Molecular Genetics Commons^™

Data Curation And Integration For Cancer Cell Line Pharmacogenomics Analysis, Meric Kinali

Graduate Masters Theses

Cancer cell lines are essential resources for connecting genomic and molecular features with drug response and identifying biomarkers. Therefore, large-scale cancer cell line resources have been growing, but this introduces challenges such as data standardization, consistent annotation, matching identifiers, cross-database integration, and a reproducible computational framework. CellMiner Cross Database (CellMinerCDB) integrates pharmacogenomic datasets from multiple resources and provides a standardized analysis of cell lines across datasets. This thesis examines cancer cell line cross-databases and their importance in pharmacogenomics, with a particular focus on CellMinerCDB. As part of this work, I developed an R package for the gCSI (Genentech Cell Line …

Computational Comparative Genome Analysis Reveals The Characteristics Of Acinetobacter Baumannii C123 Strains, Jennilyn Nicole G. Mendoza

The Lasallian Journal of Health

Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative, aerobic and multi-drug resistant bacterial pathogen commonly associated with nosocomial infections. This species has several strains and is known to cause pneumonia, septi cemia, meningitis, urinary tract infection and wound infection which are associated with high mortality rates. This study focused on a genome-wide compari son among target C123 strain and 15 other reference strains to predict the overall properties, and resistance mechanisms of the C123 strain. A total of 16 whole genome sequence strains were retrieved from NCBI database for analysis. The selected strains were assem bled and annotated using computational tools. Further more, …

A Framework For Characterizing The Peripheral Immune Isonome Using Long-Read Single-Cell Rna Sequencing And Its Relevance To Neurological Disease, Patricia Hayes Doyle

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

Long-read single-cell RNA sequencing provides an opportunity to understand human health and disease at isoform resolution, revealing cellular diversity and disease mechanisms difficult to resolve with bulk or short-read methodologies.

Using a modified PIPseq workflow and computational pipeline adapted for Oxford Nanopore (ONT) sequencing, we profiled isoform usage across immune cells, integrating marker expression and isoform discovery, generating the largest long-read single-cell dataset of human immune cells from a single individual to date. We identified non-canonical protein-coding variants of GZMB and CD3G enriched in unexpected cell types. We also discovered novel transcripts from CMC1 and LYAR with cell-type-specific signatures that …

Systematics Of Disk-Winged Bats (Thyroptera), Courtney L. Klumpp

Capstone Showcase

This thesis investigates the evolutionary relationships among disk-winged bats in the genus Thyroptera, a small group of Neotropical bats known for the adhesive suction disks on their wings and feet that allow them to roost inside tightly rolled leaves. The distinctive morphology and behavior of these bats have not been extensively documented, and their phylogenetic relationships remain only partially resolved. The goal of this research is to better understand how these species are related to one another and to determine whether the five recognized species of Thyroptera form a single monophyletic group. To address this question, morphological and genetic …

Data From: Complete Mitochondrial Genomes Of The Spring Pygmy Sunfish (Elassoma Alabamae), Kayla M. Fast, David Lee Pounders, Mayah P. Peterson, Michael W. Sandel

Research Data

The Spring Pygmy Sunfish, Elassoma alabamae (Mayden, 1993), is a small species of sunfish (Centrarchiformes) endemic to tributaries to the middle Tennessee River in north Alabama. Elassoma alabamae is the most geographically restricted member of Elassoma and the only species found above the fall line. This species was twice considered extinct and was listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as threatened in 2013. To date, surveys for this species have been limited to traditional invasive methods using dipnets and seines. In order to reduce impacts on sensitive populations, we sequenced the mitochondrial genome with the intent of developing a …

Generating Predictive Gene Expression Signatures For Alzheimer's Disease Using Postmortem Brain Tissue, Ashley Duche

Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) Dissertations

Background: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and tau protein aggregates. These pathological features develop in specific brain regions, but why some areas are more vulnerable to early AD-related changes remains unclear. To address this, predictive gene expression signatures were developed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying regional susceptibility to AD pathology.

Methods: This was performed using postmortem brain (PMB) tissue from participants in the Religious Orders Study and Memory and Aging Project (ROSMAP), Mayo Clinic, and Mount Sinai Brain Bank (MSBB) to generate gene expression signatures from six brain …

Bioinformatic Analysis Of Pogz Variants In Relation To White Sutton Syndrome, Hannah Rollins

Theses

White-Sutton syndrome (WHSUS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the Pogo Transposable Element with ZNF Domain (POGZ) gene, which encodes pogo-transposable element with ZNF domain, a chromatin regulator essential for proper mitotic progression and DNA repair. This study uses a bioinformatic framework to evaluate the structural and functional impact of missense mutations in the conserved amino acid region (positions 500–800) of the POGZ protein. Protein modeling, variant effect prediction, conservation analysis, and molecular dynamics simulations were employed to gain an understanding of the effects of POGZ missense mutations on protein structure and movement with specific emphasis on …

Ai-Powered Multi-Omics Integration For Predictive Modeling Of Genotype-Environment-Phenotype Relationships, You Wu

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation presents a series of machine learning frameworks for modeling genotype–environment–phenotype relationships through integrative predictive modeling of multi-omics data. The work addresses three major axes of biological complexity: modeling biological information transmission cross-levels from genes to proteins to phenotypes, predicting molecular features cross-scale from cells to tissues to organisms, and translating phenotypes cross-species from model systems to humans. Each proposed method also tackles key machine learning (ML) challenges in the biomedical domain, including data scarcity, domain shift, out-of-distribution (OOD) generalization, and hierarchical modeling. Specifically, this dissertation introduces five novel deep learning algorithms: MultiDCP predicts drug-induced transcriptomic and viability responses …

Analytical Approaches For Identification Of Essential Genomes Of Plasmodium Knowlesi And Babesia Divergens, Sida Ye

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Apicomplexa constitute a large phylum of single-celled, obligate intracellular protozoan parasites. Notably, Plasmodium spp. and Babesia spp. are apicomplexan parasites that infect red blood cells. Plasmodium species are the causative agent of malaria and are transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, affecting large human populations, whereas Babesia spp., transmitted through the bite of Ixodes ticks cause babesiosis.

In this dissertation, we investigate the essential genome of these parasites using high-throughput transposon mutagenesis. Identifying the essential genome is key to finding new drug targets and understanding resistance mechanisms, a crucial pursuit given the rising resistance to frontline antimalarial drugs and the challenges …

Network Analysis Of Antimicrobial Resistance In Staphylococcus Aureus: Characterization Of Hub Genes And Their Functional Implications, Md Imran Hasan, Davida Smyth, Jeong Yang, Ashley Teufel

Masters Theses (Archived)

Antimicrobial resistance is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with S. aureus infections. In this study, we analyzed genes, molecular mechanisms, and pathways driving drug resistance in S. aureus using network analysis. Using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data and systems biology approaches, we identified 229 AMR-associated genes and constructed a protein-protein interaction network among these genes. Through network topology and functional enrichment analyses, we not only confirmed their association with resistance, but also highlighted the central roles of these genes in resistance pathways, such as efflux, target replacement, and target protection, which are directly linked to multiple drug …

Developing A Small Molecule To Inhibit Hsf1 Expression In Cancer And Evaluating Natural Genetic Variation In Small Molecule Toxicity., Michaela Kendal Foley

Theses and Dissertations

Each year cancer affects nearly 20 million people worldwide and genetic differences across populations can impact cancer onset and progression. Specifically, tumors with high levels of HSF1, the master regulator of the cytoprotective heat shock response (HSR), are correlated with poor patient outcomes in multiple cancers such as prostate, breast, and melanoma. Subsequently, the development of pharmacological inhibitors of HSF1 represents a promising strategy for anticancer therapeutics. Using a luciferase-based transcriptional reporter, two small molecule libraries were screened for inhibitors of HSF1 expression in human embryonic kidney cells, yielding ten compounds that decrease HSF1 expression. To identify if cancer lines …

Elucidating The Multi-Omics Of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer, Jumanah Alshenaifi

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The incidence and mortality rates of sporadic early-onset colorectal cancer have increased in recent decades, but there is no clear etiological basis for this trend. EOCRC is commonly defined as colon and rectal cancers diagnosed before the age of 50 years. The rising incidence of EOCRC has made it the second most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death in this age group. The rising incidence of EOCRC is also documented internationally in more than 20 countries across different continents. Clinically, EOCRC has a distinct, more aggressive clinical profile than LOCRC. While approximately 15% of EOCRC cases …

Hierarchical Lineage Tracing To Unravel Mechanisms Of Cancer Treatment Resistance, Rachel Danielle Saxe

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Cancer cells adapt to treatment, leading to the emergence of clones that are more aggressive and resistant to anti-cancer therapies. We have a limited understanding of the development of treatment resistance as we lack technologies to map the evolution of cancer under the selective pressure of treatment. To address this, we developed a hierarchical, dynamic lineage tracing method called FLARE (Following Lineage Adaptation and Resistance Evolution). We use this technique to track the progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines through exposure to Cytarabine (AraC), a front-line treatment in AML, in vitro and in vivo. We map distinct cellular …

Cloning And Expression Of Scamp3 In Escherichia Coli Bl21(De3) With In Silico Sequence-Based Cancer Epitopes Prediction, Selly Setiati Rajagukguk, Sabar Pambudi, Astari Dwiranti, Doddy Irawan Setyo Utomo, Anom Bowolaksono

Makara Journal of Science

Secretory carrier membrane protein 3 (SCAMP3) is a crucial membrane protein involved in intracellular vesicle traffick-ing and exocytosis. The SCAMP3 expression has been observed in diverse cancer types, such as melanoma, glioma, hepatocellular and breast cancer. Increased SCAMP3 expression has been reported in certain cancer cells relative to that in normal cells, suggesting the potential role of SCAMP3 in cancer development or progression. In this study, we successfully cloned and expressed SCAMP3 in Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3). SCAMP3 was amplified and insert-ed directionally into the prokaryotic expression vector pET21d(+). The transformation of recombinant plasmid into E. coli BL21(DE3) cells were …

Identification Of Novel Argonaute Proteins Using A Metagenomic Mining Approach, Lobna Abdallah Ghonaim

Theses and Dissertations

Gene editing is one of the most promising tools in science. It enables precise modifications of an organism's genetic material. Metagenomics is considered a powerful tool that unlocks the broad genetic potential found in uncultured microbial communities. Exploring the genetic diversity of uncultured microbial communities helps identify novel functional proteins with unique properties and make the best use of these diverse microbial ecosystems.

We developed and employed a metagenomic-based approach to mine more than 1000 metagenomes for prokaryotic argonaute proteins (pAgos), a potential gene editing machinery encoded in bacterial and archaeal genomes. Our workflow involved strict quality control, sequence assembly, …

The Role Of Secondary And Tertiary Structure In The Cap-Independent Translation Of Fgf-9 And Hif-1-Alpha, Amanda Michelle Whittaker

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Under normoxic conditions, eukaryotes initiate translation of RNA through eIF4E recognition of the 5’ cap. However, under cellular stress, eukaryotic translation must be initiated through a 4E-independent, or “cap-independent” mechanism, involving eukaryotic initiation factor 4G (eIF4G) binding directly to the 5’ untranslated regions (5’ UTR) of the RNA. eIF4G binding then recruits the ribosome to the transcript. While this mechanism is useful for translation of apoptotic transcripts and transcripts involved in cell survival, cap-independent translation is also utilized by oncogenic RNA for tumorigenesis. Previous work by our lab and others has categorized this recruitment and initiation mechanism as either internal-ribosome-entry-site …

Regulation Of Serpina1 Mrna Expression By Environmental Conditions In Hepatocyte Cells, Fnu Jiamutai

All Theses

The SERPINA1 gene encodes the critical protease inhibitor α-1-antitrypsin (A1AT). A1AT represses neutrophil elastase activity to protect lung tissue from inflammatory damage. A deficiency in α-1-antitrypsin can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pathogenic genetic variants in SERPINA1 are also associated with A1AT protein misfolding and liver cirrhosis. The regulatory mechanisms of SERPINA1 expression are not well understood, but previous studies suggest that alternative polyadenylation in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) affects A1AT protein expression. In this study, we used the liver cancer cell line HepG2 to determine how environmental conditions influence SERPINA1 mRNA expression and post-transcriptional regulation. We …

Early Onset Alzheimer’S Disease Markers In Mouse Hippocampus Unveiled By Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis Following Cranial Radiotherapy, Tuba Aksoy

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Cranial radiation therapy plays an integral role in the treatment of brain tumors but can lead to progressive cognitive deficits in survivors by mechanisms that are poorly understood. To develop preventive or mitigative strategies, it is crucial to better understand the underlying pathogenesis of radiation-induced cognitive impairments. The study investigated single-cell transcriptomics and DNA methylation changes as potential drivers of persistent cellular dysfunction after radiation exposure, specifically concentrating on the CA1-3 regions of the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex due to their role in cognitive functions. Thirteen-week-old mice underwent whole-brain radiation at clinically relevant doses. Following whole-brain radiation, an assessment …

Genomic Data Science Approaches For Understanding Human Diseases, Snehal Shah

All Dissertations

The intricate interplay of genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and lifestyle acts as the multifactorial landscape of diseases. Understanding this complexity presents a significant challenge. Molecular insights into disease mechanisms, particularly the interactions of DNA, RNA, and proteins with environmental and lifestyle factors, have revolutionized disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. High-throughput technologies, such as next-generation sequencing, generate large amounts of molecular data, holding a wealth of knowledge. These datasets unveil the roles of genes and their interactions with various factors through analysis, shedding light on previously unknown molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, they facilitate the discovery of biomarkers crucial for …

Omani Camels From A Cultural And Genomics Perspective, Al Muatasim Al Zadjali

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Dromedarian camel, Camelus dromedarius, is native to the Arabian Peninsula, including the Sultanate of Oman. These camels are used for food, milk, as well as show and racing competitions. Despite their economic and cultural importance research on camels in Oman is limited. The goal of this study was to examine their genomic variation, relationship with camels in other parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and to determine if selective breeding has led to the establishment of distinct breeds in Oman. Information was compiled from multiple sources to produce a comprehensive review on the breeding, management, economic and cultural use, …

Avian Symbionts Of Sulawesi: Identifying And Correlating Malaria Parasites And The Microbiome In Communities Of Endemic Avian Hosts, Rachael Joakim

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Since the evolution of complex organisms, there have been communities of symbionts inhabiting them. Thanks to the development of parallel sequencing techniques, DNA of entire microbial communities can be sequenced from a single sample. Some microbes can be parasitic in nature, such as Haemosporida, an order of eukaryotes causing malaria. While most symbionts form a more commensal host relationship in wild systems, host-symbiont dynamics can vary in pathogenicity based on biotic and abiotic factors. In vertebrates, microbial communities in the gut play a major role in host function, including immune responses to Haemosporida. Though this relationship is most commonly explored …

Coral Scar Investigation: An Application Of Machine Learning And Computational Biology Methods To Understand Coral Holobiont Response To Various Tissue Loss Diseases, Emily W. Van Buren

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Coral disease is one of the biggest challenges facing coral reefs that actively changes biodiversity resulting in coral decline. With the rising threat of diseases, corals require biomarkers that reflect the immune systems and differences between common coral tissue loss diseases to best assist in coral restoration efforts. To obtain these biomarkers, my dissertation leverages two previously published datasets from two tissue loss disease exposure studies to investigate genes that are relevant for coral immune pathways, disease susceptibility, and classification between the diseases. In Chapter 2, I use comparative computational biology tools and protein assays to identify the melanin cascade …

Exploring 3d Genome Interaction And Epigenetic Regulation Via Swi/Snf Complex And Deep Learning Models, Ruoyun Wang

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

The three-dimensional organization of the genome is fundamental in regulating gene expression and maintaining cellular function. This organization's complexities, influenced by epigenetic marks and chromatin remodeling complexes, are crucial for understanding genomic regulation. Among these, the SWI/SNF complexes are key, facilitating chromatin accessibility and regulating gene activity across cell types. The first part of my dissertation focuses on SWI/SNF complexes, exploring their role in chromatin remodeling and their impact on 3D genome architecture. Utilizing next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques, this section investigates the interplay between these complexes and chromatin structure. During my research on the SWI/SNF complex, I was intrigued by …

Contemporary Vs. Traditional Dna-Based Mutation Testing To Detect Hereditary Breast And Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (Hboc) In Women: A Meta Narrative Review, Hannah Olivia Cantu, Jacob Hipp, Nyela Y. Lopez, Duc Duy Nguyen

Research Methods Poster Session 2024

No abstract provided.

The Evolution Of The Metazoan Circadian Molecular Mechanism And The Conservation Of Canonical Circadian Elements, Olivia Waldridge

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

The temporal organization of biological activities through circadian rhythms is pivotal for the survival of organisms. Significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular foundations of animal circadian clocks through the characterization of key components such as Clock, Bmal1/Cycle(Cyc), Period (Per), Timeless, and Cryptochrome (Cry) in several model organisms. To determine the universality of this conservation, we investigated the sequences of these genes and their paralogs across 46 animal species that encompass multiple phyla in the metazoan kingdom to resolve the relative timing of duplication and loss events that have diversified core clock components in the metazoan kingdom. Using …

Developing Cellular Systems To Elucidate Rna Structural Dynamics Of Cag Expansion Transcripts In Spinocerebellar Ataxias, Victoria Demeo

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a diverse group of over 40 genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders, many of which are caused by a trinucleotide CAG repeat expansion in the coding region of specific genes. These expansions lead to the production of polyglutamine (polyQ) tracts that interfere with normal protein function, triggering cellular dysfunction and contributing to disease pathogenesis. The most well-known of these SCAs, such as SCA1, SCA2, and SCA3, exhibit progressive neurodegeneration, yet the precise mechanisms through which these mutations cause disease remain poorly understood.

A significant challenge in studying CAG repeat expansion disorders lies in the complexity of the disease …

Investigating The Impact Of Transcription On Mutation Rates, Sarah Patterson

Theses and Dissertations

tRNA genes are highly transcribed and perform one of the most fundamental cellular functions. Although a universal pattern observed across all three domains of life is that highly transcribed genes tend to evolve slowly, tRNA genes have been shown previously to evolve rapidly. This rapid sequence evolution could result from relaxed selection, increased mutation rate, or a combination of both. Here, we use mutation-accumulation line sequencing data to show that tRNA genes accumulate more mutations than other gene types. Our results indicate that this elevated mutation rate is a consequence of both elevated transcription-associated mutagenesis and a lack of transcription-coupled …

Increased Coding Potential Of Bovine Herpesvirus 1, Victoria Jefferson

Theses and Dissertations

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) costs the cattle industry millions of dollars in costs in treatment and loss every year in the United States. A significant pathogen often contributes to BRD is Bovine Herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), a double stranded DNA virus with the ability to establish latency in the trigeminal ganglia and neurons. Primary infection with BoHV-1 results in immunosuppression that increases the risk of secondary bacterial infection and pneumonia. Because herpesviruses infect their hosts for life and can be reactivated in times of stress, BoHV-1 can present a recurring risk of BRD. The following research aims to expand the knowledge …

Modeling Nonsegmented Negative-Strand Rna Virus (Nnsv) Transcription With Ejective Polymerase Collisions And Biased Diffusion, Felipe-Andres Piedra

Research Symposium

Background: The textbook model of NNSV transcription predicts a gene expression gradient. However, multiple studies show non-gradient gene expression patterns or data inconsistent with a simple gradient. Regarding the latter, several studies show a dramatic decrease in gene expression over the last two genes of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) genome (a highly studied NNSV). The textbook model cannot explain these phenomena.

Methods: Computational models of RSV and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV – another highly studied NNSV) transcription were written in the Python programming language using the Scientific Python Development Environment. The model code is freely available on GitHub: …

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 …