Costs Of Rnai Resistance In C. Elegans, Stephen Jenkins, Dr. Byron Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Plant-parasitic nematodes cause an estimated $125 billion worth of crop losses globally each year. Fifteen percent of nematode species are plant-parasitic nematodes, and the most significant species parasitize roots. While the parasites don’t always kill the plants, they disrupt water transport and divert nutrients to themselves, causing considerable impact on crop yields. The most significant contributors are root-knot nematodes and cyst nematodes.

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The Effects Of Selenium, Resveratrol, And A Resveratrol Derivative On Human Prostate Cancer Lncap And 22rv1 Cell Lines, Jason Morris, Dr. Merrill J. Christensen Aug 2013

The Effects Of Selenium, Resveratrol, And A Resveratrol Derivative On Human Prostate Cancer Lncap And 22rv1 Cell Lines, Jason Morris, Dr. Merrill J. Christensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The goal of this project was to determine whether there was a synergistic anticarcinogenic effect between selenium and resveratrol, both of which had independently demonstrated the ability to inhibit prostate cancer cell proliferation. Additionally, the project also sought to determine whether a less soluble derivative of resveratrol, synthesized at BYU by Dr. Merrit B. Andrus of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, maintained the anticarcinogenic potency of resveratrol, and what were the effects of this derivative in conjunction with selenium.

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Novel Genes Required In Gluconate Metabolism In The Symbiotic Bacterium Sinorhizobium Melitoti, Lejdja Beshku, Dr. Joel S. Griffitts Aug 2013

Novel Genes Required In Gluconate Metabolism In The Symbiotic Bacterium Sinorhizobium Melitoti, Lejdja Beshku, Dr. Joel S. Griffitts

Journal of Undergraduate Research

S. meliloti is a nitrogen fixing bacterium, which forms a symbiosis with different plants such as Medicago, Melilotus, and Trigonella. It will be important to study the metabolism of S. meliloti since its ability to form symbiotic relationships with plants has a great impact in agriculture and ecology. Another reason why we want to study S. meliloti is to gain a better understanding of its gluconate metabolism. Gluconate is a derivative of glucose and a good carbon source for S.meliloti(1). The main purpose of my research for the last two years has been screening for novel genes that are involved …

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Isolation And Characterization Of A North American Species Of Phasmarhabditis Sp., Nate Keplinger, Dr. Byron Adams Aug 2013

Isolation And Characterization Of A North American Species Of Phasmarhabditis Sp., Nate Keplinger, Dr. Byron Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Slugs and snails are pests that destroy various food crops throughout the entire world. To control their outbreak, Europeans have utilized the nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, a mollusc pathogen. This nematode has not been introduced into US agriculture because it has not been found in a mollusc pathogenic stage in the United States and could have detrimental non-target effects. Thus, slug and snail control methods in the US are currently limited to petrochemical methods of pest management. I have recently discovered an unidentified species of the genus Phasmarhabditis. that rapidly and consistently kills slugs, snails and grubs. I propose a more …

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Antarctic Plectus Biodiversity: A Molecular And Morphological Analysis, Adam Clayton, Dr. Byron Adams Aug 2013

Antarctic Plectus Biodiversity: A Molecular And Morphological Analysis, Adam Clayton, Dr. Byron Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Nematodes are known to play important roles in ecosystem functioning, however their specific roles may vary across different taxonomic levels. Correct identification of nematode species is necessary when analyzing their diversity in order to effectively assign their functional role(s).

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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 two years ago 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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A Functional Assay To Measure Chemokine Mediated Integrin Upregulation, Victoria Harris, Dr. Eric Wilson Aug 2013

A Functional Assay To Measure Chemokine Mediated Integrin Upregulation, Victoria Harris, Dr. Eric Wilson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The presence of IgA antibody secreting cells (ASCs) in mucosal tissues is a mechanism of host defense against many pathogens. For my project I investigated the molecular mechanisms of how these specialized cells arrive at their destination. I focused on designing an adhesion assay to quantitatively measure the functional qualities of cells, rather than simply measuring the presence of certain molecules. The process of leukocyte homing includes a series of steps that culminates in the cells extravasating into the surrounding tissue. The first step is the stimulation of cells with a chemokine (a molecule that “pulls” cells in a certain …

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Determining Functions Of A Nuclear Variant Of The Growth Factor Bmp2, Evan D. Davis, Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater Aug 2013

Determining Functions Of A Nuclear Variant Of The Growth Factor Bmp2, Evan D. Davis, Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (Bmp2) is a secreted growth factor that modulates many essential physiological and developmental processes by means of extracellular signaling (1). Several of these processes include neuronal differentiation, cardiac development, and skeletal muscle development (1-5). Dr. Laura Bridgewater at Brigham Young University recently identified a novel nuclear variant of Bmp2 that challenged its sole classification as a secreted growth factor (1). Subsequently, the Bridgewater lab demonstrated the existence of nuclear Bmp2 (nBmp2) and also characterized its origins.

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A Novel Negative Regulator Of A Symbiotic Two-Component System, Rebecca Carlyon, Dr. Joel Griffitts Aug 2013

A Novel Negative Regulator Of A Symbiotic Two-Component System, Rebecca Carlyon, Dr. Joel Griffitts

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Symbiosis is the process by which two different species interact in nature. Relationships can be either mutualistic, where both species benefit from the situation, or parasitic, where only one organism benefits. Shinorhizobium meliloti is a nitrogen-fixing soil bacterium which is involved in a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with alfalfa and other compatible host plants. The plant allows the bacterium to colonize the plant in forming a root nodule. This symbiosis provides the bacteria with carbon resources, and the plant with enough fixed nitrogen to flourish in the soil.

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Cancer’S Red Light To The Immune System?, Amanda Enz, Dr. Kim O'Neill Aug 2013

Cancer’S Red Light To The Immune System?, Amanda Enz, Dr. Kim O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The field of cancer research is extensive, and there are many avenues being explored into how cancer works inside the body and what we can do to prevent and cure this disease. I chose to look at the way the body’s immune system interacts with different types of cancer cells. I specifically looked at a cell in the human immune system known as a macrophage. The macrophage’s job is to attack foreign invaders by engulfing, or eating them. My question focused on how exactly cancer is sometimes able to evade these macrophages, which allows it to proliferate throughout the body. …

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Total Synthesis Of 12-Hete Using Asymmetric Phase-Transfer Catalyst, Adam Calvert, Dr. Merritt Andrus Aug 2013

Total Synthesis Of 12-Hete Using Asymmetric Phase-Transfer Catalyst, Adam Calvert, Dr. Merritt Andrus

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Natural compounds can be found throughout the world in an essentially limitless variety. By discovering compounds and investigating their properties, we can unlock the mysteries to cure rare diseases and alleviate common ailments. There are however many challenges with using natural compounds in such ways. The first problem is that most biological molecules are found in very small amounts. This not only poses as a problem with identifying their unique properties, but also stands in the way of their pharmaceutical use. A key solution to this challenge is organic total synthesis.

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Synthesis Of (S)-Equol, Aaron Butler, Dr. Merritt Andrus Aug 2013

Synthesis Of (S)-Equol, Aaron Butler, Dr. Merritt Andrus

Journal of Undergraduate Research

S-equol is a soy isoflavone metabolized from the isoflavone daidzein by intestinal microflora. Isoflavones are a class of nonsteroidal estrogens. A study conducted by DellaPenna indicates that populations with isoflavone-rich diets have fewer incidences of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and some cancers including breast, prostate, and colon cancers (1). A study by Setchell et al suggests that the health benefits seen in populations whose diets are rich in isoflavones may be correlated with people’s ability to produce s-equol (2). Despite encouraging preliminary studies regarding s-equol, there has yet to be extensive studies done with s-equol in vivo. This is due to …

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Discovering The Mechanisms Of Limb Outgrowth, Julie Lander, Dr. Jeffery Barrow Aug 2013

Discovering The Mechanisms Of Limb Outgrowth, Julie Lander, Dr. Jeffery Barrow

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Limb abnormalities are among the more common birth defects, occurring in up to 1 in 1,000 live births. Although limb development has been studied for decades, many mechanisms that regulate limb outgrowth remain currently unknown. The object of this study was to further elucidate some of the means by which the limb grows outward from the body and forms its distinctive shape.

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Assessment Of Merocyanine Subpopulations In Dppc Vesicles Using Anisotropy And Lifetime Measurements, Hannabeth Franchino, Dr. John Bell Aug 2013

Assessment Of Merocyanine Subpopulations In Dppc Vesicles Using Anisotropy And Lifetime Measurements, Hannabeth Franchino, Dr. John Bell

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This study investigated the effects of lipid phase on monomer and dimer fluorescence of merocyanine 540. Emission and anisotropy spectra were assessed at multiple temperatures covering all four lamellar phases of pure dipalmityolphosphadtidylcholine. The probe segregates in the bilayer into two populations: monomers (emission maximum~585 nm) and dimers (emission maximum~621 nm).

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Breast Cancer And Estrogens, Nick Candelaria Aug 2013

Breast Cancer And Estrogens, Nick Candelaria

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Each year, more than 170,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States alone [1]. The risk for developing breast cancer can largely be attributed to the levels of exogenous and endogenous hormones in the body [2]. A hormone known to have drastic effect on cancer cell proliferation is estrogen, a regulator of cardiovascular, bone, and reproductive systems [3]. Estrogen is produced endogenously in the granulosa and theca cells of the ovary, and is found in a variety of forms: 17b-estradiol, estrone, and estriol. These estrogen subtypes are derived from cholesterol, and contain varying isoforms of 18 carbons …

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Study Of Botulinum Neurotoxin-Induced Protein Channel Characteristics, Richard W. Hendershot, David Busath Aug 2013

Study Of Botulinum Neurotoxin-Induced Protein Channel Characteristics, Richard W. Hendershot, David Busath

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Botulinum toxin is an exotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and is the cause of botulism poisoning in poorly canned food. It is known that the toxin consists of two parts namely the larger Heavy Chain and the smaller Light Chain. Previous data suggests that the larger Heavy Chain forms channels in the cell membrane facilitating infection of the cell by the smaller Light Chain 1. It is also known that the Heavy Chain does indeed form channels in a bilayer system but channels formed by a single Heavy Chain are too small for the light chain to pass …

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Effects Of General Anesthesia On Gap Junction Communication And Neural Circuit Oscillation Patterns In The Hippocampus, Jacob Blickenstaff, Dr. Jeffrey Edwards Aug 2013

Effects Of General Anesthesia On Gap Junction Communication And Neural Circuit Oscillation Patterns In The Hippocampus, Jacob Blickenstaff, Dr. Jeffrey Edwards

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Gap junctions play a critical role in controlling the rhythmic patterns of electrical oscillations in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus. These ion channels which connect neighboring cells allow electrical signals to be conducted rapidly and in a synchronized manner over a localized area.

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The Effect Of Botulinum Neurotoxin On Lipid Monolayers, Eric R. Draper, David Busath Aug 2013

The Effect Of Botulinum Neurotoxin On Lipid Monolayers, Eric R. Draper, David Busath

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Botulinum neurotoxin is a neurotoxic protein that is made by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. It is one of the most deadly toxins in the world and is very commonly used in minute doses for medicinal purposes. It is therefore very important and beneficial to understand the mechanism by which the protein attaches to and injects its contents across cell membranes. In the protein there is a heavy chain and a light chain. These two chains work together in attaching to cells and injecting the light chain across the cell membrane. Through work with a Langmuir-Blodgett trough I have created lipid …

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Different Developmental Outcomes Following Lab Rearing By Biological Or Adoptive Mothers: Maternal Influence On Behavioral And Physiological Responses To Separation Stress In Rhesus Macaques (Macacamulatta), Andrea Sorenson, Dr. James D. Higley Aug 2013

Different Developmental Outcomes Following Lab Rearing By Biological Or Adoptive Mothers: Maternal Influence On Behavioral And Physiological Responses To Separation Stress In Rhesus Macaques (Macacamulatta), Andrea Sorenson, Dr. James D. Higley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Initially this project was looking at the effects that multiple short term separations of a mother rhesus macaque from their infant would have on their relationship. More specifically, looking at adoption pairs (an infant raised by a non biological mother) to see if the relationship between the mother and the infant changed differently than the relationship of a mother and their biological infant. The focus of this analysis was looking at the mother/infant pair’s cortisol levels, which are a measure of the body’s physiological response to stress. The hope was to determine whether mother infant pairs with similar cortisol levels, …

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Different Developmental Outcomes Following Lab Rearing By Biological Or Adoptive Mothers: Maternal Influence On Behavioral And Physiological Responses To Separation Stress In Rhesus Macaques (Macaca Mulatta), Whitney Maxwell, Dr. Dee Higley Aug 2013

Different Developmental Outcomes Following Lab Rearing By Biological Or Adoptive Mothers: Maternal Influence On Behavioral And Physiological Responses To Separation Stress In Rhesus Macaques (Macaca Mulatta), Whitney Maxwell, Dr. Dee Higley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Under stressful conditions the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis increases in both humans and animals leading to an increase in production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Maternal separation in nonhuman primates during infancy elicits behaviors characteristic of anxiety, such as withdrawal and nervous behavior and a substantial increase in ACTH (Higley and Linnoila 1997; Barr, Newman et al. 2004). Individual differences in anxiety in turn influence ACTH output, similar to what is seen in human children (Gunnar and Quevedo 2007). Infants response to separation physiologically and behaviorally is substantial and represents a significant stressor in the life of a young …

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The Narrative Identity Of Foster Youth As A Component Of Readiness For Independence, Jessica Woodbury, Jini Roby Aug 2013

The Narrative Identity Of Foster Youth As A Component Of Readiness For Independence, Jessica Woodbury, Jini Roby

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Researchers in a variety of disciplines have begun to describe identity development as having a narrative character (Kellas, 2005; Vangelisti, 2004). They explain that narrative identity consists of a self-perception which is rooted in personal and shared (especially within the family) stories (Vangelisti, 2004). These stories, or core memories, help us to define who we are, as well as our ultimate value and potential. With this research we desired to further the understanding and application of narrative identity theory as it applies to the fragmented personal and collective stories of children in foster care.

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Molecular Identification Of Nematode Gut Contents, Quinn Martin, Dr. Byron Adams Aug 2013

Molecular Identification Of Nematode Gut Contents, Quinn Martin, Dr. Byron Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Species-specific food web relationships involving free-living microbivorous nematodes are not well established, yet critical to our understanding of their involvement in nutrient cycling and ecosystem function. Antarctic soil ecosystems are the simplest on earth and serve as a model system for exploring the role of biodiversity in ecosystem function. To establish which bacteria are involved in trophic relationships with nematodes, we surface-sterilized nematodes and extracted their DNA, including bacterial DNA from the gut contents of the nematodes. From this bacterial DNA we PCR amplified the 16S gene and sequenced the product in order to determine the identity of the gut …

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Optimization Of Anti-Cancer Agents Discovered At Byu, Chris Cutler, Dr. Matt Peterson Aug 2013

Optimization Of Anti-Cancer Agents Discovered At Byu, Chris Cutler, Dr. Matt Peterson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The goal of this project was to prepare a library of adenine-based anticancer agents in order to help understand which properties of the molecules contribute to the anticancer activity. I worked in Dr. Peterson’s organic chemistry laboratory for the duration of 2009, synthesizing compounds for anticancer testing. Some were submitted to the NIH for screening against a large panel of cancer cell lines, while others were sent to a collaborator for similar testing. While the results of most of these tests are still forthcoming, the data we have received so far is promising. My work contributed to a publication in …

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Meloidogyne Phylogeny: A Supertree Approach, Camille Finlinson Porter, Dr. Byron Adams Aug 2013

Meloidogyne Phylogeny: A Supertree Approach, Camille Finlinson Porter, Dr. Byron Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Meloidogyne nematodes are agricultural pests that cause approximately 5% of global crop loss each year. In order to develop more effective control strategies, a clearer image of how the many species of Meloidogyne are related is needed.

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