Developmental Biology Commons^™

Comparative Assessment Of Developmental Fidelity In Hpsc-Derived Neural Crest Cells, Michael H. Zepeda

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Neural crest cells (NCCs) are a transient, multipotent cell population that contributes to craniofacial structures, peripheral neurons, melanocytes, and smooth muscle. Defects in NCC development underlie a broad range of congenital disorders known as neurocristopathies. Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived NCCs provide an evaluable model for studying early human development; however, existing differentiation protocols produce variable outcomes, and no standardized method consistently generates high-fidelity NCC populations. To address this challenge, we compared five published hPSC-to-NCC differentiation protocols using the H9 human embryonic stem cell line. We hypothesized that specific protocols more faithfully recapitulate neural crest development through coordinated regulation of …

Ontogenetic Analysis Of Parasaurolophus Braincases (Ornithischia, Hadrosauridae) From The Kaiparowits Formation (Upper Cretaceous) Of Utah, Usa: Comparing Juvenile And Adult Morphology, Amanda "Billie" C. Guerrero

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study documents the ontogenetic development of the braincase in Parasaurolophus, a lambeosaurine hadrosaurid dinosaur known for its distinctive cranial crest. Whereas the crest has been extensively examined for its roles in communication and display, the braincase remains less understood, despite its structural and functional relationship with the crest. This research compares the braincase morphology of a juvenile specimen (RAM 14000, "Baby Joe"), a subadult specimen (RAM 17000), and an adult P. tubicen (NMMNH P-25100), to investigate how developmental changes influenced sensory systems, neurocranial architecture, and biomechanical adaptations across ontogeny.

Detailed morphological analysis reveals progressive changes from juvenile to …

Characterization Of A New Domestic Feline Macrophage Cell Line To Study Molecular Mechanisms Of Feline Coronavirus, Adam Espinoza

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) is a veterinary pathogen common in domestic cats. FCoV is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, results in mild enteric symptoms, and is considered feline enteric coronavirus (FECV). During infection the virus may transition from infecting host enteric epithelial cells to infecting host macrophages, resulting in a lethal systemic disease, and the virus is now considered feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV). FIPV arises in an infected individual, is not shed in the feces, and is not transmitted from cat to cat. There is limited research defining the host molecular mechanisms driving FCoV lethal outcomes, with few feline cell …

Qualitative Assessment Of Human Embryonic- And Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Neural Stem Cells Under Cgmp Methods, Michelle Hernandez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Neural stem cell therapies represent a promising tool for the development of regenerative medicine and are being tested in clinical trials for several neurological disorders. However, the clinical applicability of stem cell therapies is dependent on the implementation of current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs) to ensure the quality, safety, and consistency that stem cell products need to meet FDA regulatory requirements. As such, there is a need for a shift to xeno-free methodologies so experimental conditions are cGMP compliant. The purpose of this study is to test a GMP compatible production method to generate multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) from …

Prioritizing Chemical Constituents In Tobacco Products And Smoke To Predict Developmental Osteotoxicity In Human Embryonic Stem Cells, Joseph Madrid

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Though it is well known that tobacco related products can cause prenatal maldevelopment, very little is known on how tobacco products affect bone tissue as it develops in the embryo. Identifying which chemicals can induce the greatest harm to the prenatal skeletal system is an improbable task as there are over 7,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke alone. We hypothesized that the Toxicological Priority Index (ToxPI) program can be used to rank osteogenic cytotoxicity potential to aid in the assessment of what chemicals out of the thousands can cause osteogenic differentiation inhibition. ToxPI aggregates information from various assays and incorporates them …

Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor B (Pdgfrb) Expressing Cells During Zebrafish Coronary Vessel Development, Juancarlos Fierros

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Coronary heart disease is a prevalent issue in developed countries throughout the world. It can have crippling effects on the quality of life and even lead to mortality, in the case of myocardial infarction. Part of the problem is the lack of a robust regenerative response in mammals after injury. Zebrafish have an amazing ability to regenerate after injury, and studies have demonstrated that the regenerative response recapitulates embryonic development. Our lab previously reported the first analysis of coronary vessel development in zebrafish and demonstrated that coronary endothelial cells undergo angiogenesis to form a vascular network. The roles of perivascular …

Elucidating The Role Of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins And B-Lymphocyte Maturation Protein 1 During Primordial Germ Cell Specification, Laughing Bear Torrez Dulgeroff

Theses Digitization Project

This study will present an optimized protocol to induce and isolate primordial germ cells (PGC) from hESC and hiPSC. Human embrionic stem cells (hESC and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) provide a model for studying paradigms of early development.

Elucidating The Effects Of Tobacco Products On Skeletal Development, Nicole Renee Sparks

Theses Digitization Project

The overall goal of this thesis project is to characterize the molecular mechanisms of tobacco product induced skeletal teratogenicity.

Limb Bone Geometry And Skeletal Physiology In Mice Bred For High Levels Of Activity, Brittney Racheal Coats

Theses Digitization Project

The studies presented here evaluate the effects of exercise and genetics on biomechanically important traits and the skeletal system's role in maintaining proper metabolic health. The goal of the project presented here is to further our understanding of the leptin-bone-insulin pathway and relevant changes that may occur in this pathway as a result of exercise. Cross-sectional analyses of HR mice and control mice allowed or denied wheel access for 10 weeks, revealed significant differences in biomechanical properties.