Biology Commons^™

Prevalence Of Giardia Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study In Basra Province, Iraq, Sarah Kamal Naser

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Giardiasis is a common parasite infection that is seen more frequently than any other parasitic infection worldwide. This infection is especially prevalent in tropical areas and in developing nations that have a poor standard of living and poor health conditions. The Giardia parasite is able to infect people of any gender, as it enters the body by the mouth, passes down the oesophagus, and finally reaches the stomach, where it is not negatively impacted by gastric acids. The goal of this study is to determine the extent to which patients who were treated at Al-Zubair General Hospital in Basra, Iraq, …

Functional Impact Of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Rs4129009 (Ile775val) On Human Toll-Like Receptor 10, Audrey N. Koti

Biology Student Research

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a subclass of pattern recognition receptors within the

innate immune system that detect pathogen-associated and danger-associated molecular patterns,

thereby initiating host defense responses. The human TLR family comprises ten receptors (TLR1

– TLR10), each recognizing structurally conserved microbial motifs such as bacterial

lipoproteins and viral nucleic acids. The ligand specificities, adaptor protein recruitment, and

downstream signaling cascades have been well-characterized for TLR1 – TLR9, which

predominantly engage MyD88- or TRIF-dependent pathways to activate pro-inflammatory

transcription factors including NF-κB. In contrast, the ligand specificity and intracellular

signaling mechanisms of TLR10 have yet to be fully elucidated. Emerging …

Mental Health Literacy In Biology Graduate Teaching Assistants: Perception, Knowledge, And Training Needs In College Stem Education, Kanza Arshad, Ricardo Montoya, Nicole Scheuermann, Heather E. Bergan-Roller

Honors Capstones

College students experience a high prevalence of mental health challenges, and STEM students exhibit lower mental health literacy than students in other disciplines. Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) play a crucial role in supporting undergraduate students, yet little is known about their mental health literacy (MHL) or how they navigate student disclosures in instructional settings. This preliminary study examines MHL among GTAs in biology, as well as their knowledge, perceptions, and training needs regarding MHL. We used semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to examine how biology GTAs understand mental health, their responsibility related to student well-being, and what supports they identify …

Spatiotemporal Ecology Of Mycobacterium Ulcerans And Mycolactone Functions In French Guiana And Southeastern United States Aquatic Environments, Magdalene Dogbe

Theses and Dissertations

Mycobacterium ulcerans, the causative agent of Buruli ulcer, produces mycolactone, a polyketide toxin traditionally studied for its role in human pathogenesis. This dissertation presents a comprehensive spatiotemporal analysis of M. ulcerans and mycolactone producing mycobacteria (MPM) ecology in the Americas and also reveals mycolactone's role in the environment as a microbial community regulator. Through comparative studies in French Guiana (endemic) and the southeastern United States (non-endemic), combined with experimental microcosm investigations, this research contributes to environmental pathogen ecology understanding. Environmental surveillance across 2,226 samples from French Guiana revealed complete MPM restriction to freshwater environments, with zero detections from 1,226 coastal …

Genomics Insights Into The Biogeography And Evolution Of Galapagos Iguanas Using Radseq And Wgseq Techniques, Cecilia Paradiso

Theses and Dissertations

The Galápagos archipelago is known for its unique endemic fauna shaped by isolation and geological dynamism. This thesis explores the evolutionary history of Galápagos iguanas, a monophyletic group comprising the marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) and three land iguanas: Conolophus marthae, C. pallidus, and C. subcristatus. These species differ in distribu- tion, population size, and conservation status, with C. marthae classified as Critically Endan- gered due to its restricted range and small population. The main goal of this thesis is to fill knowledge gaps concerning the evolutionary trajectories, demographic histories, and genetic var- iability of Galápagos iguanas. The first chapter reconstructs …

Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter Regulates Itam-Dependent Platelet Activation, Jehiel Abigail Ajanel Gomez

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Thromboembolic conditions are the leading cause of disability and death in the United States. Platelets play an important role in the pathophysiology of thrombus formation by aiding in the formation and stabilization of the clot. Central to platelet activation is cytoplasmic calcium, which increases after platelet activation through ITAM (Immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif) or GPCR (G-protein-coupled receptor) receptors. Platelet mitochondria rely on cytoplasmic calcium for mitochondrial calcium influx, which is critical for ATP formation and regulation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. In other cells, mitochondrial calcium entry is regulated by the multimeric protein complex, mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU). Deletion of …

Understanding Outer Membrane Vesicle Biogenesis In Bacteroides Thetaiotaomicron, Evan J. Pardue

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are small proteoliposomes generated by active protrusion of the outer membrane (OM) in Gram-negative bacteria during growth. Over 60 years of experimentation has ascribed numerous functions to OMVs produced by different bacteria. However, the mechanism(s) by which OMVs are produced is poorly understood. Due to this, the field remains controversial because many regard OMVs as byproducts of cell lysis and question their physiological relevance. Previous studies in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and related species confirmed that these microbes undergo programmed cell death that results in the stochastic release of vesicles and cellular contents. On the contrary, Bacteroides spp. …

Influence Of Urbanization On Diel Activity Patterns Across Seasons For Four Mesocarnivore Species Along An Urban-To-Rural Gradient Through Boston, Massachusetts, Myra M. Goes

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Urbanization is a growing threat to wildlife and poses unique challenges that animals must overcome to thrive in developed places. Temporal partitioning is one method that wildlife may employ to persist among the increased predation, competition, and human presence pressures of urban spaces. To evaluate diel patterns of mesocarnivores along an urban-to-rural (URG) gradient, data were utilized from camera traps established at 27 sites along a URG in southeastern Massachusetts as part of the Urban Wildlife Information Network (UWIN). Camera trap photos from summer and winter between 2023 to 2025 were used and filtered for coyote (Canis latrans), northern raccoon …

The Role Of Toll-Like Receptors In Tributyltin, Dibutyltin, And Pentachlorophenol Stimulation Of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Production By Human Immune Cells, Latoya Michelle Daniel

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Tributyltin (TBT), Dibutyltin (DBT), and Pentachlorophenol (PCP) are persistent environmental contaminants that have been shown to increase immune-cell production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and thus have the capacity to cause chronic inflammation and its associated pathologies such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and autoimmune conditions. TBT has been detected in human blood at concentrations up to 260 nM, DBT up to 0.3 µM, and PCP between 0.15 and 5 µM. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by immune cells in response to pathogen- or damage-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs/DAMPs) via Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Dysregulated TNF-α production contributes to chronic inflammatory …

The Chemistry Of Color: A Comparative Analysis Of Natural And Synthetic Dyes In Textile Application, Caitlyn Pinaga Cpht

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

The Chemistry of Color: A Comparative Analysis of Natural and Synthetic Dyes in Textile Application examines how color functions at the intersection of chemistry, culture, and environmental responsibility. This project traces the evolution of dyeing from ancient natural pigment traditions, rooted in ecological knowledge, agricultural practices, and cultural identity, to the industrial rise of synthetic dyes, whose laboratory precision enabled unprecedented consistency, brightness, and global textile expansion. Through experimental swatch analysis, the study compares the behavior of natural dyes derived from plants and food sources with modern fiber-reactive and synthetic dye classes on a range of fibers including cotton, bamboo …

Evaluating The Sna1 Gene Using Crispr Mediated Knockdown In Ewing Sarcoma Cells, Rosanna Jees, Sonia Cerrillo, Terry Jo Shackleford

Mechanisms of Disease

Ewing sarcoma is a pediatric cancer with limited therapeutic options and poor long-term survival. CRISPR–Cas9–mediated gene editing provides a powerful tool for investigating tumor molecular behavior and identifying potential therapeutic targets. In this study, we worked with CRISPR–Cas9 in Ewing sarcoma ES8 cells to evaluate the roles of the transcription factors SNAI1 and SNAI2, both implicated in epithelial–mesenchymal transition and cancer progression. Using guide RNAs targeting each gene, we assessed proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and long-term survival through Incucyte live-cell imaging and colony-formation assays. Knockout of SNAI1 resulted in decreased cell proliferation and reduced migratory capacity compared with controls, suggesting a …

Effects Of Ptk2 Knockdown On Key Cellular Processes In Es8 Cells, Adrian Cruz, Emiliano Rueda, Dylan Andrews, Terry Jo Shackleford

Mechanisms of Disease

Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive form of pediatric cancer characterized by rapid growth and metastatic potential, with limited treatment options available. PTK2 is a key regulator of many pathways involved in tumor behavior, including integrin-mediated adhesion, survival, and migration. This research lab investigated how CRISPR-Cas9 knockdown of PTK2 can affect cellular processes in ES8 Ewing sarcoma cells. To assess the effectiveness of reducing PTK2 expression, we utilized live-cell imaging, wound-healing assays, measurements of caspase activity, colony formation, and qRT-PCR. Our results showed that incomplete knockdown decreased cell proliferation and colony formation, while also increasing apoptotic activity. Additionally, migratory ability was …

How Cxcr4 Knockdown Affects Tumorigenic Properties In Es8 Cells, Gabriella Galdeano, Damon James, Terry Jo Shackleford

Mechanisms of Disease

C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is a seven-transmembrane G-protein–coupled receptor (GPCR). When activated by its ligand SDF-1 (CXCL12), CXCR4 triggers signaling pathways that promote cell survival, proliferation, angiogenesis, and chemotaxis. Many cancers exploit the CXCR4/SDF-1 axis to support tumor growth and metastasis. Ewing sarcoma (ES8) is an aggressive pediatric bone and soft-tissue cancer, and elevated CXCR4 signaling has been linked to increased migration and metastatic behavior. ES8 cells, a well-established ES8 cell line, provided a model to study how CXCR4contributes to tumor progression. CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing was used to knock down CXCR4 in ES8 cells, delivered through lipid-based transfection. …

Investigating The Role Of Twist1 In Cancer Progression Using Crispr Knockdown, Abby Guerrero, Sofia Perez, Terry J. Shackleford

Mechanisms of Disease

TWIST1 is a transcription factor that plays a critical role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process that promotes cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. This study investigates the functional role of TWIST1 in cancer progression by using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockdown to examine its effects on apoptosis, proliferation, migration, and invasion. TWIST1 was knocked down in cancer cell lines using CRISPR/Cas9 assay. Knockdown efficiency and changes in genes were confirmed by qRT-PCR. Functional assays included caspase assays for apoptosis, MTT assays for proliferation, wound-healing assays for migration, Matrigel invasion assays, and colony formation assays to assess long-term growth and invasive potential. Across …

Itgb1 Knockdown Alters Apoptosis And Proliferation In Ewing Sarcoma Cells, Aditi Kumar, Magdalena Saad, Terry J. Shackleford

Mechanisms of Disease

Integrin beta 1 (ITGB1) is an adhesion receptor that link cells to the extracellular matrix and regulates pathways involved in survival, proliferation, and migration. In order to understand its role in Ewing Sarcoma, we applied CRISPR-Cas9 with two guide RNAs to knock down ITGB1 in ES8 cells. We then assessed changes in cell growth, death, movement, and gene expression using Incucyte live-cell imaging, colony formation assays, wound healing assays, and qRT-PCR. qRT-PCR showed partial ITGB1 reduction, with ITGB1_gRNA2 producing the strongest decrease. ITGB1_gRNA2 also led to a small increase in caspase activity and a 20-30% increase in proliferation at the …

Microplastic Exposure Alters Tubulin Leading To Alterations In Insulin Secretion By Pancreatic Beta Cells, Anakaren Garcia

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels due to impaired insulin secretion or diminished cellular response to insulin (resistance). Pancreatic β-cells depend on a well-organized cytoskeleton, particularly microtubules composed of α- and β-tubulin heterodimers, to transport insulin granules to the plasma membrane during glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Disruption of microtubule organization can impair granule trafficking and reduce insulin release. However, emerging environmental toxicants such as microplastics that interfere with β-cell cytoskeletal function remains largely unexplored.

Microplastics (MPs) are small plastic particles (< 5 mm) that have become widespread environmental contaminants and can enter biological systems. Previous studies have shown that MPs can induce cellular stress and protein misfolding, but their effects on microtubules in pancreatic β-cells are not well characterized. This study investigates whether exposure to fluorescent polystyrene microplastics alters microtubule organization and insulin secretion in βTC-6 cells.

βTC-6 cells were treated with 10 µg/mL of fluorescent polystyrene microplastics for …

Predicting, Culturing, And Characterizing Beneficial And Detrimental Strains Associated With Plant Phenotypes., Anastasiia Onyshchenko

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Modern agriculture’s reliance on chemical fertilizers has greatly increased crop yields but has also contributed to soil degradation, environmental pollution, and unsustainable resource use. Plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria offer a sustainable alternative, enhancing plant growth through mechanisms such as nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, and phytohormone modulation, while also protecting plants against pathogens and abiotic stresses. However, soil microbial communities are highly diverse and structurally complex, making the isolation of individual beneficial strains challenging. Traditional approaches rely on selective media and labor-intensive phenotypic screening, which often capture only a small fraction of soil diversity. To overcome these limitations, we combined …

Exploring The Role Of Faecalibacterium Prausnitzii Metabolites In Modulating Fatty Acid Metabolism And Protecting Hepg2 Cells During Induced Steatosis, Morgan Martin, Emerald Cole

Student Scholar Symposium

The obesity epidemic has risen to astronomical numbers with over 650 million adults being classified as obese (BMI≥30). Obesity is of critical concern as excess body fat storage is a comorbidity to various diseases including type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Although obesity has classically been attributed to genetics and unhealthy lifestyle choices, there is a growing interest in other factors affecting obesity, including the gut microbiome. For example, mice lacking a microbiome are resistant to weight gain even when placed on a high-calorie diet. It can then be concluded that bacteria and the metabolites they produce can dramatically affect …

Interview With Orca Award Winner John J. Janovy, Jr., Unl Biological Sciences; Parasitologist And Author, Mark Griep, John J. Janovy Jr.

UNL ORCA Interview Series

Professor John Janovy, Jr., was awarded the ORCA in 1998. John was born in Louisiana, but his family moved to Oklahoma, where he grew up in Tulsa and then Oklahoma City. Something in his youth must have sparked an interest in science because he earned three degrees from the University of Oklahoma in Norman: a bachelor of science in math in 1959, a master of science in zoology in 1962, and doctoral degree in zoology in 1965. Next, he ventured 1400 miles east to Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he did post-doctoral work for about a year. …

Ink And Ignorance: How Limitations In Research, Captivity And Recognition Obscure Cephalopod Science, Jacob Weniger

Saint John’s Preparatory School Student Work

This paper analyzes what the limitations are in modern ocean research and how they relate to the study of cephalopods. To understand this, the paper reviews many known cephalopod species to understand what is unknown about their biology. Research was then conducted to assess why certain aspects of species are unknown. Then each gap the specifications of the limitation and the solutions or strategies to overcome them was examined. This led to examinations of research tools, analysis bias, and public views. Understanding these issues is of great importance because it gives a comprehensive lay out of what needs to be …

The Compatibility And Contribution Of Natural Enemies In Western Us Alfalfa Management, Ricardo A. Ramirez, Scott A. Bernhardt, Ryan A. Larsen

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Collaborative Research: Evolving Thicker Skin: Understanding How Adaptations To A Universal Trade-Off Dictate The Climate Vulnerability And Ecology Of An Imperiled Vertebrate Clade, Molly Womack

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Investigation Of The Endogenous Opioid Neural Circuitry In Pain, Erin Nicole Bobeck

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Collaborative Research: Seed-Fungal Interactions: Uncovering Functional Specificity And Primary Symbionts As Key Drivers Of Tropical Tree Recruitment, Noelle Beckman

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Harnessing Blueberry Flower Chemistry And Morphology To Boost Pollination And Bee Health, Monica Borghi

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Capillary Electrophoresis Vs Massively Parallel Sequencing: A Cost-Benefit Analysis, Samia Williams

Honors Projects

Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS) is a new Forensic Science field allowing multiple samples to be sequenced simultaneously. In contrast to CE, multiple types of genetic markers including those from different nucleic acids can be used in the same assay. Additionally, MPS has opened the doors to certain fields of Forensic DNA Analysis like Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy and Forensic Phenotyping assays containing upwards of 100 SNPs. While quite expensive and requiring a high cost for initiating, MPS has the potential to save time and greatly increase the throughput of Forensic DNA Analysis in crime labs.

Buffer Vs. Swabs: Efficacy Of Carrier Nucleic Acids In Robotic Extractions, Shawn Cecil

Honors Projects

This study compared the efficiency of two carrier nucleic acid methods, specifically using salmon sperm DNA (spDNA), in robotic solid-phase extractions of cotton swab samples. Robotic extractions reduce processing time and workload but result in substantially lower DNA recovery than manual organic extraction. This research tested 10 µg of spDNA being added to the lysis buffer or pre-treating the swabs with it before DNA was added. Both methods showed a significant increase in recovery compared to extractions with no carrier. In the buffer extractions, recovery ranged from 69.4% to 117.5% and the swabs being pre-treated ranged from 84.2% to 125.8% …

Investigating Factors That Affect Total Ige Antibody Levels Of A Canine Population In Louisville, Ky, Iris N. Gillespie

Undergraduate Theses

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a genetically predisposed condition that causes inflammatory and pruritic (itchy) skin reactions in response to environmental and food allergens. The main purpose of this study is to determine if there is a correlation between pollen counts and total canine IgE antibody levels of dogs living in Louisville, KY. Additionally, data is analyzed to look for trends documented in previous studies related to the impacts of sex, age, and allergic symptoms on total IgE count. In collaboration with the Downtown Animal Hospital, blood samples were drawn from 16 dogs at one point in February (when pollen …

A Review Of Recent And Developing Studies Regarding Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (Pci): A Narrative Review, Bisher Alsabbagh, Azeez Shala, Joshua Rupert, Abdallah Elsayed

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

This comprehensive literature review synthesizes the most recent evidence and evolving clinical guidelines concerning percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from 2015 to 2025. The study integrates findings from 42 peer-reviewed trials, meta-analyses, registries, and international guideline statements issued by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA), European Society of Cardiology (ESC), and related societies. Results reveal a decade-long evolution in PCI practice marked by a shift from anatomy-driven to physiology and imaging-guided decision-making, supported by tools such as fractional flow reserve (FFR), instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Modern guidelines emphasize individualized, team-based revascularization …

From Collision To Coexistence: Data-Driven Approaches To Reducing Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Intakes, Alice Anastos

Honors Projects

This project investigates the primary anthropogenic drivers of wildlife admissions at Lake Erie Nature and Science Center using a quantitative analysis of 10,172 intake records from the WILD-ONe database. Window collisions were by far the leading cause of admission, accounting for 54% of all intakes. Orphaning represented 12%, followed by vehicle collisions (5%) and domestic cat attacks (4%). By integrating findings from current wildlife rehabilitation research, this study identifies evidence-based strategies, such as bird-safe window treatments, public education on natural animal behavior, and targeted urban planning, that can substantially reduce preventable injuries. These results underscore the need for context-specific outreach …