Life Sciences Commons^™

Investigating Rad14 Gene Nucleotide Excision Repair On G-Quadruplexes, Juan Pablo Olvera Rodriguez, Tyna Trevino, Yvette Gonzalez, Georgia Romike

Posters - 2026

DNA is typically found as a double-stranded helical structure; however, it can be found in different types of structures, such as G-quadruplexes (G4s). These are structures formed when DNA sequences are rich in Guanines, which interact with each other by hydrogen bonding, forming stacked G-tetrads. These guanine-rich structures are known for interacting with DNA during important cell processes, such as recombination and replication, leading to instability and DNA damage (Grey et al., 2014). If not treated properly, these structures may contribute to mutations and cancer development. To solve these issues, cells have developed maintenance pathways such as Nucleotide Excision Repair …

An Investigation In The Physiological Effect Of Microplastic And Chemical Mixtures In The Body Length Of C. Elegans, Gregory Guantos, David M. Mares, Jennifer C. Harr Phd

Posters - 2026

• Microplastics (MP) are pieces of plastic less than 5 micrometers (mm). Microplastics are found in our environment and have even been found in the food humans consume, including in drinks from plastic bottles (Hu 2020).

• Di-butyl Phthalate (DBP) is a chemical known as a plasticizer commonly used in PVC applications, ink, fragrances, and adhesives

• Di-butyl Phthalate has been found to have negative effects on the physiological length of C. elegans (Xiyan 2018)

• Microplastics have similarly been found to decrease the physiological length of C. elegans (Schöpfer 2020)

• The combined effects of MPs and DBP include …

Assessing Differential Expression In Skin Of Surface Versus Subterranean Salamanders (Eurycea) Through Development, Chiara Angelyn Maldonado, Van Nguyen, Amy Torres

Posters - 2026

In salamanders, previous findings have shown that subterranean environments impose different selection pressures on sensory systems than surface environments do (1). Differences in ocular development between phenotypes is part of ongoing research to better understand the evolutionary and molecular underpinnings. Studies have shown that parallel ocular development occurred in subterranean and surface phenotypes, while pax6 expression decreased in latter stages of development of subterranean species (2). These insights of gene labeling and expression as well as reduction of ocular structures in latter stages of development provide a stage for understanding evolutionary processes and genetic mechanisms as well as having potential …

Nucleotide Excision Repair In Yeast, Kinleigh Mines, Larry Ramirez, Jacob Rodriguez, Delynda Gonzalez

Posters - 2026

DNA damage occurs constantly in cells due to environmental factors and normal cellular processes, making DNA repair pathways essential for maintaining genomic stability (Hindi et al., 2021). One major repair mechanism is Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER), which is responsible for recognizing and removing bulky DNA lesions that distort the double helix structure (Scharer, 2013). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast), the RAD14 gene plays a critical role in this pathway by helping identify and initiate repair of damaged DNA (Scharer, 2013). Another source of instability comes from the formation of G-quadruplex (G4) structures, which are secondary DNA configurations that can interfere with …

Short Lab Report- Presentation, Wroud Saleh, Yevgeniy Grigoryev

Open Educational Resources

No abstract provided.

Ecovoltaic Solar Energy Development Creates Novel Microclimate, Temperature, And Soil Moisture Patterns Under Solar Panels In A Warm Desert, Juan Pinos, Seth M. Munson, Claire C. Karban, Matthew D. Petrie

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Background As solar energy development expands in desert regions, new installation practices and solar technologies seek to balance ecosystem conservation and energy generation (ecovoltaics). The Gemini Solar Project, a large ecovoltaic facility located in the northeastern Mojave Desert, employed low impact installation methods to reduce disturbance of the desert ecosystem within arrays of bifacial panels mounted on solar tracking systems. We evaluated microclimate and environmental conditions across five locations: four within-facility microsites (underneath solar panels, east and west panel driplines, and interspaces between panel rows) and one in the undisturbed desert outside the facility. Results Under panel microsites experienced lower …

Search, The Jackson Laboratory

Search Magazine

No abstract provided.

Beetroot Juice And Vitamin C Co-Supplementation Enhances Anaerobic Performance And Reduces Post-Exercise Glycemia In Wrestlers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial, Maedeh Nojoumi, Ali Jafari, Alireza Hosseini Kakhiki, Ali Jafarzadeh Esfehani, Hossein Rafiei, Chad Kerksick, Oluwatoyosi Owoeye, Reza Rezvani

Faculty Scholarship

Background

Wrestling, characterized by high-intensity intermittent efforts, demands exceptional anaerobic power and recovery capacity. Nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BRJ), supplemented with vitamin C, has emerged as a potential ergogenic aid through increased nitric oxide bioavailability. However, limited data exists regarding its acute effects on anaerobic performance in combat sport athletes. This study investigated the acute effects of BRJ supplemented with vitamin C on upper- and lower-body anaerobic test performance and selected biochemical markers in collegiate wrestlers.

Methods

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 28 collegiate male wrestlers (18–24 years) consumed a single 250-ml BRJ drink (8.4 mmol nitrate + 90 …

Effects Of Dietary Nitrate And Caffeine On End Power And Work Above End Power During A 3 Min All-Out Test In Trained Male Cyclists, Anthony M. Hagele, Kyle Sunderland, Petey W. Mumford, Chad Kerksick

Faculty Scholarship

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of acute dietary nitrate (NO3−) and caffeine (CAF) supplementation on end power (EP) and work performed above EP (WEP) in trained male cyclists during a 3 min all-out test (3MT) on a cycle ergometer.

Methods: Fifteen healthy, trained male cyclists (28.5 ± 5.3 years, 79.2 ± 9.1 kg, VO2peak 55.2 ± 5.6 mL·kg−1·min−1) completed four exercise trials in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study design separated by 3–7 days. The four experimental conditions were placebo beverage (nitrate-depleted) + placebo capsule, nitrate-rich beetroot juice + placebo capsule (BR), …

Potential Roles Of The Proteins E4 11k And Ddx6 In Rig-I-Dependent Interferon Activation In An Adenovirus Infection, Kasey Karen

Academic Affairs

Viruses encode many proteins to take over the host cell in order to replicate. There is a constant battle between viruses evolving to combat our immune defenses and host cells evolving to detect and disrupt viral infection. One of the major innate immune defenses against viral infection is the cellular production of interferon, a signaling molecule that can create an antiviral state in the infected cell and surrounding cells. One of the main viral sensors in the cell is RIG-I, which recognizes the double-stranded RNA present during viral infections and activates a signaling cascade that results in interferon beta production. …

Lactation-Stage Specific Protein Shifts In Koala Milk Mirror The Joey's Growth Needs, Manujaya W. Jayamanna Mohottige, Angéla Juhász, Emma Peel, Mitchell G. Nye-Wood, Katherine A. Farquharson, Tawfeek Khedr, Katherine Belov, Carolyn J. Hogg, Michelle L. Colgrave

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

AbstractKoalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) give birth to highly altricial young that rely on maternal milk for nutritional support and immune protection in the first year of life. This study applied proteomics to analyse stage-specific shifts in the koala milk proteome across early-, mid-, and late-lactation. Proteins were extracted from seven samples and analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Quantitative profiling identified 874, 1220, and 498 proteins in early-, mid- and late-lactation stages, respectively. The most abundant proteins—including β-lactoglobulin, caseins, clusterin, trichosurin, albumin and lactotransferrin—were consistently detected across all stages, reflecting crucial roles in nutrition, immune function, and detoxification. Protein–protein interaction analyses …

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” Will Deepen The Farm Crisis, Not Solve It, Rebecca Schewe, Rick Welsh

Center for Policy Research

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) promises billions in new farm subsidies, but most of that money won’t go to the farmers who need it most. This brief describes how the OBBB’s changes to agricultural subsidy programs will disproportionately benefit large farms and non-farming investors, accelerating farm loss and consolidation across the United States. The authors argue that without reforms, the OBBB will inflate land values, raise barriers for new and small farmers, and further fuel absentee farmland investment. The authors also identify four reforms policymakers should enact to prevent these devastating consequences, including tightening payment limits and closing loopholes, …

Blink & Beat: Pupillometry Response In Autonomic Nervous System Monitoring, Ximena Castillo

2026 Spring Honors Capstones Projects

In the neuroscience intensive care unit (NSICU), nurses rely on advanced monitoring tools to detect neurological deterioration. Two noninvasive measures, heart rate variability (HRV) and pupillary light reflex (PLR), are used to assess autonomic nervous system function; however, it remains unclear whether these indicators provide overlapping or distinct information. The purpose of this observational prospective study is to evaluate the relationship between HRV and quantitative pupillometry measurements to determine whether these noninvasive indicators provide congruent information. Data already collected as routine care from NSICU patients is extracted from the medical record for analysis. Understanding the correlation between HRV and PLR …

Sustainable Mitigation Of Microplastic Pollutants Using Native Plant Species, Antonio De Jesus Martinez De La Rosa, Emily Lancaster

Research Papers

Microplastics (MPs) are defined as small plastic particles that come from the degradation of plastics [Ziani et al. 2023], that hold a regular or irregular shape, ranging from 1μm to 5 mm [Campanale et al. 2025]. This diminutive size makes them virtually impossible to remove once released into the environment[Lee et al. 2023]. Furthermore, biological, chemical, and physical processes break MP's further down in the environment, causing them to exist in nano-level sizes (1nm-1μm) [Lee et al. 2023], further exacerbating their threat to critical habitats. However, recent studies have shown MP contamination expands beyond the natural environment as recent studies …

Teeth That Tell Time: Elemental Analysis From Shark Teeth, Gisele-Elizabeth Perez, David Turner

Research Papers

Sharks (Chondrichthyes) have hunted in the oceans for over 400 million years, their teeth leaving history behind, constantly becoming a part of the fossilization process (Worm et al. 2013). Their survival throughout 5 major extinctions is due to their ability to adapt easily with slow metabolism, a wide range of diet, and an efficient physiology. Shark teeth are vital to the hunting and consumption of their prey, making it a point for scientists to study them. Their tooth minerals contain fluorapatite in their enameloid, and dentin in the “root” of the tooth, with extinct species containing dentin and hydroxyapatite in …

Teeth That Tell Time: Elemental Analysis From Shark Teeth, Gisele-Elizabeth Perez

Posters - 2026

Sharks (Chondrichthyes) have hunted in the oceans for over 400 million years, their teeth leaving history behind, constantly becoming a part of the fossilization process (Worm et al. 2013). Their survival throughout 5 major extinctions is due to their ability to adapt easily with slow metabolism, a wide range of diet, and an efficient physiology. Shark teeth are vital to the hunting and consumption of their prey, making it a point for scientists to study them. Their tooth minerals contain fluorapatite in their enameloid, and dentin in the “root” of the tooth, with extinct species containing dentin and hydroxyapatite in …

Sustainable Mitigation Of Microplastic Pollutants Using Native Plant Species, Antonio Martinez

Posters - 2026

Microplastics (MPs) are defined as small plastic particles that come from the degradation of plastics [Ziani et al. 2023], that hold a regular or irregular shape, ranging from 1μm to 5 mm [Campanale et al. 2025]. This diminutive size makes them virtually impossible to remove once released into the environment[Lee et al. 2023]. Furthermore, biological, chemical, and physical processes break MP's further down in the environment, causing them to exist in nano-level sizes (1nm-1μm) [Lee et al. 2023], further exacerbating their threat to critical habitats. However, recent studies have shown MP contamination expands beyond the natural environment as recent studies …

Mapping Sensory Landscapes: Distribution And Arrangement Of The Anterior Lateral Line System In Texas Catfish, Tatiana Flores, Ruben Tovar

Research Papers

Fish have a system of sensory organs known as the lateral line system. This system contains numerous mechanoreceptive neuromasts and electroreceptive ampullary organs (Northcutt et al, 2000). Neuromasts are small, hair-like structures located within canals in the lateral line system just under the fish’s skin and are open to the environment through small pores visible on its skin (Parker, 2025). Water flows into these canals through the pores which stimulates the sensitive hair cells, resulting in electrical signals sent to the fish’s brain. The brain interprets these signals and creates “images” of the fish’s surroundings, helping it to see even …

Effects Of Tubulin-Binding Medications On Microplastic Uptake And Cyotoskeletal Functionality Across Diverse Cell Types, Alejandra D. Favela Santos

Posters - 2026

• Microtubules are composed of of a- and b- tubulin heterodimers, vital for cell structure, shape, and intracellular transport • Microtubules are also useful as they separate chromosomes during cell division • Microplastics (< 5 mm) are considered a health threat and have been found throughout the whole body (1) o In several studies, microplastics have been correlated to higher rates cardiorespiratory issues, endocrine disruption, and cancer (1) • Tubulin-binding medications are widely used as chemotherapeutic agents as they are known for disrupting cell division and targeting tubulin (2,3) o In this study, these medications were used to determine whether microtubules play a role in microplastic uptake § Colchicine typically binds to tubulins and arrests polymerization and growth § Nocodazole disrupts polymerization and prevents spindle formation § Vinblastine inhibits microtubule assembly and disruptions miotic spindle formation.

• The purpose of this study was to determine if different concentrations of tubulin-binding medications affect microplastic uptake o C2C12, RAW 264.7, and MOVAS cell lines were used to evaluate whether these changes are cell type specific 

If microtubule dynamics are disrupted, microplastic uptake can be affect in a concentration-dependent and cell type- specific manner.

Signaling Response Of Epinephrine Treated Cards Toxin-Infected Thp-1 Macrophages, Trinity Martinez

Posters - 2026

Aspiration pneumonia is a common mild case of pneumonia, a disease where the lungs are inflamed and filled with fluid, compromising respiration and gas exchange. One common cause of mild pneumonia is bacterial infection via a pathogen known as Mycoplasma pneumoniae. M. pneumoniae causes a variety of respiratory illness- ranging from pharyngitis, tracheobronchitis, mild pneumonia- and in rare cases encephalitis. M. pneumoniae produces the CARDS toxin, which participates in ADP-ribosylation and vacuolization (Kannan et al., 2006)1. The CARDS toxin causes aspiration pneumonia by paralyzing the cilia that lines the respiratory tract. Epinephrine, or Adrenaline- is a hormone that is medically …

G-Quadruplex Dna-Driven Genomic Instability Under Ber Loss, Addison Belick, Claryssa Gutierrez, Joslynn Rosas, Andrea Vargas

Posters - 2026

Base Excision Repair (BER) is a cellular tool that can repair damaged DNA (Hindi et al., 2022, Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences). G-quadruplexes (G4s) are unique 4-stranded structures in DNA or RNA that are rich in guanine (Gray et al., 2023, Nat. Chem. Biol). The purpose of this study is to understand whether BER contributes to the removal of G4s in DNA. This will determine if the BER-deficient yeast is more sensitive to treatment with G4-binding drugs than the BER-proficient yeast. We will replace the APN1 gene in the yeast genome with the URA3 gene, because the wild type yeast …

Effects Of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Cards Toxin On Lung Fibroblast Function, Shuri Magdalene

Posters - 2026

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen whose virulence depends largely on the community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) toxin, a 591-amino-acid ADP-ribosylating protein¹. CARDS toxin induces immune responses²˒³, causes vacuolation in lung epithelial cells, and contributes to the inflammatory and pathological features of pneumonia. IMR-90 fibroblasts. IMR-90 cells are human fetal lung fibroblasts widely used to study responses to inflammatory signals, extracellular matrix production, and lung injury or repair. Rationale. Fibroblasts are key drivers of tissue remodeling and fibrosis during lung injury. Defining how CARDS toxin influences fibroblast programs in inflammation, cell-cycle control, and matrix remodeling²˒³ will clarify how M. …

Evaluating The Effects Of Akt Knockdown And Everolimus Treatment On Ewing Sarcoma, Arisha Arif, Alfie Barcenez, Nicole Vanegas-Riddick

Posters - 2026

The purpose of this study is to use the gene AKT1, due to the interest in AKT1’s role in cancer cell proliferation, and the drug Everolimus, to determine if combined targeted therapy works as a more efficient therapeutic approach. We hypothesize that the knockdown of AKT1 will increase the sensitivity of Ewing sarcoma cells to Everolimus, resulting in reduced proliferation and/or survival compared to drug treatment alone. This would suggest that AKT1 normally protects cells from drug-induced stress. Ewing Sarcoma has been connected to chromosomal translocations and most common in pediatric patients. It is most often treated with chemotherapy and …

Impact Of Ashwagandha Treatment On Cytokine Production And Macrophage Differentiation Into Thp-1 Cells, Betsi Diaz Chavarin, Aditi Kumar

Posters - 2026

Inflammation is a critical biological response that enables the immune system to react to infections, injuries, or stressful situations. However, chronic or excessive inflammation can lead to tissue damage and contribute to a wide range of diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic syndromes, and immune dysregulation. 3,4 Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) is a key pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in initiating and amplifying the immune response. 1,2 It is primarily produced by activated monocytes and macrophages in response to stimuli such as pathogens or stress signals. In addition, IL-1β acts on the hypothalamus to induce fever, which creates an environment …

Sirna Knockdown Of Rptor Alters Gene Expression In Ewing Sarcoma Cells, Sergio Cipriano, David Leavitt, Michael Oliva, Liam Valdez

Posters - 2026

Ewing sarcoma is a highly aggressive cancer that primarily affects children and young adults. Although treatment options exist, many patients do not respond effectively, showing the need for improved targeted therapies¹. RPTOR is a key in mTORC1 complex which regulates cell growth, proliferation, and survival². LY2874455 is a selective pan-FGFR inhibitor that targets growth factor signaling pathways involved in tumor progression³, and FGFR signaling interacts with pathways such as mTOR, making it a potential target for combination therapies. We hypothesized that silencing RPTOR in Ewing sarcoma cells would disrupt mTOR signaling and alter expression of genes linked to cell survival …

Take A Hit? Take A Hit: Quantifying Cell Death In E-Cigarette Exposed Bronchial Epithelial Cells Following Cards Toxin Treatment, Truman Havrda, Hannah Jiron, Sierra Trevino

Posters - 2026

The rapid rise of e-cigarette use among young adults has created a significant public health challenge, as the popularity of "vaping" has grown faster than our understanding of its long term cellular consequences. Current research indicates that e-cigarette vapor (ECV) induce high levels of oxidative stress and impair the lungs' ability to clear bacterial pathogens. Furthermore, ECV exposure upregulates specific receptors on the surface of airway cells, essentially making it easier for bacteria to adhere to and infect the lungs. While we know that both e-liquids and vapor trigger inflammatory responses and cytotoxicity, there is limited data on how these …

Does Social Grouping Influence Object Play By Belugas?, Javier Obiltas, Phillip Clayton

Posters - 2026

Play is defined as voluntary behavior that differs from functional behaviors and typically occurs in low-stress environments. In cetaceans, object play has been linked to development, motor skill practice, and social learning. Play behavior is an important factor of development in belugas, because belugas are social animals that live and interact within groups, the composition of these groups or "groupings" might influence their play behaviors. Understanding how said groupings may affect the play rates may help researchers better understand the development of behavior and social dynamics of the beluga groupings. The purpose of this study was to see whether grouping …

Does Shape Matter?: How Salamander Head Morphology Shifts Based On Environment, Caitlyn Pinaga, Naomi Ramirez, Sonia Cerrillo

Posters - 2026

Groundwater salamanders of the genus Eurycea represent a diverse group of amphibians inhabiting the aquifer systems of central Texas, where both surface-dwelling and fully subterranean species coexist. Subterranean habitats impose extreme selective pressures, including complete darkness, limited nutrient availability, and stable environmental conditions, which drive convergent morphological traits such as eye reduction or loss, decreased pigmentation, and elongation of appendages. A key evolutionary pattern seen in these systems is sensory compensation, in which the reduction of one sensory modality, in this case vision, is accompanied by the enhancement of others. In aquatic salamanders, this often involves expansion of the lateral …

Smell Over Sight: Determining Levels Of Olfactory Gene Expression Between Surface And Subterranean Eurycea Salamanders, Sonia Cerrillo, Iliana Melendez, Naomi Ramirez

Posters - 2026

In the karst aquifers of central Texas, including the Edwards and Trinity systems, organisms live in an environment defined by constant temperatures, total darkness, and scarce food resources. These conditions have driven the evolution of salamanders in the genus Eurycea, particularly those that have adapted to subterranean life. Cave-dwelling species like Eurycea rathbuni exhibit hallmark “blind salamander” traits, including educed eyes, loss of pigmentation, and flattened head morphology. In contrast, surface-dwelling relatives such as Eurycea nana and Eurycea sosorum retain fully developed eyes and pigmentation, while some species like Eurycea latitans display both surface and subterranean forms across different populations.

Gene Expression And Apoptotic Responses To Panobinostat Treatment And Yap Knockdown In Ewing Sarcoma Cells, Luna Collazo-Garcia, Alejandra Favela Santos, Madeline Torres-Salazar, Isabella Toscano

Posters - 2026

Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive pediatric cancer driven by abnormal gene expression caused by the EWS-FLI1 fusion protein

Usually treated with intensive treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation

Outcomes remain poor for metastatic disease, highlighting the need for new therapeutic strategies

The Hippo signaling pathway regulates cell proliferation and survival through the transcriptional co-activator YAP1