Cell and Developmental Biology Commons^™

Deep Learning Can Be Used To Classify And Segment Plant Cell Types In Xylem Tissue, Reem Al Dabagh, Benjamin Shin, Sean Wu, Fabien Scalzo, Helen Holmlund, Jessica Lee, Chris Ghim, Samuel Fitzgerald, Marinna Grijalva

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Studies of plant anatomical traits are essential for understanding plant physiological adaptations to stressful environments. For example, shrubs in the chaparral ecosystem of southern California have adapted various xylem anatomical traits that help them survive drought and freezing. Previous studies have shown that xylem conduits with a narrow diameter allows certain chaparral shrub species to survive temperatures as low as -12 C. Other studies have shown that increased cell wall thickness of fibers surrounding xylem vessels improves resistance to water stress-induced embolism formation. Historically, these studies on xylem anatomical traits have relied on hand measurements of cells in light micrographs, …

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 …

Effect Of Soil Microbes On The Growth Of Two Santa Monica Mountain Fern Species During Early Gametophyte Development, Chase Kerstein, Kaitlin Gartrell, Donna Nofziger

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

The fern life cycle alternates between two distinct phases: a diploid sporophyte phase and a haploid gametophyte phase. The mature gametophyte is an independent, single-cell layer structure that is photosynthetic. Much of the research on the early development of gametophytes takes place in sterile conditions while research into the effects of the soil microbiome on gametophyte development has not been well characterized. This study examines the interaction between the soil microbiome and early development of two Santa Monica Mountain fern species, Woodwardia fimbriata (Wf) found in riparian streams and Dryopteris arguta (Da) which grow in the chaparral understory. Spores from …

Developmental Staging And Morphological Comparisons Of Four Fern Gametophyte Species From The Santa Monica Mountains, Tristan Furlong

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

The fern life cycle alternates between two distinct phases: a diploid sporophyte phase consisting of the “adult” fern, and a haploid gametophyte phase. Early events and changes in gametophyte development can have considerable consequences in the morphologies of these different fern species and may facilitate the various adaptive strategies employed by the gametophytes in their different habitats. This study investigates early developmental events in the gametophytes of four different fern species found in the Santa Monica Mountains, Adiantum jordanii (chaparral understory, summer deciduous sporophyte), Woodwardia fimbriata (riparian stream), Dryopteris arguta (chaparral understory, evergreen), and Pentagramma triangularis (chaparral understory, resurrection sporophyte). …

Arterial Distribution Of The Human Aorta: An Examination Of The Evolutionary, Developmental, And Physiological Bases Of Asymmetry., Brandon Oddo, Cooker Storm

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

The study of anatomy contends that “form follows function”; a disciplinary theme purporting that anatomical structures (i.e., cells, tissues, and organs) have a shape that serves its proper function. With this in mind, it is unclear why human arterial distribution off the aortic arch is asymmetrical, while the corresponding venous anatomy is symmetrical. We investigated the evolutionary, developmental, and physiological bases for the asymmetry of aortic arch branches in humans. First, we investigated the cardiovascular anatomy of ancestral species to determine if, and at what level, anatomical divergence (from aortic symmetry to asymmetry) occurs. Second, we examined the formation of …

Ultrafine Carbon Nanoparticles Activate Inflammasome Signaling And Cell Death In Murine Macrophages, Alexander Soloniuk, Hadley Lamascus, Jay Brewster, John Mann

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Carbon black (CB) is the primary nanoparticulate component of air pollution from fossil fuel combustion. This work examines the cellular impact of ultrafine carbon (carbon black, CB) nanoparticles, that range in size down to 30 nm, upon murine macrophages. The size analysis of the carbon black nanoparticles was performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. RAW246.7 macrophage cells were exposed to CB doses ranging from 50 – 200 ug/ml in complete media. Analysis of cell survival over time revealed elevated rates of significant nuclear degradation and cell lifting after 48 hours of exposure, and in …

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 …

Comparison Of Downstream Cell Survival Responses In Huvecs And Hlecs During Vegf Signaling, Haley Smith

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Comparison of Downstream Cell Survival Responses in HUVECs and HLECs During VEGF Signaling

Author: Haley M. Smith

Mentor: Thomas L. Vandergon

Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are vital processes that allow the formation of new blood and lymph vessels from existing blood or lymph vessels. Formation of these vessels is essential to bring oxygen and nutrients to the body as well as maintaining tissue fluid balance. New blood or lymph vessel growth occurs in response to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) signaling to vascular endothelial cells. The VEGF signal molecules bind to cell surface receptors and elicit a variety of responses including …

The Regulatory Effect Of Semaphorin 7a On Proliferation And Migration In Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells, Steven R. Fleming

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Semaphorin 7A (SEMA 7A), a factor originally identified as regulating axon growth, has recently been implicated as a pro-angiogenic factor. The molecular mechanisms for this ability to stimulate angiogenesis have not been identified. This study examines if SEMA 7A can have a direct effect on vascular endothelial cells or whether it indirectly induces angiogenesis through stimulation and recruitment of macrophages as has been suggested. Using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), the ability of SEMA 7A to affect proliferation and migration was examined. HUVECs were exposed to SEMA 7A directly or to conditioned media collected from macrophages exposed to SEMA …

Nanoparticle Exposure Activates An Inositol Triphosphate Receptor-Dependent Elevation Of Reactive Oxygen Species And Apoptosis In Human Alveolar Lung Cells, Briana Manes, Sarah Alvarado

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

The signaling of cell stress in response to organelle dysfunction, toxin exposure, and mutation is complex; generating responses that can include adaptation, or in severe cases, cellular apoptosis. Nanoparticles (20-100 nm diameter) have been shown to induce cell stress in lung cells, potentially identifying a cause of lung disease in areas with high levels of particulate-based air pollution. This study examines the effect of carbon black (CB) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on stress signaling and apoptosis in cultured A549 human alveolar epithelial cells. CB and TiO2 powders were dispersed throughout a buffered solution containing bovine serum albumin using probe …

Lysophosphatidic Acid Stimulates Lymphangiogenesis In Human Lymphatic Endothelial Cells, John Macbeth, Donna Nofziger-Plank

Featured Research

Lymphangiogenesis is the process by which new lymphatic vessels sprout and grow from existing vessels whether under developmental, immunological, or cancerous conditions. Proper lymphatic vessel formation is important in working alongside normal angiogenesis in order to help regulate the body’s tissue fluid as well as aid in immunosurveillance. Various factors regulate lymphangiogenesis such as members of the vascular endothelial growth factor family (VEGF). Another factor that has recently been identified to play a role in lymphangiogenesis is the bio-active phospholipid lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) however the molecular mechanism by which LPA regulates lymphangiogenesis has not been well characterized. In this study, …

The Survivin And Ciap1 Anti-Apoptotic Proteins Are Differentially Downregulated In Response To Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Vicki Mercado, Jay L. Brewster

Featured Research

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle tasked with synthesis and transport of 50% of new cellular proteins. Dysfunction within this organelle creates signals for repair, adaptation, and in severe cases, cellular apoptosis. Multiple human diseases have been associated with ER dysfunction, and the activation of apoptosis in important populations of cells. Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) proteins are cytosolic proteins that play an anti-apoptotic role in the cytosol. The relationship between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the expression/stability of IAPs is not well characterized. The objective of this study was to characterize the affect of ER stress on the expression/stability …

Evaluating Itpr-Dependence Of Apoptotic Signaling From The Endoplasmic Reticulum, Agustin Vargas, Jay L. Brewster

Featured Research

Stress within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can be induced by misfolded proteins accumulating in the lumen of this organelle. Signaling of ER stress to other parts of the cell results in altered gene expression, physiological adaptation, and with sustained stress, apoptosis (cell suicide). ER stress is often studied with highly toxic compounds that create severe ER stress rapidly, and a condition that is likely not physiologically relevant within an organism. In this study, we examine the apoptotic signaling induced by moderate ER stress, and in particular the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (ITPR). The ITPR regulates Ca2+ release from the ER lumen, …

Carbon Black And Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Differentially Activate Oxidative Stress And Apoptosis In A549 Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells, Sarah Alvarado, Brianna Manes, Jay L. Brewster

Featured Research

Recent studies have demonstrated that variation between particulate matter compositions have universally adverse effects on cells and living tissues. Carbon black and titanium dioxide are two such particulates that we are continuously exposed to, yet there is limited research to examine the potential deleterious effects on living tissue. The objective of this study is to characterize the effect of carbon black (CB) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) particulates on A549 human alveolar epithelial lung cells. CB and TiO2 powders were dispersed throughout a solution of water and bovine serum albumin by high-powered sonication. The effects of these particulates on A549 cells …

The Regulatory Effect Of Semaphorin 7a On Proliferation And Migration In Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells, Steven R. Flemming, Donna Nofziger-Plank

Featured Research

Semaphorin 7A (SEMA 7A), a factor originally identified as regulating axon growth, has recently been implicated as a pro-angiogenic factor. The molecular mechanisms for this ability to stimulate angiogenesis have not been identified. This study examines if SEMA 7A can have a direct effect on vascular endothelial cells or whether it indirectly induces angiogenesis through stimulation and recruitment of macrophages as has been suggested. Using a human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), the ability of SEMA 7A to affect proliferation and migration was examined. HUVECs were exposed to SEMA 7A directly or to conditioned media collected from macrophages exposed to …

Stress-Induced Proteolysis Of Fkbp10: Mutational Analysis And Functional Implications, Lindsey A. Murphy

Featured Research

Cellular signaling is a complex system of communication that regulates cell function through a variety of molecular messengers. When cell survival is threatened by changes in environment or by malfunction of internal regulatory pathways, signals are initiated to restore homeostasis. Deficient protein processing within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) causes an accumulation of misfolded proteins and stress signaling. The resulting stress signaling includes both adaptive signals (unfolded protein response) and in cases of severe ER stress apoptotic signals induced via the mitochondria. FKBP10 is a key ER luminal peptidy-prolyl isomerase (rotamase) that mediates protein folding. The production of chaperone proteins and …