Biology Commons^™

Functional Connection Between Yeast Dynamin And Retromer At The Endosome, Christopher Robert Trousdale

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Intracellular trafficking from the late endosome to Golgi in cells is termed retrograde transport, essential for recycling of important macromolecules including cell membrane receptors. Retrograde transport is regulated by a family of proteins known as the "Retromer” composed of 5 VPS proteins (Vps5, Vps17, Vps26, Vps29, and Vps35). Retromer acts as the coat proteins for vesicles emerging from late endosomes. Loss of Retromer function has been previously implicated in both Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Vps1, a yeast dynamin-like protein, plays a role in intracellular trafficking. Vps1 has been shown to localize at the endocytic sites to promote pinching off of …

Nesting Success And Parental Behavior Of The Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria Citrea) In Southwestern Missouri, Kathryn Marie Siverly

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The breeding biology and singing rates of Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea) were studied in southwestern Missouri in 2014 and 2015, using wooden nesting boxes. Data were collected on clutch and brood sizes, the numbers of young fledged, parental care and male singing rates. Five pairs were studied over the course of the two summers. Of 28 eggs laid, 14 young fledged. In 2015, significant flooding resulted in the loss of all young and eggs for that year. First clutches were larger than second clutches. Observations suggest females may contribute more to the care of offspring, in terms of foraging and …

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Promotes Peripheral And Central Trigeminal Sensitization, Lauren Elise Cornelison

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Temporomandibular joint disorder is characterized by peripheral and central sensitization of trigeminal nociceptive neurons. Although CGRP is implicated in the development of central sensitization by stimulating glial activation via its receptor, the mechanism by which CGRP promotes and maintains sensitization of trigeminal nociceptive neurons is not well understood. The goal of my study was to investigate the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on the initiation and maintenance of a nocifensive withdrawal response to mechanical stimulation following activation of primary trigeminal sensory neurons. For my studies, I used adult male Sprague Dawley rats that were injected with CGRP alone or …

The Diversification Of Developmental Biology, Nathan Crowe, Michael Dietrich, Beverly S. Alomepe, Bay Lauris Byrnesim

Dartmouth Scholarship

In the 1960s, \"developmental biology\" became the dominant term to describe some of the research that had previously been included under the rubrics of embryology, growth, morphology, and physiology. As scientific societies formed under this new label, a new discipline took shape. Historians, however, have a number of different perspectives on what changes led to this new field of developmental biology and how the field itself was constituted during this period. Using the General Embryological Information Service, a global index of post-World War II development-related research, we have documented and visualized significant changes in the kinds of research that occurred …

Biodiversity Comparison Among Phylogenetic Diversity Metrics And Between Three North American Prairies, P. Roxanne (Steele) Kellar, Dakota Ahrendsen, Shelly K. Aust, Amanda R. Jones, J. Chris Pires

Biology Faculty Publications

Protection of Earth’s ecosystems requires identification of geographical areas of greatest biodiversity. Assessment of biodiversity begins with knowledge of the evolutionary histories of species in a geographic area. Multiple phylogenetic diversity (PD) metrics have been developed to describe biodiversity beyond species counts, but sufficient empirical studies, particularly at fine phylogenetic scales, have not been conducted to provide conservation planners with evidence for incorporating PD metrics into selection of priority regions. We review notable studies that are contributing to a growing database of empirical results, we report on the effect of using high-throughput sequencing to estimate the phylogenies used to calculate …

Detrital Stoichiometry As A Critical Nexus For The Effects Of Streamwater Nutrients On Leaf Litter Breakdown Rates, David W. P. Manning, Amy D. Rosemond, John S. Kominoski, Vladislav Gulis, Jonathan P. Benstead, John C. Maerz

Biology Faculty Publications

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations are elevated in many freshwater systems, stimulating breakdown rates of terrestrially derived plant litter; however, the relative importance of N and P in driving litter breakdown via microbial and detritivore processing are not fully understood. Here, we determined breakdown rates of two litter species, Acer rubrum (maple) and Rhododendron maximum (rhododendron), before (PRE) and during two years (YR1, YR2) of experimental N and P additions to five streams, and quantified the relative importance of hypothesized factors contributing to breakdown. Treatment streams received a gradient of P additions (low to high soluble reactive phosphorus [SRP]; …

The Effects Of Clinorotation In The Host Plant, Medicago Truncatula, And Its Microbial Symbionts, Ariel Dauzart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this research was to understand mutualistic relationships between plants and endophytic microbes under the influence of an altered gravity vector. Understanding the outcome of the plant-microbe symbiosis in altered gravity is vital to developing life support systems for long distance space travel and colonization of other planets. This research utilized the model tripartite relationship among Medicago truncatula–Sinorhizobium meliloti–Rhizophagus irregularis. Plants were inoculated with rhizobial bacteria (S. meliloti), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (R. irregularis), both microbes, or none (microbial control), and placed on a rotating clinostat for 28 d. Vertical and horizontal static controls were also performed. Plant development …

Bridging In Vi Tro & In S Il Ico Techniques: Uncovering The Structural Characteristics And Light-Dependent Modifications Of The Light-Response Btb Proteins In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Nicholas Reitz

Masters Theses

The conjugation of the NEDD8 protein has been found to cause a wide range of changes to the overall function of a protein. The addition of NEDD8 to a conserved lysine on Cul proteins has been found to provide Cul with increased flexibility, while the transcription factor protein p53 was prevented from binding to DNA after NEDD8 conjugation. Using Arabidopsis thaliana, we investigated the potential conjugation of NEDD8 to the AtLRB1 and AtLRB2 proteins, which are both members of Cul3-RING E3 Ubiquitin Ligase complexes, using both in vitro and in silico techniques. The AtLRBs are negative regulators of the red …

A Novel Mechanism To Explain Success Of Invasive Herbaceous Species At The Expense Of Natives In Eastern Hardwood Forests, Frank S. Gilliam

Biological Sciences Faculty Research

Among the more intriguing topics in general ecology courses are the symbiotic relationships (the ‘-isms’ as I sometimes present them – mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism). Of these, mutualism is typically the most appealing to students. The scenario that different species can not only co-exist, but can also provide essential resources/services for one another, resonates well with all but the least interested in the course. Ultimately, however, there is also the palpable degree of dismay when they discover that these relationships arise from mutual exploitation, rather than from some benign force of nature. A flip-side of this, in many ways a …

The Role Of Rnai In Downregulation Of Physcomitrella Patens Defense Genes And The Preliminary Steps Of Peg Mediated Transformation Of Mosses, Adam Beswick

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

When attacked by a pathogen, the moss Physcomitrella patens will undergo both a hypersensitive response (HR) as well as a systematic acquired resistance (SAR) response. The SAR response turns on genes that ready the plant for future pathogen attacks. The hormone jasmonic acid (JA) is one of the products of SAR response in P. patens. In this study interference RNA (RNAi) was used to decrease gene expression of the allene oxide cyclase (ACe) gene, a key gene in the production pathway of JA. Using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), RNAi was found to significantly lower ACC gene levels …

The Ontogenetic Effects On The Shell Strength Of Turtles, Dakota Wayne Speck

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The shell of a turtle acts as its first line of defense by resisting the compressive forces applied by a potential predator. Changes in shell size and shape that are associated with ontogenesis and sexual dimorphism have been shown to greatly impact the strength a turtle's shell in a variety of species. Here I have tested the effects of ontogenetic changes on the shell strength of Graptemys geographica. The results suggest that the morphological changes that occur during ontogenesis work to increase the overall strength of the shell. The data did not show any obvious morphological or mechanical differences between …

Experimental Evolution Of Specialism In A Wild Virus, Alexander Kula

Master's Theses

A pathogen's ability to successfully replicate and persist within a new host population is fraught with obstacles. While an expanded host-range allows for a greater chance at successful replication, such generalists are typically outcompeted by species which have specialized and adapted host-specific features. Although the most ubiquitous species on earth, very few bacteria-infecting viral species (bacteriophages) with truly broad host-ranges have been identified; this is partially due to the fact that only a small fraction of bacteria (and thus likely hosts) are amenable to laboratory conditions. Nevertheless, the processes of expanding as well as narrowing host-range are not well understood …

Directed Evolution Of Genetic Regulatory Elements Using Crispr/Cas Genome Engineering, Candice J. Coppola

Summer Community of Scholars Posters (RCEU and HCR Combined Programs)

No abstract provided.

Hannah Huddle: Visually Comparing Art And Science, Mark Hardison

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Hannah Huddle, a junior at VCU majoring in communications arts with a concentration in scientific illustration, has been working on a research project with VCU biology professor Dr. Lesley Bulluck, and a group of six students, researching the Prothonotary Warbler. Unlike most researchers, Huddle is both studying the biology of the bird and making illustrations of the bird and the research involving the Warbler.

Community Chairs As A Catalyst For Campus Collaboration In Stem, Neal Grandgenett, David Boocker, Hesham Ali, Angela M. Hodge, Brian Dorn, Christine E. Cutucache

Biology Faculty Publications

Strong collaborative partnerships are critical to the ongoing success of any urban or metropolitan university in its efforts to build the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career pathways so critical to our nation. At the University of Nebraska at Omaha, we have established a faculty leadership structure of "community chairs" that work across colleges to support campus priorities. This paper describes UNO’s STEM community chair model, including selected initiatives, impacts, and challenges to date.

Facing A Changing World: Thermal Physiology Of American Pikas (Ochotona Princeps), Hans W. Otto, James A. Wilson, Erik A. Beever

Biology Faculty Publications

American pikas (Ochotona princeps) are of concern with respect to warming montane temperatures; however, little information exists regarding their physiological ability to adapt to warming temperatures. Previous studies have shown that pikas have high metabolism and low thermal conductance, which allow survival during cold winters. It has been hypothesized that these characteristics may be detrimental, given the recent warming trends observed in montane ecosystems. We examined resting metabolic rate, surface activity, and den and ambient temperatures (Ta) of pikas in late summer (August 2011 and 2012) at 2 locations in the Rocky Mountains. Resting metabolic rate was calculated to be …

Global Sensitivity Analysis Of A Dynamic Model For Gene Expression In Drosophila Embryos, Gregory D. Mccarthy, Robert A. Drewell, Jacqueline M. Dresch

Biology

It is well known that gene regulation is a tightly controlled process in early organismal development. However, the roles of key processes involved in this regulation, such as transcription and translation, are less well understood, and mathematical modeling approaches in this field are still in their infancy. In recent studies, biologists have taken precise measurements of protein and mRNA abundance to determine the relative contributions of key factors involved in regulating protein levels in mammalian cells. We now approach this question from a mathematical modeling perspective. In this study, we use a simple dynamic mathematical model that incorporates terms representing …

Generation And Partial Characterization Of Testes Specific Promotor Sequences In Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Rohini Rajendran

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The cAMP response element modulator (CREM) regulates cAMP- responsive genes and is an important component of the cAMP mediated signal transduction in spermatogenesis. CREM has a regulatory relationship with Inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) which acts as a tumor suppressor and is a dominant negative transcriptional repressor with gonadal specific properties. ICER is also known to moderate cAMP antiproliferative actions and has been targeted in the past for expression in the ovaries of transgenic mouse models to generate higher levels of ovulation. Earlier studies on mice lacking the CREM gene have shown severe impairment in spermatogenesis.

Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein …

Special Speciation, Lyn L. Countryman, Jill D. Maroo

Faculty Publications

Considerable anecdotal evidence indicates that some of the most difficult concepts that both high school and undergraduate elementary-education students struggle with are those surrounding evolutionary principles, especially speciation. It’s no wonder that entry-level biology students are confused, when biologists have multiple definitions of “species.” We developed this speciation activity to provide clarity and allow students a hands-on experience with a speciation model.

Impacts Of Climate, Geography And White-Nose Syndrome Mortality On The Population Genetic Structure And Variation Of Myotis Lucifugus In The Eastern United States, Shannon Marie Dodge Morgan

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

A myriad of biotic and abiotic factors contribute to the fluctuations in geographic range and size of animal populations. In the Nearctic, bat species have experienced drastic historic changes in available habitat due to Pleistocene glaciations, and are recently imperiled by the introduction of a novel fungal pathogen, Pseudogymnoascus destructans within the last decade. Myotis lucifugus in particular has lost 90-95% of the population in the eastern US due to the fungal disease White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). A population decline of this magnitude will likely result in a loss of allelic diversity as a result of a genetic bottleneck. My study …

Understanding Transcriptional Enhancement In Monoclonal Antibody-Producing Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells, Sarah E. Nicoletti

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

With the demand for monoclonal antibody (mAB) therapeutics continually increasing, the need to better understand what makes a high productivity clone has gained substantial interest. Monoclonal antibody producing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells with different productivities were provided by a biopharmaceutical company for investigation. Gene copy numbers, mRNA levels, and mAb productivities were previously determined for two low producing clones and their amplified progeny. These results showed an increase in mRNA copy number in amplified clones, which correlated to the observed increases in specific productivity of these clones. The presence of multiple copies of mRNA per one copy of DNA …

Human Feeding Biomechanics : Intraspecific Variation And Evolution, Justin Ledogar

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This study examines feeding biomechanics in modern human crania and those of extinct early members of the human lineage in order to better understand the selective pressures that influenced human craniofacial evolution. Specifically, this study uses finite element analysis to examine: 1) human feeding performance, in terms bite force production and craniofacial strength; 2) intraspecific variation in human feeding biomechanics; 3) feeding biomechanics in fossil hominins, including Australopithecus sediba and Homo habilis, species that are potentially at the root of modern human lineage, and 4) the functional role of purported facial buttresses.

Characterization Of R-Plasmid Dependent Single-Stranded Rna Phages : Interactions Of Phage Hgal1 With Five Enterobacteriaceae Species, Sherin Kannoly

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Viruses in general have a narrow host range, usually infecting a single or very closely related host species. Recently, emerging diseases in human populations have been increasingly attributed to host range expansion in animal viruses. Many studies have investigated host range expansion in model systems involving animal viruses and potential hosts. My study describes the development of a model system that uses a single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) phage and five Enterobacteriaceae species. The study involved: I) Characterization of two ssRNA phages, Hgal1 and C-1, and assessing their abilities to infect multiple hosts, II) Developing and characterizing a model system involving an …

Rna Aptamer Mediated Manipulation Of The 70 Kilodalton Heat Shock Protein Chaperone Machinery, Deepak Thirunavukarasu

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Protein quality control involves refolding of damaged proteins and facilitating degradation of irreparable proteins. Understanding the protein quality control mechanism is critical, since defects in it has been implicated in a number of age-related diseases like neurodegenerative diseases and also in cancer. A vast network of molecular chaperones and proteolytic systems collaborate to maintain protein quality control. The 70 kilodalton Heat shock protein (Hsp70) is a highly conserved and ubiquitous chaperone, which interacts with a variety of protein substrates including newly synthesized polypeptides, unfolded, partially misfolded and native proteins to maintain protein quality control. Hsp70 chaperone function is coupled to …

Evolution Of Viral Host Recognition Through Multiple Pathways, Sara Stark

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Most viruses are specialists and have a narrow host range, infecting only a single species or host strain. However, many of the viruses currently responsible for causing emerging infectious diseases are generalists and able to infect a wider host range. Viruses that are able to infect multiple hosts are more likely to continue expanding their host range and infecting additional species. The ability to infect a novel host is a complex process. The first step required to acquire the ability to infect a novel host is host recognition; the host recognition binding protein on the virus must be able to …

Rna Aptamers For Molecular Chaperones Hsp27 And Hsp90, Sathishkumar Kumar Munusamy

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Hsp90 and Hsp27 are members of the heat shock protein family of chaperones that perform multiple roles in cellular maintenance through protein folding and inhibition of apoptosis. They are abundantly expressed in cells and are over-expressed during conditions of stress. Hsp90 requires ATP for its chaperone function while Hsp27 self-associates into higher order oligomers enclosing its substrate. Their ability to interact with other proteins or with themselves lies at the heart of their mechanisms. The specific consequences of each of their interactions on global cellular health have not yet been fully discovered. The sheer diversity of proteins that interact with …

A Novel Method For Studying Gene Regulatory Elements In Vivo Reveals Essential Roles For Intron Splicing In Neurofilament Gene Expression, Chen Wang

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Axon outgrowth requires coordinated expression of critical cytoskeletal genes in response to extracellular cues. The spatial and temporal expression of these genes is regulated transcriptionally and posttranscriptionally. Such regulation is largely mediated through the activity of cis-regulatory elements within the cytoskeletal DNAs and RNAs, which recruit specific sets of trans-factors such as DNA- and RNA-binding proteins, as well as microRNAs. To identify the functionally active cis-elements, characterize their dynamically changing sets of trans-factors, and investigate the association between the two sets of regulators in the context of an intact developing nervous system, one needs to combine appropriate in vivo strategies …

Genome-Scale Analyses Of Transcription And Transcriptional Regulation In Bacteria, Devon Marie Fitzgerald

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The textbook model of bacterial transcription regulation posits that promoters occur immediately upstream of genes and that transcription factors (TFs) modulate transcription through promoter-proximal binding. However, the recent application of unbiased genome-wide approaches, such as ChIP-seq and RNA-seq, has revealed a much more complex picture, including TF binding and transcription initiation occurring in unexpected locations. This dissertation describes the use of deep sequencing-based approaches to evaluate the genome-wide binding of transcription-related proteins and identify locations of transcription initiation. I have assessed the genome-wide binding of three Escherichia coli TFs and an alternative σ factor. Additionally, I have analyzed genome-wide patterns …

Landowner Knowledge And Opinions Of Invasive Species And Their Management Surrounding A Suburban Nature Preserve, Christina Mclaughlin

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Invasive species are a growing human-caused threat to biodiversity around the globe as they are moved both accidentally and intentionally through trade routes. The human component of conservation management is especially critical in invasive species, as human awareness is key to preventing and rapidly responding to new introductions. Yet the social component of management is poorly studied, even as outreach efforts continue to grow in an effort to gain public support. This study attempts to understand public knowledge and opinions toward invasive species and their management through an online survey of neighboring landowners to a suburban nature preserve, the Albany …

Foraminiferal Beta 2-Tubulin And Microtubule To Helical Filament Transition In Reticulomyxa Filosa, Ingrid Ann Hahn

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Foraminifera have unusually fast dynamic movements resulting in the reorganization of the microtubule cytoskeleton (Travis and Bowser, 1988; Travis et al., 1983). We are interested in using Reticulomyxa filosa as a model to investigate the mechanisms and factors that regulate such fast microtubule assembly/disassembly rates (Chen and Schliwa 1990; Travis and Bowser, 1991; Welnhofer and Travis, 1996). Compared to conventional microtubule assembly and disassembly models, foraminifera tubulin can exist in another assembly state termed helical filaments. A novel form of tubulin, β2, in foraminifera is likely critical to these unusual microtubule properties. This thesis investigates Reticulomyxa filosa, a freshwater foraminifera …