Biology Commons^™

Homeotic Gene Teashirt (Tsh) Has A Neuroprotective Function In Amyloid-Beta 42 Mediated Neurodegeneration, Michael T. Moran, Meghana Tare, Madhuri Kango-Singh, Amit Singh

Biology Faculty Publications

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating age related progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of cognition, and eventual death of the affected individual. One of the major causes of AD is the accumulation of Amyloid-beta 42 (Aβ42) polypeptides formed by the improper cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the brain. These plaques disrupt normal cellular processes through oxidative stress and aberrant signaling resulting in the loss of synaptic activity and death of the neurons. However, the detailed genetic mechanism(s) responsible for this neurodegeneration still remain elusive.

Methodology/Principal Findings: We have generated a transgenic Drosophila eye model where …

Gene Expression Studies For The Analysis Of Domoic Acid Production In The Marine Diatom Pseudo-Nitzschia Multiseries, Katie Boissonneault, Brooks M. Henningsen, Stephen S. Bates, Deborah L. Robertson, Sean Milton, Jerry Pelletier, Deborah A. Hogan, David E. Housman

Dartmouth Scholarship

Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries Hasle (Hasle) (Ps-n) is distinctive among the ecologically important marine diatoms because it produces the neurotoxin domoic acid. Although the biology of Ps-n has been investigated intensely, the characterization of the genes and biochemical pathways leading to domoic acid biosynthesis has been limited. To identify transcripts whose levels correlate with domoic acid production, we analyzed Ps-n under conditions of high and low domoic acid production by cDNA microarray technology and reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) methods. Our goals included identifying and validating robust reference genes for Ps-n RNA expression analysis under these conditions.

The Envenoming Pandemic And The Misguided Views Of Snakes: Developing Sustainable Relationships Between Native Poisonous Snakes Of India And The Citizens Of Maharashtra Through The Use Of The Irula Model., Destiny Villanueva

Animal Science

Due to its vast population and general negative consensus regarding snakes, India is notorious for having more snakebite incidents than any other country. Snakes are simultaneously revered and feared in Indian religion and culture. This stigma is perpetuated through propaganda, family beliefs, and innate fears of snakes.These stigmas are more pronounced within rural areas, such as the region of Mahad within the state of Maharshtra. Envenoming is endemic in these areas, and others like them. The World Health Organization identified envenoming as one of the most neglected tropical diseases of the 21st century (Nature India, 2013). Additionally, both nonvenomous and …

The Tadpole Of Leptodactylus Caatingae Heyer & Juncá, 2003 (Anura: Leptodactylidae): External Morphology, Internal Anatomy, And Natural History, Felipe De Madeiros Magalhães, Adrian Antonio Garda, Ralita Ferreira Amado, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

We describe and illustrate the external morphology, oral disc, chondrocranium, and internal oral anatomy of Leptodactylus caatingae larvae. We analyze the internal oral anatomy using scanning electron microscopy of a larva in Gosner, stage 38 and chondrocranial anatomy is reported for Gosner stage 34. The tadpole at Gosner stage 38 has a globular body shape with low tail fins and a ventral oral disc bordered by two rows of marginal papillae on most of the disc, except for the anterior labium and a medial portion of the posterior labium where papillae are simple; a wide rostral gap is present, labial …

Decomposition Patterns And Nitrogen Dynamics Of Black Mangrove (Avicennia Germinans)Leaf Litter In Disturbed Estuaries Linked To The Lower Laguna Madre, Texas, Mario Alberto Marquez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Estuaries are among the most productive aquatic systems in the world but are subject to both anthropogenic and natural disturbances. With increasing environmental concerns, efforts have become commonplace in assessing the status and trends of environmental conditions. In this study, an assessment of ecosystem status of various estuaries affected by different disturbances, was attempted through the examination of key functional processes such as leaf litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics during decay. Three estuaries located along the Brownsville Ship Channel near the southern terminus of the Lower Laguna Madre in Texas were studied. The overlying goal of this study was to …

Multiple C-Terminal Tails Within A Single E. Coli Ssb Homotetramer Coordinate Dna Replication And Repair, Edwin Antony, Elizabeth Weiland, Quan Yuan, Carol M. Manhart, Binh Nguyen, Alexander G. Kozlov, Charles S. Mchenry, Timothy M. Lohman

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Escherichia coli single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) plays essential roles in DNA replication, recombination and repair. SSB functions as a homotetramer with each subunit possessing a DNA binding domain (OB-fold) and an intrinsically disordered C-terminus, of which the last nine amino acids provide the site for interaction with at least a dozen other proteins that function in DNA metabolism. To examine how many C-termini are needed for SSB function, we engineered covalently linked forms of SSB that possess only one or two C-termini within a four-OB-fold “tetramer”. Whereas E. coli expressing SSB with only two tails can survive, expression …

Effect Of Mycorrhizal Colonization And Light Limitation On Growth And Reproduction Of Lima Bean (Phaseolus Lunatus L.), Daniel J. Ballhorn, Jess A. Millar

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Plants can respond with sink stimulation of photosynthesis when colonized with fungal or bacterial root symbionts, compensating costs of carbohydrate allocation to the microbes. However, constraints may arise under light limitation when plants cannot extensively increase photosynthesis. We hypothesize that under such conditions the costs for maintaining the symbiosis outweigh the benefits, ultimately turning the mutualist microbes into parasites, resulting in reduced plant growth and reproduction.

Using lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) as experimental plant, we applied two levels of light (full light, 75% shading) and microbial inoculation (sterile soil, mycorrhizal fungi) and quantified both vegetative and generative plant …

Choreography Of Silk Spinning Behavior In Webspinners (Embioptera): Phylogenetic Signal Or A Microhabitat Dance?, Janice Edgerly-Rooks

Biology

Silk spinning defines the morphologically constrained embiopterans. All individuals spin for protection, including immatures, adult males and the wingless females. Enlarged front tarsi are packed with silk glands and clothed with ejectors. They spin by stepping with their front feet and releasing silk against substrates and onto pre-existing silk, often cloth-like. Spinning is stereotypical and appears to differ between species in frequency and probability of transition between two spin-step positions. This spinning choreography was assessed using thousands of spin-steps scored in the laboratory for 22 species to test (1) the body size hypothesis predicting that spinning would be more complex …

Proprioception And Tension Receptors In Crab Limbs: Student Laboratory Exercises, Zana R. Majeed, Josh Titlow, H. Bernard Hartman, Robin L. Cooper

Biology Faculty Publications

The primary purpose of these procedures is to demonstrate for teaching and research purposes how to record the activity of living primary sensory neurons responsible for proprioception as they are detecting joint position and movement, and muscle tension. Electrical activity from crustacean proprioceptors and tension receptors is recorded by basic neurophysiological instrumentation, and a transducer is used to simultaneously measure force that is generated by stimulating a motor nerve. In addition, we demonstrate how to stain the neurons for a quick assessment of their anatomical arrangement or for permanent fixation. Staining reveals anatomical organization that is representative of chordotonal organs …

Changes In Soil Carbon Sequestration In Pinus Massoniana Forests Along An Urban-To-Rural Gradient Of Southern China, H. Chen, W. Zhang, Frank S. Gilliam, L. Liu, J. Huang, T. Zhang, W. Wang, J. Mo

Biological Sciences Faculty Research

Urbanization is accelerating globally, causing a variety of environmental changes such as increases in air temperature, precipitation, atmospheric CO₂, and nitrogen (N) deposition. However, the effects of these changes on forest soil carbon (C) sequestration remain largely unclear. Here, we used urban-to-rural environmental gradients in Guangdong Province, southern China, to address the potential effects of these environmental changes on soil C sequestration in Pinus massoniana forests. In contrast to our expectations and earlier observations, soil C content in urban sites was significantly lower than that in suburban and rural sites. Lower soil C pools in urban sites were …

Detection Of Foodborne Pathogens By Micro-Filtration Using A Continuous Cell Concentrator Device, Klaire E. Jeffries, Eduardo Ximenes, Michael R. Ladisch

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Protecting consumers from foodborne illness is an important health concern facing the food industry today. An important deficiency exposed by foodborne illness is the inability to track contaminated food back to the source in a timely manner. Although there are established methods that detect bacterial pathogen contamination, they are limited in distinguishing viable bacteria reliably and quickly. Currently, food pathogen testing requires lengthy culture steps, which many times are delayed even longer due to the lack of in-house testing labs. Typically, two to three days elapses between when the food is sampled and the test results are available. This study …

Identification Of Set1 Target Genes, William Beyer, Scott D. Briggs

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

The Set1 complex, a histone methyltransferase complex found in S. cerevisiae (budding yeast), is the only histone methyltransferase responsible for catalyzing methylation of histone H3 at Lysine 4. It possesses homologues in other species, humans included. While yeast only have the Set1 complex, the human homologues of the yeast Set1 complex include mixed-lineage leukemia family (MLL1-4), Set1 A, Set1 B, among others. MLL1-4 has been shown to play a role in transcription, cell type specification, and the development of leukemia. One application of characterizing the role of a protein is that the information gained can provide insight into the function …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Nucleic Acid-Functionalized Nanomaterials, Brianna S. Carroll, Jong Hyun Choi

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Motor proteins such as kinesin move along microtubules in order to transport cellular cargos throughout the cell by obtaining energy from RNA hydrolysis which allows the cell to complete the tasks needed to stay alive. In this work, we developed synthetic molecular motors using DNA enzymes (DNAzyme) and fluorescent nanomaterials which mimic the functions and structures of motor proteins. A DNAzyme-capped CdS nanoparticle and a RNA-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) were used as a walker and a track in the motor platform, respectively. As a walking mechanism, the DNAzyme cleaved the RNA substrates in the presence of metal cations. The …

Muc1 Regulates Expression Of Multiple Micrornas Involved In Pancreatic Tumor Progression, Including The Mir-200c/141 Cluster, Ashley M. Mohr, Jennifer M. Bailey, Michelle E. Lewallen, Xiang Liu, Prakash Radhakrishnan, Fang Yu, William Tapprich, Michael A. Hollingsworth

Biology Faculty Publications

MUC1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that modulates transcription via its cytoplasmic domain. We evaluated the capacity of MUC1 to regulate the global transcription of microRNAs in pancreatic cancer cells expressing MUC1. Results indicated that MUC1 regulated expression of at least 103 microRNAs. We evaluated further regulation of the microRNA transcript cluster miR-200c/141, which was among the most highly regulated microRNAs. We found that MUC1 directly interacted with ZEB1, a known transcriptional repressor of the miR-200c/141 cluster, at the promoter of miR-200c/141, and further reduced transcript production. These data indicate that signaling through MUC1 influences cancer progression by regulating transcription of …

An Investigation Into The Presynaptic Actions By Which Amphetamine Activates Dopamine Signaling Within Striatal Subregions Of The Rat., Dan P. Covey

Theses and Dissertations

Despite decades of intense research and a consensus view in the field, the work presented herein provides strong evidence that the primary mechanism of amphetamine action should be re-evaluated. Rather than depleting vesicular dopamine stores and promoting non-exocytotic efflux through the dopamine transporter in vivo, recent evidence demonstrates that amphetamine augments phasic dopamine signaling instead. This signaling modality is critical for reinforcement learning and is dependent on intact vesicular stores. The new findings support over-activation of phasic dopamine signaling as a common mechanism in the addiction process.

Zebrafish Cytosolic Carboxypeptidases 1 And 5 Are Essential For Embryonic Development, Peter J. Lyons, Matthew R. Sapio, Lloyd D. Fricker

Faculty Publications

The cytosolic carboxypeptidases (CCPs) are a subfamily of metalloenzymes within the larger M14 family of carboxypeptidases that have been implicated in the post-translational modification of tubulin. It has been suggested that at least four of the six mammalian CCPs function as tubulin deglutamylases. However, it is not yet clear whether these enzymes play redundant or unique roles within the cell. To address this question, genes encoding CCPs were identified in the zebrafish genome. Analysis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction indicated that CCP1, CCP2, CCP5, and CCP6 mRNAs were detectable between 2 h and 8 days postfertilization with highest levels 5–8 …

The Rootscope: A Simple High-Throughput Screening System For Quantitating Gene Expression Dynamics In Plant Roots, Erin J. Kast , '15, Minh-Duyen T. Nguyen , '13, Rosalie E. Lawrence , '12, Christina Rabeler, Nicholas J. Kaplinsky

Biology Faculty Works

Background: High temperature stress responses are vital for plant survival. The mechanisms that plants use to sense high temperatures are only partially understood and involve multiple sensing and signaling pathways. Here we describe the development of the RootScope, an automated microscopy system for quantitating heat shock responses in plant roots.Results: The promoter of Hsp17.6 was used to build a Hsp17.6(p):GFP transcriptional reporter that is induced by heat shock in Arabidopsis. An automated fluorescence microscopy system which enables multiple roots to be imaged in rapid succession was used to quantitate Hsp17.6p: GFP response dynamics. Hsp17.6(p):GFP signal increased with temperature increases from …

Defining Species Concepts: Testing Species Boundaries Of Sceloporus Grammicus, Daniel H. Chappell, Dr. Jack W. Sites

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Species concepts are the methods biologists use to name and describe species. There are many important reasons for having an empirically based species concept. Species definitions are important to the fields of population biology and phylogenetics.

Use Of Esem And Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Microanalysis To Study Leaf Surfaces Of Austrian Pine, Joseph Donaldson, Dr. Wilford M. Hess

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The following is a report of an investigation on the effects of air pollution on Austrian pine needles. The report will state the initial question, how the report was carried out, the results of the investigation, and our conclusions. Additionally, it will report on publication and presentation of the research.

Can A Flea See? An Investigation Of Flea Opsin (Flopsin), Sean David Taylor, Dr. Michael F. Whiting

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Visual pigments are responsible for conferring visual perceptual abilities to animals. Various pigments are tuned to absorb light of different wavelengths and to provide contrast and movement perception. All pigments consist of an opsin protein and a chromophore molecule, usually a carotene derivative. Interactions between the chromophore and amino acid residues of opsin fine-tune visual pigments for the absorption of different wavelengths. Opsin variants can tune visual pigments to absorb wavelengths in the ultraviolet, blue, green, and red regions of the spectrum (Briscoe and Chittka 2001).

Phylogeny And Conservation Of The Utah Land Snail Oreohelix Peripherica (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Camaenidae), Ashley Nelson, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This study of the Oreohelix peripherica land snail is a continuation of a study sponsored last year by ORCA. In 1993, Ecosearch, Inc. suggested that O. p. wasatchensis, located at Rainbow Gardens near Ogden, deserved being upgraded to having an endangered status according to the US Endangered Species Act because of its reduced area of occurrence and the depletion of its habitat. The phylogenetic hypothesis gathered from the data obtained in last year’s study suggests that the Rainbow Gardens samples are not endemic to that area because they are genetically similar to other populations from different localities. Since the population …

Testing Cognition In Amazona Spp, Heidi Francis, Dr. Steven L. Peck

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Animal intelligence has been studied for years, yet very few people are aware that parrots are ranked near the top with regards to cognition. For almost 20 years Dr. Irene Pepperberg has been teaching African Grey parrots to communicate using language, these birds then use English words to verbally answer questions testing their intelligence level. (Pepperberg, 1995) The teaching method used to do this is called the Model/Rival technique. For my research I chose to test whether this same technique could be used to teach a different species of parrot. Because of their speaking ability and large brain sizes comparable …

Patterns Of Paternity In Clutches Of Giant Amazon River Turtles, Podocnemis Expansa, From Venezuela, R. Brigham Dastrup, Dr. Jack W. Sites, Devon E. Pearse

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In recent years, molecular genetic data have shown that multiple paternity occurs in groups of offspring in many taxa. Though multiple paternity has been found in a wide variety of turtles (Pearse and Avise 2001), limited clutch size and/or small number of total clutches assayed has limited the evaluation of the frequency of multiple paternity within the population or the relative contributions of the respective sires. I have analyzed data from 32 clutches of the giant river turtle Podocnemis expansa from the Orinoco River in Venezuela and present here results on 29 of these clutches. Large clutch sizes of this …

Homing Behavior Of The Limpet Species Collisella Scabra Living On The Limpet Species Lottia Gigantea, David Baugh, Dr. Lee F. Braithwaite

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Limpets are one-shelled marine mollusks that live on rocky beaches in the intertidal zone. The limpet species Collisella scabra is also found living on the shell of the limpet species L. gigantea. C. scabra exhibits an interesting phenomenon known as homing. This means that while not feeding, C. scabra are always found on the same spot on the rock or shell where they live. The C. scabra leave this spot, known as a home scar, to feed, but always return to it after they are done feeding. In this research, Chris Miller, Bryant Low, Christian Armstrong, and I examined the …

A Phylogeny Of Robber Flies (Diptera: Asilidae) At The Subfamilial Level: Molecular Evidence, Seth Mikaya Bybee, Dr. Michael Whiting

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Robber flies (Diptera: Asilidae) comprise one of the largest groups of extant flies (Hull, 1962). Asilids constitute more than 500 genera (Woodley, 1989) and more than 5500 species (Lehr, 1988) with a worldwide distribution except Antarctica. Species range in size from less than one centimeter to nearly eight centimeters in length, and their prey consist of both small and large insects caught largely in flight. Asilid color patterns are simple: usually black, gray, or bronze, although some more colorful species appear to mimic bees and wasps. All members of the group, including the problematic group Leptogastrinae (thread-waisted robber flies), form …

Molecular Phylogeny Of The Rodent Genus Liomys: Evidence From The Mitochondrial Cytochrome B Gene, Victoria L. Vance, Dr. Duke S. Rogers

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The number of species described in the world greatly underestimates its biodiversity, especially in some of the areas more rich in diversity such as Mexico. Once the biodiversity in a region is understood, the issues of management and conservation can be addressed. Spiny pocket mice of the genus Liomys are members of the rodent family Heteromyidae and are grouped with the genus Heteromys in the subfamily Heteromyinae. The genus Liomys has a rather broad geographic distribution that extends from Texas to Panama and consists of five recognized species: L. irroratus, L. pictus, L. spectabilis, L. salvini, and L. adespersus.

Evolutionary Genetics Of Balanomorpha Barnacles, Margaret E. Wright, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Barnacles are one of the most commonly encountered marine organisms. They live along the intertidal shores and can easily be seen attached to rocks or pilings. Barnacles have a rich history of study. Many scientists have been interested in these curious organisms. One such scientist was the great naturalist Charles Darwin. The research he begun on barnacles has been continued for over two centuries, yet, after all that time we still know very little about their phylogenic relationships (family tree). The origins and diversity of this unique invertebrate are not understood as well as they should be, given so many …

Tnf: Structure And Function, Raymond W. Grams Ii, Dr. David A. Mcclellan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

TNF-á is a cytokine released from activated macrophages and mast cells. It was identified a little over three decades ago as a protein responsible for lysis of certain types of cells, with specificity for tumor cells. Despite hopes as an anti-tumor agent, significant cytotoxic effects have excluded TNF-á from targeted therapies against multiple diseases such as osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, cancer, allograft rejection, and autoimmune disorders. In order to understand the pleiotropic effects expressed by TNF-á, researchers have attempted to map the functional regions of this gene hoping to discover the amino acid residues related to receptor binding and differentiation, and cytotoxicity. …

The Way Genetic Codes Differentially Filter Molecular Evolution Varies With Nucleotide Substitution Rate Parameters, Ryan G. Christensen, Dr. David Mcclellan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The nuclei of most extant organisms utilize the universal or standard genetic code. Other codes (e.g. vertebrate, invertebrate, echinoderm, ascidian and insect mitochondrial codes) are quite similar to the universal code (Osawa 1995).

Spatial Analysis Predictive Model Map For Reintroduced Bighorn Sheep Winter Range Areas Along The Wasatch Front Mountains, Jericho C. Whiting, Dr. Jerran T. Flinders

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) are native to the central and northern mountain ranges in Utah. They were historically abundant and extensively used by the resident Native Americans. Due to various anthropological influences, most northern populations were presumed extinct by the 1930s with only several scattered sightings reported until the 1960s (Karpowitz and Stewart 2000).