Life Sciences Commons^™

Beyond Structural Motifs: The Frontier Of Actinide-Containing Metal–Organic Frameworks, Corey R. Martin, Gabrielle A. Leith, Natalia B. Shustova Prof. Dr.

Faculty Publications

In this perspective, we feature recent advances in the field of actinide-containing metal–organic frameworks (An-MOFs) with a main focus on their electronic, catalytic, photophysical, and sorption properties. This discussion deviates from a strictly crystallographic analysis of An-MOFs, reported in several reviews, or synthesis of novel structural motifs, and instead delves into the remarkable potential of An-MOFs for evolving the nuclear waste administration sector. Currently, the An-MOF field is dominated by thorium- and uranium-containing structures, with only a few reports on transuranic frameworks. However, some of the reported properties in the field of An-MOFs foreshadow potential implementation of these materials and …

Beyond Structural Motifs: The Frontier Of Actinide-Containing Metal–Organic Frameworks, Corey R. Martin, Gabrielle A. Leith, Natalia B. Shustova

Faculty Publications

In this perspective, we feature recent advances in the field of actinide-containing metal-organic frameworks (An-MOFs) with a main focus on their electronic, catalytic, photophysical, and sorption properties. This discussion deviates from a strictly crystallographic analysis of An-MOFs, reported in several reviews, or synthesis of novel structural motifs, and instead delves into the remarkable potential of An-MOFs for evolving the nuclear waste administration sector. Currently, the An-MOF field is dominated by thorium- and uranium-containing structures, with only a few reports on transuranic frameworks. However, some of the reported properties in the field of An-MOFs foreshadow potential implementation of these materials and …

Nanoantibiotics: Functions And Properties At The Nanoscale To Combat Antibiotic Resistance, M. Mustafa Mamun, Adeola Julian Sorinolu, Mariya Munir, Eric P. Vejerano

Faculty Publications

One primary mechanism for bacteria developing resistance is frequent exposure to antibiotics. Nanoantibiotics (nAbts) is one of the strategies being explored to counteract the surge of antibiotic resistant bacteria. nAbts are antibiotic molecules encapsulated with engineered nanoparticles (NPs) or artificially synthesized pure antibiotics with a size range of ≤100 nm in at least one dimension. NPs may restore drug efficacy because of their nanoscale functionalities. As carriers and delivery agents, nAbts can reach target sites inside a bacterium by crossing the cell membrane, interfering with cellular components, and damaging metabolic machinery. Nanoscale systems deliver antibiotics at enormous particle number concentrations. …

Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals As Sources Of Pops, Eric P. Vejerano, Jeonghyeon Ahn, Junaid Latif, Mustafa Mamun

Faculty Publications

Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) are a new class organic pollutant sharing some of the attributes of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This opinion/short review aims to describe the properties of EPFRs that merit their recognition as an additional and potentially significant source of POPs. EPFRs are ubiquitous in diverse environments because of multiple factors: (1) organic precursors from anthropogenic, biogenic, and other natural emission sources are abundant; multiple mechanisms in PM and soils form (2) EPFRs; and (3) EPFRs are stable and persist for a long time, thereby, accumulate in the environment and potentially transported long range. The hazards of …

The Impact Of Aquaculture On The Genetics And Distribution Of The Onuphid Annelid Diopatra Biscayensis, Matthew P. Galaska, David S. Wethey, Andrés Arias, Stanislas F. Dubois, Kenneth M. Halanych, Sarah A. Woodin

Faculty Publications

Aim

Evolutionary history of natural populations can be confounded by human intervention such as the case of decorator worm species Diopatra (Onuphidae), which have a history of being transported through anthropogenic activities. Because they build tubes and act as ecosystem engineers, they can have a large impact on the overall ecosystem in which they occur. One conspicuous member, Diopatra biscayensis, which was only described in 2012, has a fragmented distribution that includes the Bay of Biscay and the Normanno-Breton Gulf in the English Channel. This study explores the origin of these worms in the Normanno-Breton region, which has been …

The Impact Of Aquaculture On The Genetics And Distribution Of The Onuphid Annelid Diopatra Biscayensis, Matthew P. Galaska, David S. Wethey, Andrés Arias, Stanislas F. Dubios, Kenneth M. Halanych, Sarah A. Woodin

Faculty Publications

Aim

Evolutionary history of natural populations can be confounded by human intervention such as the case of decorator worm species Diopatra (Onuphidae), which have a history of being transported through anthropogenic activities. Because they build tubes and act as ecosystem engineers, they can have a large impact on the overall ecosystem in which they occur. One conspicuous member, Diopatra biscayensis, which was only described in 2012, has a fragmented distribution that includes the Bay of Biscay and the Normanno-Breton Gulf in the English Channel. This study explores the origin of these worms in the Normanno-Breton region, which has been …

Comparable Response Of Wild Rodent Gut Microbiome To Anthropogenic Habitat Contamination, Anton Lavrinienko, Ann Hämäläinen, Rasmus Hindstrom, Eugene Tukalenko, Zbyszek Boratynski, Kati Kivisaari, Timothy Mousseau, Phillip C. Watts, Tapio Mappes

Faculty Publications

Species identity is thought to dominate over environment in shaping wild rodent gut microbiota, but it remains unknown whether the responses of host gut microbiota to shared anthropogenic habitat impacts are species-specific or if the general gut microbiota response is similar across host species. Here, we compare the influence of exposure to radionuclide contamination on the gut microbiota of four wild mouse species: Apodemus flavicollis, A. sylvaticus, A. speciosus and A. argenteus. Building on the evidence that radiation impacts bank vole (Myodes glareolus) gut microbiota, we hypothesized that radiation exposure has a general impact on rodent gut microbiota. Because we …

The Malina Oceanographic Expedition: How Do Changes In Ice Cover, Permafrost And Uv Radiation Impact Biodiversity And Biogeochemical Fluxes In The Arctic Ocean?, Philippe Massicotte, Rainer M.W. Amon, Antoine David, Sergio Balzano, Simon Bélanger, Ronald Benner, Dominique Boeuf, Annick Bricaud, Flavienne Bruyant, Gwenaëlle Chaillou, Malik Chami, Bruno Charrière, Jing Chen, Hervé Claustre, Pierre Coupel, Nicole Delsaut, David Doxaran, Jens Ehn, Cédric Fichot, Marie-Hélène Forget, Et. Al.

Faculty Publications

The MALINA oceanographic campaign was conducted during summer 2009 to investigate the carbon stocks and the processes controlling the carbon fluxes in the Mackenzie River estuary and the Beaufort Sea. During the campaign, an extensive suite of physical, chemical and biological variables were measured across seven shelf-basin transects (south-north) to capture the meridional gradient between the estuary and the open ocean. Key variables such as temperature, absolute salinity, radiance, irradiance, nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll a concentration, bacteria, phytoplankton and zooplankton abundance and taxonomy, and carbon stocks and fluxes were routinely measured onboard the Canadian research icebreaker CCGS Amundsen and from a …

The Supercam Instrument Suite On The Mars 2020 Rover: Science Objectives And Mast-Unit Description, S. Maurice, R. C. Wiens, P. Bernardi, P. Caïs, S. Robinson, T. Nelson, O. Gasnault, J. -M. Reess, M. Deleuze, F. Rull, J. -A. Manrique, S. Abbaki, R. B. Anderson, Y. André, Stanley M. Angel, G. Arana, T. Battault, P. Beck, K. Benzerara, S. Bernard, Et. Al.

Faculty Publications

On the NASA 2020 rover mission to Jezero crater, the remote determination of the texture, mineralogy and chemistry of rocks is essential to quickly and thoroughly characterize an area and to optimize the selection of samples for return to Earth. As part of the Perseverance payload, SuperCam is a suite of five techniques that provide critical and complementary observations via Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Time-Resolved Raman and Luminescence (TRR/L), visible and near-infrared spectroscopy (VISIR), high-resolution color imaging (RMI), and acoustic recording (MIC). SuperCam operates at remote distances, primarily 2–7 m, while providing data at sub-mm to mm scales. We report …

Broken-Hearted” Carbon Bowl Via Electron Shuttle Reaction: Energetics And Electron Coupling, Gabrielle A. Leith, Allison M. Rice, Brandon J. Yarbrough, Preecha Kittikhunnatham, Abijai Mathur, Nicholas A. Morris, Megan J. Francis, Anna A. Berseneva, Poonam Dhull, Richard D. Adams, M. Victoria Bobo, Aaron A. Vannucci, Mark D. Smith, Sophya Garashchuk, Natalia B. Shustova

Faculty Publications

Unprecedented one-step CC bond cleavage leading to opening of the buckybowl (π-bowl), that could provide access to carbon-rich structures with previously inaccessible topologies, is reported; highlighting the possibility to implement drastically different synthetic routes to π-bowls in contrast to conventional ones applied for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Through theoretical modeling, we evaluated the mechanistic pathways feasible for π-bowl planarization and factors that could affect such a transformation including strain and released energies. Through employment of Marcus theory, optical spectroscopy, and crystallographic analysis, we estimated the possibility of charge transfer and electron coupling between “open” corannulene and a strong electron acceptor such …

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 …

Genes Related To Redox And Cell Curvature Facilitate Interactions Between Caulobacter Strains And Arabidopsis, Louis Berrios, Bert Ely

Faculty Publications

Bacteria play an integral role in shaping plant growth and development. However, the genetic factors that facilitate plant-bacteria interactions remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated the importance of two bacterial genetic factors that facilitate the interactions between plant-growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria in the genus Caulobacter and the host plant Arabidopsis. Using homologous recombination, we disrupted the cytochrome ubiquinol oxidase (cyo) operon in both C. vibrioides CB13 and C. segnis TK0059 by knocking out the expression of cyoB (critical subunit of the cyo operon) and showed that the mutant strains were unable to enhance the growth of Arabidopsis. In addition, disruption of …

What Is Refractory Organic Matter In The Ocean?, Federico Baltar, Xosé A. Alvarez-Salgado, Javier Arístegui, Ronald Benner, Dennis A. Hansell, Gerhard J. Herndl, Christian Lønborg

Faculty Publications

About 20% of the organic carbon produced in the sunlit surface ocean is transported into the ocean’s interior as dissolved, suspended and sinking particles to be mineralized and sequestered as dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), sedimentary particulate organic carbon (POC) or “refractory” dissolved organic carbon (rDOC). Recently, the physical and biological mechanisms associated with the particle pumps have been revisited, suggesting that accepted fluxes might be severely underestimated (Boyd et al., 2019; Buesseler et al., 2020). Perhaps even more poorly understood are the mechanisms driving rDOC production and its potential accumulation in the ocean. On the basis of …

Activating Mutations In Braf Disrupt The Hypothalamo-Pituitary Axis Leading To Hypopituitarism In Mice And Humans, Angelica Gualtieri, Nikolina Kyprianou, Louise C. Gregory, Maria Lillina Vignola, James G. Nicholson, Rachael Tan, Shin-Ichi Inoue, Valeria Scagliotti, Pedro Casado, James Blackburn, Fernando Abollo-Jimenez, Eugenia Marinelli, Rachael E.J. Besser, Wolfgang Högler, I. Karen Temple, Justin H. Davies, Andrey Gagunashvili, Iain C.A.F. Robinson, Sally A. Camper, Shannon W. Davis, Pedro R. Cutillas, Evelien F. Gevers, Yoko Aoki, Mehul T. Dattani, Carles Gaston-Massuet

Faculty Publications

Germline mutations in BRAF and other components of the MAPK pathway are associated with the congenital syndromes collectively known as RASopathies. Here, we report the association of Septo-Optic Dysplasia (SOD) including hypopituitarism and Cardio-Facio-Cutaneous (CFC) syndrome in patients harbouring mutations in BRAF. Phosphoproteomic analyses demonstrate that these genetic variants are gain-of-function mutations leading to activation of the MAPK pathway. Activation of the MAPK pathway by conditional expression of the Braf^V600E/+ allele, or the knock-in Braf^Q241R/+ allele (corresponding to the most frequent human CFC-causing mutation, BRAF p.Q257R), leads to abnormal cell lineage determination and terminal differentiation of …

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs On Core Body Temperature During Exercise: A Systematic Review, Dawn M. Emerson, Stephen Cl Chen, Melani R. Kelly, Bryant Parnell, Toni M. Torres-Mcgehee

Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Because of their anti-pyretic effects, some individuals prophylactically use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to blunt core temperature (Tc) increases during exercise, thus, potentially improving performance by preventing hyperthermia and/or exertional heat illness. However, NSAIDs induce gastrointestinal damage, alter renal function, and decrease cardiovascular function, which could compromise thermoregulation and increase Tc. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of NSAIDs on Tc in exercising, adult humans. METHODS: We conducted searches in MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Reviews, and Google Scholar for literature published up to November 2020. We conducted a quality assessment review using the Physiotherapy Evidence …

Exploration Of Patient Communication Preference Regarding Reclassified Genetic Test Results, Cooper Nicole Hall

Theses and Dissertations

Genetic testing is becoming increasingly used to detect individuals who are predisposed to developing cancer. If genetic testing identifies a variant in an individual’s DNA, the testing laboratory uses available data to classify the variant as either disease-causing or benign. When limited data is available regarding a variant’s pathogenicity and the risk of cancer for an individual is not clear, the variant is classified as a “variant of uncertain significance” (VUS). If new data is discovered, the VUS may be reclassified. There is a gap in current literature regarding desired communication for a reclassified genetic test result. There are no …

The Effect Of A Folate Free Diet On Tumor Burden And Chemotherapy Effectiveness, Kendall E. Stalls

Senior Theses

Our research is to understand the effect of the microbiota on colorectal cancer. Evidence has been shown that the microbiota is linked to the development and progression of colorectal cancer. The research focuses on how the gut microbiome influences the effectiveness of colorectal cancer treatments. Specifically, how the composition of the microbiota and the metabolites that it secretes changes the response to chemotherapy. We also research how tumor burden can be altered through changing the composition of the gut bacteria. Our experiments are performed on APC/Min+ mice, that have been genetically altered to have colon cancer. We conducted an experiment …

Purification And Functional Characterization Of The Iron-Responsive Transcription Factor Aft1 From C. Glabrata, Jade Ikahihifo-Bender

Senior Theses

Due to its unique ability to serve as both an electron donor and acceptor, iron is utilized as a co-factor for many biological processes, including electron transfer, oxygen binding, and vitamin synthesis. Iron is also a key factor during fungal infections as the human host and invading pathogens battle over limited iron pools. The primary iron-responsive transcription factor Aft1 in the opportunistic pathogenic yeast Candida glabrata responds to iron deficiency by activating expression of iron acquisition genes. However, the mechanisms for sensing intracellular iron levels and regulating Aft1 activity in response to iron are unknown. The C. glabrata iron regulation …

Killing The Planet But Saving The People: How The American Healthcare Industry Impacts The Environment, Malorie Webb

Senior Theses

The American population is rapidly growing and aging. In order to accommodate such a large population and its associated challenges, the healthcare industry has had to continually expand and adapt. The United States healthcare industry is now one of the largest, most expensive components of the economy. As such, it produces vast amounts of waste. Healthcare waste can damage the environment and contribute to climate change, which in turn can contribute to worsening health outcomes in the population. This thesis aims to explore both the immediate and prolonged impacts of the American healthcare industry on the environment, as well as …

Genes Related To Redox And Cell Curvature Facilitate Interactions Between Caulobacter Strains And Arabidopsis, Louis Berrios, Bert Ely

Faculty Publications

Bacteria play an integral role in shaping plant growth and development. However, the genetic factors that facilitate plant-bacteria interactions remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated the importance of two bacterial genetic factors that facilitate the interactions between plant-growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria in the genus Caulobacter and the host plant Arabidopsis. Using homologous recombination, we disrupted the cytochrome ubiquinol oxidase (cyo) operon in both C. vibrioides CB13 and C. segnis TK0059 by knocking out the expression of cyoB (critical subunit of the cyo operon) and showed that the mutant strains were unable to enhance the growth of …

An Exploration Of The Genetic Counselor’S Role In The Individualized Education Program, Naomi Jean Barker

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This exploratory study aimed to assess the knowledge of school psychologists and special education teachers regarding genetic conditions and the resources used in the development of individualized education programs (IEP) for students with genetic disorders. While the IEP process has been described for children with disabilities, literature explicitly focusing on children with genetic conditions is lacking. The rarity of genetic conditions often leaves school personnel with limited information. Methods: School psychologists (N=29) and special education teachers (N =14) throughout the United States participated in an online questionnaire. School psychologists were recruited from research committee listservs of state associations, and …

Efficacy Of Telegenetics: A Diagnostic Yield Comparison Between In-Person And Telemedicine Pediatric Genetic Evaluations, Allie Merrihew

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of telegenetic services for pediatric genetic evaluations conducted by telemedicine by comparing it to in-person pediatric genetic evaluations. Research into the utility of telegenetics would greatly serve to identify if this is a preferred alternative service delivery model to bridge the gap in accessibility and reach a greater catchment area of the population, especially to those living in underserved and rural locations. This study was a retrospective review of electronic medical records of pediatric patients seen at Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) for initial in-person genetic visits prior to the COVID-19 …

Developmental Regression Analysis And Investigation Of Genotype Correlations In Individuals With Classic Rett Syndrome, Aubrey Lynn Rose

Theses and Dissertations

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder impacting 1 in 10,000 females worldwide, making it one of the most common causes of complex disability in girls. RTT is caused by pathogenic variants in the MECP2 gene and is characterized by developmental regression, stereotypical hand movements, and an abnormal gait. Despite consistency in the presence of these core features, a wide range of features and varying severity can be observed in girls with RTT. Similarly, the particular type of MECP2 variant present also differs between patients. Previous studies have assessed correlations between genotype and phenotype in patients with RTT. While past …

Previvor And High-Risk Breast Cancer Patients’ Opinions On A Specialized Management Clinic, Madeleine Nicole Tjoelker

Theses and Dissertations

Approximately 5-10% of cancers are thought to be hereditary, caused by pathogenic variants in genes associated with inherited cancer syndromes. Previvors, individuals who have a higher predisposition to cancer due to genetic or other risk factors, have specific healthcare and psychological needs that may be better served by a specialized management clinic. This study compared the experiences of previvors who had access to a specialized management clinic with those who did not, in order to better understand the unique needs of previvors. This study utilized a mixed methods design including an online survey (N=26) and semi-structured phone interview …

Zooplankton Community Structure And Grazing Within A Stormwater Detention Pond In Coastal South Carolina, Kristen Laccetti

Theses and Dissertations

Stormwater detention ponds (SDPs) on the coast of South Carolina have become increasingly prevalent as the area experiences rapid urbanization. SDPs are man-made reservoirs implemented to minimize pollution inputs into receiving waters and are home to diverse biota, including zooplankton. Zooplankton are a good water quality indicator due to their quick response times and trophic regulators of phytoplankton through grazing. Zooplankton and phytoplankton interactions in stormwater detention ponds are an essential component for understanding plankton community dynamics in SDPs. This purpose of this study was to determine the seasonal variability in zooplankton community composition and grazing rates at 14-day intervals …

Assessing The Anticipated Needs Of Transgender Patients In Cancer Genetic Counseling, Jacqueline Baquet

Theses and Dissertations

Most cancers are sporadic, but 5-10% of all cancer is hereditary, or caused by a heritable genetic mutation. A patient’s medical history, family history, genetic test results, intact organs (e.g., ovaries) at an increased risk for developing cancer, and the availability and accessibility of interventions are used to make recommendations for cancer-risk management. In addition to basic medical care, transgender patients have healthcare needs that differ from those of cisgender patients such as expert care related to using hormones or having gender-affirming surgery, as well as unique mental health concerns. Transgender individuals may also experience a greater number of barriers …

Fortnightly Effects Of Urea Additions On Cyanobacteria In A Stormwater Detention Pond, Halley Carruthers

Theses and Dissertations

Increased urban and suburban population growth along the South Carolina (SC) coast has led to a rise in impervious surfaces, altering the course of stormwater runoff events. The construction of stormwater detention ponds (SDPs) is one of the many ways to best mitigate the flow of this water. In their function as natural pollutant traps, SDPs often contain increased levels of nutrients (nitrogen, N and phosphorus, P), which can lead to eutrophication. Under these high eutrophic conditions, primary production is overstimulated, and the formation of phytoplankton blooms, including harmful algal blooms (HABs) can occur. In recent decades, the forms of …

Exploring Effects Of Sample Storage, Preparation, And Tissue Type On Fourier Transform-Near Infrared Spectroscopy (Ft-Nirs) Ageing Across Fish Taxa, Keith Fuller

Theses and Dissertations

The accurate determination of age for fish is a vital part of both populationmanagement and ichthyological research. However, the methods which are primarily employed to age fish can be difficult, time consuming, inaccurate, or some combination thereof. Most ageing is currently done via hard parts (such as otoliths, vertebrae, or scales) which are read in a manner similar to tree rings with markings corresponding to known or presumed periods of time. Recently, Fourier transform-near infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIRS) has been investigated as a novel tool to age fish more quickly and objectively. This method works by recording the vibrational frequencies of …

Investigating The Dynamic Interactions Of Rapidly Growing Precocial Shorebird Chicks, Luke R. Wilde

Theses and Dissertations

Organisms in dynamic environments must continually reassess the cost-benefit trade-offs of their interactions and adjust their behaviors accordingly. Nevertheless, ecological research often takes a ‘snapshot’ approach to studying interactions across sample locations and timepoints. Investigating ecological interactions in this way can miss important information about the influence spatiotemporal context has on the scale and direction of their effects. Longitudinal studies that follow individuals can elucidate how changing contexts affect an individual’s ecology while deepening our understanding of adaptive behavior. However, determining how context influences the effect of an interaction requires it be measured across a range of spatiotemporal conditions. Studying …

Effect Of Oxidative Stress On Lifespan And Cellular Survival, Benedicth Onyeka Ukhueduan

Theses and Dissertations

When cells experience oxidative stress, the integrated stress response (ISR) signaling pathway is activated. One of the first outcomes of such ISR-activated response is to temporarily halt protein synthesis, which aids in cellular recovery. However, if cells cannot recover from the stress, they activate the cell death pathways which kills the affected cells, usually by apoptosis, which can then lead to either acquisition or prevention of diseases depending on the situation. In physiological aging, a compromised stress response is observed as an organism ages, which leads to disrupted homeostasis and elevated risk of disease. Thus, longevity of an organism is …