Biology Commons^™

Phenotypic Variations In T. Repens (White Clover) Leaf Pigmentation, Danielle Sommerman '25, Chiamaka Nbubuokwu '27, Rose Keith

Annual Student Research Poster Session

There is a known variation in patterning amongst the leaves of variegated plants. The reasons as to why this polymorphism occurs has long been debated by botanists and biologists, but some hypotheses include thermoregulation, ultraviolet protection, and pollinator attraction among others (Kuo et al., 2024). We hypothesized that physical location may play a role in the leaf variegation of Trifolium repens (white clover). Starting mid July of 2024, we collected sample leaflets from multiple local populations from three distinct sites in Greencastle, IN. After collecting, we looked at the frequency of chevron presence as well as the size of the …

Comparison Of S100Β Expression In Sk-Mel-25 And A-375, Nev Hommel '26, Ayusha Pokharel '27, Nipun Chopra

Annual Student Research Poster Session

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects more than 2 million Americans each year. S100β protein acts as a biomarker for TBI– studies have shown that micromolar levels of S100β are dangerous to neuronal health. Our plan for the summer was to experiment with whether miRNA-4705 could inhibit the production of S100β or not. To get started on the transfection, we had two hurdles to overcome. One of them was to find an efficient s100B primary antibody and the second was to ensure our s100B siRNA worked. By analyzing various research papers and their western blot, we identified and selected two s100B …

Proteomic Analysis Reveals Major Proteins And Pathways That Mediate The Effect Of 17-Β-Estradiol In Cell Division And Apoptosis In Breast Cancer Mcf7 Cells, Zhenqi Zhou, Brihget Sicairos, Jianhong Zhou, Yuchun Du

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Despite extensive research, the genes/proteins and pathways responsible for the physiological effects of estrogen remain elusive. In this study, we determined the effect of estrogen on global protein expression in breast cancer MCF7 cells using a proteomic method. The expression of 77 cytosolic, 74 nuclear, and 81 membrane/organelle proteins was significantly altered by 17-β-estradiol (E2). Protein enrichment analyses suggest that E2 may stimulate cell division primarily by promoting the G1 to S phase transition and advancing the G2/M checkpoint. The effect of E2 on cell survival was complex, as it could simultaneously enhance and inhibit apoptosis. Bioinformatics analysis suggests that …

Analysis Of Mybl1,Vxn, And Ccne2 Gene Relationships In Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Sahia M. Bryant

Theses (2016-Present)

Accounting for 15-20% of all breast cancers, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), is the most aggressive subtype, with the worst prognosis. In previous studies, the MYBL1 gene, which is associated with several events that are key to tumor progression, has been identified as a powerful transcriptional activator that is overexpressed in TNBC. In earlier research, our lab knocked down MYBL1 expression in a TNBC cell line and identified a subset of genes impacted by the knockdown process. MYBL1 gene is located on the chromosome 8q locus. In addition to MYBL1 we identified 2 genes, VXN and CCNE2, also located at the …

Analysis Of Isoforms Associaated With The Mybl2 Gene In Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Taylor Allen-Boswell

Theses (2016-Present)

Nearly every gene exists as transcript variants and protein isoforms. Variations of a particular gene are generated by small nuclear ribonucleoproteins which in many cases remove introns, so that exons can be joined together in varying configurations. Transcript variants are formed, which are then translated into protein isoforms. The resulting transcript variants have substantial sequence similarities; and the isoforms have substantial sequence similarities. Studies show that isoforms generated because of these processes can have different start sites and/or sizes that can lead to generations of different proteins with different biological roles in a cell. The isoforms might have different functions …

Characterization Of Developmentally Downregulated Nfe2l3 In Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival And Axon Regeneration, Lucy Homer

Holster Scholar Projects

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are central nervous system projection neurons essential for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. Damage to RGCs, caused by conditions such as glaucoma and traumatic optic neuropathy (TON), may lead to vision loss or blindness, as adult RGCs lack regenerative capacity. This study focuses on Nfe2l3 (Nrf3), a developmentally downregulated transcription factor known to mediate cellular responses to oxidative stress, a key pathological event following optic nerve injury. We hypothesized that overexpressing Nfe2l3 in RGCs would enhance their survival and promote axon regeneration after optic nerve crush (ONC) injury. To test this, we …

(Si13-09) Numerical Methods For Solving Nonlinear Fisher Equation Using Backward Differentiation Formula, Vikash Vimal, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Liju Pannikkal

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

This paper examines the numerical solution of the nonlinear Fisher equation that is used to find the growth of tumour cells in the brain. By employing new methods that transform nonlinear partial differential equations (PDE) into nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODE) through spatial discretization. The stability of the resulting nonlinear system is evaluated using Lyapunov’s criteria. Implicit stiff solvers, including various orders of backward differentiation formulas, are used to address the ODE system. The efficiency of these numerical methods is demonstrated through two examples, and a comparison with existing methods from the literature is conducted. Compared to traditional methods, the …

Exploring The Influence Of Molecular Chaperones On The Aggregation Of Transthyretin, Adam S. Knier

Dissertations (1934 -)

Molecular chaperones assist in maintaining protein homeostasis by limiting protein aggregation, including populations of protein aggregates that may be associated with the onset of debilitating and/or often fatal diseases. Chaperones are known to limit protein aggregate populations through disaggregase activity, in which chaperone complexes work together to disassemble multi-subunit aggregate species into smaller populations, or holdase activity, in which chaperones bind to proteins or smaller aggregates to prevent further aggregation. In this dissertation we assess if molecular chaperones can limit the aggregation of human transthyretin (TTR) expressed within a yeast system and explore the relationship between chaperone concentration and activity. …

A Dendrochronological Analysis Of Longleaf And Associated Pines From The Blackwater Ecological Preserve In Southeastern Virginia, Sarah Durham

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The field of dendrochronology utilizes annual tree ring growth data to create chronologies, which function as proxies to measure the effect of climate on radial growth. In the southeastern United States, dendrochronological studies involving the effect of climate on the growth of Pinus species exist, but significant gaps persist. For this study, I: 1) created chronologies of earlywood, latewood, and total ring-width growth for longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.), loblolly pine (P. taeda L.), and pond pine (P. serotina Michx.) and 2) conducted a climate analysis on each species to determine how climatic factors affected radial …

Impacts Of Ing4-Deficiency On Hematopoietic Stem And Progenitor Cells & Characterizing The Concerns Of Novice Stem Graduate Teaching Assistant, Georgina Alice Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The hematopoietic compartment is tasked with the establishment and maintenance of the entire blood program in steady-state and in response to stress. Key to this process are hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which possess the unique ability to self-renew and differentiate to replenish blood cells throughout an organism’s lifetime. Recent work has illustrated the vast mechanisms involved in regulating stress-induced hematopoiesis, including cytokine-mediated lineage bias, gene signature changes in aged HSCs associated with chronic inflammation, the impact of clonal hematopoiesis and stress tolerance. Inhibitor of Growth 4 (Ing4) has been identified as a critical regulator of HSC homeostasis. We show that …

Plankton Dynamics In A Temperate Estuary:Size Structure And Trophic Implications, Nayan Mallick

Theses and Dissertations

Estuarine ecosystems provide goods and services to around 45% of the entire human population. In recent times, these ecosystems have been severely affected by multiple stressors such as pollution, eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, sea level rise, and, most importantly, climate change. Increasing temperature associated with climate change can have pervasive impacts throughout the ecosystem’s functions and processes. Plankton, a conspicuous member of estuarine food web, are among the first to respond to the changes in temperature due to their high sensitivity to changing environmental conditions.

In this dissertation, I investigated the plankton dynamics in an estuarine ecosystem through a combination …

The Middle Domain Of Hsp104 Can Ensure Substrates Are Functional After Processing, Hannah Buchholz, Jane E. Dorweiler, Sam Guereca, Brett T. Wisniewski, James Shorter, Anita L. Manogaran

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Molecular chaperones play a central role in protein disaggregation. However, the molecular determinants that regulate this process are poorly understood. Hsp104 is an AAA+ ATPase that disassembles stress granules and amyloids in yeast through collaboration with Hsp70 and Hsp40. In vitro studies show that Hsp104 processes different types of protein aggregates by partially translocating or threading polypeptides through the central pore of the hexamer. However, it is unclear how Hsp104 processing influences client protein function in vivo. The middle domain (MD) of Hsp104 regulates ATPase activity and interactions with Hsp70. Here, we tested how MD variants, Hsp104^A503S and …

Morphology And Molecular Systematics Support A New Species Of Pseudogonatodes (Squamata: Gekkota: Sphaerodactylidae) From Venezuela With A Remarkable Telescoped Skull, Walter E. Schargel, Christian Hernández-Morales, Juan D. Daza, Micheal J. Jowers, Andres Camilo Montes-Correa, Mayke De Freitas, Kathryn A. Sullivan, Tony Gamble, Aaron M. Bauer, Gilson A. Rivas

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

We describe a new species of miniaturized gecko (genus Pseudogonatodes) from the Peninsula de Paria in northeastern Venezuela. Externally, the new species resembles Pseudogonatodes furvus and Pseudogonatodes manessi, from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia and the Central Coastal Range in Venezuela, respectively; however, it differs from these species in terms of molecular genetic data (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and c-mos), osteological characters, and scale counts. The new species is unique in skull osteology, and we adopt the term ‘telescoped’ from the literature to describe the overlap of bones in the snout, in particular the …

The Cretaceous Diatom Database: A Tool For Investigating Early Diatom Evolution, Karolina Brylka, Matt P. Ashworth, Andrew J. Alverson, David J. Conley

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Cretaceous period is the time of the first appearance of the diatoms in the fossil record. These fossils give us direct evidence of the age and early evolution of the diatom lineage. The fossil record, however, is incomplete and therefore often extrapolated through time-calibrated phylogenies. These two approaches offer different perspectives on the early evolution of diatoms, which is still poorly understood. We compiled the first comprehensive Cretaceous Diatom Database, a tool to investigate the taxonomy, diversity, and occurrence of the earliest known diatom lineages. To further aid the integration and use of the oldest diatom fossils in molecular …

Replacing Traditional Labs With Virtual Labs For First-Year Biology Nonmajors, Tyjuanna R. Strickland Labennett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through this study was the absence of a critical examination of laboratory exercises used with first-year nonbiology majors and the deployment of virtual laboratories in the biology department at the project site university without critical analyses associated with the efficacy of virtual labs. Grounded in Mayer’s cognitive theory of multimedia learning, this quantitative, correlational study was conducted to investigate the comparative effectiveness of virtual versus traditional face-to-face (F2F) laboratories for first-year nonbiology majors as measured by final course grade. A cohort of 184 students in an introductory biology course for non-majors formed the dataset, procured from the …

Radiopaque Femnn-Mo Composite Drawn Filled Tubing Wires For Braided Absorbable Neurovascular Devices, Adam J. Griebel, Petra Maier, Henry D. Summers, Benjamin Clausius, Isabella Kanasty, Weilue He, Nicholas Peterson, Carolyn Czerniak, Alexander A. Oliver, David F. Kallmes, Ramanathan Kadirvel, Jeremy E. Schaffer, Roger J. Guillory

Michigan Tech Publications

Flow diverter devices are small stents used to divert blood flow away from aneurysms in the brain, stagnating flow and inducing intra-aneurysmal thrombosis which in time will prevent aneurysm rupture. Current devices are formed from thin (∼25 μm) wires which will remain in place long after the aneurysm has been mitigated. As their continued presence could lead to secondary complications, an absorbable flow diverter which dissolves into the body after aneurysm occlusion is desirable. The absorbable metals investigated to date struggle to achieve the necessary combination of strength, elasticity, corrosion rate, fragmentation resistance, radiopacity, and biocompatibility. This work proposes and …

Cardiomyocyte Adaptation To Exercise: K+ Channels, Contractility And Ischemic Injury, Robert H. Fitts, Xinrui Wang, Wai-Meng Kwok, Amadou K.S. Camara

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and exercise-training (TRN) is known to reduce risk factors and protect the heart from ischemia and reperfusion injury. Though the cardioprotective effects of exercise are well-documented, underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This review highlights recent findings and focuses on cardiac factors with emphasis on K⁺ channel control of the action potential duration (APD), β-adrenergic and adenosine regulation of cardiomyocyte function, and mitochondrial Ca²⁺ regulation. TRN-induced prolongation and shortening of the APD at low and high activation rates, respectively, is discussed in the context of a reduced response …

Navigating Ethical Challenges In Online Wildlife Trade Research, Thais Q. Morcatty, Shan Su, Penthai Siriwat, Astrid Alex Andersson, Sadek Atoussi, Kim Feddema, Sergio Henriques, Jordi Janssen, Anushri Karve, Jennifer Pytka, Ruth M. Thompson, Vincent Nijman, Joss Wright, David L. Roberts

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The surge in internet accessibility has transformed wildlife trade by facilitating the acquisition of wildlife through online platforms. This scenario presents unique ethical challenges for researchers, as traditional ethical frameworks for in-person research cannot be readily applied to the online realm. Currently, there is a lack of clearly defined guidelines for appropriate ethical procedures when conducting online wildlife trade (OWT) research. In response to this, we consulted the scientific literature on ethical considerations in online research and examined existing guidelines established by professional societies and ethical boards. Based on these documents, we present a set of recommendations that can inform …

Comparative Analysis In The Effectiveness Of Real Vs. Virtual Labs In Enhancing Students’ Conceptual Understanding Of Archimedes’ Principle, Judeanto Edy, Sutopo Sutopo, Edi Supriana

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of virtual laboratories compared to real laboratories in improving students’ conceptual understanding of Archimedes’ principle. A quantitative approach was employed using a pretest-posttest design. The measurement instrument used in this study was a concept mastery test, consisting of 15 multiple-choice questions. Data were analyzed using an independent sample T-test. The research involved students from two XI IPA classes, each consisting of 33 students. The findings indicated that both virtual and real laboratories in the learning process could enhance students’ conceptual understanding. The study concluded that there was no significant difference between the virtual …

Development Of E-Modules Based On Pjbl-Steam And Virtual Simulation Media On Work And Energy Topic As An Effort To Improve Students’ Critical Thinking Skills, Farah Rafidah, Parno Parno, Nasikhudin Nasikhudin, Marlina Ali

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Work and energy are fundamental topics in physics. However, enhancing students’ critical thinking skills in these areas remains a challenge. This research aimed to develop and assess the validity and readability of e-modules designed with PjBL-STEAM and virtual simulation media to address this issue. The development process followed a 4D model, and the resulting e-modules were evaluated as strongly valid category. The validation tests yielded percentage scores of 91.6% for media, 89.3% for content, and 88.0% for lesson plans. Additionally, the readability test achieved a score of 84.6%, indicating a excellent level of comprehensibility. These findings suggest that the e-modules …

Exploration Of Students’ Scientific Argumentation Skills On Static Fluid Topics, Trio Junira Fernando, Parno Parno, Markus Diantoro

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

The weakness in students’ scientific argumentation, particularly in providing evidence-based arguments, has become a significant concern in education. This study aims to assess students’ scientific argumentation skills specifically on the topic of static fluids. The survey was conducted with 78 twelfth-grade students from private high schools in East Java, Indonesia, who had previously studied this topic. A scientific argumentation test instrument, consisting of an essay format with five questions, was employed to collect data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, followed by a classification based on static fluid subtopics and the level of scientific argumentation skill. The results indicated …

Impact Of Problem-Based Learning Integrated With Blended Learning On Students’ Collaborative Skills, Angel Regina, Yustina Febblina Daryanes, Riki Apriyandi Putra

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This study investigates the impact of implementing a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model integrated with Blended Learning on enhancing students’ collaborative abilities. Conducted in class XI of SMA Negeri Plus Riau Province during the 2021/2022 academic year, the research utilized a control group design to compare the collaborative skills of students in an experimental class, which employed the PBL model, with those in a control class. The study assessed four key indicators of collaborative ability: working productively, valuing opinions, compromising, and sharing responsibility. The findings revealed that students in the experimental class showed significant improvements in all four indicators compared to …

Influencing Factors Of Competency Achievement In Fiber Optic Installation Engineering: A Study On Vocational School Graduates In Indonesia, Pangadongan Elfin Pujianto, Djoko Kustono, Hakkun Elmunsyah

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This study investigates the factors influencing the achievement of competencies in the field of Fiber Optic Installation Engineering (TIFO) among vocational school graduates in Indonesia and their subsequent performance in the workforce. Utilizing a quantitative approach, the research examines the relationship between several key variables, including national examination scores, quality of infrastructure, teaching competence, and telecommunication systems subject scores. Path analysis structural equation modeling was employed to determine the direct and indirect effects of these variables on TIFO competency achievement and graduates’ performance. The findings reveal that the quality of infrastructure is the most significant contributor to competency achievement, accounting …

The Prognostic Significance Of Androgen Receptor Expression In Gliomas, Chi Zhang, Nan Zhao, Rubayat Khan, Ming-Yang Hung, Chi Zhang, Shuo Wang, Tony J.C. Wang, Chi Lin

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Androgen receptor (AR) overexpression has been identified in gliomas and its stem cells, suggesting that AR plays an important role in tumor carcinogenesis. The prognostic significance of AR overexpression in gliomas remains unknown. AR mRNA expression in gliomas and relevant clinical data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas databases. AR expression levels were compared across gliomas of different histopathologic grades and molecular subtypes. Kaplan–Meier analyses in patients with different AR expression levels were investigated for the potential prognostic values of AR. Compared with normal brain tissue, gliomas show significantly higher AR mRNA expression ( …

Expanded Gene And Taxon Sampling Of Diplomonads Shows Multiple Switches To Parasitic And Free-Living Lifestyle, Monika Wiśniewska, Erik Salomaki, Jeffrey D. Silberman, Kristina Terpis, Eva Mazancová, Petr Táborský, Vasana Jinathama, Eleni Gentekaki, Ivan Čepička, Martin Kolisko

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background

Diplomonads are anaerobic flagellates classified within Metamonada. They contain both host-associated commensals and parasites that reside in the intestinal tracts of animals, including humans (e.g., Giardia intestinalis), as well as free-living representatives that inhabit freshwater and marine anoxic sediments (e.g., Hexamita inflata). The evolutionary trajectories within this group are particularly unusual as the free-living taxa appear to be nested within a clade of host-associated species, suggesting a reversal from host-dependence to a secondarily free-living lifestyle. This is thought to be an exceedingly rare event as parasites often lose genes for metabolic pathways that are essential to a …

Coral Reef Protection Is Fundamental To Human Rights, Emma F. Camp, Irus Braverman, Genevieve Wilkinson, Christian R. Voolstra

Journal Articles

The intensifying loss of coral reefs from global climate change and local stressors has seen international commitments targeted at conservation and repair, for example the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Fulfilling these targets requires decisions to be made on where, when, and how to act, ultimately dictating where limited resources will be deployed. Every choice on action or inaction toward our ocean has direct and indivisible consequences not only for the health of marine ecosystems but also for the health of humans, particularly those who directly depend on marine habitats, both culturally and economically. The well-being of the environment, humans, and …

It’S A Question At The ‘Root’ Of The Problem: Fungal Associations Of Dionaea Muscipula (Venus’ Flytrap) Roots In Its Native Habitat, Anna A. Carnaggio, Michelle M. Barthet

Biology

Carnivorous plants survive in harsh habitats with limited nutrients and a low pH. Much focus has been placed on carnivorous trap evolution as the primary mechanism to increase nutrient acquisition through insect digestion. Soil microbiome, however, may also play a pertinent role in nutrient acquisition influencing plant vigor and overall success. Dionaea muscipula, commonly known as the Venus’ flytrap, is endemic to rims of the Carolina Bays located in southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina, where D. muscipula survives in nutrient poor soils with a vestigial root system. We utilized a combination of microscopy, plating, and metagenomics, to investigate …

Formulation And Evaluation Of In-Vitro Anti-Cancer Activity Of Iron Nanoparticles On Mcf-7 & A-475 Cells, Sarad Pawar Naik Bukke, Arigela Bharathi, Tenpattinam Shanmugam Saraswathi, Yenumula Nettikallu, Shanmugam Vippamakula

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Nanomedicine is an interdisciplinary field within the developing nano medication delivery system. Ayurveda, a traditional form of healing, employs nanoparticles known as Bhasmas. Nanoparticles can be selectively designed to simultaneously deliver many medications. This innovative functionality enables meticulous regulation of drug release, therefore obviating the necessity for intricate dosing schedules. This enhances patient compliance with treatment. The aim of this work is to synthesise iron nanoparticles using an environmentally friendly process, evaluate the quality of the produced nanoparticles, and examine their possible anti-cancer properties by in-vitro experimental testing utilizing MCF-7 and A-475 cell lines. To produce neem leaf extract, fresh …

Antimicrobial Properties Of Jasminum Sambac Linn Leave Extract On Selected Oral Associated Pathogen, Sarah Saiful Rizal, Wan Razarinah Wan Abdul Razak

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Traditional medicine using Jasminum leaves to treat oral health problems is expected due to easy access. Furthermore, due to the rising issue of antibiotic resistance, discovering a natural antibiotic that can effectively replace synthetic antibiotics would be valuable as natural antibiotics can cover the benefits, challenges, and future development. This study aims to assess the antimicrobial properties of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Jasminum sambac L. leaves at the concentration of 50, 150, and 250 mg/ml against E. coli ATCC 25922, P. aeruginosa ATCC 10145, S. aureus ATCC 33591 and B. cereus ATCC 11778, C. albicans ATCC 10231 and A. …

Potential Of Critical Mineral And Cytotoxicity Activity Of Gadolinium Complex As Anti-Amoebic Agent By Viability Studies And Flow Cytometry Techniques, Eny Kusrini, Fatimah Hashim, Azrina Aziz, Muhamad Fairus Noor Hassim, Anwar Usman, Lee D. Wilson, El-Sayed Negim, Agus Budi Prasetyo

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

The screening of lanthanide as a critical mineral and used as an anti-amoebic agent is important to identify the safest method and mode of cell death to eliminate this microorganism from the host. In this study, gadolinium ion (Gd³⁺) that complexed with a short acyclic triethylene glycol (EO3) and in the presence of picric acid (HPic) as counter anion for anti-amoebic activity was explored. The trivalent Gd³⁺ complexed with EO3 and HPic via one-pot synthesis reaction using a mole ratio of gadolinium nitrate salt, EO3 ligand and HPic in a mole ratio 1:3:4 to produce [Gd(Pic)_{2 …}