Biology Commons^™

Synthetic Hagfish Slime: Mechanical Characterization, Hayden Johns, Spencer Walker

Student Research Symposium

Hagfish are ancient animals that eject a strong slime when attacked by predators. The slime that the hagfish emit is composed of protein strands that cause it to have incredible strength. To defend against foes, the Navy launches plastic ropes into the propellers of enemy warships in order to decrease the thrust of the motors. In a push to find a more biodegradable solution, the utilization of hagfish slime has shown greatpromise in stopping propellers.We hope to understand how this remarkable biomaterial withstands the impact of a sharp and quickly rotating propeller, while simultaneously reducing the thrust of the propeller. …

Analysis Of The Relationship Between Oxytocin Receptor Mutations, Oxytocin Receptor Binding And Autism, Ethan Dayley

Student Research Symposium

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common neurological disorder with a wide range of symptoms, many of them social in nature. Although there is a large body on research regarding ASD, up until now there is no gene-brain-behavior link that has shown the exact cause of ASD. In 2018, Dr. Sara Freeman's research showed differences in oxytocin receptor (OXTR) binding density in two brain regions between typically developing and ASD individuals. Here we show that about 50% of the variation seen in Dr. Freeman's study can be explained by genetic variations (single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs) in the OXTR gene, …

Evolution Of Floral Microbes And The Resulting Effects On Pollinator Preferences, Hailey Hatch

Student Research Symposium

Floral microbes are an overlooked aspect of the extended floral phenotype. They mediate interactions between flowers, pollinators, and other floral microbes that have significant implications for pollinator and plant health by altering floral nectar chemistry. The interactions between floral microbes and pollinators are critically important to understand as pollinators have a key role in both the crop and natural ecosystem world. Our aim is to explore how floral nectar traits may affect evolution and competition within the floral yeast Metchnikowia reukaufii, the floral bacteria Bacillus subtilis, and other microbes isolated from Brassica rapa nectar. To address this, we are conducting …

Correction Of F508del And G542x Mutations In Sheep Fibroblasts Of Cystic Fibrosis Models Using Crispr/Cas9 And Piggybac, Kaden Bunch

Student Research Symposium

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a human genetic disease caused by mutations in the CF Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene. Among the ~2000 known CF mutations, F508del mutation is found in 84% and G542X in 4.6% of the CF patients in US, respectively. The F508del mutation occurs in the exon 11 and is characterized by the deletion of the ‘CTT’ nucleotides that ultimately deletes the Phenylalanine residue at the position 508 of CFTR. It causes the misfolding of the CFTR protein, which is further degraded by proteases. The G542X is a nonsense mutation found in the exon 12 and associated with …

What Makes For A Good Silk?, Elijah Moss

Student Research Symposium

In Dr. Justin Jones' research lab, research is being conducted on different silks. The quality of the silk must be evaluated, and so I have identified three paragons that each silk strain is compared to: commercial viability, the efficacy of transgenic antimicrobial peptides, and tensile strength.

Phylogeny And Historical Biogeography Of Uroleucon Aphids, Audrey Mullen

Student Research Symposium

The aphid genus Uroleucon (Aphididae: Aphidinae: Macrosiphini) is a diverse group of about 230 species feeding mainly on Asteraceae as host plants and found globally in most temperate regions. However, the origins of the South American species are unknown, as are the relationships of these taxa to northern hemisphere Uroleucon species. This study seeks to establish the relationships between Uroleucon aphids native to South America and their North American and Eurasian counterparts using genetic data. We will use phylogenetic analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunits 1 and 2 mitochondrial genes as well as the elongation factor 1α nuclear gene to …

Impacts Of Cftr Mutations On Pulmonary Development In Sheep, Kaden Bunch

Student Research Symposium

Due to various mutations, the loss of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function causes cystic fibrosis (CF), predisposing the lungs to chronic infection and inflammation. In young infants with CF, structural airway defects are increasingly recognized before the onset of significant lung disease, which suggests a developmental origin and a possible role in lung disease pathogenesis. The function of CFTR in lung development is unclear and developmental studies in humans with CF are not feasible. Young CF sheep show similar lung development and spontaneous postnatal lung disease similar to humans impacted by CF. We studied lung development in the …

Transgenic Mice Demonstrate The Level Of Contribution Of Protein Cd38 To Nad+ Decline Seen In Human Aging, Abby Tucker

Student Research Symposium

Niacin (NAD+) is a a vital molecule in human metabolism. NAD+ decline with age is well documented and low NAD+ levels may cause aging symptoms, however the molecular cause of NAD+ decline is poorly understood. Few pathways in the human metabolism fully consume NAD+ as it is usually recycled to NADH. One protein found on immune cells, called CD38, does fully consume NAD+ in its reaction, and so it may contribute to niacin deficiency by depleting the NAD+ in the body over time. To determine CD38’s role in causing niacin deficiency and aging, we knocked out the CD38 gene in …

Prosthesis Grip Optimization, Taylor Thompson

Student Research Symposium

Custom prosthetics can be extremely expensive and any that are covered by health insurance have limited mobility. Those issues can become compounded when a young child outgrows their prosthetics quickly. One current solution to overcome these problems is 3D printed prosthetic hands. These can be produced quickly and be custom fit for the user, however, they are limited in mobility and grip options.The goal of this project was to develop a prosthesis that allowed each finger to move independently to increase mobility and grip options. After researching, designing, modeling, and printing, that goal was accomplished. The end product is a …

The Biology Behind Chemistry, Oakley Statham

Student Research Symposium

I have seen that majority of people find romance to be an abstract idea that can’t be defined. The research was aimed at finding out how much hormones affected people's relationships with each other. I knew that there was some effect but hypothesized that there was a large effect. I felt like this knowledge is important to understand because it would give readers an understanding of what is happening to them as they are navigating a relationship or wanting to begin one. Through the internet, library, and personal interviews I gathered sources that presented knowledge on my topic. By collecting …

Effect Of Partner Loss On Oxytocin Measures In The Social Brain Of Monogamous Coyotes, Blake Nielson

Student Research Symposium

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that is important in social behavior and in the formation of pair bonds between mates. One study found that oxytocin receptor levels in monogamous female prairie voles were lower in animals which had been separated from their mate for some time. In order to further study oxytocin's importance in social bond formation and to test for any possible effects partner loss could have on oxytocin in the brain, I conducted a study on monogamous female coyote brain tissue. Four brain specimens were examined from paired female coyotes, while three brain specimens were examined from widowed female …

Docosahexaenoic Acid May Reduce Risk Factors Of Cancer Development In A Mouse Model Of Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer, Eliza Stewart, Marcus Hayden

Student Research Symposium

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide and has increased incidence in developed countries. There is a close link between CRC and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A main symptom of IBD is colitis, which is inflammation of the colon. Diet plays a key role in the development of CRC, specifically a Western-type diet, which is characterized by energy dense and nutrient deficient foods. This dietary pattern is associated with both increased inflammation and dysbiosis of the gut microbiome, two factors that contribute to the development of CRC. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that …

Quantifying Predator Functional Responses Under Field Conditions Reveals Interactive Effects Of Temperature And Interference With Sex And Stage, Kyle E. Coblentz, Amber Squires, Stella Uiterwaal, John Delong

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

1. Predator functional responses describe predator feeding rates and are central to predator–prey theory. Originally defined as the relationship between predator feeding rates and prey densities, it is now well known that functional responses are shaped by a multitude of factors. However, much of our knowledge about how these factors influence functional responses is based on laboratory studies that are generally logistically constrained to examining only a few factors simultaneously and that have unclear links to the conditions organisms experience in the field.
2. We apply an observational approach for measuring functional responses to understand how sex/stage differences, temperature and predator densities …

The Effect Of Ethanolic Echinacea Purpurea Root Extracts On The Production Of Pro-Inflammatory Mediators In Raw 264.7 Murine Macrophages, Trey T. Nguyen

Student Scholar Showcase

Echinacea purpurea, commonly known as the purple coneflower, is utilized in medicinal preparations due to potential immunostimulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Present bioactive metabolites such as alkamides, polysaccharides, and caffeic acid derivatives provide pharmacological elements essential to mitigating symptoms produced by upper respiratory illnesses. The chemical composition of E. purpurea holds medicinal value, but there remains controversy surrounding the efficacy of its use in medicine. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of an 75% ethanolic E. purpurea root extract on LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. Treatment groups included ethanolic E. purpurea extract (3µL, 15µL, 30µL), …

The Plant And The Pathogen: Elucidating The Relationship Between Root-Knot Nematodes, Ph Levels, And Arabidopsis Thaliana Development, Rachel Garnett

Student Scholar Showcase

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) within the Meloidogyne genus are considered one of the largest threats to plant health and subsequent crop yield and profit (Forghani and Hajihassani 2020; Bernard et al. 2017). As a pest that presents global consequences, its mitigation through sustainable interventions may confer results for the treatment of similar plant pathogens. A member of the Brassicaeae family, Arabidopsis thaliana, was chosen for this study to determine plant responses to RKN-standard pH media. pH was varied between control and experimental groups, and phenotypic variables of primary root length and plant height were observed and analyzed. Wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana …

Lis1 And Ndel1 Regulate Axonal Trafficking Of Mitochondria In Mature Neurons, Jai P. Pandey, Liang Shi, Remi A. Brebion, Deanna S. Smith

Faculty Publications

Defective mitochondrial dynamics in axons have been linked to both developmental and late-onset neurological disorders. Axonal trafficking is in large part governed by the microtubule motors kinesin-1 and cytoplasmic dynein 1 (dynein). Dynein is the primary retrograde transport motor in axons, and mutations in dynein and many of its regulators also cause neurological diseases. Depletion of LIS1, famous for linking dynein deregulation to lissencephaly (smooth brain), in adult mice leads to severe neurological phenotypes, demonstrating post-developmental roles. LIS1 stimulates retrograde transport of acidic organelles in cultured adult rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) axons but findings on its role in mitochondrial …

Sex Differences In The Fecal Microbiome And Hippocampal Glial Morphology Following Diet And Antibiotic Treatment, Anju Saxena, Roberta R M Moran, Meghan R. Bullard, Emma O. Bondy, Matthew Foster Smith, Lainie Morris, Nicaella Fogle, Jagroop Singh, Brendan Jarvis, Tammy Ray, Juhi Saxena, Linnea Ruth Freeman

Open Access Fund Publications

Rising obesity rates have become a major public health concern within the United States. Understanding the systemic and neural effects of obesity is crucial in designing preventive and therapeutic measures. In previous studies, administration of a high fat diet has induced significant weight gain for mouse models of obesity. Interestingly, sex differences in high-fat diet-induced weight gain have been observed, with female mice gaining significantly less weight compared to male mice on the same high-fat diet. It has also been observed that consumption of a high-fat diet can increase neurogliosis, but the mechanism by which this occurs is still not …

Sex And Starvation Influences Latrotoxin Expression In The Brown Widow Spider, Mattie Harris

Honors College Theses

Widow spiders (genus Latrodectus) are well-known for their potent venom. Seven latrotoxin proteins constitute the main components of widow spider venom. The vertebrate specific (α-latrotoxin) and insect specific (α-latroinsectotoxin) latrotoxins have been well-characterized with respect to structure and function. Regulation of latrotoxin gene expression is not well understood but sex and feeding could be factors influencing production. In this study, I used quantitative qPCR to (1) characterize the expression patterns of both the insect and vertebrate specific latrotoxins in male and female brown widow spiders (Latrodectus geometricus) to characterize sex-biased expression and to (2) study expression patterns …

Nutrient Uptake And Grafting In Ironwood Trees, Tyler Edvall

Student Academic Conference

No abstract provided.

Estradiol And Predator Cues Affect Behavior And Brain Responses Of Captive Female House Sparrows, Courtney Harding

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Exploring Gene Functions And Phage-Host Protein Interactions In Mycobacteriophage Island3, Annika Stecker, Steven Van Meeteren, Gracelyn Wager, Abigail Clarke, Jordyn Kramer, Lauren Pavich, Emily Schmidt, Krista Starr, Kaarina Van Berkum, Ashley Van Egdom

Celebration of Research

Island3 is an I1 mycobacteriophage that infects Mycobacterium smegmatis mc²155. It has a total of 76 protein coding genes, but only 17 of these genes have functions assigned by bioinformatics. To discover the functions of the additional genes, we cloned 72 of Island3’s genes and are assaying each gene product for two functions when expressed in the host M. smegmatis: the ability to reduce growth of the host (cytotoxicity) and the ability to protect the host from infection by Island3 or another phage (defense). So far, we have assayed more than 60 of Island3’s genes and found 14 genes that …

Genomic Annotation Of Bacteriophages Clayda5, Gshelby23, Santhid, And Wrigley, Abigail Bastian, Marcus Blankespoor, Gideon Fynaardt, Sadie Gilmeister, Emily Hurley, Madison Jones, Erika Mckenney, Alexa Olguin, Micah Rens, Garrett Snyder, Anneka Sterk, Sophie Swart, Chelsea Thurm, Alaena Trevino, Ashley Van Egdom, Morgan Veach, Lauren Pavich, Byron Noordewier, Sara S. Tolsma

Celebration of Research

We annotated the genomes of four recently discovered Actinobacteriophages. Clayda5 and GShelby23 were isolated on Microbacterium foliorum NRRL B-24224. Clayda5 is a lytic, cluster EB phage, one of only 47 discovered to date. It has 10 base pair 3’ sticky overhanging ends and a GC content is 67.2%. It has 70 protein-coding genes and two tRNA genes in its 39,894 bp genome. Clayda5 was purified from soil collected in Hull, IA. GShelby23 was isolated from soil collected in Storm Lake, IA. It is a cluster EM phage, one of only six discovered to date. Its genome is circularly permuted and …

Investigating The Putative Reca-Like Recombinase Gene, Kaytlyn Keeler, Blake Anderson, Abigail Clarke, Kip Cullinan, Lindsey Groen, Travis Grover, Benjamin Kingery, Jordyn Kramer, Noah Kryfka, Kaitlyn Mccracken, Emilien Meray, Mitchell Oostra, Dominick Pickard, Mitchell Rentschler, Annika Stecker, Ashley Van Egdom, Morgan Veach, Elizabeth Heeg

Celebration of Research

Our Biochemistry: Molecular Genetics class has partnered with the Immunology class to investigate the expression of JacoRen57’s gene 50.

The bacteriophage JacoRen57 – found in Sioux Center, Iowa (accession: MK279840). JacoRen57’s genome has sequenced by Pittsburg SEA-PHAGES Institute and fully annotated by Northwestern College students in 2018. A region between gene 49 and 50 caught our attention as there is a large gap between these genes. Almail et al., investigated if this is a transcription regulatory region for genes 49 and/or 50 (2021). This work demonstrated the region has a regulatory function in the direction of gene 50. Based on …

Analysis Of A Putative Promoter In Mycobacteriophage Jacoren57, Kip Cullinan, Kaitlyn Mccracken, Emilien Meray, Lane Mulder, Daniel A. Nordquist, Lauren Pavich, Mitchell Rentschler, Annika Stecker, Sara S. Tolsma

Celebration of Research

JacoRen57 is a cluster AB mycobacteriophage that infects Mycobacterium smegmatis mc²155. We recently reported on the characterization of a putative promoter in JacoRen57 using an mCherry reporter construct. This promoter is present in a gap upstream of a gene that is present in all AB phages. In all cases, these are forward genes immediately following a long series of reverse genes. The genes are most frequently identified as a RecA-like DNA recombinases but also as RepA by bioinformatics. To further analyze this putative promoter and gene product, NWC Molecular Genetics students cloned the RecA-like DNA recombinase into an E. coli …

Microplastic Concentrations In Orange City Wastewater, Garrett Raymon, Garrett Snyder, April Van Tol, Lindsey Craig, Marshall Kleinhesselink, Lane Mulder, Daniel Strand, Gideon Fynaardt, Kaytlin Wojciechowski, Todd Tracy

Celebration of Research

Microplastics are increasingly polluting both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Researchers have found that wastewater treatment plants are an entry point for microplastics into surface waters, and we wondered how effective our local wastewater treatment plant is in removing microplastics from wastewater, given that it was not engineered for the removal of microplastics. We sampled effluent water from the new wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Orange City, Iowa, to determine the amount of microplastics released from the plant into Orange City Slough. We found concentrations of 498 pieces of microplastic/cubic meter (0.498/L) in the effluent water, which is similar to published …

Invertebrate Pitfall Surveys At Glacial Hills Preserve And Buena Vista County Park, April Van Tol, Lindsey Craig, Marshall Kleinhesselink, Garrett Raymon, Garrett Snyder, Katie Meyer, Gideon Fynaardt, Kaytlin Wojciechowski, Lane Mulder, Daniel Strand, Laurie Furlong, Todd Tracy

Celebration of Research

Invertebrates are integral members of the ecosystems they inhabit. However, they are often overlooked and understudied. We performed two pitfall surveys in Buena Vista County in September 2021 to study the diversity and abundance of invertebrate species in the presence and absence of two invasive species: Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) and Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiola). We collected pitfall samples and brought them back to the lab for identification. We found no significant differences in invertebrate abundance between cedar and non-cedar samples, nor between mustard and non-mustard samples. We propose further research focusing on seasonal changes, as these invasives may have …

The Effect Of Cold Stratification On The Germination Of Grassland Seeds, Katie Meyer, Gideon Fynaardt, Kaytlin Wojciechowski, April Van Tol, Marshall Kleinhesselink, Lindsey Craig, Garrett Snyder, Garrett Raymon, Lane Mulder, Daniel Strand, Todd Tracy

Celebration of Research

One factor that must be considered when reconstructing a prairie is how the prairie seeds being planted need to be prepared for germination. The probability of successful germination of these seeds is dependent on many factors, including exposure to cold temperatures for a prolonged period of time. To explore this idea, we collected seeds from 13 species of forbs and grasses, both native and non-native, and stored them at various temperatures for several weeks. We predicted that the germination of the seeds of native grassland species would be enhanced by cold stratification, while non-natives (especially forbs common to flower gardens) …

Alewife (Alosa Pseudoharengus) Contributions To Lake Phosphorus Budgets: Implications For Management, Meg "Rue" Farley Thurrell Ms

Student Scholarship

As human-made dams are removed and fish passage at dams is improved in

support of restoration efforts, anadromous alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) gain

access to historic spawning grounds. As they migrate to spawn, adult alewives import

marine derived nutrients to lakes and impoundments. Young of year alewives (juveniles)

export nutrients as they emigrate to the sea. These nutrients support primary

production and are incorporated into freshwater food webs. However, many lakes in

New England are mesotrophic or eutrophic. Additional nutrients, specifically

phosphorus (P), may exacerbate water quality issues. To examine these issues, I

compared outputs ofan alewife nutrient and population model …

Environment And Co-Occurring Native Mussel Species, But Not Host Genetics, Impact The Microbiome Of A Freshwater Invasive Species (Corbicula Fluminea), Marlène Chiarello, Jamie R. Bucholz, Mark Mccauley, Stephanie N. Vaughn, Garrett W. Hopper, Irene Sánchez González, Carla L. Atkinson, Jeffrey D. Lozier, Colin R. Jackson

Faculty and Student Publications

The Asian clam Corbicula fluminea (Family: Cyneridae) has aggressively invaded freshwater habitats worldwide, resulting in dramatic ecological changes and declines of native bivalves such as freshwater mussels (Family: Unionidae), one of the most imperiled faunal groups. Despite increases in our knowledge of invasive C. fluminea biology, little is known of how intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including co-occurring native species, influence its microbiome. We investigated the gut bacterial microbiome across genetically differentiated populations of C. fluminea in the Tennessee and Mobile River Basins in the Southeastern United States and compared them to those of six co-occurring species of native freshwater mussels. …

Impact Of Hydrologic Alteration On Brazos River Pelagophilic Minnows, Christopher M. Taylor, Kevin B. Mayes

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

The lower Brazos River has been profoundly altered since the construction of multiple impoundments. The resulting river regulation poses problems for organisms adapted to a natural flow regime and is thought to play a major role in the imperilment of seven native minnows that synchronize spawning during high flow pulses. Four of the species are presumably extirpated from the region, but their declines and losses differed across time. To address potential reasons for species’ declines, we assessed pre- and post-impoundment changes in flow regime from five gaging stations across the lower Brazos River to identify river flow characteristics that depart …