Cell and Developmental Biology Commons^™

The Effects Of Cinnamaldehyde On Tetrahymena Thermophila, Sydney Kurland

Publications and Research

In addition to their common use as spices in cooking and baking, cinnamon plants, Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Cinnamomum cassia for example, have long been used in herbal remedies worldwide. Cinnamon contains many vital oils and active compounds including cinnamaldehyde (CMD). Numerous studies looking at potential therapeutic effects of cinnamon have demonstrated its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties (1, 2, 3).   Therefore, it is important to continue studying the efficacy, benefits, and mechanisms of action of cinnamon and CMD to have a complete understanding of its full potential. Tetrahymena thermophila is a ciliated protozoan commonly used as a model organism to …

Identification Of Covalent Catechin Adducts Of Enoyl-Acp Reductase (Fabi) From E. Coli Using Mass Spectrometry, Francisco G. Atwi, P. M. Joyner, Rustin Ghidari

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Enoyl-ACP reductase (FabI), an enzyme which is inhibited by catechin, is essential for lipid biosynthesis in bacteria (E. coli). Another FabI inhibitor, triclosan, has strong antibacterial effects,1 but overuse can be detrimental to the environment. Flavonoids, a class of dietary compounds, are known to have potent inhibitory effects on FabI and other kinases.2,3,4 Adducts form as a result of the biochemical reaction between flavonoids and cysteine, a modification which can be verified by m/z shifts on the mass spectra.5 Samples of E. coli protein with overexpressed FabI are utilized: the wild type with ordinary primary structure, and mutant type lacking …

Folic Acid–Carbon Dot–Gemcitabine Nanoparticles For Targeted Cancer Drug Delivery, Irfan Huda, Hua Mei

SPARK Symposium Presentations

This project aims to develop a folic acid-attached carbon dot nanoparticle system (FA-CDs-GEM) for the targeted delivery of gemcitabine to cancer cells. While gemcitabine is widely used, its effectiveness is limited because a short in vivo half life and lack of selectivity, which lead to severe side effects. Carbon dots offer a simple and modifiable platform as the drug delivery and bioimaging agent. Conjugation of folic acid to the carbon dots enables selective targeting of cancer cells that overexpress folate receptors. In this study, we synthesized and characterized FA-CD-GEM nanoparticles and developed an HPLC calibration curve of GEM to accurately …

Analysis Of Mitochondrial Dna Haplotype Groups For South Texas Canids, Canis Rufus, After Past Hybridization Events, Isabella Lopez

Presentations - 2026

mtDNA: mitochondrial DNA; passed from maternal parent to offspring (Haplotype)

Haplotype:  a group of genes or genetic markers inherited together from a single parent (Haplotype)

Mitochondrial DNA haplotypes specific sequences of mtDNA that is passed exclusively from maternal parent to offspring (Giles et al. 1980)

Pro's:

It is passed unchanged from mother to offspring, meaning it is fairly stable (Giles et al. 1980)

Each cell has multiple mitochondria vs one nucleus , which means mtDNA it is more likely to be recoverable from degraded samples like scat (Templeton et al. 2013)

Methods Of Inducing Cellular Senescence In Lung Fibroblasts, Sara Palega, Jennifer Q. Zhou, Shan Zhu, Yan Y. Sanders

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Methods of Inducing Cellular Senescence in Lung Fibroblasts

Sara Palega¹, Jennifer Q Zhou², Shan Zhu², Yan Y Sanders²

¹VHS Biomedical Sciences PhD program, ²Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University (ODU)

Introduction: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is the most prevalent and severe of interstitial lung diseases. This chronic and progressive condition lacks treatment options and is ultimately fatal without a lung transplant. IPF arises from aberrant wound healing that leads to excessive collagen deposition, inflammation, and cystic alveolar growths which makes …

Mesoderm-Specific Transcript Has A Role In The Systemic Regulation Of Obesity, Maria J. Orellana Rosales

Thinking Matters Symposium

Mesoderm specific transcript (Mest) expression in white adipose tissue (WAT) is variable in genetically identical mice. Previous studies have shown a connection between Mest high expression and propensity for fat mass expansion. WAT and liver crosstalk has been well documented with hormone-like peptides signaling and regulating important metabolic pathways. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between these circulating factors and Mest expression in mice after exposure to a high fat diet (HFD). A group of 120 C57B6/J mice, males and females, were exposed to a HFD (Western Diet, 40 kcal% fat) for 4 weeks (8-12 weeks …

Enhancing Chemotherapy: Synergistic Action Of Cisplatin And Berberine Hydrochloride Against Osteosarcoma, Adam S. Al-Droubi, Andrea Florian

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Osteosarcoma, the most common type of bone cancer, is notably aggressive and prone to a rapid rate of metastasis. When the tumor is localized; the survival rate is approximately 76% and can often be treated with surgery. However, once metastasis occurs, the survival rate drops to 24% and must be treated with chemotherapy. The standard treatment for metastatic osteosarcoma typically involves combination therapeutics, with cisplatin being a key component despite its severe side effects. Unfortunately, osteosarcoma exhibits a natural resistance to chemotherapy driven by the overexpression of drug efflux pumps, DNA repair mechanisms, and apoptosis avoidance mutations. To address these …

Denaturation Station: The Effect Of Guanidinium Chloride On Yeast Flocculation, Taylor Pulley, Jade Riddle, Angelina Scotece

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Flocculation is a phenomenon found in yeast such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae in which cells aggregate in response to stressful environmental conditions. This occurs as the result of the interaction of flocculin proteins on the plasma membrane with mannose residues on the surface of other yeast cells which is often exploited in the brewing process to avoid expensive filtration steps. Guanidine is a chaotropic agent which reduces the stability of proteins by weakening the hydrophobic effect. Since it is believed that flocculation is dependent on protein-mannose binding interactions, if the structure of the flocculin proteins is altered by guanidine, their functionality …

Doxorubicin-Induced Nuclear Localization Of Scube3 Essential For Cell Survival In Tnbc, Ayooluwa Ilesanmi

Undergraduate Research Conference

Mediation of Doxorubicin-Induced SCUBE3 Nuclear Localization by A Functional NLS Involved in Pro-Tumorigenic Actions in Breast Cancer.

Signal peptide-CUB-EGF-like domain-containing protein 3 (SCUBE3) is a glycosylated secreted and cell membrane-associated protein considered a signature gene in cancers and known to mediate its actions in the cytoplasm where its localizes prior to its secretion. However, our study observed that SCUBE3 protein localized to the nucleus following doxorubicin (DOX) treatment. In this study, we investigated SCUBE3 nuclear localization in triple-negative breast cancer, intending to dissect the mechanism of its nuclear trafficking induced by DOX treatment. Bioinformatic analysis of the SCUBE3 protein sequence …

Upregulation Of The Predominant Cystic Fibrosis Causing Mutation Df508-Cftr By Triazole Compounds In Epithelial Cells, Maggie Taylor

Undergraduate Research Conference

Cystic fibrosis is a common genetic disease that is caused by a mutation in the plasma membrane protein CFTR, which stands for Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane-conductance Regulator. When this membrane protein is mutated, it impairs its chloride ion channel function, blocking the movement of chloride ions that travel in and out of the cell. Previous studies have demonstrated that the most prevalent CFTR mutation, ∆F508-CFTR, can be partially reversed using small molecules (Heda and Marino, BBRC, 271:659-664, 2000). In this study, I have investigated the effects of several triazole compounds known to bind and transport chloride ions in cultured cells, on …

Effects On Primary Endothelial Cells When Exposed To Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanoplastic, David Guzman

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

As the use of plastics becomes more predominant in our environment, the interactions between nanoplastics and the human body have increased dramatically. One of the most common and prevalent plastics is polyethylene, and more specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Tissue exposure to nanoplastics occurs through surface contact upon ingestion or inhalation where nanoplastics can pass readily through the epithelial layer. Directly beneath gut and lung epithelia is the endothelial layer of capillaries. Very little is known about the interactions between polyethylene and human cells, with no information currently available on its effects with the endothelial layer. Our previous research showed that …

Functional Analysis Provides Insight Into Missing Heritability, Scott L. Baughan, Michael A. Tainsky, Fatima Darwiche

Medical Student Research Symposium

Accurate ascertainment of genetic risk can be potentially lifesaving for patients who inherit cancer promoting mutations. However, even with the most extensive panel testing clinically available, a large number of patients will test negative despite family history of cancer or test positive for a variant of unknown significance (VUS). For these patients, clinical management is complicated; patients want to know their risk, and may fear disease they are not at great risk for (benign VUS) or they may not be given access to potentially lifesaving early screening procedures (pathogenic VUS). ATM has proven a challenge to clinicians due to its …

Investigating Respiratory Simplification Caused By Prenatal Rage Upregulation, Paul Reynolds

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Potential Role For Rage In The Development Of Secondhand Smoke-Induced Chronic Sinusitis, Paul Reynolds

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Rage Inhibition Reduces Timp And Decreases Cell Invasion In Cigarette Smoke Extract (Cse) Treated Oral Squamous Carcinoma Cells, Paul Reynolds

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Rage Availability Lessens The Degree Of Dysfunctional Mitochondrial Bioenergetics Following Chronic Secondhand Smoke Exposure, Paul Reynolds

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Gestational Dependent Responses To Second Hand Smoke (Shs) In Mouse Pregnancies, Paul Reynolds

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

The Genetics Of Skin Cancer: What Genes Drive The Development Of Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, And Melanoma?, Cassandra Poole, Abagail Pack, Elizabeth Whitehead, Virginia Marshall

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer worldwide. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that 9500 people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, and that 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70. With such a high prevalence of disease, understanding how skin cancer develops and how it can be treated is extremely important. This project aims to analyze the genes involved in the development of the three most common forms of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

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

Student Scholar Showcase

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

Histology Of Psoriasis, Allan Roy Sison

Campus Research Month

I will be presenting a research study on the comparison of the histology of normal skin versus the histology of individuals with Psoriasis.

Two And Three-Dimensional Radiographic Imaging Of Contrast Agents In Heterogeneous Live Cell Media To Understand Contrast-Induced Toxicity, Fahaneda Hassan, Aldona Gjoni, Subhendra Sarkar

Publications and Research

Radiographic imaging was done using low and high energy radiography equipment. The test hypothesis that macromolecular aggregation changes sample noise in imaging samples for optical imaging methods. Inorganic complexes scatter radiation at the molecular level and may increase the sample noise locally. At high and low photon energies in various x-ray machines, sample and background noise were gathered and compared with those from mammography systems from mammography researchers. The samples with high macromolecular aggregates were prepared using various animal cell compositions and imaged under different conditions that produced different macromolecular dynamics within the samples and thus different image-based sample noise. …

Exploring The Ipf Lung Through The Lens Of Single Cell Rna Sequencing, Taylor Adams, Jonas Schupp

Yale Day of Data

This poster illustrates the differences between the IPF disease-specific variety of lung macrophages and the two varieties of macrophages known to reside in the normal human lung.

Investigating The Impact Of Oxidative Stress On Tetrahymena Thermophila Sirtuin,Thd 18, Emmanuel Dubuisson

Publications and Research

Sirtuins are a family of enzymes that fulfill various important biological functions. Investigators have looked for the implication of Sirtuin genes in cell signaling mechanisms, in the formation and silencing of heterochromatin, in the regulation of ion channels, and in the modulation of the cellular redox reactions[2]. Different model organisms have been previously used to conduct these studies; among them, there are yeasts, nematodes, and fruit flies. Each one has made some valuable contribution into the vast body of knowledge related to this field.

However, gaps in the understanding of Sirtuins functions still remain to be filled. In this optic, …

Prenylation In The Moss Physcomitrella Patens, Noela Botaka, Susana Perez-Martinez, Liang Bao, Parul Singh, Mark Running

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Protein prenylation is a post-translational modification that involves the addition of lipid groups to the end of a target protein and is necessary for protein activity. Prenylation has important roles in the cell: targeting and localizing proteins to subcellular compartments and promoting protein-protein interactions. Recently, we have found Protein Prenyltransferase Alpha Subunit-like (PPAL), which shares structural similarities to known prenylation enzymes. However, the biochemical function of PPAL is still unknown. PPAL is present in a single copy in other plants examined to date but is present in two copies in moss. Knockouts in our lab of either PpPAL1 or PpPAL2 …

A Crispr Platform For Rapid And Inducible Genome Editing In Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells, Lloyd Bartley

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 85% of lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer death in the world. High mortality rate associated with NSCLC is partially attributed to the limited understanding of NSCLC as well as ineffective therapeutic treatments. The initiation and progression of NSCLC involves genetic changes leading to alterations in the control of tissue development and homeostatic maintenance. Better knowledge about these genetic abnormalities is imperative for developing new chemotherapeutic drugs for NSCLC. Recent research demonstrates that the expression of paraoxonase 2 (PON2), a lactonase/arylesterase with anti-oxidant properties, are markedly enhanced in cancer …

Development Of A Pd-L1 Pet Imaging Biomarker, Caleb Jack Bridgwater

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Immunotherapy strategies are very promising treatments for cancer patients. Specifically, Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy focusing on the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway shows long-lasting positive results in many cancer patients. Unfortunately, not all the patients can benefit from this highly effective treatment. Hence, there is a great need for predictive biomarkers. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining has been used as a way of predicting patient response, yet shows many problems. For example, IHC utilizes an invasive biopsy and sample fixing, which creates an incomplete and delayed picture of the patient’s biochemistry and the tumor microenvironment, consequently ignoring metastases.

The purpose of this study is to …

Histone Deacetylation Is The Primary Epigenetic Mechanism For Silencing Of Tumor Suppressor Gene - Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor-2 In Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells, Alisha Deshmukh, Shirish Barve

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. With a survival rate of less than 5 percent, a therapeutic treatment is desperately needed to manage this disease. Many epigenetic mechanisms that underlay HCC are being identified. A frequently silenced pathway tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) is a critical tumor suppressor gene. In HCC, inactivation of TFPI-2 leads to tumor growth. Recent research indicated Fas L plays a major role in apoptosis as part of HCC. For the purposes of this study, the phytochemical Curcumin was explored to observe its possible effects on the epigenetic mechanisms …

Sirna Knock-Down Of Vav1 In Breast Cancer Cells: Effects On Pi3kinase And Akt, Tajai Sion-Milligan

Student Scholar Showcase

One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Approximately 25-30% of these breast tumors will overexpress Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2), associated with a worse prognosis and decreased survival rate. Stimulation of HER2 results in activation and production of many signaling molecules, ultimately resulting in increased cell division. Two of the downstream molecules activated are PI₃Kinase and, further downstream, the molecule Akt. Typically, overproduction and/or overactivation of PI₃Kinase can lead to oncogenesis. A molecule that may have a significant role in PI₃Kinase formation is VAV1. VAV1 …

Do Paraben Derivatives Alter T Cell Immunity?, Hailey Kintz

Spring Presentation of Undergraduate Research

T cells immunity is linked to a complex system of cytokines that determine differentiation of naïve T cells into Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells. Estrogen production or periods of elevated production have been correlated with an anti-inflammatory state in which Th2 and Treg cells are up-regulated. Such responses in the immune system are capable of supporting pre-cancerous activity. We are investigating the tie between the xenoestrogen compounds found in cosmetics, parabens, and their ability to regulate T cell immunity. Testing parabens and paraben derivatives with weaker estrogen receptor association will allow for a better understanding of the interplay between …

Changes In The Proliferation And Gene Expression Of Huvecs In Response To Treatment With Plant Secondary Metabolites, Caleigh Howard

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Medicinal plants have historically been a valuable source of new drugs, and Southern California possesses a rich collection of native plants which have been used as medicines by native people groups for thousands of years. Angiogenesis is the biological process of new blood-vessel growth from endothelial cells. It is an essential part of the wound-healing process, and increased angiogenesis has also been implicated in the growth of some types of cancerous tumors. In this study, extracts of the Southern Californian native plants Red shanks (Adenostoma sparsifolium) and the alkaloid extract of Jimson weed (Datura wrightii) were …