Biology Commons^™

Heterogeneity In Hosts And Environment: Implications For Schistosomiasis Control, Larissa Celeste Anderson

Biology ETDs

Schistosomiasis is a widespread neglected parasitic disease, endemic in 54 countries, for which 290 million people needed treatment in 2018. A major Schistosoma species, Schistosoma mansoni, is sustained via a life cycle that includes both human and snail hosts. Mathematical models of S. mansoni transmission are an integral tool for elucidating the complexities of the transmission cycle, interactions between parasite species and for the estimation of the impact of intervention efforts. We designed both deterministic and stochastic mathematical models to understand the impact of heterogeneity in host and parasite composition on projected infection control. These models indicate the impact of …

Identification Of Hepatopancreatic Parasites Afflicting Crayfish And Associated Snails In Local Virginia Streams, Cara Arrasmith, Jonathan Tenerovich, Kyle J. Harris

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

The Relationship Between Kras And The Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondrial Calcium Flux In Isogenic Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines, Emma Anderson, Abigail Solitro

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal

The G13d Kras Mutation’S Contribution To Structural And Functional Changes Of The Endoplasmic Reticulum And Mitochondria In Colorectal Cancer Cells, John Brewster, Abigail Solitro

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal

Impact Of Krasg13d Mutation On Colorectal Cancer Cell Line Hct116 Organelle Structure, Function, And Growth, Rachel Craig, Abigail Solitro

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Theoretical Proposal

Squalus Acanthias, Spiny Dogfish Shark, Jaw, Sam Snell, David Kerstetter

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

Jaw from Squalus acanthias, Spiny Dogfish Shark

Longnose Skate (Raja Rhina) Jaw, Tyler Miclau, David W. Kerstetter

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

Jaw from Longnose Skate (Raja rhina)

A Pilot Study Of Near-Field Airborne Particle Concentrations In Young Children Undergoing High Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy., Elliott T. Gall, Aurélie Laguerre, Michelle Noelck, Annalise Van Meurs, Jared A. Austin, Byron A. Foster

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background High flow nasal cannula therapy (HFNC) may increase aerosol generation, putting healthcare workers at risk, including from SARS-CoV-2. Aim This study examined whether use of HFNC increases near-field aerosols and if there is a relationship with flow rate. Methods Subjects aged four weeks to 24 months were recruited. Each child received HFNC therapy at different flow rates. Three stations with particle counters were deployed to measure particle concentrations and dispersion in the room: station one within 0.5 m, station two at 2 m, and station three on the other side of the room. We measured carbon dioxide (CO2) and …

Expression And Purification Of Hpep Inhibitor Peptide, Olivia Plaza

Undergraduate Research Conference

The enzyme human prolyl peptidase, or hPEP, has been linked to many processes within the brain, including breaking down neural peptides. A bovine milk protein, a-s1-casein (see above), has been found to inhibit hPEP in colon cancer cells. A 68 amino acid long section (bolded) of a-s1- casein containing the inhibitor region was cloned. The casein fragment expression was optimized for expression of the peptide. The purpose for optimizing expression is to have much of it on hand to utilize in further studies on its inhibitory properties on hPEP. By using this fragment of casein, one can study the structure …

Pine Habitat Characteristics Associated With Variation In Chuck-Will’S-Widow Communities, Hannah E. Beckett

Undergraduate Research Conference

This study explores the potential impact of variation in forest habitats and management on Chuck-will’s-widow density.

Novel Tandem Reaction To Synthesize Substituted Benzaldehydes, Grace Roe, So Jung Kim, Alan Fulp

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Design And Synthesis Of Endocannabinoid Enzyme Inhibitors For Peripheral Selectivity, Bailey Mims, Grace Roe, So Jung Kim, Julianna Young, Alan Fulp, Matthew Lazenka

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Understanding The Chemical Mechanism Involved With A Peroxidase Enzyme Isolated From The Seeds Of Multiple Pepper Species, Mason Wolk, Myles Robison, Christi Fertich, Andrew Perry, Gregory Raner

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Titan Cell Formation In Nonpathogenic Members Of The Family Cryptococcacae, Mary Richfield, Michael S. Price

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Glucose Regulation Of The Paralogous Glucose Sensing Receptors Rgt2 And Snf3 Of The Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Sarah Melton, Dajeong Jung, Rebeca Rodriguez, Levi Mailloux, Julia Humble, Jeong-Ho Kim

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Analysis Of Interacting Proteins Of Zinc Finger Protein 410, Feifan Xu, Gary D. Isaacs

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Peaks Of Otter Salamander: Making An Uninhabitable House A Home, Sydney Price, Tanyen Gibble, Sarah Sanborn, Norman Reichenbach

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

The Effects Of Rainfall On Presences Of Giardia Lamblia And Cryptosporidium In Local Water Sources, Lauren Western, Alan L. Gillen

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Investigation Of Individual Pesticide Toxicity In Relation To Y-Glutamyl-Transferase Production, Jessica Welty, Isaac Dotson, Amelia Wickham, Kyle J. Harris, Abigail Solitro

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Locations Of Mafb Genes In Mice Genome, Joshua Sparks, Gary D. Isaacs, Michael S. Price

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Characterization Of Peroxidases From Zucchini And Squash Skin And Their Potential Use In Bioremediation, Christina Hardin, Taylor Villani, Kalie Nuss, Alexa Deckert, Gregory Raner

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Investigating The Link Between Ph Regulation And Membrane Trafficking In Cryptococcus Neoformans, Allyson Hardin, Michael S. Price

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Flow Cytometry Analysis Of A Jc-1 Assay In Isolated Mitochondria, Olivia Echols, Abigail Solitro

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Monitoring Physiological Health And Density Of The Peaks Of Otter Salamander Along An Elevational Gradient, Taylor Ferguson, Kyra Todd, Norman Reichenbach, Cory Goff

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

An Examination Of The Effects Of Bisphenol A And Bisphenol A Derivatives During Zebrafish Development, Gabrielle Dampf, Rachel Nas, Neal Mccaffrey, Jonathan Westlake, Pierce Knepley, Robert Fisher, Cameron Sheeler

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Winter Skate (Leucoraja Ocellata) Jaw, Paige Spratt, Kathryn Kuruoglu, David W. Kerstetter

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

Jaw from a winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata)

Ddpcr Reveals Sars-Cov-2 Variants In Florida Wastewater, Eben Gering, Jacob Colbert, Sarah Schmedes, George Duncan, Jose V. Lopez, Jessy Motes, James Weiss, Taj Azarian, Omer Tekin, Jason Blanton

Biology Faculty Articles

Wastewater was screened for the presence of functionally significant mutations in SARS-CoV-2 associated with emerging variants of concern (VOC) by ddPCR, and results accorded with sequencing of clinical samples from the same region. We propose that PCR-based screening of wastewater can provide a powerful tool for rapid and inexpensive screening of large population segments for VOC-associated mutations and can hone complementary sampling and sequencing of direct (human) test material to track emerging VOC.

Ecophysiological Responses Of Two Closely Related Epigean And Hypogean Niphargus Species To Hypoxia And Increased Temperature: Do They Differ?, Tatjana Simčič, Boris Sket

International Journal of Speleology

Ecological performance of animals depends on physiological and biochemical processes that are adjusted to the environment. The responses to hypoxia or anoxia have been frequently studied in subterranean aquatic organisms in order to find potential adaptations to restrict oxygen conditions occurring in the underground habitats. However, some previous studies have compared phylogenetic distant epigean and hypogean species or the epigean and hypogean populations of the same species due to little chance to compare closely related epigean and hypogean species. Therefore, in this study, we compared the effects of exposure to hypoxia, followed by reoxygenation, and increased temperature on oxygen consumption, …

Characterization Of A Myo19 Knockdown Phenotype In A Cultured Neuron-Like Cell Line, Adelaide Masterson, Bridget Wolters

Arts & Sciences Student Symposium

We will be characterizing and analyzing properties related to neurite outgrowth, including neurite length & mitochondrial dynamics, in order to understand how MYO19 activity and mitochondrial distribution play a role in neurite development. We aim to observe if loss of MYO19 expression alters these properties, and if reintroducing specific aspects of MYO19 function can “rescue” any observed defects in cells where normal MYO19 expression has been lost. Our studies and hypothesis are based on the previous work of Dr. Quintero and his students, where they have observed differences in the behavior of neuron-like CAD cells when MYO19 expression has been …

Predicting Cognitive Rehabilitation Needs In Patients With Central Nervous System Infections Using Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Matilde Ørum, Merete Storgaard, Paul Denton, Trine Hyrup Mogensen, Christina Kjærgaard Højbjerg, Mathilde Pedersen, Jesper Damsgaard Gunst

Biology Faculty Publications

Cognitive impairments are reported in some patients with central nervous system (CNS) infections after discharge. Our objectives were to evaluate the prevalence of CNS patients in need of rehabilitation after discharge and to assess whether the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) could be used as a screening tool to identify these patients. CNS patients admitted during a 2-year study period were included. The need for rehabilitation was assessed by physicians with the aid of an occupational therapy assessment, after which a MoCA was performed. The prevalence of needing rehabilitation was 58% among CNS patients. An abnormal MoCA score < 26 was the only variable strongly associated with higher odds of needing rehabilitation. In 42% of the CNS patients in need of rehabilitation, the MoCA score was ≥ 26, and most of these patients were aged 16 to 43 years (young adults). There is a need for rehabilitation among CNS patients after discharge. As a screening tool, MoCA was able to identify patients in need of rehabilitation. In young adults, MoCA scores were often normal despite a need for rehabilitation. Thus, MoCA cannot stand alone as a screening tool for identifying young adults in need of rehabilitation following CNS infection.