Biology Commons^™

Science Alive, Shweta Zinzuwadia

Trick to the Treat of Internships and Research

Science Alive is a not-for-profit organization based at NSU started by Dr. Emily Schmitt Lavin and Dr. Aarti Raja. This organization promotes community outreach and engagement by volunteering at Nova Blanche Forman Elementary School. Through this weekly afterschool program, NSU students promote and encourage STEM-related topics to the elementary students through various interactive activities. The main goal of Science Alive is to get kids excited about Science and be engaged within the Broward Community. If you have any questions, please email Shweta Zinzuwadia ([email protected]) or Dr. Schmit ([email protected])

Clear Vision Center Internship, Maria Sanchez

Trick to the Treat of Internships and Research

Come to learn more about my experience at Clear Vision Center as I gained first hand experiences working with patients and immersing myself within a healthcare setting.

Development Of “Sharkavir”: A New Hypothetical Inhibitor For Hiv-1 Protease, Feza Abbas

Trick to the Treat of Internships and Research

HIV has infected approximately 37 million people worldwide and results in over 1 million deaths annually. A key component of the HIV life cycle is the enzyme HIV-1 protease, which is involved in cutting newly made protein components of the HIV virion. Our research focused on how can molecular models be used to simulate the binding of various HIV-1 prtease inhibitors including Darunavir, Ritonavir, and a novel combination of these two named "Sharkavir".

Effects Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis Derived Sphingolipids On Osteoclastogenesis, Geena Song, Michelle Hoang

Trick to the Treat of Internships and Research

This was an independent study focused on literary research about the effect of Porphyromonas gingivalis on osteoclastogenesis. This opportunity was gained by emailing Jeff Hartman ([email protected]) and setting up a meeting with the professor, Dr. Movila. We gathered variety of research papers and analyzed it to write a peer reviewed article ourselves. Throughout this experience, we learned variety of skills, such as organizing materials into a coherent narrative and learned materials that showed up in future classes, such as microbiology and cellular molecular biology.

Impact Of Covid-19 On Global Education And Research In Healthcare And Stem, Stephanie Autore, Jessica Hallet, Michelle Hoang, Santanu De

Trick to the Treat of Internships and Research

The independent study focused on Covid-19 from the perspectives of global education and research in healthcare and STEM. Our aim was to determine the impact of the pandemic on each global sector and the associated transition to virtual modes. The research was conducted using peer-reviewed articles and papers. Each week, our group held zoom meetings to present our research and provide peer feedback. At the end of the experience, we all wrote three separate manuscripts on the topics regarding Covid 19 and global education, research in healthcare, and research in STEM.

Medical Scribe Experience, Naziba A. Nuha

Trick to the Treat of Internships and Research

A medical scribe is a trained medical information manager who specializes in charting physician-patient encounters in real-time during medical exams. Come to learn more about my experience at Scribe America.

Dermatology Office, Michelle Volis

Trick to the Treat of Internships and Research

I intern at a local dermatology office where I primarily shadow the head dermatologist but also shadow another dermatologist, a nurse practitioner, and a physician assistant. I shadow surgical procedures such as Mohs surgery which is a technique used to remove cancerous cells from the skin one layer at a time for the purpose of preserving healthy tissue. I also shadow cosmetic surgeries like injections and laser procedures. During my internship, there have been interesting clinical cases, so I am working on publishing articles about them with the help of the head dermatologist. I have also spent time in the …

Expression & Localization Of The 14-3-3 Protein Family Within Mammals, Neha Kumrah, Santanu De

Trick to the Treat of Internships and Research

This past summer, I was able to complete a remote Independent Study with Dr. Santanu De. As a team of four, we interacted via Zoom meetings and shared documents. Together, we researched and analyzed the 14-3-3 protein family, a class of molecular chaperones found in essentially all mammals. I was able to conclude that this protein family has many implications in cellular biology, and that expression levels could potentially be used as a diagnostic tool for various cancers. Overall, this was a beneficial experience as I was able to strengthen my research skills, publish a manuscript, and gain a newfound …

Survival And Development Of Zebra Longwing, Heliconius Charithonia, On Native And Non-Native Passion Vines, Passiflora Sp., In South Florida, Madelyn Rinka

Trick to the Treat of Internships and Research

Working on this project since last fall has given me a lot of experience regarding writing abstracts, making presentations, following methodologies, and much more. Also, I've learned about the challenges that can go hand in hand with research in environmental science, including the unpredictability of finding a specific species in nature and the potential roadblocks caused by weather. The project was accepted for NSU's Undergraduate Student Symposium for Winter 2020 and the Florida Native Plant Society's Annual Conference (both were cancelled due to COVID-19). Overall, working on this project has allowed me to get a better understanding of research in …

Functions Of 14-3-3 Proteins And Their Isoforms Across Various Mammaliam Species, Cells, Tissues, Organs And Developmental Stages, Elizabeth Barley, Santanu De

Trick to the Treat of Internships and Research

Throughout the Fall 2020 term, I had the opportunity to partake in an internship in biology with Dr. Santanu De as my faculty sponsor. The study that I completed focused on the 14-3-3 protein isoforms in various mammalian species, cells, tissues, organs and developmental stages. This experience allowed me to delve deeper into a topic in biology which supported my field of interest. Completing this study provided me with useful knowledge on an upper-level biology topic while providing me with a guided space to nurture my continued learning. The 14-3-3 proteins consist of seven isoforms in various mammalian species. My …

Draft Genome Of Bugula Neritina, A Colonial Animal Packing Powerful Symbionts And Potential Medicines, Mikhail Rayko, Aleksey Komissarov, Jason C. Kwan, Grace Lim-Fong, Adelaide C. Rhodes, Sergey Kliver, Polina Kuchur, Stephen James O'Brien, Jose Lopez

Biology Faculty Articles

Many animal phyla have no representatives within the catalog of whole metazoan genome sequences. This dataset fills in one gap in the genome knowledge of animal phyla with a draft genome of Bugula neritina (phylum Bryozoa). Interest in this species spans ecology and biomedical sciences because B. neritina is the natural source of bioactive compounds called bryostatins. Here we present a draft assembly of the B. neritina genome obtained from PacBio and Illumina HiSeq data, as well as genes and proteins predicted de novo and verified using transcriptome data, along with the functional annotation. These sequences will permit a better …

Red Lionfish (Pterois Volitans) Neurocranium, Matthew B. Edwards, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

Neurocranium from a Lionfish (Pterois volitans) collected from whole foods supermarket on 11/9/2020

A Brain-Infecting Parasite Impacts Host Metabolism Both During Exposure And After Infection Is Established, Lauren E. Nadler, Erik Bengston, Erika J. Eliason, Cameron Hassibi, Siri H. Helland-Riise, Ida B. Johansen, Garfield T. Kwan, Martin Tresguerres, Andrew V. Turner, Kelly L. Weinersmith, Øyvind Øverli, Ryan F. Hechinger

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Datasets

1. Metabolic costs associated with parasites should not be limited to established infections. Even during initial exposure to questing and attacking parasites, hosts can enact behavioural and physiological responses that could also incur metabolic costs. However, few studies have measured these costs directly. Hence, little is known about metabolic costs arising from parasite exposure.
2. Further, no one has yet measured whether and how previous infection history modulates metabolic responses to parasite exposure.
3. Here, using the California killifish (Fundulus parvipinnis) and its brain-infecting parasite (Euhaplorchis californiensis), we quantified how killifish metabolism, behaviour, and osmoregulatory phenotype changed upon acute …

Escolar (Lepidocybium Flavobrunneum) Neurocranium, Meredith M. Pratt, Katerina D. Sawickij, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

Neurocranium prep of escolar Lepidocybium flavobrunneum obtained from longlining vessel.

The Complete Mitochondrial Genome Of A Gray Reef Shark, Carcharhinus Amblyrhynchos (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae), From The Western Indian Ocean, Ela Patel, Andrea Bernard, Marissa Mehlrose, Sydney Harned, Kimberly A. Finnegan, Cristin K. Fitzpatrick, James S. Lea, Mahmood S. Shivji

Biology Faculty Articles

We present the mitochondrial genome sequence of a gray reef shark, Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos (Bleeker 1856), a coral reef associated species. This is the first mitogenome for this species from the western Indian Ocean. The mitogenome is 16,705 bp in length, has 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and a non-coding control region, and demonstrates a gene arrangement congruent with other shark and most vertebrate species. This mitogenome provides a genomic resource for assisting with population, evolutionary and conservation studies for the gray reef shark, which is increasingly under threat from fisheries.

Nest Moisture Content Affects Loggerhead Hatchling Size And Neonate Development, Kelly M. Detmer

Scientific Communication News

No abstract provided.

Impacts Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Global Education, Santanu De

Biology Faculty Books and Book Chapters

Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been one of the most dreaded, recent pandemics impacting multifarious global sectors, including education. To control contagion, affected nations ordered academic campus closures and home-schooling plans. Schools, colleges, and universities underwent a paradigm shift adopting internet-based delivery of lectures, synchronously or asynchronously (recorded), with virtual labs. Medical education suffered significantly; suspending student internships in hospitals decreased practical exposure to clinical specialties, impairing students’ performance, and competency.Teachers of traditional classes, with technical assistance, undertook rigorous trainings to restructure pedagogical and assessment strategies online using web/mobile applications and other digital tools.

Strategies Of Plant Biotechnology To Meet The Increasing Demand Of Food And Nutrition In India, Santanu De

Biology Faculty Articles

A groundbreaking application of biotechnology research during the recent past has been improvement of crop health and production. India being one of the most rapidly developing countries with an enormous population and remarkable biodiversity, plant biotechnology promises significant potential to contribute to characterization and conservation of the biodiversity, increasing its usefulness. However, India’s green revolution was noted to be insufficient to feed the country's teeming millions. Therefore, novel approaches in crop biotechnology had to be aimed at ensuring better productivity and quality of cultivars. This paper provides a comprehensive review of research undertaken mainly in the last couple of decades …

The 14-3-3 (Ywha) Proteins In Mammalian Reproduction, Santanu De

Biology Faculty Articles

The 14-3-3 (YWHA or Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/Tryptophan 5-Monooxygenase Activation protein) is an acidic and homologous protein family involved in regulation of key biological events including cell cycle, signal transduction and development. They are highly conserved and are expressed ubiquitously across a wide variety of species ranging from plants to animals. Seven isoforms of 14-3-3 exist in mammals, which are encoded by separate genes, have tissue-specific, developmental stage-specific as well as isoform-specific presence and consequences. It is known that these proteins play significant roles in mitosis of mammalian cells and meiosis of amphibians. However, their effects on development and functioning of mammalian …

Are Pangolins Scapegoats Of The Covid-19 Outbreak-Cov Transmission And Pathology Evidence?, Siew Woh Choo, Jinfeng Zhou, Xuechen Tian, Siyuan Zhang, Shen Qiang, Stephen James O'Brien, Ka Yun Tan, Sara Platto, Klaus-Peter Koepfli, Agostinho Antunes, Frankie Thomas Sitam

Biology Faculty Articles

The COVID‐19 outbreak has infected over 6 million people across the world. The origin of COVID‐19 coronavirus (CoV) remains unknown, although pangolins have been suggested as potential hosts. We investigated two pangolins seized in Guangdong Province, China. Molecular screening revealed CoV in one pangolin (“Dahu”), while another (“Meidong”) was infected by Ehrlichia ruminantium. Dahu exhibited difficulty breathing, infections of lung, intestines, and nostrils, as revealed by computed tomography imaging and necropsy. Previous phylogenetic analyses showed bat coronavirus RaTG13 is closer to COVID‐19 CoV compared to pangolin coronavirus. Over 20 caregivers have had close physical contact with CoV‐positive Dahu, but …

Complete Genome Sequence Of Microcystis Aeruginosa Fd4, Isolated From A Subtropical River In Southwest Florida, Hidetoshi Urakawa, Taylor L. Hancock, Jacob H. Steele, Elizabeth K. Dahedl, Haruka E. Urakawa, Luka K. Ndungu, Lauren E. Krausfeldt, Barry H. Rosen, Jose V. Lopez

Biology Faculty Articles

We report the first complete genome of Microcystis aeruginosa from North America. A harmful bloom that occurred in the Caloosahatchee River in 2018 led to a state of emergency declaration in Florida. Although strain FD4 was isolated from this toxic bloom, the genome did not have a microcystin biosynthetic gene cluster.

To Feed Or Not To Feed: Examining The Effects Of Provisioning Tourism On Nurse Sharks In Caye Caulker, Belize, Carlee Jackson

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Wildlife tourism is increasing in popularity around the world, creating the need to understand alterations in animal behavior and spatial distributions that may occur due to associated anthropogenic disturbances. Nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum, Bonnaterre 1788) are commonly used for wildlife tourism within the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve in Belize. Shark and Ray Village (SRV) is a site within the reserve where nurse sharks are consistently fed by tour/snorkel boats to create an interactive experience with tourists, termed provisioning tourism. Prior to this experiment, no studies had been conducted in SRV to evaluate the impact of provisioning tourism (tourism …

Disruption Of Pyoverdine Synthesis In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Through Periodic Disturbance Of Biofilm Structure, Rebecca J. Quinn

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Infections due to bacteria were once easily treated using antibiotics. However, the effective shelf life of antibiotics is diminishing due to the rise and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Accordingly, novel approaches to treating infections are required. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a multi-drug resistant, biofilm forming opportunistic pathogen. A determinant of P. aeruginosa’s pathogenicity is pyoverdine, a siderophore that is used to sequester iron from the environment. After being produced by a bacterium, pyoverdine is secreted into the environment where it complexes with iron. The pyoverdine-iron complex is then returned to the bacteria through diffusion, where it drives the synthesis of …

Combined Edna And Acoustic Analysis Reflects Diel Vertical Migration Of Mixed Consortia In The Gulf Of Mexico, Cole G. Easson, Kevin M. Boswell, Nicholas Tucker, Joseph D. Warren, Jose V. Lopez

Biology Faculty Articles

Oceanic diel vertical migration (DVM) constitutes the daily movement of various mesopelagic organisms migrating vertically from depth to feed in shallower waters and return to deeper water during the day. Accurate classification of taxa that participate in DVM remains non-trivial, and there can be discrepancies between methods. DEEPEND consortium (www.deependconsortium.org) scientists have been characterizing the diversity and trophic structure of pelagic communities in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGoM). Profiling has included scientific echosounders to provide accurate and quantitative estimates of organismal density and timing as well as quantitative net sampling of micronekton. The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) can …

Impact Of Pyriproxyfen On Virus Behavior: Implications For Pesticide-Induced Virulence And Mechanism Of Transmission, Paula A. Faria Waziry, Aarti Raja, Chloe Salmon, Nathalia Aldana, Sruthi Damodar, Andre Rinaldi Fukushima, Bindu S. Mayi

Biology Faculty Articles

Background

More than 3 years since the last Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in Brazil, researchers are still deciphering the molecular mechanisms of neurovirulence and vertical transmission, as well as the best way to control spread of ZIKV, a flavivirus. The use of pesticides was the main strategy of mosquito control during the last ZIKV outbreak.

Methods

We used vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) as our prototypical virus to study the impact of insecticide pyriproxyfen (PPF). VZV-GFP infected and uninfected Jurkat, HeLa and trophoblast cells were treated with PPF and compared to untreated cells (control). Cell …

Detecting Personal Microbiota Signatures At Artificial Crime Scenes, Jarrad T. Hampton-Marcell, Peter Larsen, Tifani Anton, Lauren Cralle, Naseer Sangwan, Simon Lax, Neil Gottel, Mariana Salas-Garcia, Candace Young, George Duncan, Jose Lopez, Jack A. Gilbert

Biology Faculty Articles

When mapped to the environments we interact with on a daily basis, the 36 million microbial cells per hour that humans emit leave a trail of evidence that can be leveraged for forensic analysis. We employed 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to map unique microbial sequence variants between human skin and building surfaces in three experimental conditions: over time during controlled and uncontrolled incidental interactions with a door handle, and during multiple mock burglaries in ten real residences. We demonstrate that humans (n = 30) leave behind microbial signatures that can be used to track interaction with various surfaces within a …

Comparative Study Of Spectral Sensitivity, Irradiance Sensitivity, Spatial Resolution And Temporal Resolution In The Visual Systems Of Aratus Pisonii And Ocypode Quadrata, Ruchao Qian

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Autrum’s studies (1950, 1958) on terrestrial arthropods first revealed that the visual systems of arthropods reflected their lifestyles and habitats, demonstrating that rapidly moving predatory diurnal species tend to have better temporal resolution than slower moving nocturnal species. In order to test Autrum’s hypothesis that visual adaptions are driven by predator/prey interactions, the visual physiology of a nocturnal fast-moving predatory crab, the Atlantic ghost crab (Ocypode quadrata), and a diurnal herbivorous crab, the mangrove tree crab (Aratus pisonii), was examined and compared. Spectral sensitivity, irradiance sensitivity, and temporal resolution of the crabs were quantified using the …

How Can We Change Gut Microbiota For Healthy Lives?, Elizaveta Shmakova

Scientific Communication News

No abstract provided.

Development Of "Sharkavir": A Hypothetical Inhibitor For Hiv-1 Protease, Matthew Hunt, Feza Abbas, Lyla Abbas, Mina Ghali, Helana Ghali, Alesa Chabbra, Emily Schmitt Lavin, Arthur Sikora

Biology Faculty Proceedings, Presentations, Speeches, Lectures

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects approximately 37 million people worldwide and results in over 1 million deaths annually. A class of drugs first developed in 1995 inhibits the enzyme HIV‐1 protease, thus preventing the maturation of an HIV precursor protein. There are now over 10 protease inhibitors available to treat HIV. Multiple mutations in the protein have made this treatment less effective. The CREST (Connecting Researchers, Educators, and STudents) team at Nova Southeastern University modeled the interaction between HIV‐1 protease and its competitive inhibitors. Darunavir is currently one of the strongest competitive inhibitors, as it binds effectively to the substrate …

Asd Symptoms In Individuals: A Comparison Of Treatments, Ali Khan

BIO4960: Practicum in Biology I

Background: Research, as described in the different articles chosen for comparison, indicates that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly experience difficulties in displaying good memory, proper social communication, and doing physical activities.
Purpose: To determine and compare which treatment type—physical therapy, psychotherapy, or pharmacotherapy—is commonly used and effective for treating what specific symptom of ASD (primarily in children and adolescent diagnosed subjects that are experiencing difficulties).
Methods: 10 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2020 from different Databases, including CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE (ProQuest), and EMBASE.com, were retrieved.
Results: Thorough examination of the 10 selected studies indicate that all 4 …