Life Sciences Commons^™

Lake Bonneville's Legacy: Genetic Drift And Diversity Loss In Snake Range Bonneville Cutthroat Trout, Tanner Van Orden, Dennis Shiozawa, Peter Searle, Ana Kokkonen, Jonathan Reynolds, R. Paul Evans

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

• Many Bonneville Basin streams have been isolated for 18,000-plus years (Behnke 1976).
• Bonneville cutthroat trout in small streams may have been experiencing genetic drift since the desiccation of Lake Bonneville.
• Small streams in the west desert of Utah and Nevada are at a high risk of genetic drift and diversity loss due to their small size

Effects Of Predation On Cognition In Brachyrhaphis Rhabdophora, Elizabeth F. Jenkins, Jerry B. Johnson

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

RESEARCH QUESTION

Does “predation environment” affect the cognitive abilities of the tropical fish Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora?

Nkx6.1 And Stx1a As Binding Partners In Pancreatic Beta Cells, Jakob T. Lenker, Jeff S. Tessem, Connor C. Littlefield

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

Diabetes is characterized by a loss in beta cell function within the pancreas and the subsequent inability to produce sufficient insulin to regulate blood glucose. While current diabetes treatments focus on delivering pharmaceutical insulin to diabetic individuals, such treatments are temporary solutions and do not address the root of the issue. Instead, our research focuses on potential mechanisms for inducing greater insulin secretion within the pancreas of the individual. NK6 Homeobox 1 (Nkx6.1) is a major transcription factor in beta cells and its overexpression in beta cells is associated with higher insulin secretion. Previous research indicates that Syntaxin 1A (Stx1A) …

Using Chimeric Autoantigen Receptor (Caar) T Cells To Eliminate Autoreactive B Cells In Autoimmune Diseases, Abigail Cheever, Chloe Kang, Hunter Lindsey, Mackenzie Hansen, Kim O'Neill, Scott Weber

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

• Graves’ disease (GD) is an antibody-mediated autoimmune disease affecting the thyroid and causes hyperthyroidism
• 4th most common autoimmune disease in the US
• Autoreactive B cells produce anti-TSHR antibodies (TRAbs) which mimic thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and chronically stimulate thyroid cells causing hyperthyroidism
• There currently is no treatment which addresses the root cause of the disease

The Role Of Sirt7 In Beta Cell Function And Insulin Secretion, Trevor C. Kendrick, Jeffrey S. Tessem, Connor Littlefield

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by an inability of beta cells to produce or secrete insulin due to decreasing beta cell mass, a condition induced by beta cell death or overuse. Current treatment consists of daily administration of insulin to diabetic individuals. We have shown that Sirtuin 7 (Sirt7), a deacetylase located in the nucleus, directly interacts with Nkx6.1, a transcription factor essential for beta cell function and proliferation. We have shown that one of the post translational modifications that impinges on Nkx6.1 activity is acetylation. Given Sirt7’s role as a deacetylase, and published reports demonstrating its impact …

Microbial Thiamine And Riboflavin Influence Drosophila Melanogaster Dietary Preference For Yeast, Dean B. Peterson, John M. Chaston

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

Naturally prefer a yeast restricted diet over a full yeast diet

• Restricted – 50g yeast and 100g glucose (50g Y:100g G)
• Full – 100g yeast and 100g glucose per (100g Y:100g G)
• Microbes affect this dietary preference for yeast (DPY) through an unknown mechanism
• Common microbes studied with flies are acetic acid bacteria (AAB) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB)

Tardigrade Niche Partitioning, Samantha Hougaard, Byron Adams

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

The two types of Tardigrade (also known as Tardigrade), Ramazzottius and Echiniscus, coexist in the same environment. It could be assumed that they partition their resources by food type to avoid competition. To test this theory, I limited the two tardigrade groups to one food source.

Ultrasound Imaging Of Abductor Hallucis Volume Demonstrated By Strong Agreement With Mri, Jacob Willes, Aaron W. Johnson

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

Due to the complexity of assessing the individual strength and function of certain deep small muscles within the body such intrinsic foot muscles, ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide a means to appropriately evaluate these muscles. Assessing foot muscles using US and MRI provides a unique and important model to compare muscle volume. Since intrinsic foot muscles are crucial for function and mobility while influencing quality of life, being able to accurately measure foot muscle volume is important. For example, the tracking of atrophy or hypertrophy due to disease or therapeutic intervention. While MRI is often considered …

The Genome Of Huauzontle (Chenopodium Berlandieri), A North American Relative Of Quinoa, Ashley K. Marcheschi, Jeff Maughan, Peter J. Maughan, David E. Jarvis, Kate E. Jaggi, Eric N. Jellen

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a popular Andean seed crop that has a reduced ability to thrive outside of its native range. A related member of the Allotetraploid Goosefoot Complex (ATGC), pitseed goosefoot (Chenopodium berlandieri), is a minimally invasive North American weed that is able to survive in climates and environments that are restrictive to quinoa growth. C. berlandieri has been independently domesticated at least three times, including in Mesoamerica as the immature panicle vegetable ‘huauzontle.’ To assess the capacity of C. berlandieri as a genetic resource for improvement of C. quinoa, we sequenced the whole genome of a huauzontle accession …

Effects Of Post-Translational Histone Modifications On Transcription Rate, Jacob Hunter, Steven Johnson, Aaron Bohn, Sarah Ricks, Sarah Hodson, David Bates, Steven M. Johnson

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

DNA structure and organization in eukaryotic cells significantly impacts the regulation of geneexpression, cellular properties and overall behavior. At the most fundamental unit of this organization,~147 bp of DNA wraps 1.7 times around a histone octamer core, forming a collective unit called thenucleosome. Positioning and occupancy of nucleosomes around promoter elements of genes is knownto be a strong regulator of transcription in eukaryotic nuclei. Post-translational modifications (PTM’s) tothe protruding N-terminal tails of histone proteins are known to influence chromatin structure and thusgene expression; however, relatively little is known about the residual effect of histone PTM’s ontranscription rate.

Variation In Vital Rates Among Least Chub (Iotichthy Phlegethontis), Lauren Applebee, Mark C. Belk, Nathan St. Andre

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

Conservation plans for a species often requires knowledge of population trends. These trends can be difficult to acquire, but one piece of information that can be attained from populations is the catch per unit effort (CPUE). We are trying to use CPUE in a new way to determine population demography for populations of Iotichthys phlegethontis, Least Chub.

Targeting Hsp90: A Novel Approach To Combat Synovial Sarcomas, Peyton Worley, Jared Barrott, Matt Kirkham, Drake Heithoff

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

Synovial sarcomas are rare muscle cancers that have very few targeted therapies. HSP90 is a protein upregulated in this form of cancer and many others. A screening of this cancer was done in vitro, using FDA-approved drugs, showing that HSP90 could be a promising treatment option. A novel HSP90 inhibitor was applied to human and mouse synovial sarcoma cell lines and was analyzed after receiving a drug treatment for HSP90.

Determining If Optic Tecti Of Larval Zebrafish Receive Input From Deep Brain Photoreceptors, Emalie A. Christensen, Allison G. Pickens, Colby Odom, Griffin Sauer, Sarah Y. Jarrett, Maurice Hunt, Annalie Martin, Arminda Suli

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

Deep brain photoreceptors (DBPs) are light-responsive sensory cells present in mammals and non-mammalian vertebrates. In non-mammalian vertebrates, studies have shown DBP involvement in various time and light dependent behaviors including circadian rhythm, phototaxis, and seasonal reproduction. In adult telosts, DBPs are present throughout the brain, including the optic tectum (OT), a midbrain structure that receives and integrates input from multiple sensory modalities. In this study, we aimed to determine if DBPs are part of or send input to the OT of larval zebrafish. Single-cell RNA sequencing of the larval zebrafish OT showed the presence of several opsins. We focused on …

Making Sense Of Messy Data: Classifying Metadata Variables In Public Transcriptomic (Rna) Data, Grace S. Brown, Tolulope Akinbo, Stephen Piccolo

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

US researchers are required to deposit data in public repositories so other researchers can validate their findings and reuse their data for new studies. There are > 100,000 transcriptomic (RNA) datasets in the public domain. However, it is of little use without metadata (details about individual samples e.g. sex, race). Having quality metadata provides many benefits including

• controlling for confounding factors.
• improving precision medicine.

Research has suggested

• males are studied more than females.
• people of European descent are studied most.

We need to make representation more equitable so genetic research will be relevant to all people. The first step is characterizing …

Adhd Medication Is More Potent And Effective During Ovulation, [email protected] Ford

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

• Women escalate psychostimulant abuse more quickly than men. Women who are prescribed psychostimulants for ADHD report fluctuations in drug efficacy that correspond to their menstrual cycle.

• In rodents, females acquire psychostimulant addiction more readily and release more dopamine (DA) in the dorsal striatum, an effect mediated by estrogen.

• However, the impact of the estrous cycle in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a core region for learning and addiction in the ventral striatum, is underexplored.

• Here, we examine cocaine, methylphenidate (Ritalin), and methamphetamine (Desoxyn) effects on DA transmission in male and naturally-cycling female mice.

Bird And Small Mammal Preference For Water Developments, Lizzie Wilson, Randy Larsen

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

 Different types of water developments nicknamed “guzzlers” have been installed in many different arid and semi-arid environments to provide water resources to game species in the state of Utah.

 Upland game guzzlers are usually covered by a sheet of metal and are used to target species like chukar partridge and quail (Figure 1).

 Big game guzzlers are open pools of water that are used to target species like mule deer and desert big horn sheep (Figure 2).  Most visitations to guzzlers are by native species not targeted by the guzzlers or wildlife management efforts (3).

Effect Of Evening Vs. Morning Exercise On The Appetite Hormones, Penny Akre

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper explores the potential impact of exercise timing on appetite hormones and metabolic outcomes, aiming to enhance understanding of the complex interplay between exercise, appetite regulation, and weight management. A randomized trial involving premenopausal women investigated the effects of morning versus evening exercise sessions over an eight-week intervention period. Participants underwent comprehensive screening and a supervised exercise regimen, with pre-and post-training laboratory sessions assessing body composition and appetite hormone levels. Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in appetite hormone levels between morning and evening exercise groups, but notable correlations were observed between appetite hormones and body composition measures. Despite …

Effects Of Enzymatic And Chemical Bisulfite Conversion On Cell-Free Dna Fragmentation, Caroline G. Ploeger

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This project aims to investigate the DNA fragmentation produced by enzymatic bisulfite conversion compared to DNA fragmentation produced by traditional chemical bisulfite conversion techniques for the analysis of cytosine methylation in seminal cell-free DNA (cfDNA). Traditional chemical bisulfite (HSO₃^-) conversion methods are known to introduce biases and damage DNA, potentially compromising methylation analysis accuracy. In contrast, enzymatic conversion, utilizing biological molecules, is hypothesized to offer more precise visualization with reduced fragmentation (Lambert et al., 2019). While previous studies have analyzed methylation conversion efficiency in genomic DNA, this project specifically examines how these conversion techniques impact cfDNA.

20 …

Isothiocyanates In The Prevention Of Neural Tube Defects In Chick Embryos, Katrina Lantz

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Neural tube defects (NTDs), including anencephaly and spina bifida, contribute significantly to neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the widespread implementation of folic acid (FA) supplementation, its ineffectiveness in certain genetic populations, alongside the persistent prevalence of NTDs, underscores the need for alternative preventative strategies. This study investigates the potential of isopropyl isothiocyanate (IPI), a compound derived from Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera), in mitigating NTDs through the modulation of oxidative stress pathways. Using the chick embryo model, we aimed to determine whether IPI significantly reduces the incidence of chemically-induced NTDs by activating the Nrf2 cofactor, a key regulator of cellular …

The Role Of Age, Sex, And Mglur5 Receptors In Hippocampal Depotentiation In Mice, Michael Dew

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Synaptic plasticity of excitatory hippocampal circuits is one of the primary cellular mechanisms of learning and memory. Synaptic plasticity is also implicated in many disease states such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and Alzheimer disease. Long-term potentiation (LTP) is the plastic strengthening of synapses, while long-term depression (LTD) is the weakening of synapses. Depotentiation is the process of reversing previously established long-term potentiation. Depotentiation has not been studied as thoroughly as long-term potentiation and long-term depression. We examined the role of age, metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5), and sex in the process of CA1 hippocampal depotentiation in young CD-1 mice …

Rapid Discovery Of House-Keeping Genes In The Bacterium Kushneria, Using A Slalom-Library-Based Crispri Forward Genetic Screen, Andrew Jenkins

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Rising soil salinity levels worldwide have resulted in the loss of millions of hectares of viable cropland. Several solutions to this problem have been posited, including looking into the properties of salt-tolerant plants. Recent research into salttolerant plants in southern Utah has found a host of microorganisms isolated from the soil, plant surfaces, or plant tissues that stimulate salt tolerance in alfalfa. Leveraging a Mobile-CRISPRi system to repress a library of genes created through the recently developed sgRNA Library Assembly by Ligation onto Magnetic Beads (SLALOM) protocol, we induced genome-wide repression of genes in Kushneria spp. grown under optimal and …

The Effects Of Diesel Exhaust Particle Exposure On Adipos Mitochondrial Bioenergetics And Inflammation, Cali Elizabeth Warren

Theses and Dissertations

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) constitutes a significant component of ambient air pollution that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Among PM2.5 constituents, diesel exhaust particles (DEP) are prevalent particulates that infiltrate the bloodstream to drive systemic pathologies. The purpose of this study was to characterize the metabolic response of adipose tissue to DEP. We aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding by exploring mitochondrial bioenergetics, characterizing the inflammatory marker profile, including adipokines, and conducting a detailed histological analysis of adipocytes to provide valuable insights to the evolving understanding of the intricate …

Transgenic Beetle Modification Via Nanoinjection, Abigail Wallace, Abraham B. Alton, Jane Lundgren, Marianna Ransom, Michelle Teh, Kai Jeffery, Norman Rasmussen, Alex Rolfson, Brian D. Jensen, Colin Dale, Seth Taylor, Sandra Hope

Student Works

The bacterium Sodalis praecaptivus can be transformed with a transgene for expression in the insect. Symbiotic bacteria in the insect’s reproductive tract will be passed on to their offspring. Red fluorescent protein is used for nanoinjection studies.

Linguistic And Cultural Barriers To Hispanic Immigrant Vaccination, Ruth Larson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Though vaccines decrease incidence of their associated diseases, vaccination rates among Hispanics are lower than their White non-Hispanic counterparts for almost all vaccines. In this study, we identify linguistic and cultural barriers to vaccination of Hispanic Immigrants (HI). An electronic survey was administered among HI parents living in the United States. Using structural equation modeling, we found that a lower language barrier increases the trust in patient-physician relationship (+0.487) and increases HPV knowledge (+0.450). Mistrust because the health care was not in Spanish led to negative vaccine attitudes (-0.104), while trust due to a lower language barrier led to positive …

Raw Nmr Data For Tripeptides, David J. Michaelis, Scott R. Burt, Mariur Rodriguez Moreno, Nye C. Johnson, Christopher B. Stewart, Mary L. Setelin, Adam X. Wayment, Braxton M. Felix

ScholarsArchive Data

This data set contains primary data for 50 tripeptides that were generated as part of an advanced undergraduate laboratory experience in solid phase peptide synthesis. The raw data can be processed sing NMR interpretation software and can be used as problems for exams and quizzes or as supplementary materials for a laboratory experience

Cook2024_Influence Of Planting Depth Data, Kyle A. Cook, Brad Geary, Phil S. Allen, April Hulet, Kevin Gunnell, Melissa Landeen, Shannon V. Nelson, Matthew D. Madsen

ScholarsArchive Data

This file contains the data description for the Cook2024_1_Influence of Planting Depth… Supplementary File.

The excel file contains two worksheets: 1) Lab Trial Data, and 2) Field Trial Data.

1) Lab Trial Data

A) Block: block (rep) of the sample

B) Soil Type: soil type for that sample- loam, sandy-loam, or loamy-sand

C) Seed Treatment: seed treatment, control or coated

D) Seeding Depth (mm): depth, in mm, the seeds were planted- 0, 3.2, 6.3, 12.7

E) Week 1 Emerge: total number of seedlings emerged in Week 1

F) Week 2 Emerge: total number of seedlings emerged in Week 2 (includes …

Stacking And Intersecting Nutrient 4rs On Potato, Samuel Hamilton Stapley

Theses and Dissertations

The 4Rs of nutrient management is a global agronomic initiative with an aim to improve the sustainability of major cropping systems and the environment. The objective for this project is to evaluate individual and stacked 4R management practices and how they intersect. A field trial near Grace, Idaho was conducted on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in 2020 and 2023. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer treatments included all combinations of two sources [urea or polymer coated urea (PCU)], two rates (82 or 100% of the recommended rate), and/or two timing/placements (all applied at emergence or 84% at emergence + 16% fertigation simulation) compared …

Historical Analysis Of Urban Dust Generated By The Great Salt Lake Playa, Callum Flowerday, Jaron C. Hansen, Rebekah Stanley, Kaitlyn Brewster

ScholarsArchive Data

Historical PM10 filters, provided by the Utah Division of Air Quality, were analyzed for elemental composition of various metals. This was done using ICP-MS.

Also included, EPA PM10 historical data and bathymetry data provided by the Utah USGS.

An Observational Framework For Constructing Ozone Isopleths From Long-Term Monitoring Data: Demonstration In Salt Lake City, Utah, Callum Flowerday, Isaac Sudweeks, Brad Adams, Jaron C. Hansen

ScholarsArchive Data

EPA quality assured data, collected by the Utah Division of Air Quality, was used for this analysis.

Biomedical Versus Ayurvedic Traditions: The Triumph Of Indian Medicine In A Postcolonial World, Emma Jones

BYU Asian Studies Student Journal

The importance of a full understanding of Ayurvedic medicine and other traditional practices. By recognizing how Ayurvedic medicine was disparaged during the colonial period by the Western world, explaining the significance of social determinants of health within the context of Ayurvedic medicine, and acknowledging the importance of spiritual and mental health on physical health as understood today. During the colonial period in India, changes came in many forms, not the least of which was the dismissal of a century’s old medical tradition that had contributed to the health of millions of South Asians. This health tradition is focused on prevention …