Biology Commons^™

Sexual Di(Et)Morphism: Using Experimental Evolution To Test Whether Resource Partitioning Promotes Divergence Of The Sexes In Drosophila Melanogaster, Owen A. Jamieson

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Sexual dimorphism has been a long-studied phenomenon in the field of evolutionary biology. Usually, these differences in morphology, physiology and/or behaviour between the sexes are studied through the parsimonious lens of sexual selection. However, there are natural history cases where this lens does not seem applicable. Some species show sex specific morphological traits whose presence may not be due to a direct benefit to reproduction, but a difference in how each sex interacts with the environment and differing selective pressures from the environment on either sex. Darwin even brought up examples of this kind of dimorphism and pondered their existence, …

Effects Of Varying Biochar Concentrations On The Growth Of Lactuca Sativa (Newham Bibb Lettuce), Lauren Holler

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The objective of this research experiment was to investigate the effectiveness of using biochar in potting soil in terms of plant growth and soil quality. This experiment was carried out using varying amounts (0%, 5%, 10%, and 20%) of biochar in the soil to see its effect on seed germination, plant growth, and soil quality such as pH, water retention, and soil temperature. The aim of the experiment was to identify whether biochar can be used in soil to promote healthier and stronger plants. There were four treatments which included 0% (Control), 5% (Treatment 1), 10% (Treatment 2), and 20% …

Sediment Redox-Driven Iron Flux And Phytoplankton Community Responses: Implications For Cyanobacterial Suppression And Functional Stability Across Boreal Lakes, Julia K. Kozak

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Freshwater eutrophication contributes towards the development of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs), but nutrient availability alone does not fully explain variation in phytoplankton community composition or physiological performance. While phosphorus (P) availability has been known to regulate phytoplanktonic biomass, iron (Fe) is an important micronutrient supporting Fe-heavy processes within cyanobacteria (i.e., nitrogen fixation and photosynthetic electron transport). Sediment Fe availability in freshwater ecosystems is regulated by reduction oxidation (redox) conditions at the sediment-water interface (SWI), where nitrate (NO₃^-) has been found to maintain oxidizing conditions and prevent the reduction of Fe(III) to more readily bioavailable soluble Fe(II), …

Leveraging Mammal Mycophagy To Determine Environmental Drivers Of Truffle Diversity, Brittany Hartsock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many mycorrhizal fungi are hypogeous (truffle-forming), producing underground fruiting bodies. Studying truffles is inherently challenging due to their hidden nature. However, mycophagous mammals provide a unique opportunity to study hypogeous fungi because they rely on truffles as a food source. Although several truffle species have recently been described in the southern Appalachian region, their fruiting patterns remain poorly understood. To address this, we quantified truffle richness and spore loads from 670 Peromyscus scat samples collected across 42 sites spanning an environmental gradient during 2024 in the Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee. We found that truffle richness and spore abundance …

Establishing A Neural Crest Cell Culture To Investigate Rna Localization, Victoria Vang

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Neural crest cells (NCCs) are a transient, highly migratory embryonic stem cell population unique to vertebrates. During development, they give rise to diverse tissues, including craniofacial cartilage, peripheral neurons, glia, melanocytes, and components of the cardiac outflow tract. As NCCs migrate through complex environments, precise spatial and temporal regulation of gene expression is needed to coordinate migration and developmental fate. Defects in NCC development and migration can result in a broad class of disorders known as neurocristopathies (NCPs), including craniofacial abnormalities, Hirschsprung’s disease, and neuroblastoma. Despite the importance of NCC migration during development, many of the molecular mechanisms regulating this …

Swallowtail Plant And Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail, Lillian G. Witherspoon

PANDION: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas

This mixed-media, artistic representation displaying both the Swallowtail Plant and the Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly visualizes the shared similarities in both pattern and shape. Christia obcordata, commonly known as the Swallowtail Plant or Butterfly Plant, gets its name from its wing-shaped foliage and burgundy stripes that resemble the swallowtail butterfly.

Salvia Rosmarinus L.-Mediated Synthesis Of Silver Nanoparticles: Physicochemical Characterization And In Vitro Evaluation Of Antimicrobial Activity And Cytotoxicity, Raghad Ahmed Alhawi, Hawazin Ahmed Abid

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

This study describes the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using an aqueous Salvia rosmarinus L. (SRL) extract (Family: Lamiaceae) as a natural source of reducing and capping agents through an easy and green method assisted by blue diode laser irradiation (450 nm, 5 W, 5 min). The formation of rosemary-mediated AgNPs was verified by observing a color change in the solution and the presence of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 454 nm in the UV–Vis spectrum. XRD and FESEM revealed crystalline silver-containing nanostructures with an average estimated crystallite size of 15.53 ± 3.54 nm and particles with an …

T-Cinnamaldehyde-Driven Fe2o3 Nps: Activity Against Resistant Salmonella, Gallbladder Cancer, And Molecular Docking Focused On Bacterial Targets, Arshad Mahdi Hamad, Sarab Dalaf Khalaf, Suha Maher Abed

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Iron oxide nanoparticles (t-CA-Fe₂O₃ NPs) were synthesized in this study using a green preparation method with trans-cinnamaldehyde (t-CA) as a reducing agent. After observing the first sign of successful preparation, namely the color change, the properties were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. All characterization results were satisfactory, indicating the success of the preparation process and the purity of the prepared nanoparticles (NPs). The molecular docking process of several proteins important in antibiotic resistance and virulence …

Cycad Health Assessment For Sustainable Collection Management, Lo'ren N. Kyles

Sustainability Conference

Aulacaspis yasumatsui , the Asian cycad scale, is a threat to cycads and causes the plants to decline. This study evaluated pest presence and ecological factors at Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens Florida. Surveys on 28–29 September and 23 October 2026 recorded 27 cycads: Zamia integrifolia (n = 11), Z. furfuracea (n = 11), Cycas revoluta (n = 2), C. rumphii (n = 2) and Encephalartos hildenbrandtii (n = 1). Attributes of the plants, the transparency of the canopy and the distance to paths were recorded. In the follow-up, one leaf was analyzed from each of five non-Zamia specimens. A 5 …

Conserved Iq Motifs, Divergent Apo-Calmodulin Recognition In Ube3b And Ube3c, Emily G. Schaffter, Xiaohuan Lu, Anna E. Tinklenberg, Megan G. Hill, Rafael H. Levin, Javier F. Tabima, Shuanghong Huo, Donald E. Spratt

Chemistry

Calmodulin (CaM) regulates diverse signaling proteins through recognition of short linear motifs, including isoleucine-glutamine (IQ) motifs that commonly bind Ca2+-free CaM (apo-CaM). The homologous to E6AP carboxyl terminus (HECT) E3 ubiquitin ligases ubiquitin protein ligase E3B (UBE3B) and ubiquitin protein ligase E3C (UBE3C) are closely related enzymes that both contain N-terminal IQ motifs, yet whether these motifs encode conserved modes of apo-CaM recognition has remained unclear. Here, we combined isothermal titration calorimetry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and computational modeling to compare apo-CaM binding by the UBE3B and UBE3C IQ motifs. The UBE3B IQ motif bound apo-CaM with high affinity …

Implementation Of A Preventative Screen To Detect Heartworm Disease In Local Mosquito Populations, Ava Hurley, Emma Weissmeier, Lucy Corten, Jayden Ockert, Jackson Greenwold-Claiborne, Addison Levitz, Carson Mickey, Alexandra Bonner, Paul E. Richardson

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Heartworm disease, caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis, affects thousands of mammalian pets across the nation annually and is increasingly spreading. Various mammalian pets including dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses are affected by the disease, and currently dogs are the only mammalian pets with an approved treatment. This study aims to implement a preventative approach to combating the disease by utilizing a PCR-based screen to detect D. immitis in mosquito populations. Five key objectives were established in this study: refine a preventative screen to detect heartworm DNA in mosquitoes, implement the preventative screen through partnerships with local animal shelters, …

Development Of Genomic Detection Techniques Of Aquatic Pathogens To Aid In Disaster Relief After Hurricanes, Ana Rose Johnson-Redmon, Abigail F. Turka, Rylie Masterson, Paul E. Richardson

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, tropical storms, and flooding can introduce microbial contaminants into freshwater systems through stormwater runoff, animal waste, and damaged or overwhelmed wastewater infrastructure. Rapid detection of waterborne pathogens is important for environmental monitoring and public health response, especially in coastal regions vulnerable to hurricane-related flooding. This study developed and refined a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based environmental DNA detection technique to identify aquatic pathogens in freshwater systems. Water samples were collected from four freshwater sites, including three man-made ponds and one drainage ditch, during the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters. Target organisms include Giardia, Cyclospora, …

Investigating The Prevalence Of Human Papilloma Virus In A College-Aged Sample Group And Its Link To Sexual Behaviors And Attitudes, Gabriela Lewczyk, Eva Pollak, Phoebe Stryker, Samantha Hickey, Emily Moyer, Katelyn Ambrose, Alexander Knight, Rahjai Thomas, Adriana Burk, Paul E. Richardson

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States, infecting up to 75% of sexually active individuals, with a prevalence rising significantly around age nineteen for oral and genital infections. Because the virus infects epithelial cells and is transmitted primarily through skin-to-skin contact, it is found mainly in the cervix, oral cavity, and on/within ones’ skin. While most of the 200+ HPV subtypes are benign and tend to self-clear within six months to two years, twelve of these strains are classified as high-risk oncogenic strains that drive malignant progression. Furthermore, HPV is linked …

The Structure And Regulatory Mechanism Of The Emrb Rna Motif In Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Isabella J. Mezzenga, Brian M. Lee

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporters aid bacteria in expelling toxic compounds such as antibiotics, bile acids, and other substances. Previous bioinformatic studies identified the emrB motif as a potential regulatory RNA element. In Lactobacillus, this RNA motif is generally found in the intergenic region upstream of an MFS transporter gene with homology to the emrB gene from Escherichia coli. Secondary structure predictions of the intergenic region were used to define the structural features of this RNA motif. The emrB motif comprises two hairpins, though inclusion of neighboring regions is predicted to stabilize alternative secondary structures. A potential rho independent terminator …

Development Of A Molecular Screen For Community-Based Hookworm Detection, Emma Weissmeier, Ava Hurley, Jackson Greenwold-Claiborne, Morgan Deeringer, Paul E. Richardson

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Hookworm disease, caused by Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus, is a soil-transmitted infection affecting over 700 million people worldwide. Transmission occurs through direct skin contact with contaminated soil, leading to health consequences including iron-deficiency anemia, malnutrition, and long-term developmental impacts. The CCU Disease Hunters program developed a PCR-based environmental screen to detect hookworm DNA in soil samples before transmission reaches human or animal hosts. Initiated in response to a request from All 4 Paws Animal Rescue, this project established protocols for soil collection, DNA extraction, and molecular identification of hookworm using the cytochrome c oxidase (COI) and cytochrome b (COB) …

Development And Validation Of An Ai-Assisted Eco-Batik Gringsing Student Worksheet, Intan Kurniawati, Arif Widiyatmoko, Bambang Subali 5, Novi Ratna Dewi

Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran

Background: Science literacy among Indonesian students remains low, indicating a need for contextual learning resources that connect scientific concepts with students’ environments. Local cultural heritage such as Batik Gringsing, combined with artificial intelligence (AI) as a supporting tool, offers a promising context, yet their integration in a single student worksheet remains underexplored.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop and validate an AI-assisted Eco-Batik Gringsing student worksheet for science learning.

Methods: The study employed a research and development (R&D) approach adapted from the 4D model, covering the Define, Design, and Develop stages. The evaluation focused on the validity and practicality of …

Abundance And Richness Of Wild Bees On Organically Managed Lavender Farms, Joseph S. Wilson, Nicolas Landel, Maxence Sarie, Tyler M. Wilson, Jacob Young, Lindsey Topham Wilson, Matthew L. Forister

Biology Faculty Publications

Wild bees are important pollinators in agricultural systems, yet patterns of wild bee abundance and diversity in commercial lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) fields remain poorly characterized. We conducted a preliminary, observational assessment of wild bee abundance and species richness across organically managed lavender fields, including both certified organic and non-certified fields following organic practices, in Provence, France, between 2022 and 2024. Standardized 15-min collections were used to compare wild bee and managed honey bee activity during 66 sampling events, while additional non-standardized collections were used to characterize and qualitatively compare the taxa present in the different field settings. Wild …

Autofield-Poa: A Hybrid Automl–Metaheuristic Framework For Automated Feature Selection In Recommender Systems, Mohammed Dheyaaldeen Taha, Waleed Kareem Ahmed, Rana Saad Mohammed, Zied O. Ahmed

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

The problem of automated feature selection is one of the most important aspects of modern recommender systems, as overestimating the number of feature fields used, which can increase model complexity, inference latency, and performance degradation due to redundancy and noise. Although differentiable Automated Machine Learning (AutoML) based feature selection methods, including AutoField, are effective, they remain susceptible to initialization and local optima. Conversely, population-based metaheuristic algorithms are effective at global exploration, but are often inefficient in high-dimensional discrete spaces when randomly initialized. This paper presents AutoField-POA, a hybrid AutoML-metaheuristic framework that combines a differentiable controller with the Pelican Optimization Algorithm …

A Yolov8x Framework For Breast Lesion Localization Using Real-World Mammographic Images, Hadeel Abdul Majeed Ghazi, Yarub Alazzawi, Hussein Hasan Nsaif

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality among women worldwide, and early and accurate mammographic assessment is important for timely diagnosis and improved patient survival. However, accurate breast lesion detection requires overcoming the issues of low lesion contrast, dense breast tissue, image noise, and variation in mammographic acquisition. In this study, we present a YOLOv8x-based computer-aided detection framework for automated breast lesion localization in full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) images acquired under heterogeneous clinical conditions. The framework was developed and evaluated using 501 clinical mammographic images obtained from multiple mammography systems, namely GE …

An Object-Level Semantic Video Transmission Framework For Iomt Based On Lightweight Yolo And Motion Triggering, Iman Kadhum Abbood, Alaa Shawqi Jaber

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

In Internet of Multimedia Things (IoMT) environments, video capture and frame transmission consume substantial sensor energy and impose considerable network overhead because of redundant data transmission. Traditional approaches often rely on repeated pixel-level operations and frequent execution of deep segmentation models, thereby increasing computational and transmission costs. This paper proposes an Object-Level Semantic Video Transmission Framework (OSVT) for resource-constrained IoMT environments in which high-definition visual data must be transmitted over low-bandwidth wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs). The proposed OSVT incorporates a dual-stage wake-up mechanism that remains in sleep mode during static scenes, thereby reducing transmission load. The high-power YOLOv11-seg module …

Associations Of Subclinical Hypothyroidism And Thyroid Autoimmunity With Insulin Resistance Independent Of Adiposity: An Analysis Of Nhanes, Iman Taher Hussein

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

A thyroid–inflammation–insulin pathway has been proposed in which thyroid dysfunction promotes inflammation and thereby reduces insulin sensitivity, but adiposity-adjusted population evidence is limited. This cross-sectional analysis examined whether subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and thyroid autoimmunity are associated with insulin resistance independently of body mass index (BMI), and whether C-reactive protein (CRP), the only inflammatory biomarker available, is associated with either, using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2012 data. Non-pregnant adults aged 18–60 years with fasting glucose < 126 mg/dL and normal free thyroxine were included; SCH was defined as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) 4.5–10 mIU/L, and insulin resistance was quantified by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). Linear regression of log HOMA-IR accounted for the complex survey design (strata, clusters, weights) and was adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and survey cycle, with sensitivity and interaction analyses. Among 2,434 adults (89 with SCH), no association with HOMA-IR was detected for TSH (β = 0.009 per mIU/L; 95% CI -0.014 to 0.032), SCH (β = -0.035; 95% CI -0.186 to 0.115), or thyroid peroxidase …

Calculation Of Alpha-Decay Half-Lives Using A Numerical Approach, Daniel Suescún-Díaz, Rosemberg Gómez-Noguera, Diego Rasero-Causil

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

This study introduces a numerical approach for estimating alpha-decay half-lives of alpha-emitting nuclei using a modified five-parameter Woods-Saxon potential. The radial Schrödinger equation is solved with the Numerov method to calculate the wave function and the barrier transmission probability, without relying exclusively on the WKB approximation. The calculations were performed for 398 nuclides taken from the NUBASE2020 database. Of these, 264 nuclides were used for the MWS5 parameter-adjustment stage, whereas the remaining 134 nuclides were reserved for an independent evaluation of the model. The results were compared with those obtained from two reference models: the modified Gamow-Like Model (MGLM) and …

Antioxidant, Anti-Tyrosinase, Anti-Elastase, And Anti-Collagenase Activities Of Propolis Extracts From The Stingless Bee Tetragonula Laeviceps (Smith, 1857), Tri Hadi Handayani, Dimas Andrianto, Sih Kahono, Pamungkas Rizki Ferdian, Raden Lia Rahadian Amalia, Muhamad Ridwan

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Stingless bees incorporate propolis into their nest as a structural and protective material. Information remains limited on how solvent fractionation affects the antioxidant and enzyme-inhibitory activities of propolis produced by Indo nesian Tetragonula laeviceps. This study examined a crude extract prepared with 70% ethanol together with the n- hexane, ethyl acetate, and water fractions obtained from it. The analysis comprised total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), three antioxidant assays (ABTS, CUPRAC, TBARS), and inhibition of tyrosinase, elastase, and collagenase. The largest TPC and TFC values were obtained from the ethyl acetate fraction, at 85.93 ± 1.28 mg GAE/g …

Hagfish Intermediate Filament Proteins: From A Natural Protein System To Functional Biomaterials, Oran Wasserman, Kristin K. Durrant, Katee Stromberg, Brianne E. Bell, Paula E. Oliveira, Justin A. Jones

Biology Student Research

Sourcing protein-based biomaterials directly from nature presents persistent challenges in scalability, processing, and batch-to-batch variability. Recombinant engineering has focused largely on spider silks, and hagfish intermediate filament (HIF) proteins remain a comparatively unexplored alternative, with small non-repetitive subunits that have been produced full-length at high yield. This review examines the biology of naturally produced HIF protein threads from the Pacific hagfish, Eptatretus stoutii, advances in recombinant expression and purification, and their translation into functional biomaterials. We first describe the tripartite domain architecture and biochemical classification of the threonine-rich α- and γ-keratin-like subunits, and then the defensive biomechanics of HIF …

The Collagen-Derived Tripeptide Gly-Pro-Hyp Suppresses Fgf-5 Expression And Promotes Anagen Induction In C3h/Hej Mice, Yun-Ho Kim, Jin Seok Kim, Woong Yong Kim, Hyun Jung Jo, Zhe Piao, Yeo Cho Yoon

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Collagen-derived peptides have shown potential in promoting hair growth, yet their effects on catagen-inducing factors remain unexplored. In this study, the hair growth-promoting effects and molecular mechanisms of Collagen-Tripep20 (CTP), a collagen tripeptide preparation containing 3.2% Gly-Pro-Hyp (GPH), were explored, with a specific focus on fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF-5) regulation.

Materials and methods: Female C3H/HeJ mice were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 10/group): control, CTP-LOW (400 mg/ kg/day), CTP-HIGH (800 mg/kg/day), and GPH (25.6 mg/kg/day). Following dorsal depilation, test substances were administered dailyvia oral gavage for 7 weeks. Hair regrowth was assessed by visual scoring, histological …

Pifithrin-Α Enhances Ex Vivo Hematopoietic Stem Cell Expansion, Nesli̇han Meri̇ç, Pinar Çolakoğlu Erkan, Fati̇h Kocabaş

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are essential for treating hematological disorders; however, their low abundance and limited proliferative capacity restrict their clinical use. This study investigated whether pifithrin-α (PFT-α), a small-molecule p53 inhibitor with known genoprotective properties, could enhance the ex vivo expansion of HSCs.

Materials and methods: Mouse lineage-negative (Lin⁻) cells were isolated by magnetic depletion, while human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) and mouse bone marrow (mBM) mononuclear cells were obtained using density gradient centrifugation. CD34⁺ cells were subsequently isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting using an antimouse CD34 antibody. The isolated cells were cultured in StemSpan SFEM II (STEMCELL …

Anti-Helicobacter Pylori Activity Of Polycation-Coated Plga Nanoparticles Loaded With Juglone–Silver Complex, Tural Safarov, Emrah Şefi̇k Abamor, Serap Acar, Murat Topuzoğullari, Bükre Kiran Üner, Kübra Karadaş, Seçi̇l Kaya, Zi̇şan Toprak

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: The rising antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori requires the development of novel treatment approaches. Although natural products (e.g., juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone)) and metal antimicrobials (e.g., silver) hold some promise as alternatives, drawbacks like the toxicity and instability of these materials limit their clinical use. Combining juglone and silver with coordination bonds can overcome these drawbacks and yield a more effective antimicrobial complex.

Materials and methods: Juglone–silver (J–Ag) complex was synthesized, encapsulated into PLGA nanoparticles (J–Ag@PLGA), and coated with Eudragit (J–Ag@PLGA+eu). Structural and physicochemical properties of the produced samples were examined using MALDI-TOF MS, FTIR, and UV–Vis spectroscopies; dynamic light scattering; …

Understanding Antimicrobial Peptide Activation In Mesenchymal Stem Cells Through The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Pathway And Inflammatory Signals, Cansu Özdemi̇r Saka, Beyza Turgut, Ceren Tuncay, Cemi̇l Can Eylem, Emi̇rhan Nemutlu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small peptides involved in host defense and have been widely studied for their roles in innate immunity against microbial pathogens. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which provide stromal support in tissues such as bone marrow, are also capable of secreting AMPs, although the signaling pathways controlling this function remain unclear. The present study investigates the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling, a xenobiotic response pathway, in AMP production by MSCs.

Materials and methods: To assess AMP activation, human MSCs were stimulated with the agonist FICZ and antagonist SR1. TNF-α + IL-1β and LPS were …

Design And Synthesis Of A Novel Benzoxazine-Based Fluorophore With Potential For Lipid Droplet Targeting In Cancer Cells, Eda Açikgöz, Burak Kuzu, Mustafa Çakir

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Fluorescence-based visualization of lipid droplets is essential for understanding lipid-related mechanisms in cancer and other metabolic diseases. This study aimed to design and evaluate a novel benzoxazine-based fluorescent probe for selective lipid droplet imaging compatible with multiplexed fluorescence applications.

Materials and methods: A novel benzoxazine-based fluorophore (EA), inspired by the structural features of Nile Red, was synthesized via a two-step strategy. Structural characterization was performed using nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Biological performance was assessed in cancer cells under fixed- and live-cell imaging conditions, including cytotoxicity evaluation and compatibility with dual staining.

Results: EA selectively localized to …

Msx2 Is An Erα-Associated Transcription Factor That Sustains Proliferative Capacity And Is Associated With Favorable Prognosis In Luminal Breast Cancer​​, Gamze Turan, Eli̇f Kansiz, Gözde Korkmaz, Hande Özkan

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women and exhibits substantial molecular heterogeneity. Luminal tumors represent the largest molecular subtype and are primarily driven by estrogen receptor alpha (Erα), ahormone-dependent transcription factor (TF) that regulates gene expression programs controlling proliferation, differentiation, and endocrine response. Herein, the study aimed to identify functionally relevant TFs regulated by ERα as part of a complex regulatory program in luminal BC.

Materials and methods: An integrative transcriptomic approach was applied to identify TFs regulated by ERα in luminal BC. Differential gene expression analysis was integrated with RNA-seq data obtained from estrogen …