The Competition Between Splicing And 3′ Processing Shapes The Human Transcriptome, Lindsey V. Soles, Shuangyu Li, Liang Liu, Kristianna S.K. Sarkan, Erik G. Alvstad, Lusong Tian, Yoseop Yoon, Marielle Valdez, Ivan Marazzi, Yongsheng Shi

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Eukaryotic pre-mRNA processing steps, including splicing and 3′ processing, are tightly coordinated, yet the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. U1 snRNP has been proposed to inhibit 3′ processing at intronic polyadenylation (IPA) sites through a splicing-independent mechanism termed telescripting. In contrast, we discovered that disrupting splicing by using six different methods—targeting various key components such as U1 snRNP, U2 snRNP, U2AF, and SF3b—activates 3′ processing at thousands of IPA sites. Notably, splicing inhibition, especially of U1 snRNP, induced widespread premature transcription termination within gene bodies through both IPA-coupled and IPA-independent mechanisms. Inhibition of different splicing factors activated overlapping and distinct …

Microarray Analysis Of Human Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm With Emphasis On Cardiovascular Genes Revealed Differentially Expressed Genes, Song Lu, Li Ping Li, John V. White, Xiaoying Zhang, Ifeyinwa Nwaneshiudu, Adaobi Nwaneshiudu, Nectaria Ntaoula, John Gaughan, Dimitri S. Monos, Wan-Lu Lin, Charalambos C. Solomides, Emilia L. Oleszak, Chris D. Platsoucas

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Background/Aim: We examined gene expression profiles in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) lesions vs. normal aortas by cDNA microarray and real-time quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Materials and Methods: Phosphorus (32P)-labeled cDNA from AAA specimens (mean AAA size 6.65 cm) and normal aortas were hybridized with a 588-gene microarray primarily of the cardiovascular system. The results were validated by qRT-PCR.

Results: A total of 35 out of the 588 genes were differentially expressed, with either log2 ratio of AAAs/controls ≥1 (upregulated; 20 genes) or ≤−1 (downregulated; 15 genes) in AAA lesions vs. normal aorta, and 25 of these were significantly …

Foxo Factors’ Ability In Binding To And Inducing Tcf7 In Glioblastoma Cells, Stephanie Oyervides

Theses and Dissertations

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive astrocytoma tumor type with a poor prognosis and limited immunotherapeutic options for those inflicted. Stem gene expression of this cancer indicates a direct relationship with the transcription factors, Forkhead box subfamily O (FOXO-1, -3 and - 4). These transcription factors are evolutionarily conserved, partially redundant. They are involved in diverse and fundamental biological processes such as cell survival, stem cell homeostasis, cell fate determination, cell cycle maintenance, metabolism, and apoptosis. Increasing evidence suggests interconnectivity between the WNT Pathway and FOXO transcription factors; however, the mechanism and full extent to which these interactions play a …

Rnai Pathway Homeostasis Is Essential For Longevity In C. Elegans., Sejal Dulal

2025 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene regulatory mechanism that is conserved across all animal species, including humans and the microscopic nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. Many studies have identified the RNAi pathway factors and dissected the regulatory mechanisms of RNAi pathways, but there is little understanding of how the RNAi pathways themselves are regulated. Previously, Rogers and Phillips identified a feedback loop mediated by a pair of small RNA sensors, Sensor of siRNAs-1 (sosi-1) and eri-6[e-f], embedded within the genomic locus of a small RNA biogenesis factor, ERI-6/7. In this feedback motif, loss of small RNA-mediated silencing of …

Neuroinflammatory Signaling And Immune Cell Infiltration Differ In Brains Of Rats Exposed To Space Radiation And Social Isolation, Austin M. Adkins, Zachary N. M. Luyo, Alea F. Boden, Riley S. Heerbrandt, Richard A. Britten, Laurie L. Wellman, Larry D. Sanford

Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases (CINID) Faculty Publications

Astronauts on the proposed Mars missions will be exposed to extended periods of social isolation (SI) and space radiation (SR). SI and SR-induced immune dysregulation can result in persistent neuroinflammation and neuronal damage which could negatively impact an astronaut’s health and ability to maintain adequate levels of performance. The synergistic effects of combined SI and SR on immune system functionality and the brain remain unknown. Determining how single and combined inflight stressors modulate the immune system is crucial for fully understanding pathways impacting astronaut health and performance. We used ground-based analogs of SI and SR in rodent models to investigate …

Electrochemical Strategies For Microrna Quantification Leveraging Amplification And Nanomaterials: A Review, Alexander Hunt, Gymama Slaughter

Center for Bioelectronics Publications

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and have emerged as critical biomarkers in various diseases, including cancer. Their stability in bodily fluids and role as oncogenes or tumor suppressors make them attractive targets for non-invasive diagnostics. However, conventional detection methods, such as Northern blotting, RT-PCR, and microarrays, are limited by low sensitivity, lengthy protocols, and limited specificity. Electrochemical biosensors offer a promising alternative, providing high sensitivity, rapid response times, portability, and cost-effectiveness. These biosensors translate miRNA hybridization events into quantifiable electrochemical signals, often leveraging redox-active labels, mediators, or intercalators. Recent advancements in nanomaterials and signal amplification …

The Effects Of Early Exposure To Prescription/Illicit Drugs And Drug Metabolites On Larval Zebrafish Behavioral And Motor Function Development, Jacob Thomas, Dena Weinberger, Bikram Subedi, Brandon Capps

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

THE EFFECTS OF EARLY EXPOSURE TO PRESCRIPTION/ILLICIT DRUGS AND DRUG METABOLITES ON LARVAL ZEBRAFISH BEHAVIORAL AND MOTOR FUNCTION DEVELOPMENT

A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Department of Biology

Murray State University

Murray, Kentucky

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters In Science

By Jacob Thomas, B.S., Murray State University

December 2024

Acknowledgements

Brandon Capps, who pretty much did a whole third of the legwork on this project and saved me lots of headaches;

Chandler Maddox, one of the University of Kentucky’s finest undergrads who came in from the top rope with a folding chair …

Genomic Studies Of The Equine Bloodworm, Strongylus Vulgaris, Nichol Ripley

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Strongylus vulgaris is the most pathogenic nematode parasite of grazing horses worldwide. This gastrointestinal parasitic nematode is in the family Strongylidae under the subfamily Strongylinae, or Strongylins. While the epidemiology, complete life cycle, and high pathogenicity of the fourth and fifth larval stages of S. vulgaris are well established, we understand very little about its biology. This parasite is renowned for its unique life cycle and capacity to cause arterial damage, leading to significant health and economic impacts for the equine industry. It also is the most intensively documented Strongylin; however, S. vulgaris has yet to gain drug resistance as …

Structural Diversity And Stress Regulation Of The Plant Immunity-Associated Calmodulin-Binding Protein 60 (Cbp60) Family Of Transcription Factors In Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato), Vanessa Shivnauth, Sonya Pretheepkumar, Eric J. R. Marchetta, Christina A. M. Rossi, Keaun Amani, Christian Castroverde

Biology Faculty Publications

Cellular signaling generates calcium (Ca2+) ions, which are ubiquitous secondary messengers decoded by calcium-dependent protein kinases, calcineurins, calreticulin, calmodulins (CAMs), and CAM-binding proteins. Previous studies in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana have shown the critical roles of the CAM-BINDING PROTEIN 60 (CBP60) protein family in plant growth, stress responses, and immunity. Certain CBP60 factors can regulate plant immune responses, like pattern-triggered immunity, effector-triggered immunity, and synthesis of major plant immune-activating metabolites salicylic acid (SA) and N-hydroxypipecolic acid (NHP). Although homologous CBP60 sequences have been identified in the plant kingdom, their function and regulation in most species remain unclear. In …

Physiological And Transcriptomic Responses Of Two Artemisia Californica Populations To Drought: Implications For Restoring Drought-Resilient Native Communities, Hagop S. Atamian Dr., Jennifer L. Funk

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

As climate change brings drier and more variable rainfall patterns to many arid and semi-arid regions, land managers must re-assemble appropriate plant communities for these conditions. Transcriptome sequencing can elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to changing environmental conditions, potentially enhancing our ability to screen suitable genotypes and species for restoration. We examined physiological and morphological traits and transcriptome sequences of coastal and inland populations of California sagebrush (Artemisia californica), a critical shrub used to restore coastal sage scrub vegetation communities, grown under low and high rainfall environments. The populations are located approximately 36 km apart but …

Protocol To Identify The Core Gene Supported By An Essential Gene In E. Coli Bacteria Using A Genome-Wide Suppressor Screen, Isao Masuda, Ya-Ming Hou

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

We describe here a genome-wide screening approach to identify the most critical core reaction among a network of many that are supported by an essential gene to establish cell viability. We describe steps for maintenance plasmid construction, knockout cell construction, and phenotype validation. We then detail isolation of suppressors, whole-genome sequencing analysis, and reconstruction of CRISPR mutants. We focus on E. coli trmD, which encodes an essential methyl transferase that synthesizes m1G37 on the 3'-side of the tRNA anticodon. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Masuda et al. (2022).

Adjusting For Gene-Specific Covariates To Improve Rna-Seq Analysis, Hyeongseon Jeon, Kyu-Sang Lim, Yet Nguyen, Dan Nettleton

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Summary

This paper suggests a novel positive false discovery rate (pFDR) controlling method for testing gene-specific hypotheses using a gene-specific covariate variable, such as gene length. We suppose the null probability depends on the covariate variable. In this context, we propose a rejection rule that accounts for heterogeneity among tests by employing two distinct types of null probabilities. We establish a pFDR estimator for a given rejection rule by following Storey's q-value framework. A condition on a type 1 error posterior probability is provided that equivalently characterizes our rejection rule. We also present a suitable procedure for selecting a tuning …

Artificial Intelligence-Driven Meta-Analysis Of Brain Gene Expression Identifies Novel Gene Candidates And A Role For Mitochondria In Alzheimer’S Disease, Caitlin A Finney, Fabien Delerue, Wendy A Gold, David A Brown, Artur Shvetcov

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. There is no treatment and AD models have focused on a small subset of genes identified in familial AD. Microarray studies have identified thousands of dysregulated genes in the brains of patients with AD yet identifying the best gene candidates to both model and treat AD remains a challenge. We performed a meta-analysis of microarray data from the frontal cortex (n = 697) and cerebellum (n = 230) of AD patients and healthy controls. A two-stage artificial intelligence approach, with both unsupervised and supervised machine learning, combined with a functional …

Etiology Of Sterile Intra-Amniotic Inflammation: An Exploratory Study, Zoe M. Taylor

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Preterm birth is the event of spontaneous birth prior to 37 weeks of gestation. In the United States, 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely. Low gestational age has been linked with increased morbidity and mortality. Preterm birth is multifactorial, where a myriad of contributors have been identified to include inflammation, chorioamnionitis, and inflammatory conditions to include hypertension and diabetes. To further explore the role inflammation plays in low gestational age, a literature review was done using PubMed. Two classes of inflammation quickly emerged: Pathogen born intra-amniotic inflammation and Sterile intra-amniotic inflammation. The latter form of inflammation has no identifiable …

Heterogeneity Of Gene Expression In Peanut-Allergic Cells May Be Related To Differing Cell Subpopulations, Sophia R. Tekorius

Honors Projects

Peanut allergies can have severe and life-threatening complications. By understanding the biology of individuals struggling with this disease, better treatments can be developed. This project explores the possibility of two phenotypically distinct cell types within CD154+ cell types in patients with peanut allergy. Previous studies show that there is a Th2 cell subpopulation associated with allergies, and within effector CD4+ memory populations two distinct phenotypes have been found. This project expands upon this research at the genetic level and through bioinformatic analyses, including the production of heatmaps, the project has found evidence for differing gene expression in two cell subpopulations. …

Sex And Starvation Influences Latrotoxin Expression In The Brown Widow Spider, Mattie Harris

Honors College Theses

Widow spiders (genus Latrodectus) are well-known for their potent venom. Seven latrotoxin proteins constitute the main components of widow spider venom. The vertebrate specific (α-latrotoxin) and insect specific (α-latroinsectotoxin) latrotoxins have been well-characterized with respect to structure and function. Regulation of latrotoxin gene expression is not well understood but sex and feeding could be factors influencing production. In this study, I used quantitative qPCR to (1) characterize the expression patterns of both the insect and vertebrate specific latrotoxins in male and female brown widow spiders (Latrodectus geometricus) to characterize sex-biased expression and to (2) study expression patterns …

Reduction Of Plasmid Vector Backbone Length Enhances Reporter Gene Expression, Carly Boye, Sezgi Arpag, Michael Francis, Scott Declemente, Aislin West, Richard Heller, Anna Bulysheva

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Gene therapy has a wide range of applications for various types of pathologies. Viral methods of gene delivery provide high levels of gene expression but have various safety concerns. Non-viral methods are largely known to provide lower levels of expression. We aim to address this issue by using plasmid DNA with smaller backbones to increase gene expression levels when delivered using non-viral methods. In this study we compare gene expression levels between two vectors with firefly luciferase encoding gene insert using liposome complexes and gene electrotransfer as delivery methods. A 2-fold reduction in plasmid vector backbone size, disproportionately enhanced gene …

Assesment Of Antibiotic Resistant Gene Expression In Clinical Isolates Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Dustin Esmond

Biology Theses

Increasing prevalence of nosocomial infections by antimicrobial resistant pathogens resulting in higher mortality rates and financial burden is of great concern. Pseudomonas aeruginosa represents one of six highly virulent “ESKAPE” pathogens that exhibit considerable intrinsic drug resistance as well as mechanisms for acquiring further resistance. As many of these mechanisms are regulated through gene expression, we sought to identify regulatory strategies and patterns at play in 23 clinical isolates collected from Baku, Azerbaijan and Tyler, Texas, USA. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed on six gene targets implicated in resistance and contrasted with antibiotic phenotypes. We found AmpC cephalosporinase …

Changes In Both Trans- And Cis-Regulatory Elements Mediate Insecticide Resistance In A Lepidopteron Pest, Spodoptera Exigua, Bo Hu, He Huang, Songzhu Hu, Miaomiao Ren, Qi Wei, Xiangrui Tian, Mohammed Esmail Abdalla Elzaki, Chris Bass, Jianya Su, Subba Reddy Palli

Entomology Faculty Publications

The evolution of insect resistance to insecticides is frequently associated with overexpression of one or more cytochrome P450 enzyme genes. Although overexpression of CYP450 genes is a well-known mechanism of insecticide resistance, the underlying regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we uncovered the mechanisms of overexpression of the P450 gene, CYP321A8 in a major pest insect, Spodoptera exigua that is resistant to multiple insecticides. CYP321A8 confers resistance to organophosphate (chlorpyrifos) and pyrethroid (cypermethrin and deltamethrin) insecticides in this insect. Constitutive upregulation of transcription factors CncC/Maf are partially responsible for upregulated expression of CYP321A8 in the resistant strain. Reporter gene assays …

The P-Glycoprotein Repertoire Of The Equine Parasitic Nematode Parascaris Univalens, Alexander P. Gerhard, Jürgen Krücken, Emanuel Heitlinger, I. Jana I. Janssen, Marta Basiaga, Sławomir Kornaś, Céline Beier, Martin K. Nielsen, Richard E. Davis, Jianbin Wang, Georg Von Samson-Himmelstjerna

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

P-glycoproteins (Pgp) have been proposed as contributors to the widespread macrocyclic lactone (ML) resistance in several nematode species including a major pathogen of foals, Parascaris univalens. Using new and available RNA-seq data, ten different genomic loci encoding Pgps were identified and characterized by transcriptome-guided RT-PCRs and Sanger sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis revealed an ascarid-specific Pgp lineage, Pgp-18, as well as two paralogues of Pgp-11 and Pgp-16. Comparative gene expression analyses in P. univalens and Caenorhabditis elegans show that the intestine is the major site of expression but individual gene expression patterns were not conserved between the two nematodes. In P. …

Multi-Generational Effects Of ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure On Gene Expression In Liver Tissue, Kayla Lovitt

Honors Theses

Cannabis is the most commonly used, cultivated, and trafficked illicit drug worldwide. Increased availability and acceptance of cannabis and cannabinoid-containing products provide the necessity for understanding how these substances influence aging. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to concentrations of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (0.08, 0.4, 2 µM) during embryonic-larval development, the effects on aging were measured 30 months later and in the offspring of the exposed fish (F1 generation. We observed results indicating a biphasic and hormetic effect. Treatment with the lowest concentration of THC significantly increased egg production, while higher concentrations resulted in impaired …

Comparative Genomics Of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells And Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells, Samia Ismail

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

As of 2017, vascular diseases contributed to 23.1% of all deaths in America. To address the need for more effective and sustainable treatment options for these ailments, stem cell differentiation and implantation has emerged as a viable alternative to standard bypass and graft insertions. A completely autologous treatment can be achieved by extracting adult stem cells, differentiating them into vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and then reimplanting these cells at the affected tissue site. This study aims to investigate the efficiency of the VSMC differentiation from human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) by comparing 4 cell lines of untreated hMSCs with …

Expression Of Lysine-Mediated Neuropeptide Hormones Controlling Satiety And Appetite In Broiler Chickens, Collins N. Khwatenge, Boniface M. Kimathi, Thyneice Taylor-Bowden, Samuel N. Nahashon

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Lysine is the second most limiting amino acid after methionine and is considered the most limiting amino acid for growth in poultry. Lysine requirement for broiler chickens has changed over the years. Leptin and adiponectin represent 2 adipokines that mediate metabolism by eliciting satiety effects whereas ghrelin peptide hormone influences appetite. We hypothesize that this affects growth performance of chicks. This study evaluates the effect of varying dietary lysine homeostasis on performance of broiler chickens through satiety- and appetite-mediating hormones. In 3 replications, 270 one-day-old chicks were reared for 8 wk feeding on diets comprising 0.85, 1.14, and 1.42% lysine …

Proximate And Ultimate Consequences Of Stressed-Induced Maternal, Paternal, And Joint Parental Effects In A Changing World, Whitley Rayen Lehto

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parental experience can alter the developmental and rearing environments of offspring, resulting in parental effects on offspring traits. I addressed the consequences of stress-induced maternal, paternal, and joint parental effects from both ultimate (ecological/evolutionary) and proximate (physiological/epigenetic) perspectives. I used a full-factorial design in which threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) mothers, fathers, both, or neither were exposed to a model predator at developmentally appropriate times to test for predator-induced maternal, paternal, and joint parental effects on daughters’ mating behavior and egg glucocorticoids (stress hormones) and on offspring gene expression. Maternal and paternal predator exposure independently yielded daughters who preferred …

The Genome Of Austrofundulus Limnaeus Offers Insights Into Extreme Vertebrate Stress Tolerance And Embryonic Development, Josiah Tad Wagner, Param Priya Singh, Amie L. Romney, Claire L. Riggs, Patrick Minx, Steven Cody Woll, Jake Roush, Wesley C. Warren, Anne Brunet, Jason E. Podrabsky

Center for Life in Extreme Environments Publications

Background: The annual killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus inhabits ephemeral ponds in northern Venezuela, South America, and is an emerging extremophile model for vertebrate diapause, stress tolerance, and evolution. Embryos of A. limnaeus regularly experience extended periods of desiccation and anoxia as a part of their natural history and have unique metabolic and developmental adaptations. Currently, there are limited genomic resources available for gene expression and evolutionary studies that can take advantage of A. limnaeus as a unique model system.

Results: We describe the first draft genome sequence of A. limnaeus. The genome was assembled de novo using a merged assembly strategy …

The Ability Of Different Imputation Methods To Preserve The Significant Genes And Pathways In Cancer, Rosa Aghdam, Taban Baghfalaki, Pegah Khosravi, Elnaz Saberi Ansari

Publications and Research

Deciphering important genes and pathways from incomplete gene expression data could facilitate a better understanding of cancer. Different imputation methods can be applied to estimate the missing values. In our study, we evaluated various imputation methods for their performance in preserving significant genes and pathways. In the first step, 5% genes are considered in random for two types of ignorable and non-ignorable missingness mechanisms with various missing rates. Next, 10 well-known imputation methods were applied to the complete datasets. The significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) method was applied to detect the significant genes in rectal and lung cancers to showcase …

Anaplasma Phagocytophilum Infection Modulates Expression Of Megakaryocyte Cell Cycle Genes Through Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase Signaling, Supreet Khanal, Hameeda Sultana, John D. Catravas, Jason A. Carlyon, Girish Neelakanta

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis infects neutrophils and other cells from hematopoietic origin. Using human megakaryocytic cell line, MEG-01, we show that expression of cell cycle genes in these cells are altered upon A. phagocytophilum infection. Expression of several cell cycle genes in MEG-01 cells was significantly up regulated at early and then down regulated at later stages of A. phagocytophilum infection. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays revealed reduced cellular cytotoxicity in MEG-01 cells upon A. phagocytophilum infection. The levels of both PI3KCA (p110 alpha, catalytic subunit) and PI3KR1 (p85, regulatory subunit) of Class …

Effect Assessment Of Tio2 Nanoparticles Exposure On Medicago By Monitoring Morphophysiology, Charles Towey

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

In recent years titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) have been ingredients in everything from paints to cosmetics, and even in some kinds of food. This growth in use has resulted in a substantial increase in the amount of titanium released into the environment, which could have detrimental effects on nearby plant and animal life. Currently, the number of studies conducted on the effects of TiO₂NPs is quite small, especially when it comes to edible crops. Because of this lack of research data, this study has been designed to assess the effect of TiO₂ NPs exposure on …

Association Of Body Mass Index With Dna Methylation And Gene Expression In Blood Cells And Relations To Cardiometabolic Disease: A Mendelian Randomization Approach, Michael M. Mendelson, Riccardo E. Marioni, Roby Joehanes, Chunyu Liu, Åsa K. Hedman, Stella Aslibekyan, Ellen W. Demerath, Weihua Guan, Degui Zhi, Chen Yao, Tianxiao Huan, Christine Willinger, Brian Chen, Paul Courchesne, Michael Multhaup, Marguerite R. Irvin, Ariella Cohain, Eric E. Schadt, Megan L. Grove, Jan Bressler, Kari North, Johan Sundström, Stefan Gustafsson, Sonia Shah, Allan F. Mcrae, Sarah E. Harris, Jude Gibson, Paul Redmond, Janie Corley, Lee Murphy, Donna K. Arnett

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background

The link between DNA methylation, obesity, and adiposity-related diseases in the general population remains uncertain.

Methods and Findings

We conducted an association study of body mass index (BMI) and differential methylation for over 400,000 CpGs assayed by microarray in whole-blood-derived DNA from 3,743 participants in the Framingham Heart Study and the Lothian Birth Cohorts, with independent replication in three external cohorts of 4,055 participants. We examined variations in whole blood gene expression and conducted Mendelian randomization analyses to investigate the functional and clinical relevance of the findings. We identified novel and previously reported BMI-related differential methylation at 83 CpGs …

Real-Time Quantitative Pcr To Demonstrate Gene Expression In An Undergraduate Lab, Abijeet Singh Mehta, Amit Singh

Biology Faculty Publications

The objective of this teaching note is to develop a laboratory exercise, which allows students to get a hands-on experience of a molecular biology technique to analyze gene expression. The short duration of the biology laboratory for an undergraduate curriculum is the biggest challenge with the development of new labs. An important part of cell biology or molecular biology undergraduate curriculum is to study gene expression. There are many labs to study gene expression in qualitative manner. The commonly used reporter gene expression studies are primarily qualitative. However, there is no hands-on experience exercise to quantitatively determine gene expression. Therefore, …