Biology Commons^™

Bioinformatic Analysis Of Epcam Variants Associated With Colorectal Cancer, Elaine Vanterpool, Taylor Hall

Student Posters

Colorectal cancer is the uncontrolled cell growth on the first and largest part of the intestine, the colon. Colorectal cancer, known as the “silent disease”, is easily undetected, especially in its early stages. It can be asymptomatic for years, and without the proper diagnosis, it can become fatal. Once symptoms start to appear, a patient can have rectal bleeding, fatigue, weight loss, changes in bowel habits, and more. Comprehending the pathogenesis of Colorectal cancer and enquiring about preventative measures against this disease requires awareness of the variants that play a part in this cancer. To start this study, we first …

An Analysis Of Lamb3 Variants Associated With Amelogenesis Imperfecta, Elaine Vanterpool, Aaliyah Ruddock

Student Posters

The disease researched in this study was Amelogenesis Imperfecta. Those infected may experience mild to extreme the enamel formation which results in tooth brittleness and discoloration (brown and yellow). Being an X-linked recessive inherited disease, it is more detrimental to males than that of females. Individuals with this disease are also more susceptible to dental caries caused by bacteria such as streptococcal mutans. Overtime, this bacteria can demineralize the teeth by metabolizing sugars that can produce acids. These acids can cause severe unrepairable damage to the tooth. This disease can also result in psychological issues including mental health disorders due …

Analysis Of Rest Gene Variants Associated With Gingival Fibromatosis, Elaine Vanterpool, Daniellw Mills

Student Posters

Gingival fibromatosis is a genetic disorder that affects cell proliferation of the gum tissue leading to excessive, benign growth of tissue in the mouth (1) . Like all genetic disorders this disease results from mutations in specific gene sequences responsible for proper protein expression (2). Geneticists are increasingly interested in studying the genes responsible for various diseases and the mutations that cause them (2). While significant study has been devoted to Gingival fibromatosis and the mutations that lead to it , there remains research to be done in alternate effects of various mutations in the genes responsible for the disease. …

Genetic Insights Into Glaucoma: The Impact Of Tkb1 Mutations On Glaucoma, Elaine Vanterpool, Kelli-An Kindell

Student Posters

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative eye disorder that can cause vision loss or permanent blindness due to damage in the optic nerve. Research has helped identify various genetic variants associated with this disease, including TBK1 (TANK-binding kinase 1). TBK1encodes for an enzyme serine/threonine which plays a role in innate immunity antiviral responses. This enzyme helps the immune system fight off infections by turning on specific signals in the body like IRF3/7 and NF-kB which regulate cytokine production and inflammatory response. Beyond immunity TBK1 is involved in crucial cellular processes including autophagy, mitochondrial energy production and cellular proliferation. TBK1 was linked to …

An Analysis Of Dagla Variants Associated With Adhd, Elaine Vanterpool, Zahra Dulan

Student Posters

The human genome is largely responsible for each individual’s unique physical and physiological development. It contains thousands of genes with multiple alleles that code for proteins with various functions. Mutations in these genes have the potential to lead to the development of human diseases and disorders. Therefore, properly analyzing mutated genes is essential to understanding their potential pathogenicity in various diseases and disorders. It may also provide a basis for the development of new therapies. The DAGLA gene encodes a protein called diacylglycerol lipase alpha. This enzyme is involved in the biosynthesis of 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol, a key player in the endocannabinoid …

Analysis Of Tert Gene Associated With Melanoma, Elaine Vanterpool, Laila Prentice

Student Posters

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that arises when melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin, begin to proliferate uncontrollably. It can develop from a preexisting mole or previously unblemished skin. Melanoma is considered one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer, known for its rapid proliferation and resistance to treatment. This malignancy poses a significant health risk to the elderly, who may be more susceptible due to cumulative sun exposure and age-related immune system decline. There are several subtypes of melanoma, including superficial spreading melanoma, nodular melanoma, lentigo maligna melanoma, and acral melanoma. Its development is strongly …

An Analysis Of Abca3 Variants Associated With Hypertension, Elaine Vanterpool, Lisa-Faith Dieujuste

Student Posters

blood pressure in the body is too high. A medical condition that is well known to be one of the major causes of premature deaths worldwide. Affecting an estimation of 1.28 billion adults . ABCA3 is a protein that is involved in the development of hypertension. ABCA3 is part of the ATP-binding cassette transporter family. It is a multi-membrane spanning protein meaning it has to do with the transporting, signaling and structure of cells. It plays a crucial role in the regulation of pulmonary surfactant homeostasis, but its main objective is to provide instruction to make protein that is involved …

An Analysis Of Capn-10 Variants Associated With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Elaine Vanterpool, Azaria Carey

Student Posters

Calpain 10 (CAPN-10): A calcium independent protein in the calpain family involved in cell structure, signaling, and metabolism. oKey Functions: Regulates sugar metabolism, energy production, and insulin release, making it crucial for metabolic health. oType 2 Diabetes: CAPN-10 was the first gene linked to T2DM in the early 2000s. oGestational Diabetes: CAPN-10 variations contribute to insulin release and pancreas function, increasing risks for both mother and child. oPolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): CAPN-10 changes may exacerbate PCOS-related issues like insulin resistance, weight gain, and heart disease. o Purpose: to further clarify the role of CAPN-10 mutations in PCOS and their broader …

Analysis Of Alzheimer's Associated Adam10 Mutations, Elaine Vanterpool, Addie Mciver

Student Posters

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is characterized by a loss of short-term memory and deterioration of the brain through a decrease in neuron connection and damage to the cerebral cortex. The main symptoms of AD are confusion and a loss of memory, reasoning, and social behavior, partially believed to be caused by neuritic plaque accumulation. This debilitating disease is associated with 28 genes and 515 variants. One of the rarer genes, ADAM10, is a cell surface protein/ protease that is part of the alpha secretase family, commonly associated with AD. These genes, present in all mammals, code for others in the ADAM …

Using Camera Stations To Investigate Occupancy Probability And Habitat Associations Of Island Spotted Skunks (Spilogale Gracilis Amphiala) On Santa Rosa And Santa Cruz Islands, Desirae Thomaier

Master's Theses

The California Channel Islands are unique in that two islands (Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz) support two endemic mesocarnivores, the island fox (Urocyon littoralis) and the island spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis amphiala). Following the near-extinction of island foxes in the early 2000s, island spotted skunk populations increased significantly. Now that foxes have recovered, skunk captures have precipitously declined - possibly due to interspecific competition with foxes who have a similar diet but a larger body size and wider temporal niche. It has been proposed that skunks selectively use canyon bottoms and drainages with high vegetation cover and that these areas …

Adipocyte-Derived Cchamide-1, Eiger, Growth-Blocking Peptide 3, And Unpaired 2 Regulate Drosophila Melanogaster Oogenesis, Chad Simmons, Isaiah Williams, Tancia Bradshaw, Alissa R. Armstrong

Faculty Publications

In addition to energy storage, adipose tissue communication to other organs plays a key role in regulating organismal physiology. While the link between adipose tissue dysfunction and pathophysiology, including diabetes, chronic inflammation, and infertility, is clear, the molecular mechanisms that underlie these associations have not been fully described. We use Drosophila melanogaster as a model to better understand how adipose tissue communicates to the ovary. In this study, we utilized D. melanogaster’s robust genetic toolkit to examine the role of five adipokines known to control larval growth during development, CCHamide-1, CCHamide-2, eiger, Growth-blocking peptide 3, and unpaired 2 in regulating …

Outreach & Dna-Based Monitoring Facilitate 3-Fold Reduction In Seafood Mislabeling In Los Angeles Over 10 Years, Demian A. Willette, Kelli Andrade, Ben Fitzpatrick, Kesterlyn Wilson

Biology Faculty Works

Awareness and intervention can reduce fraudulent labeling in seafood. Using a 10-year longitudinal study approach, DNA-based monitoring data reveals a lower sushi mislabeling in Los Angeles restaurants over time. This is in part attributed to implemented recommendations by restaurants of a local academia-industry-government outreach initiative launched in 2018, The Los Angeles Seafood Monitoring Project. We found mislabeling was 3-fold lower among project-partnering restaurants than other restaurants. This difference was statistically significant, illustrating the combination of project partnering and implementation of recommendations was most impactful on reducing mislabeling rates. Lastly, the study period includes the COVID19 global pandemic, which additional monitoring …

Comparative Mechanical And Elastic Properties Of The Dorsal And Ventral Tendons In The Peduncle Of Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena Phocoena), Alexa R. Cesari, Jesse K. Placone, Nicole L. Ramo, Michael V. Rosario, Matthew Morris, Danielle S. Adams, Frank E. Fish

Biology Faculty Publications

Cetaceans swim via vertical movements of the tail. The tendons located in the caudal peduncle are attached to the caudal vertebrae to generate propulsive oscillations. Arguments have centered on whether the upstrokes and downstrokes of the tail and propulsive flukes are symmetrical or asymmetrical in time. Previous research from kinematics of swimming animals, muscle architecture and histology has supported both conditions. However, the composition and structure of the tendons suggest a potential mechanism to evaluate this disparity. In this study, the tendons of the caudal peduncle of the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) – specifically, the extensor caudae medialis …

Defective Sickle Cell Mutations, Elaine Vanterpool, Carroline Anderson

Student Posters

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. It is an inherited hemoglobinopathy. Both alleles must be affected to manifest the disease. In sickle cell disease, the red blood cells become hard, sticky, and look like a sickle, making it difficult to pass through the blood vessels and carry oxygen. Sickle cell trait is more prevalent than sickle cell disease and affects 1 in 13 African American babies (According to the CDC). The clinical manifestation of sickle cell trait is not as aggressive and does not cause as much morbidity as sickle cell disease. This …

“Seeing Someone Like Me Succeed Made Me Believe I Could Too!”: Evaluating The Big-Sib & Little-Sib Mentorship Program At Swarthmore College, Lina Verghese , '25

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

This thesis evaluates the Bio Big Sib & Little Sib Mentorship Program in Swarthmore College’s Biology Department, a student-led initiative supporting racial/ethnic minority and first-generation, low-income (FLI) students. Launched in 2021, the program pairs upperclassmen with underclassmen to offer guidance, build community, and affirm student identity within a predominantly white, elite academic environment. Using a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews and survey data, this study examines the program’s effectiveness and long-term impact on student belonging, academic navigation, and identity development. Findings reveal that the program has become a vital support structure, helping participants access the “hidden curriculum” and fostering emotional …

College Of Natural Sciences Newsletter, Spring 2025, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

Page 1 Dean's Message from Dr. Sen Subramanian
Page 2 Student Spotlights
Page 3 Kaushik honored, Three-Minute Thesis, & Ice Cores revealed
Page 4 Alumni Spotlight
Page 5 Day of Scholars
Page 6 Cyanide research, Record Research Expenditures, Adhikari awarded Miller Research Award
Page 8 Hanson Receives NSF Grant
Page 9 Snow Lab Research Team
Page 10 Faculty Awards
Page 11 Drone Day
Page 13 Khalaf Awarded Presidential Award

Offering Alternatives To Biblical Literalism May Be The Key To Increasing The Public’S Acceptance Of Evolution, Jamie Jensen, Dalton Bourne, Kenneth Harrington, Grant Rousseau, Jessica Abele, Daniel Ferguson

ScholarsArchive Data

These are data from two cohorts: a nationwide dataset, and a BYU-specific student dataset. We gathered information on evolution acceptance (using the I-SEA), biblical literalism (using the EALS) and religiosity (using the Sethi and Seligman instrument).

Understanding How Chaperones Influence Protein Aggregation, Hannah Buchholz

Dissertations (1934 -)

Cells depend on properly folded proteins to function and remain healthy. If proteins adopt a nonnative conformation, they may have an increased propensity to clump together or aggregate, which can compromise cell viability. Unwanted aggregates are linked to a class of diseases called proteinopathies, which include fatal disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Fortunately, cellular factors, known as molecular chaperones, help maintain protein homeostasis by limiting and disassembling protein aggregates. However, the mechanisms that underlie how chaperones modify protein aggregation are poorly understood. The goal of this dissertation is to explore the molecular mechanisms used by …

What Do We Know About Insect Responses To Global Change? A Review Of Meta-Analyses On Global Change Drivers, Mayra C. Vidal, Mariana Abarca, Kristi Backe, Anne E. Curé, Deborah L. Finke, Amanda M. Koltz, Alycia C.R. Lackey, J. Christina Mitchell, Rebecca M. Prather, Ellen A.R. Welti, Gina M. Wimp, Shannon M. Murphy

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

1. Global change is causing major declines in biodiversity, especially of insects. Scientific interest in global change impacts on insects has increased in recent years, resulting in many different meta-analyses examining questions within this topic.

2. We performed a comprehensive review of meta-analyses examining the effects of global change stressors on insects to identify well-studied questions and gaps in our knowledge and synthesise the responses of insects to those stressors. We identified 75 meta-analyses that fit our scope, accounting for 905 meta-results and spanning 18 global change stressors.

3. Our synthesis identified several global change stressors that are relatively well-studied …

Coyote (Canis Latrans) Macronutrient Consumption And Diet Relative To Seasonality And Urbanization, Katherine C. B. Weiss, Sean C. P. Coogan, Pierre Deviche, Jesse S. Lewis, Savage C. Hess, Jan Schipper, Eric G. Strauss, Beckett Sterner

Biology Faculty Works

Diet selection informs the health, fitness, and behavior of wild predators. Due to assumptions that vertebrate prey contains similar compositions of macronutrients (i.e., protein, carbohydrates, and lipids), whole prey items traditionally define carnivore diets. However, increasing evidence suggests that prey differ in terms of their macronutrient compositions, particularly relative to body size. Furthermore, omnivorous predators, like coyotes (Canis latrans), integrate both prey and nonprey diet items whose macronutrient compositions vary. This is particularly important in urbanized systems, which introduce or alter the distributions of prey (e.g., domestic pets) and nonprey (e.g., ornamental plants) foods in ways that contribute …

Analyzing The Inhibition Of Chemical Compounds On Collagenase In P. Aeruginosa, Elaine Vanterpool

Student Posters

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that poses significant challenges in clinical treatment due to its production of collagenase. This bacterium can cause several infections including pneumonia, meningitis, septicemia, and a host of other diseases. Collagenase acts as a key virulence factor by breaking down collagen in the host’s extracellular matrix, allowing bacteria to invade tissues. This study hypothesized that the effects of cell secreted collagenase would be inhibited by metronidazole, vanillin, and silver nanoparticles to reduce the pathogenicity of Ps. aeruginosa related infections. With the use of a spectrophotometric assay, collagenase activity was measured in treated and untreated bacterial …

Adipocyte-Derived Cchamide-1, Eiger, Growth-Blocking Peptide 3, And Unpaired 2 Regulate Drosophila Melanogaster Oogenesis, Chad Simmons, Isaiah H. Williams, Tancia W. Bradshaw, Alissa R. Armstrong

Faculty Publications

In addition to energy storage, adipose tissue communication to other organs plays a key role in regulating organismal physiology. While the link between adipose tissue dysfunction and pathophysiology, including diabetes, chronic inflammation, and infertility, is clear, the molecular mechanisms that underlie these associations have not been fully described. We use Drosophila melanogaster as a model to better understand how adipose tissue communicates to the ovary. In this study, we utilized D. melanogaster’s robust genetic toolkit to examine the role of five adipokines known to control larval growth during development, CCHamide-1, CCHamide-2, eiger, Growth-blocking peptide 3, and unpaired 2 in regulating …

Therapeutic Role Of Bioactive Peptides Derived From Hemoglobin, Priya Antony Pereppadan

Dissertations

Bioactive peptides are peptide fragments derived from the proteolytic cleavage or maturation of functional proteins that have shown promising therapeutic potential in addressing major health challenges, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and pain management. Diabetes is characterized by high blood glucose levels due to insufficient insulin production or utilization. There are several therapeutic targets for managing diabetes, and one key target is dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) due to its role in glucose metabolism. In hypertension, angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE1) is critical for regulating blood pressure by forming angiotensin II, and its inhibition represents an established treatment strategy. Additionally, the …

Diverse Microbial Prey In The Guts Of Gelatinous Grazers Revealed By Microscopy, Terra C. Hiebert, Anne W. Thompson, Kelly R. Sutherland

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mucous mesh grazers including pelagic tunicates and thecosome pteropods play a key role in oceanic food webs. They are taxonomically and morphologically diverse and can be highly abundant. Using their fine mucous meshes, these pelagic grazers ingest a wide range of plankton prey and link pelagic and benthic marine ecosystems. Characterizing the diet of this group is central to fully understanding marine food webs and developing accurate food web models. However, gelatinous grazers are challenging to study owing to their physically delicate composition so studying their feeding ecology requires numerous complementary techniques. Microscopy has largely been supplanted by other methods, …

Analysis Of Mapt On Alzheimer’S Disease, Elaine Vanterpool

Student Posters

There are multiple factors that contribute to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. These include genetic causes, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices. Microtubule-Associated Protein Tau. (MAPT) is a gene that is associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. There are 2 main alleles of the APOE gene: H1 haplotype and H2 haplotype. H1 haplotype is the more common variant and is associated with an increased risk of developing tau-related neurodegenerative diseases.H2 haplotype is less common and is thought to have originated from an ancient inversion on chromosome 17q21. It may have some protective effects against certain tauopathies. The H1 haplotype is …

Analysis Of Mutations Of Hydin Gene Associated With Hypertension, Elaine Vanterpool, Savania Simms

Student Posters

Hypertension also called “High Blood Pressure” is a disorder caused by factors such as old age, genetics, weight, physical activeness, and diet. Today hypertension affects 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 years worldwide (Mayo Clinic, 2024). When hypertension is in the range of 180/120 it can cause symptoms such as headache, chest pain, dizziness, blurred vision, and other symptoms . It is important to study the genes associated with this disorder because it helps to identify what genetic risk factors cause this as well as it helps develop more treatments for it. The gene HYDIN associated with hypertension has 51 variants …

Silver Nanoparticles And Vanillin Can Inhibit Collagenase Activities Of Serratia Marcescens, Elaine Vanterpool, Mya St. Louis, Josel Bryant, Kennedi Ewan, Taylor Hall, Leah Marcelle, Mayah Seal

Student Posters

Serratia marcescens is a gram-negative, disease-causing agent that belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family. This rod-shaped microbe causes many infectious diseases such as urinary and respiratory infections, wound infections, and peritonitis, which can result in fatal bacteremia. Collagenase is an enzyme that breaks down collagen, while also playing a key role in the extracellular matrix. Collagenase uses zinc to operate that helps it break down the peptide bonds in collagen. Testing Agents ❖ Metronidazole is an antimicrobial drug used to treat infections caused by different anaerobic bacteria, such as infections in the blood, liver, bones, joints, and meninges. ❖ Vanillin is …

Silver Nanoparticles And Natural Compounds Can Modulate Proteolytic Activities Of Escherichia Coli, Elaine Vanterpool, Simone Chotan, Wendolyn Johnson, Emilee Duany, Antonio Ward

Student Posters

Investigating the impact of antibacterial agents on Escherichia coli (E. coli) protease activity is vital for advancing new approaches to combat bacterial infections. Proteases are crucial enzymes in bacterial physiology that contribute to immune system evasion, biofilm development, and host tissue degradation. Due to these enzymes being directly involved in E. coli virulence, understanding how antibacterial compounds affect protease function may lead to innovative treatment strategies. E. coli is a gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacterium that exists both as a harmless intestinal commensal and a significant human pathogen. Many lives have been negatively affected by severe E. coli infections in the …

Analyzing The Inhibition Of Chemical Compounds On Protease In P. Aeruginosa, Elaine Vanterpool, Micah Andrews, Marielle Cooper, Mitspah Eshette, Anaya Moodie-Lee, Jayda Russell, Jordon Vanterpool

Student Posters

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative, bacillus-shaped opportunistic pathogen, notorious for invading immunocompromised individual leading to secondary infections. These opportunistic microbes typically are implicated mild to more severe infections including burn or wound infections to more serious systemic infections. The bacterium Ps. aeruginosa utilizes a variety of virulence factors to enhance the pathogenicity of the organism. Virulence factors secreted by Ps. aeruginosa include its pili, adhesins, capsule, exotoxin A, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The proteases produced by Ps. aeruginosa are powerful virulence factors that can lead to tissue destruction and immune invasion. It is imperative that we find ways of regulating the …

Improving Biocompatibility And Structural Integrity Of Decellularized Biomaterials, Elaine Vanterpool, Jayden Vanterpool, Ayanna Liburd, Andrew Mcintosh, Cayden Pyform, Cameron Scott, Jea Joseph Msie

Student Posters

Venous grafting using synthetic and biomaterials has been one of the forefront issues of the scientific community. For years, in vitro experimentation of both bio and synthetic materials has been carried out with the hope of treating issues like chronic venous insufficiency, heart attacks, artery blockage, etc. Within these issues, there has been much success. Numerous cases have made it to clinical trials with grafts lasting as long as two years within the patient. Nonetheless, some common and persistent issues occur within all the cases observed. Despite extensive experimentation and development of the most prestigious technology, thrombosis, negative immune response, …