Life Sciences Commons^™

Wheel-Running As A Window Into The Pten-Ko Neurological Clock, Jake Antosca, Campbell Bridges, Elizabeth Burke, Chris Sama

Biology Student Scholarship

The phosphatase and tensin homolog protein (PTEN) is a critical regulator of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which governs cellular growth and metabolic balance. Mutations in the PTEN gene are strongly linked to macrocephaly and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in humans. While PTEN deficiency is known to cause neuronal hypertrophy and metabolic stress, its impact on the< endogenous circadian clock, the internal timing system that regulates daily physiological cycles, remains poorly understood. Proper circadian function is vital for metabolic homeostasis, which may be dysregulated in PTEN-deficient models.

In this poster, we compare PTEN conditional knockout mice with CRE controls to test whether PTEN-related cerebellar dysfunction alters entrainment to a light-dark cycle, free-running period in constant conditions, and food-anticipatory activity in age-matched animals between approximately 130 and …

Characterizing The Functional Diversity Of Rocky Intertidal Environments Of Southern New England, Hailey Arman

Biology Student Scholarship

Tidal pools are a diverse ecosystem that are home to a wide range of important species that support our environment and marine habitats. Tidal pools along the New England coastline have been greatly affected by human activity, through direct contact with humans, as well as the increasing effects of climate change. Adapting the protocols from UC Santa Cruz Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network (MARINe) and the National Park Service Northeast Temperate Network’s (NETN), we set up multi-year plots to track abundances intertidal species throughout Rhode Island. Ultimately, by gaining a better understanding of how these systems change over time, we can …

Advancing Early Detection Of Diabetic Retinopathy At Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic, Rachel Burke

Biology Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Clec7a Deficiency Affects Cerebellar Microglia Development And Purkinje Cell Axon Myelination, Olivia Barbarini, Grace Belt, Lauren Bedford, Julia Carson, Kayla Fordyce, Michael Martinez, Lindsay Walsh

Neuroscience Program Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Exploring How Light Source Influences Bluegill Positioning And Behavior, Anthony Aldana Mendez

Biology Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Image Analysis Of Pupal Sex Ratio In Honey Bee Hives, Anna R. Tattelman, Grace E. O’Brien

Biology Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Wild Bee Foraging And Movement Behavior In Urban Gardens, Claire Crowther, Maggie Ritchie

Biology Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Studies On The Contribution Of Osh6 To The Functions Of Late Endosomes, William King

Theses and Dissertations

The late endosome (LE) is a hub organelle connecting endocytic, biosynthetic, exocytotic, and autophagic vesicle traffic pathways. Malfunctions of LEs are associated with multiple age dependent diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). Despite this significance, how cells refurbish lipids and proteins to LEs to maintain their sustained activities are not clear. Previous studies in the model organism budding yeast show that up-regulation of a lipid transporter Osh6 (PERG6-OSH6) accumulates phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P) on the trans-Golgi network. It also promotes vacuole fusion and maintains the robustness of vacuoles in aged cells. Since LEs are the organelle between the TGN and vacuoles in …

Ultrasound-Assisted Enzymatic Extraction Improves The Antiinflammatory Activity Of Red Dragon Fruit Peel Pectin, Bao Le, Seung Hwan Yang, Hoang Dang Khoa Ta

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by excessive immune activation, primarily mediated by nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines. This condition encompasses ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, both of which significantly impair patients’ quality of life and pose persistent challenges in clinical management. Pectin, a complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls, has shown promise in reducing inflammation. Materials and methods: In this study, pectin was extracted from red dragon fruit peel using two methods: ultrasound-assisted extraction and ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction. The structural characteristics and antiinflammatory effects of the extracted pectin were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 …

Ankrd2 May Alleviate Denervation-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy By Inhibiting Inflammation, Yalin Zhang, Lin Zhang, Li Li, Liqin Zhang, Li Zeng, Jiaying Qiu, Zhengrong Xi, Wenwen Wang

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Sciatic nerve injury causes a loss of skeletal muscle innervation, reduced motor function, and eventual muscle atrophy. Inflammation and increased protein degradation are key factors contributing to muscle atrophy. Inflammation is activated early during muscle atrophy and can be modulated by various factors. However, the precise role of inflammation in denervation-induced muscle atrophy remains unclear. Materials and methods: Transcriptome sequencing was used to determine that the inflammatory response occurs early during denervation-induced muscle atrophy. RT-qPCR validation of several inflammatory factors showed rapid upregulation at early stages, followed by gradual downregulation. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis of differentially expressed genes …

Unusual Rna Polymerase Ii Patterns In Meiotic Prophase I In Nannospalax Xanthodon: Insights Into Chromatin, Telomeres, And Sex Chromosomes, Sergey N. Matveevsky, Ferhat Matur, Faruk Çolak, Andrei Kandaurov, Mustafa Sözen, Svetlana V. Pavlova, Oxana Kolomiets

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background: Meiotic transcription is a highly regulated process involving stage-specific chromatin remodeling and dynamic RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) activity. Nevertheless, our current understanding is largely based on classical model organisms, while many nonmodel mammals remain unexplored. This study investigates the transcriptional dynamics and chromatin features during meiotic prophase I in Nannospalax xanthodon, a subterranean blind mole rat species with extensive intraspecific karyotype variation.Materials and methods: Using immunofluorescence, we analyzed synapsis and transcriptional activity in spermatocyte nuclei of two geographically distant N. xanthodon males, detecting SYCP3, CREST, γH2AFX, and phosphorylated RNAPII (Ser5, Ser2). Telomereassociated proteins RAP1 and TERT were also examined …

Protective Effect Of Pinocembrin On Zearalenone-Induced Hepatotoxicity Via Pi3k/Akt And Nrf2 Signaling In Albino Mice, Sujatha Tejavat

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Zearalenone (ZEA) is a Fusarium-derived mycotoxin that frequently contaminates food and feed and induces hepatotoxicity in humans and animals through oxidative stress and inflammation. Pinocembrin (PCM), a naturally occurring flavonoid, has potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of PCM against ZEAinduced liver injury in albino mice, with a focus on the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways. Materials and methods: Twenty-four albino male mice were allocated into four groups: (1) control (vehicle 0.05% dimethyl sulfoxide), (2) ZEA-treated (40 mg/kg body weight), (3) PCM-treated (50 mg/kg …

Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Mediated Plasmid Dna Delivery In The Model Monocot Brachypodium Distachyon, Kaya İşleyen Bi̇lge, Bahar Soğutmaz Özdemi̇r

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Plant genetic engineering is a valuable approach for improving stress tolerance, crop productivity, and quality traits. However, its progress is limited by the drawbacks of traditional transformation methods. Commonly used techniques, such as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and biolistics, are restricted by genotype dependency, lengthy tissue culture steps, and low efficiency, particularly in monocot species. Therefore, the development of alternative gene delivery strategies remains an ongoing research focus in plant biotechnology. Nanoparticle-based delivery systems have recently gained attention due to their physiochemical properties, biocompatibility, and potential for alternative gene delivery approaches in plant systems.Materials and methods: We investigated the use of …

Modulating Microtubule Stability Via Α-Tubulin Acetylation Partially Restores Golgi Fragmentation In Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Peli̇n Zobaroğlu Özer, Memet Gözüböyük, Özge Çeti̇n, Niko Hensel, Güzi̇n Emecen, Adam Malik, Melissa Bowerman, Peter Claus, Hayat Erdem Yurter, Gamze Bora Akoğlu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein. SMN deficiency leads to perturbations of the cytoskeleton, including microtubules, which are mainly involved in motilityrelated cellular processes. However, the molecular mechanisms of microtubule dysregulation in SMA remain elusive. Alpha (α)-tubulin is a structural component of microtubules, and its posttranslational modifications affect microtubule dynamics. Here, we aimed to investigate α-tubulin acetylation and related molecular mechanisms in SMA. Materials and methods: Two different SMA mouse models, the Drosophila melanogaster model and patient-derived fibroblasts, were used in the study. Western blot and …

Combinatorial Effect Of Epirubicin And 5-Fluorouracil In The Treatment Of Temozolomide-Resistant Glioblastoma Cells, Mehrsa Bayat, Muhli̇s Akman, Türker Kiliç, Ti̇muçi̇n Avşar

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive form of brain tumor characterized by rapid proliferation and invasiveness. It is associated with a poor prognosis due to acquired resistance to temozolomide (TMZ). In this study, we investigated whether a combination of epirubicin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and TMZ could improve TMZ sensitivity in resistant GBM cells and help overcome resistance.Materials and methods: TMZ resistance was established in the U87MG cell line. The MTT assay was used to measure cell viability. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis were measured using flow cytometry. RNA-seq was used to evaluate genomic changes based on treatment with drugs …

Skin Pattern As A Potential Monitoring Tool For Frog Populations, Lídize Sagarnaga Rivera, Virginie Rolland Dr., Lorin Neuman-Lee Dr.

Create@State

Skin pattern as a potential monitoring tool for frog populations

Population monitoring, which requires identifying individuals, is crucial for species conservation. Common techniques involve marking, which can harm animals and alter their behaviors. Natural markings are an alternative not yet explored for amphibians. Yet, the traditional method with elastomers (fluorescent implants) is invasive and not completely reliable—the tag may become lost or hard to see. The American green tree frog (Dryophytes cinereus) possesses naturally occurring and distinct golden dots on their dorsal side.  Therefore, we aim to assess whether patterns of golden dots on the skin of green …

Amyloid Beta-42 Neurotoxicity In Drosophila Retinal Development, Shay O. Sims, Pierce Duncan, Malachi Abon, Jacob G. Smith

Create@State

Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders globally. Thus far, the underlying mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of AD are innately elusive. Two hallmarks associated with the progression of AD exist, including Amyloid-Beta 42 (Aβ42) protein plaque formation and hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins in neurons. Amyloid-beta is known to concentrate with other neuronal proteins as complexes form, including the cytoskeletal protein actin. However, whether actin contributes to neuronal decline in AD is unknown. To further understand the cellular cascades associated with AD, we investigated the role of cytoskeleton dynamics in modulating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation within …

Variation In Infection Prevalence Of Splendidofilaria Pectoralis Across Alaskan Grouse Populations, Anahi Garcia Valdez, Diego Martinez

Create@State

In recent years, rapid climate change has altered species distributions worldwide and influenced parasite transmission dynamics in wildlife systems. Parasite infections play an important role in shaping patterns of disease distribution across species and populations. Understanding variation in infection prevalence across geographic regions and host demographic groups is essential for interpreting these patterns. Splendidofilaria pectoralis is a filarial nematode that infects the connective tissues of grouse (Aves: Tetraonini) in Alaska and has been moving northward as the climate warms. However, relatively little is known about the variation in prevalence of the nematode across geography and demography. This project examines variation …

Inc3vits Model: A Hybrid Architecture To Accelerate And Reduce Complexity For The Deepvariant Model For Variant Calling, Mustafa Al-Saffar, Sura Z. Al Rashid

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Deep learning has revolutionized genomic variant calling, yet the computational cost of current systems continues to limit scalability. We present a controlled efficiency study of DeepVariant-style pileup architectures under identical training and inference conditions, comparing architectural downsizing with a hybrid CNN–local attention design. Inc3ViTs pairs a streamlined InceptionV3 stem with a lightweight local attention head based on patch tokenization and windowed self-attention, enabling a direct comparison with a CNN-only reduced Inception baseline. Across whole-genome and whole-exome short-read datasets, Inc3ViTs reduces training time by ~40–50% and reduces inference runtime relative to the original DeepVariant. The CNN-only baseline indicates that most speedups …

Elasmobranchii Oral Microbiome Diversity Within Southeast Florida: Implications Of Shark Zoonotic And Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens Associated With Human Interactions, Amanda Finnefrock

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Sharks are incredibly common in the Atlantic and Gulf waters surrounding Florida. Despite the prevalent nature of these animals, little research exists on the composition of their microbial communities (or “microbiomes”). Here we aim to determine the microbial makeup of the oral environment of sharks so that we can determine if there are any bacteria of clinical significance to humans, such as being antibiotic-resistant or having elevated capability for pathogenicity. A total of 41 samples were collected from the mouths and teeth of bull, Caribbean reef, great hammerhead, lemon, nurse, and sandbar sharks caught in Southeast Florida using sterile swabs …

Geographical And Anatomical Microbiome Variation In Invasive Green Iguanas (Iguana Iguana), Amanda A. Diaz

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The common green iguana (Iguana iguana) was introduced to South Florida in 1965 and has since been an especially pernicious threat both environmentally and economically. This highly invasive species is also expanding in range and populations at an astonishing rate. Understanding how this reptile is able to adapt and thrive in novel environments is of imperative need in order to begin managing their disruptive populations. Notwithstanding their negative impacts and significance, the microbiome of wild populations has not yet been characterized. Here, using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, this study is the first to characterize the microbiome composition …

Mental Gymnastics: How Misconceptions Drive Unstable Forms Of Scientific And Religious Reconciliation, Jamie Jensen, Jade Sorensen, Andrea Phillips, Mackay Strong, Isaac A. Woolley, Spencer M. Johanseon, Afton Fillmore, Luke N. Noakes

ScholarsArchive Data

Interview transcripts of introductory biology students attempting to reconcile evolutionary science with religious faith.

Potential Applications Of Thymus Vulgaris In Dental Care: A Review Of Antimicrobial And Oral Health Benefits, Lakenzia Z. Ham

Undergraduate Research Conference

This research proposal focuses on how common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) can be used in dental care. There has been more interest in natural products for dental health because some common dental treatments can have side effects or lead to antibiotic resistance. Thyme contains natural compounds like thymol and carvacrol that help kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, and prevent buildup on teeth.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the current scientific literature to see the effectiveness of thyme in preventing common oral health problems like cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Research shows that thyme can fight bacteria …

Late-Season Forb Availability And Bumble Bee Foraging Patterns In Iowa’S Restored Prairies And Suburban Gardens, Isaac De Young, Ellary Carson, Mya Cole, Tucker Draayer, Sharon Huffman, Naomi Johnson, Jasmine Lux, Genesis Maldonado, Caitlin Olson, Maelee Rodenburg, Jordan Shull, Travis Sweeney, Arianna Van Donkelaar, Laurie Furlong, Todd Tracy

Celebration of Research

Pollinators are essential to terrestrial ecosystems, and bumble bees are among the most effective pollinators in the United States (Hatfield et al., 2012). They pollinate forbs (non-grass herbaceous flowering plants), including crops, garden plants, and native prairie species (Dumroese et al., 2016). Their ability to travel long distances, forage in cool temperatures, and buzz-pollinate makes them critical to both wild and agricultural productivity (Mola & Williams et al., 2019). Research shows that bumble bee populations have declined in recent decades due to habitat loss, reduced floral resources, pesticide exposure, and climate change (IPBES, 2016).

Northwest Iowa is dominated by agriculture, …

Eagleeye Is Landing: Discovery Of Cytotoxic And Defense Genes In A Cluster A16 Mycobacteriophage, Clara Bader, Kylie Foss, Mallory Gramstad, Korver Hupke, Jenna Kluxdal, Elsie Larson, Ayda Maassen, Adriana Sandbulte, Dane Schoenborn, Emma Steinhardt, Alexa Trover, Sara S. Tolsma

Celebration of Research

EagleEye is a temperate bacteriophage, which was isolated on the host, Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2 155 from soil collected in Houston, TX. It is classified as cluster A16. We are using a systematic genetic screen to uncover functions of phage genes for which the function is unknown. We cloned each gene into the pExTra plasmid and assayed phage gene individually for two phenotypes: cytotoxicity, the ability to interfere with host cell growth, and defense, the ability to protect the host cell from infection by other phages. We have cloned all but 15 of EagleEye’s 95 protein-coding genes. Thus far, we have …

If You Give A Mouse A Phage, Peyton Abraham, Princess Bola-Lawal, Amelia Brown, Anne Eveland, Jenna Kluxdal, Elsie Larson, Gabrielle O'Bannon, Leonardo Romo, Sara S. Tolsma

Celebration of Research

Island3 (Cluster I1) and Sbash (Cluster I2) are Mycobacteriophages that have a high degree of genetic similarity—especially in the region of their genomes that include genes for structural proteins. Because their structural proteins appear so similar, we hypothesized that antibodies raised against Island3 would cross-react with Sbash and vice versa. To test our hypothesis, we immunized female BALB/c mice with phage high titer lysates or filtered M. smegmatis (control), collected serum, and used the antibodies in ELISA and Western Blot assays. We observed less cross-reactivity than we expected.

Annotation Of Bacteriophages Redraider89, Superherocarly, Cherrycola, And Kouch, Brianne Brandt, Mya Cole, Matthew Dawkins, Julia De Vos, Isaac De Young, Hannah Gordon, Landon Greve, Brody Hoverstein, Mia Kellenberger, Genesis Maldonado, Charlotte Pritchard, Noah Robinson, Leonardo Romo, Mackenzie Schram, Grace Timm, Arianna Van Donkelaar, Kamea Van Kalsbeek, Byron Noordewier, Sara S. Tolsma

Celebration of Research

Phages are important research tools and can be used as an alternative to antibiotics. They are abundant and diverse. Genome annotation is used to better understand phage diversity as well as individual phages for use in the lab and clinic. We annotated the genomes of four novel phages: RedRaider89, SuperHeroCarly, Kouch, and CherryCola. All four phages were discovered by Northwestern College students. CherryCola is a Cluster DC1 phage that infects Gordonia terrae. It has 92 predicted protein-coding genes. RedRaider89 (Cluster B1) and SuperHeroCarly (Cluster D1) infect Mycobacterium smegmatis mc²155. RedRaider89 has 99 predicted protein-coding genes and SuperHeroCarly has 87 …

Understanding The Role Of Lipid Metabolism On Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis, Luke Fischer, Kylie Foss, Jacob Lewis, Joshua Lewis, Emma Steinhardt, Megan Vangarven, Cody Rozeveld

Celebration of Research

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest types of cancer due to late-stage detection and early metastasis. Other than smoking, one of the few known risk factors for pancreatic cancer is obesity (1). On the cellular level, excess fat can promote cell migration and invasion (2). However, the exact fat utilization pathway remains unknown. We propose that lysosomes may be exploited in pancreatic cancer to break down fat and provide energy for metastasis and invasion.

Bacterial 2-Hybrid Assay: Interactions Of Phage Island3'S Gene 36 And Mycobacterium Smegmatis Gene Products, Elsie L. Larson, Sara Tolsma

Celebration of Research

Island3 is a Cluster I1 bacteriophage that infects Mycobacterium smegmatis. Northwestern College students are performing systematic genetic screens to identify Island3 genes that are cytotoxic or protect host cells from infection by other phages (defense). We identified Island3’s gp36 as a cytotoxic gene. Now we are using a bacterial two-hybrid assay to identify a host protein(s) interaction partner. We hypothesize that host proteins that bind gp36 will reveal the mechanism by which gp36 confers cytotoxicity.

Investigation Of Northwest Iowa Pollinator Communities Using Two Survey Methods, Ellary Carson, Mya Cole, Isaac De Young, Sharon Huffman, Naomi Johnson, Genesis Maldonado, Maelee Rodenburg, Travis Sweeney, Tark Griebel, Laurie Furlong, Todd Tracy

Celebration of Research

The ecological services of insect pollinators are well established and the documented decline in pollinator biodiversity is of great concern. Baseline data and continued monitoring are essential as we ongoing trends in pollinator communities and evaluate efforts supporting their recovery. Using two survey methods, our study provides pollinator community data at two conservation sites in Northwest Iowa. In September of 2025, we used three colors of pan traps (blue, yellow, and white) to investigate pollinator communities at a small, reconstructed prairie (Buena Vista County Park) and a nearby partially restored native prairie (The Nature Conservancy Glacial Hills Preserve). We also …