Biotechnology Commons^™

Endophytic Actinobacteria: Deciphering Therapeutic And Industrial Potential, And Prospects Of Genome Mining In Novel Products Discovery, Yusra Waheed, Rabia Shahdin, Imran Sajid

Journal of Bioresource Management

Endophytic actinobacteria are a diverse group of Gram-positive bacteria with high G+C content, which inhabit plants’ internal tissues, and represent a significant yet underexplored reservoir of bioactive secondary metabolites. In host plants, a remarkable repertoire of metabolites, including broad-spectrum antibiotics, anticancer, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory compounds, is synthesized by these microbial allies, carrying significant medicinal and agricultural potential. These endophytes, in contrast to their soil relatives, have developed unique biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) strongly influenced by plant-associated factors, leading to the production of structurally novel metabolites. In recent years, the advances in genome mining, metagenomics, and metabolomics have accelerated …

Developing Antibodies Against Galectin-3 And Galectin-9 To Target Endometriosis, Ashleigh Burger, Noah Farnsworth, Jared J. Reisnouer, Cheyenne Vue

2026 Symposium

Endometriosis is a disease characterized by pelvic pain and the formation of endometrial-like tissue on the outside of the uterine lining. This condition affects nearly 10% of women across the globe and confirming whether someone has endometriosis requires visualization in surgery. While the specific causes of this disease remain unclear, the over-expression of the Galectins 3 and 9 in ectopic endometrial tissues suggests a role in the development and maintenance of the condition. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are highly specific proteins with potential as diagnostic or treatment tools. The goal of this study is to generate antibodies against Gal3 and Gal9. …

Time And Dose Dependent Effects Of Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction Exosomes On Human Dental Pulp Stem Cell Proliferation, Sylva Dinie Alinda, Anggraini Margono, Indah Julianto, Dini Asrianti Bagio

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Background: Cell proliferation is essential for tissue repair and immunomodulation in regenerative dentistry. Adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (AD-SVF) is a promising autologous source for tissue engineering. Its exosomes (AD-SVF Exo), as cell-free products stable under ischemic conditions, represent an ethical and attractive modality for dental tissue regeneration and broader regenerative applications. Prior study indicates that AD-SVF Exo can enhance human dental pulp stem cell (hDPSC) migration and proliferation, particularly at low concentrations, but their detailed time- and dose-dependent proliferative effects remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the time- and dose-dependent effects of low-concentration AD-SVF Exo on hDPSC proliferation …

Metabolic Syndrome Beyond Diagnostic Criteria: Population-Scale Integrative Metabolomics Characterization, Marwa Talal

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex cluster of interrelated metabolic abnormalities associated with elevated cardiometabolic risk. While diagnosis is based on well-established five clinical criteria, these may overlook early or atypical metabolic alterations. Large-scale metabolomic profiling offers an opportunity to identify biochemical signatures of MetS beyond diagnostic bias and to evaluate their relative importance across different presentations of the syndrome.

Methods: Data from 117,147 UK Biobank participants were analyzed in a cross-sectional design. High-throughput NMR quantified 75 circulating metabolites, for. Univariate analyses, MetS subtype stratification, and elastic net models with SHAP interpretation were applied to assess feature …

Hyperglycemia Detection From Sigle - Lead Ecg Using A Hybrid Cnn & Transformer Model, Adam Ayomikun Ogunjembola

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract
Hyperglycemia Detection from Single-Lead ECG using a Hybrid CNN & Transformer Model
Adam Ogunjembola

Diabetes Mellitus is known as high blood glucose. This high blood glucose level happens when the body has a problem with producing or using insulin. Insulin is a very important hormone that the pancreas makes to control how much glucose gets into the bloodstream and cells. Diabetes Mellitus has an effect on the body if it is not treated, such as damaging the blood vessels and nerves which can lead to stroke, kidney failure, heart attack and permanent loss of vision. Since people with diabetes …

The Influence Of Myocardin Effector Genes On The Tgf-Beta Smad3 Signaling Pathway In Human Pleural Mesothelial Cells, Hema Chandra Hrushi Dusharla

Biotechnology Theses

Pleural Fibrosis (PF) involves excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, mainly by myofibroblasts, leading to pleural thickening and impaired lung function. Pleural mesothelial cells (PMCs) contribute via mesothelial and mesenchymal transition (MesoMT), triggered by cytokines like TGF-β. Our lab identified Myocardin (MyoCD), a transcriptional co-activator of cardiac and smooth muscle, is a master regulator of pleural fibrosis through interactions with serum response factor (SRF) and Smad2/3 transcription factors which initiate fibrosis signaling. RNA sequencing and qPCR analysis revealed that silencing MyoCD decreased the expression of CTNNB1, MDFI, and Tspan2. MDFI emerged as a potent candidate, as this gene affecting the expression …

Knowledge Of Hiv Transmission And Prevention Among University Students In Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study, Muhammad Saleem, Sajid Masood, Shahid Hussain

Journal of Bioresource Management

HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health problem internationally, with young adults being especially at risk because of behavioral and knowledge deficits. In Pakistan, cultural inhibitions and suboptimal health education are the main reasons for limited awareness, particularly among university students. This study had the objectives of determining the knowledge level about HIV transmission and prevention among undergraduate students in Kohsar University Murree (KUM) and to investigate correlations with salient demographic variables. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 510 students aged 18-27 years through a pre-validated, standardized questionnaire with 12 knowledge-based items. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were utilized to …

Biallelic Fgf4 Variants Linked To Thoracic Dystrophy And Respiratory Insufficiency, Laura M. Watts, Esther Kinning, Donald R. Latner, Marla Johnston, Jessica Patrick-Esteve, Gregory M. Cooper, Stephen R.F. Twigg, Alistair T. Pagnamenta, Jenny C. Taylor

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The thoracic dystrophies are inherited skeletal conditions where abnormal embryonic development of the thoracic skeleton results in a narrow chest, pulmonary hypoplasia, and respiratory insufficiency, which can be severe or lethal. The majority of thoracic dystrophies are due to biallelic alterations in genes needed for normal ciliary function. However, despite the identification of over 20 genes as causal for the thoracic dystrophy phenotype, around 20% of patients remain without a molecular diagnosis. We present two unrelated families with a clinical diagnosis of thoracic dystrophy with associated respiratory insufficiency without a molecular diagnosis on previous genetic testing. Both harbor rare biallelic …

Development Of A Multi-Epitope Peptide Vaccine Against Monkeypox Virus: Immunoinformatics Analysis For South East Asian Hla Alleles, Nelson Chandra, Mochammad Aqilah Herdiansyah, Viol Dhea Kharisma, Arif Nur Muhammad Ansori, Arli Aditya Parikesit

Makara Journal of Science

The monkeypox virus (MPXV), a DNA virus causing zoonotic disease, poses major global public health challenges, with mortality rates between 3%–6%. Although smallpox vaccines provide partial cross-protection, there is a critical need for a dedicated, effective monkeypox (mpox) vaccine. This study aimed to design a multi-epitope peptide-based vaccine specifically adapted to the HLA allele profiles common in Southeast Asian populations, where MPXV cases are rising. Using immunoinformatics, we screened for and detected B and T cell epitopes from the MPXV cell surface antigen and IFN-alpha/beta receptor proteins. The vaccine design was validated through a rigorous evaluation of its antigenicity, immunogenicity, …

Identification Of Novel Genetic Biomarkers Linked To The Prodromal Stage Of Parkinson’S Disease (Pd) Patients, Marwa Tawfik Badawy

Theses and Dissertations

Background and Objective: The early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), is particularly challenging because symptoms appear only after significant neuronal damage has already occurred. This study is utilizing variant call format (VCF) analysis to identify genetic variants and novel genes that could serve as early prognostic markers for prodromal PD. Materials and Methods: Data were sourced from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), focusing on prodromal patients with gVCF data from the 2021 cohort. The study included 304 participants, comprising 100 healthy controls, 146 individuals with prodromal genetic indicators, 21 individuals with prodromal hyposmia, and 37 …

Investigating The Role Of Prostasin In Angiogenesis: A Chorioallantoic Membrane Model Approach, Zaima Aline

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Prostasin, also known as PRSS8 or CAP1, is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored extracellular serine protease involved in various physiological and pathophysiological processes. Prostasin expression is observed during key phases of trophoblast invasion and placental development, critical steps in embryo implantation in Rhesus monkeys. This suggests a role for prostasin in extracellular matrix remodeling and tissue invasion, both essential for a healthy pregnancy. Moreover, prostasin appears vital for development as studies in mice show that a germline knockout of the gene leads to significant placental defects and eventual embryonic death, highlighting its importance in vascular and structural development within the placenta.

Building …

Use Of Electrical Bone Growth Stimulators In High-Risk Patients Following Spinal Fusion, Soumya Malhotra, Khavir Sharieff

HCA-NSU MD Research Day

Title: Use of Electrical Bone Growth Stimulators in High-Risk Patients Following Spinal Fusion Authors: Soumya Malhotra, BA., MS1 & Khavir Sharieff, DO, MBA2 1Class of 2027, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, FL 2Assistant Professor of Surgery, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tampa Bay, FLNova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the advantages of EBGSs following high-risk spinal fusions. Background: Pseudarthrosis is a condition where bones fail to fuse after an injury or surgery. It causes significant …

Hepatic Targets To Control Blood Glucose And Potentially Aid In The Treatment Of Diabetes, Rena A. Velissarios

PANDION: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas

Maintaining glucose homeostasis is extremely important to remain in good health and prevent disease. This homeostasis is achieved via the regulation of hepatic metabolic pathways like gluconeogenesis and glycogenesis by insulin, which is expressed during high blood glucose. Insulin is responsible for facilitating the uptake of glucose into other tissues from the blood, as well as signaling whether to stimulate or slow glucose metabolism in the liver. Hyperglycemia is one of the main effects of diabetes, a disease characterized by the body’s inability to produce or respond to insulin. Without insulin, hepatic glucose output continues and blood glucose accumulates, causing …

Advances In Biomedical Research And Treatments: What Is Acceptable?, Michael L. Clancy, Khalid M. Iskandarani, Mitchell C. Mccrea

Journal of Health Ethics

This study investigated the technology acceptance (TA) of twenty-first century biomedical treatments by adults in the United States. A new TA instrument was created, using five distinct levels: (1) Healing and Prevention, (2) Replacement Organs, (3) Enhancements-Medical, (4) Enhancements-Discretionary, and (5) Transhumans. An on-line survey produced 353 usable responses, which showed distinct patterns for each of five biomedical treatment levels. There was clear support for Levels 1–3, but very strong opposition to Levels 4–5. The TA finding draws the line between which human interventions are acceptable versus others that should be prohibited through public policies and medical guidelines.

Synergistic Effects Of Biological Stimuli And Flexion Induce Microcavities Promote Hypertrophy And Inhibit Chondrogenesis During In Vitro Culture Of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Aggregates, Bo Zhang, Jim Berilla, Sungwoo Cho, Rodrigo A. Somoza, Jean F. Welter, Harihara Baskaran

Faculty Scholarship

Interzone/cavitation are key steps in early stage joint formation that have not been successfully developed in vitro. Further, current models of endochondral ossification, an important step in early bone formation, lack key morphology morphological structures such as microcavities found during development in vivo. This is possibly due to the lack of appropriate strategies for incorporating chemical and mechanical stimuli that are thought to be involved in joint development. We designed a bioreactor system and investigated the synergic effect of chemical stimuli (chondrogenesis-inducing [CIM] and hypertrophy-inducing medium [HIM]) and mechanical stimuli (flexion) on the growth of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) …

Epidural Stimulation For Urogenital Dysfunction In The Spinal Cord Injured Rat., Natasha Lorraine Wilkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating, life changing event that greatly impacts quality of life. SCI can have body-wide, multi-system consequences including dysfunction within the urogenital system. Challenges with the urinary system include urinary incontinence, urine retention, and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia all of which require maintenance through the regular use of catheters. Sexual dysfunction in men, who comprise nearly 80% of the SCI population, includes erectile dysfunction, anejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, poor expulsive force during ejaculation, and poor sperm quality. The treatment for sexual function in SCI men is focused more on fertility through the collection of sperm for insemination procedures …

Deciphering The Microbial Fingerprint Of Covid-19: A Multi-Layered Exploration Of The Oral And Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis, Iman Mostafa Sultan

Theses and Dissertations

The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the human microbiome remains a dynamic and intricate puzzle. This study delves deeper into this mystery by revisiting the oral and gut microbial compositions of 53 COVID-19 patients before and after viral clearance, alongside comparisons to 76 healthy individuals. Through a comparative lens, we have emploed two distinct differential abundance methods – DeSeq2 and ANCOM – while drawing upon the thorough SILVA database encompassing the full-length 16S rRNA gene. The analysis underscores the crucial role of a diverse methodological choir in microbiome research. In certain instances, the congruence between DeSeq2 and ANCOM may exhibit …

Modernizing And Harmonizing Regulatory Data Requirements For Genetically Modified Crops-Perspectives From A Workshop, Nicholas P Storer, Abigail R Simmons, Jordan Sottosanto, Jennifer A Anderson, Ming Hua Huang, Debbie Mahadeo, Carey A Mathesius, Mitscheli Sanches Da Rocha, Shuang Song, Ewa Urbanczyk-Wochniak

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Genetically modified (GM) crops that have been engineered to express transgenes have been in commercial use since 1995 and are annually grown on 200 million hectares globally. These crops have provided documented benefits to food security, rural economies, and the environment, with no substantiated case of food, feed, or environmental harm attributable to cultivation or consumption. Despite this extensive history of advantages and safety, the level of regulatory scrutiny has continually increased, placing undue burdens on regulators, developers, and society, while reinforcing consumer distrust of the technology. CropLife International held a workshop at the 16th International Society of Biosafety Research …

Utilizing Ai Integrated Neuroimaging Technology To Expand Upon Machine Learning In Positron Emission Tomography Technology With The Aim Of Detecting Amyloid Beta Biomarkers Early In The Onset Of Alzheimer's., Ethan S. Terman

UROP Posters

Early intervention in Alzheimer's is vital for treatment. The earlier a professional can detect symptoms and make a diagnosis the earlier a prognosis can be implemented. With the prevalence of data in our day-to-day world combined with Artificial intelligence (AI), utilizing both for machine learning can pave the way for more accurate and efficient detection of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. AI combined with Machine learning (ML) increases diagnostic efficiency and reduces human errors, making it a valuable resource for physicians and clinicians alike. With the increasing amount of data processing and image interpretation required, the ability to use AI …

Large T Antigen Mediated Target Gene Replication Improves Site-Specific Recombination Efficiency, Zening Wang, Chuan Chen, Xin Ge

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

With advantages of high-fidelity, monoclonality and large cargo capacity, site-specific recombination (SSR) holds great promises for precise genomic modifications. However, broad applications of SSR have been hurdled by low integration efficiency, and the amount of donor DNA available in nucleus for SSR presents as a limiting factor. Inspired by the DNA replication mechanisms observed in double-stranded DNA virus SV40, we hypothesized that expression of SV40 large T antigen (TAg) can increase the copy number of the donor plasmid bearing an SV40 origin, and in consequence promote recombination events. This hypothesis was tested with dual recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) in suspension …

One-Step Production Of Fully Biotinylated And Glycosylated Human Fc Gamma Receptors, Minhyo Kang, Zening Wang, Xin Ge

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Initiating and regulating humoral immunity, Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) have been identified both as therapeutics and as drug targets, and thus production of biologically active FcγRs is highly demanded for biopharmaceutical development. Focusing on low-affinity FcγRs IIA (131H/R allotypes), IIB, and IIIA (176F/V), this study used human 293-F cells to achieve correct post-translational modifications (PTMs) including biotinylation, N-glycosylation, and disulfides. Approaches involving co-expression of FcγR-AviTag and Escherichia coli biotin ligase BirA, endoplasmic reticulum retention, stable and transient transfections, and optimization of transgene ratio were investigated. Protein electrophoresis under reducing and non-reducing conditions, enzymatic deglycosylation, streptavidin pull-down assays, and binding kinetic …

Reducing Food Scarcity: The Benefits Of Urban Farming, S.A. Claudell, Emilio Mejia

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Urban farming can enhance the lives of communities and help reduce food scarcity. This paper presents a conceptual prototype of an efficient urban farming community that can be scaled for a single apartment building or an entire community across all global geoeconomics regions, including densely populated cities and rural, developing towns and communities. When deployed in coordination with smart crop choices, local farm support, and efficient transportation then the result isn’t just sustainability, but also increasing fresh produce accessibility, optimizing nutritional value, eliminating the use of ‘forever chemicals’, reducing transportation costs, and fostering global environmental benefits.

Imagine Doris, who is …

Air-Jet Bioprinting Of Stem Cell-Encapsulated Alginate Micro-Droplets For Organoid Biomanufacturing, Mirabella B. Stump

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Biomanufactured 3D-organoids show promise for modeling and treating various conditions, particularly insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type-1 diabetes). Pancreatic islet organoids serve as sustainable sources of insulin-producing β-cells, potentially restoring insulin regulation in patients and providing a long-term solution for diabetes. Hydrogel droplet printing is an emerging technique in regenerative medicine due to its advantageous tunability and biocompatibility; however, challenges of consistency, quality control, and scalability persist. To address these issues, we developed a novel air-jetting based droplet bioprinting system for the generation of monodispersed alginate micro-droplets. The objective of this project was to incorporate human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into …

Chemical Composition, Mineral Profile, Anti-Bacterial, And Wound Healing Properties Of Snail Slime Of Helix Aspersa Müller, Marouane Aouji, Amine Rkhaila, Bouchra Bouhaddioui, Malak Zirari, Hala Harifi, Youness Taboz, Lalla Aicha Lrhorfi, Rachid Bengueddour

BioMedicine

Mucus is a substance made by snails that serves a variety of purposes and is increasingly employed in the medical and cosmetic industries. It includes bioactive compounds with a range of biological characteristics that could be useful in the treatment of particular issues. This study assessed the wound-healing efficiency, antibacterial activity, chemical and mineral composition of Helix aspersa Müller slime. Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used for mineral analysis, while Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was used for chemical characterization. The findings showed that the H. aspersa Müller slime had inhibitory activity on …

Liposome Synthesis And Evaluation In The Hek-293 Cell Line, Christine Skibinski

Harrisburg University Research Symposium: Highlighting Research, Innovation, & Creativity

Liposomes were synthesized using the thin film method. A lyophilized power of egg-derived phosphatidylcholine, stearylamine, and cholesterol were added to ethanol and dried under argon to form a lipid cake. The lipid cake was rehydrated with dPBS and sonicated at 60°C forming a heterogenous batch of liposomes. Our results revealed the average size of the liposomes, determined by Dynamic Light Scattering, was approximately 223.1nm, while demonstrating a weakly positive zeta-potential of 1.9± 8.07mv. Next, we tested the antitumor action of the liposomes in the HEK-293 cell line via an MTT assay. We observed that the liposomes were able to inhibit …

Hiv-1 Vpu Protein Forms Stable Oligomers In Aqueous Solution Via Its Transmembrane Domain Self-Association, Saman Majeed, Lan Dang, Md Majharul Islam, Olamide Ishola, Peter P Borbat, Steven J Ludtke, Elka R Georgieva

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

We report our findings on the assembly of the HIV-1 protein Vpu into soluble oligomers. Vpu is a key HIV-1 protein. It has been considered exclusively a single-pass membrane protein. Previous observations show that this protein forms stable oligomers in aqueous solution, but details about these oligomers still remain obscure. This is an interesting and rather unique observation, as the number of proteins transitioning between soluble and membrane embedded states is limited. In this study we made use of protein engineering, size exclusion chromatography, cryoEM and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to better elucidate the nature of the soluble oligomers. …

Effects Of Interleukin-22 (Il-22) On Necroptosis, Inflammatory Responses, And Metabolism Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Stimulated Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Mouse Macrophages, Bismark Owusu-Afriyie

Biotechnology Theses

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infects one-third of the world’s population and causes nearly 1.3 million deaths per year. Limited information is available about the immune responses during Mtb infection in type 2 diabetic hosts. Our laboratory developed an experimentally induced type 2 diabetes (T2DM) model in wild-type C57BL/6 mice and found that IL-22 and type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) reduce inflammation and mortality of Mtb-infected T2DM mice. Our laboratory also found that Mtb-infected alveolar macrophages (AMs) from T2DM mice undergo necroptosis compared to Mtb-infected AMs of non-T2DM mice. In the current study, we determined whether …

Extravasated Brain-Reactive Autoantibodies Perturb Neuronal Surface Protein Expression In Alzheimer's Pathology, Wardah Bajwa, Mary Kosciuk, Randel L. Swanson, Anuradha Krishnan, Venkat Venkataraman, Robert Nagele, Nimish Acharya

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Increased blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability is reported in both the neuropathological and in vivo studies in both Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and age matched cognitively normal, no cognitive impairment (NCI), subjects. Impaired BBB allows various vascular components such as immunoglobulin G (IgG) to extravasate into the brain and specifically bind to various neuronal surface proteins (NSP), also known as brain reactive autoantibodies (BrABs). This interaction is predicted to further enhance deposition of amyloid plaques.

Hypothesis: Interaction between extravasated BrABs and its cognate NSPs lower the expression of that NSPs in AD patients.

Methods: We selected Western blotting technique to study …

Impact Of Lyophilization On Porcine Hemoglobin Properties., Mustafa Almosawi

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Blood transfusion is the single most often performed lifesaving procedure in hospitals worldwide. Unfortunately, packed red blood cells (RBCs) used for transfusion can only be stored for 42 days at 4 °C before being discarded due to irreversible damage that occurs during storage. Any reduction in available RBCs for an extended period can lead to blood shortages. To increase the shelf-life of RBCs, we investigated freeze-drying (lyophilizing) in the presence of the non-toxic sugar trehalose as a method for long-term preservation. However, the oxidative stress of the lyophilization and storage processes can compromise the functionality of these cells, and the …

The Immunomodulating Effects Of Morphine Dependence And Withdrawal In A Rat Model, Mark Stoll

Annual Research Symposium

Would you like to know what happens to the immune system during opioid drug withdrawal?