Life Sciences Commons^™

Slide Preparation For Dna Attachment For Use In Optical Tweezers, Dylan J. Kirkeby, Karissa Carlson, Emily Grace, Eric Jones

Celebration of Research

Our research team, ISLAND CURE, is a multidisciplinary team of professors and undergraduate students with the goal to design and build instruments to make biological measurements on a limited budget. One of the apparatuses we are designing, is optical tweezers, which are a Nobel Prize-winning technology capable of trapping microscopic and sub-microscopic particles using a laser beam. Using a 1064 nm beam, we will trap a single strand of DNA using beads and this will enable us to exert minute forces upon the DNA. This experiment will give us a better understanding of the forces on damaged DNA; specifically, the …

Targeting Mdm2 And Cdk4/6 In Hr+ Breast Cancer, Abigail Bastian

Celebration of Research

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women, making research over the different types of breast cancer a major concern. We decided to target two oncogenes located on the same chromosome, MDM2 and CDK4/6. We targeted MDM2 with AMG232, and CDK4/6 with ribociclib and measured different outcomes. We used cell lines ZR75-1 and MCF7 cell lines, as they show an overexpression of these targeted proteins. With this data, we were able to conclude that ribociclib and AMG232 work to decrease cell proliferation in ZR75-1 and MCF7 HR+ breast cancer cell lines.

Macroinvertebrate Colonization Patterns In The Floyd River, Gideon Fynaardt, Jt Klinghagen

Celebration of Research

Watershed characteristics impact water quality, habitat heterogeneity, and allochthonous inputs. Lotic macroinvertebrates are dependent upon and can be used as indicators of these conditions. Macroinvertebrates tolerant of degraded environments dominate impaired sites, resulting in low benthic macroinvertebrate index (BMI) scores. We explored the relative importance of habitat characteristics and allochthonous inputs by examining how macroinvertebrate colonization of leaf bags varied with leaf species, water quality, and landscape disturbance. Leaf bags were submerged in the Floyd River at seven locations. After four or eight weeks, we collected the bags for analysis. We hypothesized that colonizer richness, abundance, and BMI scores would …

Utilization Of Escherichia Coli For The Growth Of Y Family Dna Polymerase Rev1 And Gstrap Column For Purification​, Alexa Olguin, Alaena Trevino, Martha Stein, Karissa Carlson, Emily Grace

Celebration of Research

Rev1 is a Y family DNA polymerase that specializes in translesion DNA synthesis. Rev1 is unique in that it preferentially incorporates dCTP in the growing DNA strand, regardless of the templating base. This is because the template base is evicted from the active site and a template amino acid, arginine 324 (R324) acts as the template for the incoming dCTP. We hypothesize that arginine 324 and the neighboring leucine (L325) facilitate the eviction of the DNA template from the active site. To test this hypothesis, we worked to purify R324G/L325G Rev1 double mutant for the purpose of X-ray crystallographic examination …

Discovery And Annotation Of Two Phages That Infect Microbacterium Foliorum: Tedro And Bajuniper, Grace Anderson, Olivia Anderson, Clayton Bosma, Erin Brouwer, Kleyton Degroot, Owen Hede, Daiki Jonouchi, Dylan J. Kirkeby, Jt Klinghagen, Kate Kralik, Julia Kutz, Olivia Lott, Victoria Pavik, Cayli Penner, Leah Rozeboom, Jett Skrien, Jessica Slight, Maegan Stokes, Jonas Tiensvold, Kyra Wajer, Alaena Trevino, Byron Noordewier, Sara S. Tolsma

Celebration of Research

We isolated and purified Tedro and BAjuniper which infect the host Microbacterium foliorium. Tedro is a lytic, cluster EF phage isolated from soil collected in Hawarden, Iowa. Its genome is 56,197 bp long, circularly permuted, and includes 83 protein-coding genes and no tRNA genes. We are examining two of Tedro’s genes, genes 56 and 57, both of which are predicted to encode a DnaE-like DNA polymerase III (alpha) in more detail. Tedro_57 is twice as large as Tedro_56 so we are using additional bioinformatic tools to understand these genes. BAjuniper was isolated from soil collected in a garden in Orange …

Mrna Production Of Gene 50 In Jacoren57, Kaytlyn Harms, Elizabeth Heeg

Celebration of Research

Mycobacteriophages are viruses that infect mycobacteria; little is known about their cis-regulatory transcriptional control elements. In previous work, we identified and characterized a regulatory region (40,670- 40,951 bp) in JacoRen57, an AB cluster mycobacteriophage. The regulatory region appears to play a role in regulating the expression of Gene 50. Utilizing qRT-PCR, we investigated further to see if Gene 50 mRNA is produced during an active infection of Mycobacterium smegmatis by JacoRen57.

Rev1 Protein Purification, Martha Stein, Karissa Carlson, Emily Grace

Celebration of Research

1 in every 15-30 million nucleotides can be considered a mutation in healthy individuals. Replication of damaged DNA leads to genetic mutations. Genetic mutations lead to disorders and cancer. Rev1, a Y family polymerase, prevents minor mutations, such as abasic sites and exocyclic guanines, in the template strand from shutting down the process of replication. Our mutant Rev1, R324G/L325G, has replaced both the arginine located on nucleotide base number 324 and the leucine on nucleotide base number 325 with glycine. The arginine and leucine have more complex side chains groups with specific hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties. By replacing them with glycine, the …

Metabolic Characterization Of Porcine Hepatocytes, Kip Cullinan, Sophie Swart, Zachary Varpness, Ryan Schulze

Celebration of Research

In order to be approved for human trials, new drugs need to be tested on mammalian liver cells to determine toxicity. Currently, mouse and rat models are used with limited results because of their vastly different metabolisms. Model systems that utilize primate livers cells are going out of favor because of ethical issues. Cytotheryx Inc. is developing a porcine model system for use in drug trials that are metabolically similar to humans without the ethical concerns. In our research, we developed techniques to characterize porcine liver cell metabolism.1

Understanding The Antiproliferative Activity Of Plant Extracts, Abigail Bastian, Parker Fryer, Sadie Gilmeister, Jackson Hofland, Blake Johnson, Lauren Jurrens, Keziah Knudson, Madeline Kvatek, Erika Mckenney, Abigail Noonan, Alexa Olguin, Emily Schmidt, Martha Stein, Anneka Sterk, Sophie Swart, Jonas Tiensvold, Alaena Trevino

Celebration of Research

Many plants possess medicinal properties. Some, such as the Pacific yew, have yielded chemotherapeutic drugs (taxanes). Scientists report that other extracts such as the leaves of Calendula officinalis (marigold), Vinca rosea (periwinkle), Viscum cruciatum (mistletoe), and Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) have anti-tumor activity. In most cases, the chemical components responsible for antiproliferative activity have not been identified and it is unclear if any individual components are as effective in isolation as they are in the context of the whole extract. Furthermore, in most cases, there are no data indicating whether these extracts have synergistic effects or cause negative reactions when used …

The Quest For The Ideal Fluorescent Cell Stain, Angielisa Sirard, Jack Gregory, Richard Tuttle

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Applied

Analysis Of Fingerprinting Techniques And Comparing The Fingerprints Of Twins, Elijah Deyoung, Lydia Buxa

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Applied

Traditional Cattle Feeding Stuffs: Fatty Acid Profile, A. M. Peres, L. Dias, J. Sá Morais, F. Sousa, J. M. Pires

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are perceived to be healthier than saturated fatty acids. Therefore, in order to be able to manipulate the fatty acid profile of meat and/or milk, to respond to the consumer demands, knowledge of the fatty acid profile of feeding stuffs for cattle is of major importance (LeDoux et al., 2002; Petit, 2002). In this work a preliminary study was made of the fatty acid profile of the cow's diet in a traditional farm production system.

Finishing Effect On Fatty Acid Profile Of Intramuscular Fat In Extensively Reared Steers, N. Aldai, B. E. Murray, A. I. Nájera, K. Osoro

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Both the amount and the composition of fat depots in beef may be influenced by several factors i.e. feeding system. Related to this factor, extensively reared cattle may produce beef with a more desirable fatty acid (FA) composition in terms of beneficial effect on human health, especially in relation to the content of n-3 type FAs. However, concentrate finishing improves some carcass traits and meat quality. In this sense, the objective of this work was to study the effect of concentrate finishing on intramuscular (IM) FA profile of Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle in pasture fed steers.

Effect Of Perennial Ryegrass Cultivars On The Fatty Acid Composition In Milk Of Stall-Fed Cows, Anjo Elgersma, H. J. Smit, G. Ellen, S. Tamminga

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Herbage provides bulk feed for ruminants and plant lipids, especially C18:3, are a major source of benefical fatty acids (FA) in milk. There are very few direct comparisons allowing a precise evaluation of the effects of the basal forage diet on milk FA composition. Grass quality differences can affect rumen metabolism and there could be opportunities to change the composition of ruminant products through choice of grass cultivar. To test this hypothesis, six cultivars were fed to dairy cows in a stall-feeding trial with fresh grass to evaluate the effect of grass cultivar on rumen VFA and milk FA composition …

Quantitative And Qualitative Characteristics Of The Loin Of Grazing Lambs From Different Production Systems, Alda L. G. Monteiro, C. H. E. C. Poli, G. J. Bosquetto, T. D. M. Ribeiro, O. R. Prado, Maria Angela M. Fernandes, C. Gasperin

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The international sheep market is supplied mainly from New Zealand and Australia, where there are advanced production systems and marketing organisations, and where the product is exported mainly in the form of carcasses and cuts. In Brazil, the farmers should aim to produce a younger animal, with an adequate fat level at an optimum stage of muscle development, in order to gain market share The proportions of muscle, bone and fat largely determine the value of the carcass, and the breed and age of animal, in addition to other factors such as feeding systems, cause variation in the proportions (Purchas …

Processing Quality Of Organic And Conventional Milks From Irish Pasture Based Systems, B. O'Brien, P. Murphy, N. Culleton, P. O'Connor

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The maintenance of white clover in the pasture sward is essential to viable organic farming in Ireland. Thus, the diet of the organically and conventionally managed cow is different. It is well documented that milk composition is affected by cow diet (Kefford et al., 1995). This study addresses the issue of technological quality differences between conventionally and organically produced milks.

Utilizing Forages To Program Steer Growth Patterns To Achieve Consistent Quality Beef, B. G. Warrington, J. W. Holloway, R. K. Miller, H. Lippke

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Many options are available for programming stocker cattle growth patterns through forage selection. In semi-arid south Texas rapid growth rates can be achieved by grazing irrigated small grains (oats, wheat and ryegrass) and slow growth rates are possible grazing native range pastures. Ryegrass (RG) nutrient quality indicates potential gains greater than 1.0 kg/d for steers, while typical winter native range (NR) pasture indicates gains of 0.45 kg/d or less. The purpose of this experiment was to quantify the impact of different programmed growth patterns on beef retail product especially size, marbling and tenderness.

The Effect Of Post-Weaning Management On The Physico-Chemical And Textural Quality Of Beef From Bulls And Steers, M. Oliván, P. García, M. J. Martínez, M. Mocha, A. Martínez, P. Castro, K. Osoro

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There is an increasing interest for extensification in Europe due to environmental and animal welfare concerns. Furthermore, forage-fed beef may present benefits for human health. However, animals fed at pasture produce in some cases darker and tougher meat. It has been shown that castration or a grain-finishing period before slaughter could improve some sensory traits of beef from pasture. The objective of this work was to study the impact of castration and four feeding systems (grazing, grazing + 70 days concentrate, grazing + 100 days concentrate, 200 days concentrate) on the quality of beef from yearling bulls and steers.

Effects Of Supplementary Concentrate Level And Separate Or Mixed Feeding Of Grass Silage And Concentrates On Carcass Tissue Colour Traits In Steers, J. Caplis, M. G. Keane, A. P. Moloney, F. P. O'Mara

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The level of supplementary concentrates fed with grass silage and the method of feeding (separate or mixed) may affect carcass tissue colour in steers. The objectives were to determine the effects of (1) supplementary concentrate level with grass silage, and (2) separate or mixed feeding of silage and concentrates, on muscle and fat colour.

Growth Characteristics Of Ecotype Superior Line Of Bermudagrass And Development Of Its Rdna Markers, Y. W. Rim, K. Y. Kim, M. J. Kim, B. R. Sung, Y. C. Lim, E. S. Chung

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Interest in turfgrass has steadily increased in Korea since the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup . Use of zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica L.) has been limited due to its slow recovery, low shoot density, short green period and low wear tolerance during dormancy (Lee et. al., 1999). Bermudagrass has high quality and fast recovery, but has low cold tolerance (Richardson et. al., 1978). This research compared the growth characteristics of a superior line of bermudagrass, named as Joyspy with other standard cultivars and to develop its rDNA markers.

Effects Of Supplementary Concentrate Level And Separate Or Mixed Feeding Of Grass Silage And Concentrates On Carcass Tissue Composition In Steers, J. Caplis, M. G. Keane, F. P. O'Mara

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Supplementary concentrate level may affect carcass composition in steers. Feeder wagons facilitate feeding and management. The objectives were to determine the effects of (1) supplementary concentrate level with grass silage, and (2) separate or mixed feeding of silage and concentrates, on ribs joint composition.

Lipid Oxidation And Sensory Characteristics Of Grass-Fed Beef: Effect Of Duration Of Grazing Prior To Slaughter, A. P. Moloney, F. Noci, F. J. Monahan, G. E. Nute, R. I. Richardson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Beef from cattle produced from grass has a higher concentration of fatty acids considered to be beneficial to human health than beef produced from more intensive production systems and this increase in fatty acid concentration is dependant on the duration at pasture prior to slaughter (Noci et al., 2003). Improvements in the fatty acid composition of beef must not impair other quality characteristics of beef. Little information is available on the pattern of change of quality characteristics in grazing animals. The objective of this study was to determine the shelf-life and eating quality of beef from cattle produced from …

Antioxidative Activities Of Alfalfa And Timothy Varieties, J. K. Lee, H. S. Park, J. G. Kim, B. H. Paek, J. H. Fike

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The term "functional foods" is often used as a generic description for the beneficial effects of ingested foods that go beyond their traditional nutritive value (Bauman et al., 2001). Milk and dairy products are important dietary sources of nutrients, providing energy, high quality protein, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Recent research has focused on altering the fat and protein content of milk and other dairy products in order to improve their nutrient content to more aptly reflect current dietary recommendations and trends. As a result, additional focus is being given to designing foods that have beneficial effects …

Forage Yield And Nutritive Value Of 30 Cultivars Of Maize For Silage In The Highland Valleys Of Central Mexico, G. Tovar, J. L. Arellano, M. E. Sosa, C. Sánchez, H. P. Pérez, E. Vera, U. M. Vera, J. I. Vázquez

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In Mexico, the selection of maize cultivars for forage has mainly been based on dry matter (DM) yields, not considering nutritional quality as an important evaluation parameter. The objective of this study was to assess forage yield and nutritive value of Highland and Subtropical maize cultivars for silage in the Highland Valleys of Central México.

Laurier Biology Departmental Seminars Poster Colouring Book (Vol 2), Tristan A.F. Long

Biology Faculty Publications

Welcome to Volume 2 of the Wilfrid Laurier University Department of Biology seminar series poster collection! When I was compiling a colouring book based on academic seminar posters last year, I had no idea how well it would be received. As of this writing, Volume 1 has been downloaded almost 1000 times (!): https://scholars.wlu.ca/biol_faculty/94/, and was featured in a great article by Cheyenne Bholla: https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2022/04/27/laurier-biology-profs-science-posters-have-been-turned-into-a-downloadable-colouring-book.html.

So, I guess it’s time for a sequel, featuring some more of my favourite designs! This time round I’ve included several sets of posters – often drawn years apart – that are thematically …

Spatiotemporal Analysis Of Covid-19 Lockdown Impact On The Land Surface Temperatures Of Different Land Cover Types In Louisiana, Priscilla Loh, Yaw Twumasi, Zhu H. Ning, Matilda Anokye, Diana B. Frimpong, Judith Oppong, Abena B. Asare-Ansah, Rechael Naa Dedei Armah, Caroline Y. Apraku

Student Presentations

The COVID-19 pandemic posed a serious threat to life on the entire planet, necessitating the imposition of a lockdown mechanism that restricted people’s movements to stop the disease’s spread. This period experienced a decline in air pollution emissions and some environmental changes, offering a rare opportunity to understand the effects of fewer human activities on the earth’s temperature. Hence, this study compares the changes in Land Surface Temperature (LST) that were observed prior to the pandemic (March & April 2019) and during the pandemic lockdown (March & April 2020) of three parishes in Louisiana. The data for this study was …

Learning In A Virtual Environment To Improve Type 2 Diabetes Outcomes: Randomized Controlled Trial, Constance M Johnson, Gail D'Eramo Melkus, Louise Reagan, Wei Pan, Sathya Amarasekara, Katherine Pereira, Nancy Hassell, Sarah Nowlin, Allison Vorderstrasse

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Given the importance of self-management in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a major aspect of health is providing diabetes self-management education and support. Known barriers include access, availability, and the lack of follow through on referral to education programs. Virtual education and support have increased in use over the last few years.

Objective: The purpose of the Diabetes Learning in a Virtual Environment (LIVE) study was to compare the effects of the LIVE intervention (educational 3D world) to a diabetes self-management education and support control website on diet and physical activity behaviors and behavioral and metabolic outcomes in adults …

Marine Law Symposium: Can Offshore Wind Development Have A Net Positive Impact On Biodiversity? Regulatory And Scientific Perspectives And Considerations April 20-21, 2023, Roger Williams University School Of Law Marine Affairs Institute, The Nature Conservancy

School of Law Conferences, Lectures & Events

No abstract provided.

A Meta-Narrative Review: Efficacy Of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (Nipt) In The Detection Of Sex Chromosomal Aneuploidy In Singleton Pregnancy, Tien T. Dao, Arianna Fields, Annie Huynh, Nikkita Mcghee, Christian Pellegrini

Research Methods Poster Session 2023

Abstract:

Objective: To assess the efficacy of Noninvasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) as a screening method for Sex Chromosomal Aneuploidy (SCA) and its application in clinical practice.

Methods: Searches on Pubmed and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Research Medical Library was performed to identify primary research articles published between January 2018 to April 2023.

Results: The average combined SCA's PPV was 46.08%. The average PPV for 45, X, 47, XXX, 47, XXY, and 47, XYY was 26.05%, 44.82%, 50.21%, and 62.99%, respectively. The average PPV for 46, XY was 1.18%; however, there is a lack of statistical data for 46, XY. NIPT …

Interactions Between Metabolism And Growth Can Determine The Co-Existence Of Staphylococcus Aureus And Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Camryn Pajon, Marla C. Fortoul, Gabriela Diaz-Tang, Estefania Marin Meneses, Ariane R. Kalifa, Elinor Sevy, Taniya Mariah, Brandon Toscan, Maili Marcelin, Daniella M. Hernandez, Melissa M. Marzouk, Allison J. Lopatkin, Omar T. Eldakar, Robert Smith

Biology Faculty Articles

Most bacteria exist and interact within polymicrobial communities. These interactions produce unique compounds, increase virulence and augment antibiotic resistance. One community associated with negative healthcare outcomes consists of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. When co-cultured, virulence factors secreted by P. aeruginosa reduce metabolism and growth in S. aureus. When grown in vitro, this allows P. aeruginosa to drive S. aureus toward extinction. However, when found in vivo, both species can co-exist. Previous work has noted that this may be due to altered gene expression or mutations. However, little is known about how the growth environment could influence the …