Digital Commons Network^™

The Transformation Of E. Coli Using The Pglo Plasmid, Hailee Banks, Kira Edens

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

The experiment was based on taking E. coli and transforming those cells using pGLO plasmid. It was questioned whether colonies will grow after genetic modification using GFP and if so, will the colonies present a fluorescent green glow. With the consideration of GFP and pGLO being normally associated with each other, it was hypothesized that the colonies will present a fluorescent green glow after using biotechnology processes. This experimental process undergone various steps to successfully verify the presence of GFP and then transform the E. coli. PCR amplicon via gel electrophoresis, purification of amplicon sequence, and transformation using agar plates …

Encouraging Public Outreach And Education To Drive Covid-19 Vaccination In Farmville, Grace Freeman, Marcia Lanasa, Mitchell Sharry

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

As part of our Biology Capstone, we have created a white paper to communicate the importance of public outreach and education regarding the current COVID-19 vaccines to the Farmville Town Council. Previous research has shown that available vaccinations help to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus and highlights the importance of widespread community vaccination. Our recommendation to the Farmville Town Council is to create an educational campaign to encourage vaccination within the Farmville community.

Which Weather And Water Conditions Affect The Biodiversity And Abundance Of Macroinvertebrates The Most?, Alyssa Oppedisano, Phil Anderson, Val Phillips

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Macroinvertebrates are important biological monitors that play a valuable role in the metabolism of freshwater food chains. Previous studies have suggested that conditions such as dissolved oxygen, pH, water temperature, precipitation, and air temperature can affect the abundance of macroinvertebrates which can in turn affect the health of freshwater ecosystems. This research aimed to find the relationship between macroinvertebrate biodiversity and various environmental conditions in freshwater ecosystems. Weather data was taken from a weather station at Lancer Park and water data was taken on-site at Wilson stream, both locations in Farmville, Virginia. Sample collection and identification occurred twice a week …

Transformation Of E. Coli And Regulation Of Gfp In Pglo, Melanie Rowland, Emily Edwards

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Research Question: Will the presence of pGLO plasmid containing GFP gene produce glowing cells?  Hypothesis: In the presence of pGLO plasmid containing GFP gene, the production of glowing cells will occur. 

The Abundance Of Soil Microbes In Relationship To Proximity To The Urban Area Of Lancer Park In Farmville, Virginia, Christian Michael, Callie Cutrell, Miguel Diaz-Montealegre

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Soil microbes are microorganisms found in soil that serve various critical roles and functions in the environment, such as decomposition and the cycling of nutrients in ecosystems. Natural and human-caused factors can have positive and/or negative impacts on soil microbes. The objective of this study is to examine the abundance of soil microbes in relationship to proximity to the urban area of Lancer Park in Farmville, Virginia. Soil samples were taken from four locations within Lancer Park: the upper and lower floodplain of Buffalo Creek, the bottom of a large stormwater detention pond, and adjacent to an ephemeral channel connecting …

Combined Effects Of Allelochemical And Pesticide Treatment On The Growth Of Cucumber Plants, Samue Morgan

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Allelochemicals are biochemicals produced by one plant that inhibits the success of other plants in its vicinity. These allelochemicals are sometimes produced naturally or as a result of stimulus or stress. Ferulic acid is a widespread allelochemical found in cucumbers (Cucumis sativus). Artificial inhibitory chemicals such as the pesticide zeta cypermethrin may create new interactions with ferulic acid. We found that cucumbers acclimate to ferulic acid over time while the inhibitory effects of pesticide remained relatively constant over 14 days.

Activating The Innate Immune Response By Utilizing Macrophages As Aâ Defense For Immunosuppressed Individuals And Covid-19, Ashley Coddington, Christina Amoruso, Emma Rogers

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

The activation of the innate immune response by utilizing Interferon-Gamma to activate macrophages will provide for immunosuppressed individuals an additional treatment option for COVID-19.

Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution For The Homeless Population In Virginia, Brandi Joyner, Hunter Gillespie, Terika Williams

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Due to the lack of proper personal hygiene, clean water and housing, the homeless population is more susceptible to infections. In addition, the homeless are more likely to have compromised immune systems (i.e., HIV/AIDS) due to illicit drug use and sex work. Furthermore, there is not a current systematic state program that allows feasible access to the COVID-19 vaccine due to limited internet access and/or phone access. We are proposing that the Virginia House of Delegates provide state funding for vaccination drives in areas with high poverty rates. Locations can be at soup kitchens, food banks, domestic abuse shelters, and …

Microhabitats In An Urban Greenspace: Function In The Beauty, Kalie Schultz

Honors Projects

This project combines science with art, with a focus on microhabitats in a unique natural space in an urban area. It is set in the Highlands Nature Preserve and the mediums used are photography and digital illustration. The goal of the project is to bring the viewer in from a wide, landscape perspective into a more close and detailed perspective of the multiple microhabitats that exist in the nature preserve. It shows how beauty can be hiding in plain sight for anyone to see if they look close enough. It also aims to show how the beauty is not just …

The Effect Of Tp53 Mutations On Tumor Response To Standard Cancer Therapeutics, Clare Mctighe

Senior Theses

The human TP53 gene codes for a protein, p53, that regulates DNA repair and the cell cycle [9]. Therefore, TP53 plays an immensely important role in the proper growth and division of human cells. Mutations in TP53 are also associated with resistance to many standard cancer treatment drugs [6]. More than 50 percent of human cancers have mutations within TP53; it has become a major focus over the years in cancer research [10]. Organoids are in vitro cultures of primary cells established from human surgical samples [8]. They recapitulate genetics of human cancers better than do cell lines [14]. Some …

Cyclic Fluctuations Of Zooplankton Dynamics In A Tidal Salt-Marsh Basin, Jamaal Jacobs

Senior Theses

Zooplankton are pelagic aquatic animals that are limited in their movements by the water currents around them and are major links in aquatic food webs between primary producers and higher trophic levels. Their populations are temporally and spatially variable, as they are sensitive to changes in salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. This is especially true in highly dynamic environments, like estuaries, where environmental conditions are highly variable across seasonal and daily cycles. In order to examine the variability in zooplankton populations across a tidal cycle, we collected zooplankton samples from North Inlet Estuary at 30-minute intervals over a half tidal …

Evolution And Development Of Staminodes In Paronychia (Caryophyllaceae), Andrea D. Appleton

Honors College Theses

Staminodes are infertile stamens that have evolved numerous times in flowering plants and exhibit a vast array of forms and functions. Variation in staminodes suggests that numerous evolutionary processes underlie their origins, but to understand their how and why they evolved, comparative studies are needed in groups of closely related species. Identifying structures as staminodes is not always straightforward and sometimes requires corroborating phylogenetic and developmental evidence. Staminodial structures in Paronychia (Caryophyllaceae), for example, vary in shape and size and have been referred to as both petals and staminodes, rendering their homology uncertain. The development of staminodes was compared across …

Synopsis Of The Tribe Platynini In New Zealand (Coleoptera: Carabidae), André Larochelle, Marie-Claude Larivière

Insecta Mundi

The tribe Platynini (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Harpalinae) is revised for New Zealand. Eight genera and forty-three species are recognized.

Four genera and sixteen species are described as new: Ctenognathus davidsoni Larochelle and Larivière new species, Ctenognathus earlyi Larochelle and Larivière new species, Ctenognathus garnerae Larochelle and Larivière new species, Ctenognathus hoarei Larochelle and Larivière new species, Ctenognathus kaikoura Larochelle and Larivière new species, Ctenognathus marieclaudiae Larochelle new species, Ctenog­nathus perumalae Larochelle and Larivière new species, Ctenognathus takahe Larochelle and Larivière new species, Ctenognathus tawanui Larochelle and Larivière new species, Ctenognathus tepaki Larochelle …

Osmosis - Spring 2020

Osmosis Magazine

Osmosis is a student read, led, and written publication from the University of Richmond, focusing on all aspects of healthcare and science.

Fostering Research And Education In Mathematical Biology, Editorial Board

Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics

As it is releasing the seventh volume, Spora has established itself to be a highly respected journal for student-driven research in mathematics, biology, and related fields. Spora's role in disseminating work that was conducted by at least one student author makes it a unique platform to expand the body of knowledge in mathematical biology. Spora welcomes submissions related to Ph.D. dissertations, master's theses, and undergraduate research projects.

Examining The Mechanistic Roles Of Integrin Alpha-6 In Cancer Metastasis., Chase T. Clark

Honors College Theses

Metastasis- the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to the surrounding tissues- is responsible for 90% of cancer deaths. Integrin alpha-6 (ITGA6) is a specific transmembrane cell surface protein that functions in cell surface adhesion and signaling. ITGA6 is upregulated in many types of cancers and promotes the migration and invasion of cancer cells to surrounding tissues. It is my objective to determine the mechanism through which ITGA6 facilitates the migration of cancer cells through the extracellular matrix (ECM). These experiments helped to establish the role of ITGA6 in tumor development and provide focus for possible chemotherapeutic treatment. …

Osmosis - Spring 2019

Osmosis Magazine

Osmosis is a student read, led, and written publication from the University of Richmond, focusing on all aspects of healthcare and science.

Osmosis - Fall 2019

Osmosis Magazine

Osmosis is a student read, led, and written publication from the University of Richmond, focusing on all aspects of healthcare and science.

Rhetorical Field Methods For Science Communication Bes 521, Michael Cerbo

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Varying Heat Indexes On Habitat Utilization And Behavior On Captive Red-Ruffed Lemurs (Varecia Rubra), Jeffrey Gammon

The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal

The two captive red-ruffed lemurs (Varecia rubra) at the Central Florida Zoo experienced a more temperate climate and utilized a differing habitat than they would in their native range, Madagascar. Proper management of the species in captivity is crucial for its long-term survival as they are critically endangered. Over a four month period, heat index temperature, lemur behavior, and habitat utilization data were collected via an instantaneous scan sample. Variables were analyzed to characterize how variations in heat index alter habitat utilization and behavior of the captive lemurs. As the heat index increased, habitat use became more restricted …

Getting Radical: Feminism, Patriarchy, And The Sexual-Exploitation Industries, Robert Jensen

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

The sexual-exploitation industries, including prostitution and pornography, are patriarchal institutions that are inconsistent with dignity, solidarity, and equality. Radical feminism offers a compelling analysis not only for women but also for men striving to be fully human.

Aphid Natural Enemies And Biological Control, Ron Patterson, Ricardo Ramirez

All Current Publications

This fact sheet lists common arthropods of Utah that eat aphids. It will help identify those arthropods and will describe management practices that aid in their success. Many of these predators will eat other plant damaging insects in addition to aphids.

Observational Study Of Two Ex Situ North American River Otters (Lontra Canadensis), Julia Rifenberg

The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal

Zoos enable the ability to study how captive conditions impact the behaviors of animals. In this study, I observed two North American river otters housed at the Central Florida Zoo to evaluate behavioral changes after the male had been removed from the female for a month-long medical examination. The aim of this study was to 1) determine if mating behaviors were still occurring between the two river otters following the male’s removal and 2) to assess the welfare of the male and female river otters in captivity by observing their interactions and individual behaviors. Observed behaviors were compared to documented …

Mean Square Displacement For A Discrete Centroid Model Of Cell Motion And A Mathematical Analysis Of Focal Adhesion Lifetimes And Their Effect On Cell Motility, Mary Ellen Furner Rosen

Theses and Dissertations

One of the characteristics that distinguishes living things from non-living things is motility. On the cellular level, the motility or non-motility of different types of cells can be life building, life-saving or life-threatening. A thorough study of cell motion is needed to help understand the underlying mechanisms that enhance or prohibit cell motion. We introduce a discrete centroid model of cell motion in the context of a generalized random walk. We find an approximation for the theoretical mean square displacement (MSD) that uses a subset of the state space to estimate the MSD for the entire space. We give some …

The Future Of Organic Insect Pest Management: Be A Better Entomologist Or Pay For Someone Who Is, David H. Headrick

Horticulture and Crop Science

Insect pest management in certified organic production systems presents considerable challenges for growers. The Federal National Organic Program (NOP) guidelines list acceptable tactics, but their effective use requires a considerable knowledgebase in entomology. The range of tactics allowed by the NOP are viewed as limiting by many growers and there are important elements missing from the list such as pest monitoring and identification. Educational programs must consider utilizing instructional methods and additional means of outreach that introduce new pest management tactics that are individualized, regionally appropriate and emphasize grower adoption and collaboration with local professionals. This review describes the challenges …

Japanese Quail (Coturnix Japonica) As A Novel Model To Study The Relationship Between The Avian Microbiome And Microbial Endocrinology-Based Host-Microbe Interactions, James Keane, Joshua M. Lyte, Julia Eckenberger, Nicholas Anthony, Sandip Shrestha, Daya Marasini, Karrie M. Daniels, Valentina Caputi, Annie M. Donoghue, Mark Lyte

Articles

Background

Microbial endocrinology, which is the study of neuroendocrine-based interkingdom signaling, provides a causal mechanistic framework for understanding the bi-directional crosstalk between the host and microbiome, especially as regards the effect of stress on health and disease. The importance of the cecal microbiome in avian health is well-recognized, yet little is understood regarding the mechanisms underpinning the avian host-microbiome relationship. Neuroendocrine plasticity of avian tissues that are focal points of host-microbiome interaction, such as the gut and lung, has likewise received limited attention. Avian in vivo models that enable the study of the neuroendocrine dynamic between host and microbiome are …

Japanese Quail (Coturnix Japonica) As A Novel Model To Study The Relationship Between The Avian Microbiome And Microbial Endocrinology-Based Host-Microbe Interactions, Joshua M. Lyte, James Keane, Julia Eckenberger, Nicholas Anthony, Sandip Shrestha, Daya Marasini, Karrie M. Daniels, Valentina Caputi, Annie M. Donoghue, Mark Lyte

Department of Computer Science Publications

Microbial endocrinology, which is the study of neuroendocrine-based interkingdom signaling, provides a causal mechanistic framework for understanding the bi-directional crosstalk between the host and microbiome, especially as regards the effect of stress on health and disease. The importance of the cecal microbiome in avian health is well-recognized, yet little is understood regarding the mechanisms underpinning the avian host-microbiome relationship. Neuroendocrine plasticity of avian tissues that are focal points of host-microbiome interaction, such as the gut and lung, has likewise received limited attention. Avian in vivo models that enable the study of the neuroendocrine dynamic between host and microbiome are needed. …

In Silicoidentification Of Toxins And Their Effect Onhost Pathways: Feature Extraction, Classificationand Pathway Prediction., Rishika Sen Dr.

Doctoral Theses

Identification of toxins, which are either proteins or small molecules, from pathogens is of paramount importance due to their crucial role as first-line invaders infiltrating a host, often leading to infection of the host. These toxins can affect specific proteins, like enzymes that catalyze metabolic pathways, affect metabolites that form the basis of metabolic reactions, and prevent the progression of those pathways, or more generally they may affect the regular functioning of other proteins in signaling pathways in the host. In this regard, the thesis addresses the problem of identification of toxins, and the effect of perturbations by toxins on …

Parisitology Bio 331, Michael Cerbo

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Fall/Winter 2020-21: Commitment To A Job Well Done, St. Norbert College

St. Norbert College Magazine 2019-2023

Wayne Patterson (History) is among those who have wrapped up long careers of service at St. Norbert.