Microbiology Commons^™

The Role Of Seed Mix Characteristics And Soil Amendments During Post-Agricultural Prairie Restoration, Valerie N. Thurston, Michaela J. Woods, Madelaine Gregory, Mary C. Lloyd, Ryan W. Mcewan

Biology Faculty Publications

Introduction: Prairie restoration on degraded lands may be influenced by seed mix characteristics, including species richness and legume establishment. Soil amendments may facilitate restoration; however, the practical usefulness of techniques such as applications of whole soil and leaf mulch remains relatively unclear.

Objectives: We assessed whether increasing species richness and legume content in seed mixes enhances prairie restoration success and examined how soil amendments interact with seed mix composition to influence cover, species richness, diversity, and legume establishment.

Methods: We conducted a field experiment on a 12-ha post-agricultural site in Ohio, U.S.A. Twenty 50 × 50 m plots received one …

Antimicrobial Responses Of Staphylococcus Aureus In Simulated Spaceflight Conditions, Mikayla Dutkiewicz, Yegor Bushnev

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Microbial persistence in confined environments, such as spacecraft, can pose challenges to astronaut health and habitat maintenance. This project investigates Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium commonly associated with human microbiota and opportunistic infections, in spaceflight-relevant environmental conditions. Further, this project will assess the influence of the antimicrobial/antioxidant compound quercetin to assess its effects on bacterial growth and virulence under standard Earth gravity and simulated International Space Station (ISS) conditions. This approach will assess whether spaceflight-relevant stressors, including microgravity and radiation, alter treatment efficacy by influencing microbial physiology and antimicrobial susceptibility. Data collection and analysis are ongoing, and results are expected …

Bridging The Gap In Science Research: Preparing Students For College- Level Research In The Sciences, Victoria Helwig, Yaoguang Li

UConn Library Presentations

Many first-year students enter college unprepared to fully engage with scientific literature and academic library resources. Drawing on experiences from academic librarians working with STEM students, this session explores common gaps in science research skills, including navigating databases, identifying scholarly sources, and understanding the structure of scientific literature. Participants will be introduced to practical strategies and classroom-ready activities to better prepare students for college-level research. Discussion questions: What science research skills do students struggle with most when entering college? How can high school instruction better support these skills? Where can librarians and educators collaborate to support student success?

Homocysteine Thiolactone From Translation Proofreading Is An Endogenous Ligand For Cell-Cell Signaling By The Receptor Sdia, Lorenzo Eugenio Leiva, Roberto A. Zúñiga, Gregory J. Phillips, Michael Ibba

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Several widespread mechanisms enable cellular communication and coordinate the behavior of bacterial populations. The modules responsible for cellular communication are often found in matching pairs: an enzyme that synthesizes a signal molecule and a specific receptor that decodes it. A notable exception is Escherichia coli SdiA, a homolog of known N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) receptors, for which no corresponding AHL synthase exists. SdiA is an orphan receptor that enables cross-talk by sensing AHLs from other bacterial species. In this work, we investigated whether homocysteine thiolactone (HTL), an AHL-like molecule arising from a proofreading reaction of methionyl tRNA synthetase (MetRS) to correct …

Identifying The Role Of Human Dna Polymerase Delta During Human Cytomegalovirus Genome Synthesis, Rachel Laree Dansereau

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a large double stranded DNA virus and member of the Herpesviridae family. Like all herpesviruses, HCMV presents with characteristics of persistent, lifelong infections that transition between lytic and latent states. The replication of the viral genome is traditionally thought to occur by a rolling circle mechanism, but this model is supported by little evidence. It is known that HCMV actively recruits several host proteins to viral replication compartments (RCs), including proteins involved in the DNA damage response (DDR). The exact mechanisms of how these proteins are used and in what ways they help the virus remain …

College Of Natural Sciences Spring Newsletter, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

[Page 1] Dean's Message
[Page] 2 Awards & Recognitions // Student Spotlights
[Page] 3 Zhang Named to Landsat Science Team // The Power of Teaching
[Page] 4 “Science as Art” Competition Welcomes High School Artists
[Page] 5 Testing for “Forever Chemicals” in Surface Water // New Faculty Spotlight
[Page] 6 Ambassador Initiated Outreach
[Page] 7 57th Annual Geography Convention
[Page] 8 Twice the Impact on On Call with the Prairie Doc
[Page] 9 Making Staple Foods Healthier // Halaweish & Cole-Dai Retire
[Page] 10 Drone Day 2026
[Page] 11 Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Day (SRSCAD)
[Page] 12 Ceremony …

Genetic Screen For Regulators Of Pol4, A Dna Repair Polymerase In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Pasang Dolma Sherpa

Theses and Dissertations

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, DNA polymerase 4 (POL4) is the beta repair polymerase, the product of the POL4 gene, and is involved in base excision repair (BER) and microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ). Despite its involvement in these repair pathways and its conservation across eukaryotes, deletion of POL4 shows no detectable phenotype under standard laboratory conditions. I hypothesized that unknown genes act as backup systems, providing redundant activities that allow pol4Δ cells to survive. To test this, a genetic screen for mutants showing synthetic lethality with pol4Δ was implemented. I constructed a strain lacking the POL4 gene and carrying …

The Impact Of Glucose Exposure On Organic Cation Transporters (Oct) Function In A Corneal Epithelial Cell Line, David A. Garza

Theses & Dissertations

Organic cation transporters (OCT) facilitate the movement of neurochemicals and medications, contribute to the removal of cellular waste, and facilitate neuronal communication. Three subtypes of these high-capacity, low-affinity transporters (OCT1, OCT2, and OCT3) are differently expressed in peripheral tissues such as the liver, kidneys, as well as the central nervous system. OCTs are also expressed in ocular tissues. Chronic hyperglycemia is a complication commonly associated with diabetes that can lead to ocular diseases such as diabetic keratopathy, which affects the cornea. In this project, we expose immortalized human corneal epithelial cells (HCE-S) to various glucose concentrations to study their impact …

Maintaining And Axenizing Live Cyanobacterial Cultures For Bacterial Genome Sequencing, Yufei Wang, Louisa Acquah

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms are an

increasing concern in western Kansas, yet the

bloom-forming species in this region remain

poorly characterized. In this study, we

established and maintained axenic

cyanobacterial cultures to support future

genomic and ecological investigations. By

ensuring low contamination levels and stable

growth conditions, this work provides a

foundation for downstream analyses of bloom-

forming cyanobacteria. It contributes to a better

understanding of freshwater ecosystem health

in western Kansas.

Signaling Response Of Epinephrine Treated Cards Toxin-Infected Thp-1 Macrophages, Trinity Martinez

Posters - 2026

Aspiration pneumonia is a common mild case of pneumonia, a disease where the lungs are inflamed and filled with fluid, compromising respiration and gas exchange. One common cause of mild pneumonia is bacterial infection via a pathogen known as Mycoplasma pneumoniae. M. pneumoniae causes a variety of respiratory illness- ranging from pharyngitis, tracheobronchitis, mild pneumonia- and in rare cases encephalitis. M. pneumoniae produces the CARDS toxin, which participates in ADP-ribosylation and vacuolization (Kannan et al., 2006)1. The CARDS toxin causes aspiration pneumonia by paralyzing the cilia that lines the respiratory tract. Epinephrine, or Adrenaline- is a hormone that is medically …

Take A Hit? Take A Hit: Quantifying Cell Death In E-Cigarette Exposed Bronchial Epithelial Cells Following Cards Toxin Treatment, Truman Havrda, Hannah Jiron, Sierra Trevino

Posters - 2026

The rapid rise of e-cigarette use among young adults has created a significant public health challenge, as the popularity of "vaping" has grown faster than our understanding of its long term cellular consequences. Current research indicates that e-cigarette vapor (ECV) induce high levels of oxidative stress and impair the lungs' ability to clear bacterial pathogens. Furthermore, ECV exposure upregulates specific receptors on the surface of airway cells, essentially making it easier for bacteria to adhere to and infect the lungs. While we know that both e-liquids and vapor trigger inflammatory responses and cytotoxicity, there is limited data on how these …

Sustainable Mitigation Of Microplastic Pollutants Using Native Plant Species, Antonio De Jesus Martinez De La Rosa, Emily Lancaster

Research Papers

Microplastics (MPs) are defined as small plastic particles that come from the degradation of plastics [Ziani et al. 2023], that hold a regular or irregular shape, ranging from 1μm to 5 mm [Campanale et al. 2025]. This diminutive size makes them virtually impossible to remove once released into the environment[Lee et al. 2023]. Furthermore, biological, chemical, and physical processes break MP's further down in the environment, causing them to exist in nano-level sizes (1nm-1μm) [Lee et al. 2023], further exacerbating their threat to critical habitats. However, recent studies have shown MP contamination expands beyond the natural environment as recent studies …

Sustainable Mitigation Of Microplastic Pollutants Using Native Plant Species, Antonio Martinez

Posters - 2026

Microplastics (MPs) are defined as small plastic particles that come from the degradation of plastics [Ziani et al. 2023], that hold a regular or irregular shape, ranging from 1μm to 5 mm [Campanale et al. 2025]. This diminutive size makes them virtually impossible to remove once released into the environment[Lee et al. 2023]. Furthermore, biological, chemical, and physical processes break MP's further down in the environment, causing them to exist in nano-level sizes (1nm-1μm) [Lee et al. 2023], further exacerbating their threat to critical habitats. However, recent studies have shown MP contamination expands beyond the natural environment as recent studies …

The Effects Of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Cards Toxin On M2 Macrophage Polarization And Formation, Ria Modi

Posters - 2026

Macrophages are key cells of the innate immune system, playing essential roles in host defense, tissue homeostasis, and inflammation. Depending on stimuli, macrophages can polarize into distinct functional phenotypes, characterized as classically activated (M1) or alternatively activated (M2) macrophages. M2 macrophages are associated specifically with anti-inflammatory responses, tissue repair, and immune regulation. They contribute to wound healing and can regulate host responses during infection. Community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) toxin, a key virulence factor of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, plays a role in altering host immune responses, but its impact on M2 macrophage function and polarization remains unclear.

College Of Natural Sciences 2025 Year-End Publication, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

Page 2 Dean's Message 
Page 3 Department Highlights 
Page 4 One Day for State 
Page 5 Ice cores reveal volcanic eruptions in 13th century 
Page 5 How do our cells interpret stress 
Page 6-7 Faculty Excellence
Page 8 New chemical biology consortium will accelerate cancer research
Page 9 SDSU to combat crop disease, biofilms in new NSF-back project 
Page 9 Science as Art Competition 
Page 10-11 Student Excellence  
Page 12 SDSU researcher developing natural alternative to synthetic dyes
Page 12 Browning Retired
Page 13 Quantum technologies through NSF-backed project
Page 13 NASA Funds CNS Development of Model
Page 14 GGS …

Biology Department Publications: 2025, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a non-comprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2024. It indexes those publications available through PubMed, and serves as an archival record of the Department's robust scholarly contributions.

Decoupling Of Reproduction And Lifespan Trade-Off In Caenorhabditis Elegans Through Microbial Programming, Nora M. Villafuerte

LSU Master's Theses

The microbiome is increasingly recognized as a major regulator of host physiology. Using the Caenorhabditis elegans model, we investigated how natural commensal bacteria modulate host reproduction and lifespan through internal egg hatching, a phenotype in which retained embryos hatch within the maternal body. Screening strains from the CeMbio collection identified four focal strains Ochrobactrum BH3, Lelliottia JUb66, Pantoea BIGb0393, and Enterobacter CEent1 that significantly increased internal egg hatching during the late reproductive period. This contrasts with pathogenic bacteria, which induce early-onset internal egg hatching. Across the focal strains, worms exhibited reduced total brood size but an expanded reproductive window relative …

The Role Of Tumor Microenvironment In Glioblastoma Multiforme(Gbm) Therapeutic Resistance, Kwesi E. Taylor

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Despite significant advances in cancer research and treatment, Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat effectively, with minimal improvement in long-term survival rates over the past few decades. This is largely attributed to tumor heterogeneity and the ability of tumor cells to develop adaptive resistance mechanisms supported by the tumor microenvironment (TME). Although the TME is recognized as a key contributor to tumor progression and therapeutic resistance, the underlying molecular pathways and regulatory genes remain incompletely understood. This study investigated the role of the tumor microenvironment in GBM therapeutic resistance using a bioinformatics approach. Single-cell …

Investigating The Interaction Of Gram-Positive Lactobacillus Species With Mucin In The Context Of Barrett's Esophagus, Ritisha Suresh

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) can progress to the precancerous Barrett’s Esophagus (BE) condition, in which the normal esophageal squamous epithelium is replaced with a columnar epithelium containing goblet cells. Mucins, sticky substances, are secreted in response to bile acid exposure during reflux episodes to protect the esophageal epithelium. Goblet cells secrete these mucins, which can also scaffold microbial colonization. Probiotic Lactobacillus bacteria can use glycosidase enzymes to process mucin and metabolize them into their component sugars (glycans). This project aims to identify the role of the Lactobacillus-mucin interaction in BE, as glycan availability could confer an advantage to Lactobacillus …

Exploring The Application Of Wastewater Monitoring To Determine The Prevalence And Diversity Of Influenza On The Campus Of West Virginia University, Lakyn Renee Sanders

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Influenza viruses (IV) affect populations globally, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that IV are responsible for an estimated 3-5 million infections and 290,000 – 650,000 deaths annually^1–3. More specifically, the 2019-2020 IV season is associated with an estimated 38 million illnesses and 22,000 deaths in the United States alone⁴. IV are rapidly spread between individuals through direct contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, or aerosolized virus particles². Traditional IV infection monitoring relies on clinical screening of patients presenting influenza-like symptoms, commonly through the use of multi-target panel tests such as the BioFire …

Investigating The Anti-Apoptotic Properties Of The N-Terminus Of The Chlamydia Trachomatis Effector Tarp, Kasey S. Jordan

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

As the most prevalent bacterial STI in the United States and leading cause of infection-related blindness worldwide, the obligate intracellular bacteria, Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), poses a significant threat to public health. As an obligate intracellular bacteria, invasion of the host cell is a crucial step in Chlamydia’s developmental cycle. To drive invasion, Ct injects prepackaged effectors into the host cell using a T3SS. An early Chlamydial effector, translocated actin recruiting phosphoprotein, or Tarp, interacts with host cell actin to promote invasion, mediated via Tarp’s C-terminal region. Although the function of Tarp’s C-terminus is well defined, the Tarp’s N-terminus …

The Importance Of The Proline Residue In The Ldiapa Motif Of Cholera Toxin, Akash Bharathan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Cholera is currently on its seventh global pandemic, disproportionately affecting developing countries. Vibrio cholerae, the bacterial etiologic agent, is able to cause infection by adhering to intestinal epithelial cells and secreting cholera toxin (CT), an AB-type exotoxin that dysregulates signaling pathways. Previous research by the Teter lab has shown that Hsp90, a host cytosolic chaperone, is required for CT to enter the cytosol where it produces toxic effects. Hsp90 binds to CT at two specific motifs, RPPDEI and LDIAPA. The prolines in the RPPDEI motif are essential for binding, but the proline in the LDIAPA has yet to be …

Targeted And Screening Based Approaches To Analyze Drm Transcriptional Repressor Complex Activity In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Emily Washeleski

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The molecular machinery that control the eukaryotic cell cycle, specifically the processes that mediate the switch between cellular division or quiescence, are essential for cellular and organismal viability. However, how the same machinery integrates with developmental or differentiation programs is less well understood. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the 8-subunit DRM complex (for Dp, Rb and MuvB), whose subunits belong to the Synthetic Mulitivulva (SynMuv) B class genes, is a central regulator of the cell cycle but also prevents inappropriate cell fate specification. The conserved mammalian DREAM complex (for Dp, Rb, E2F, And MuvB) is best known as a transcriptional repressor …

Role Of Cellular Stress Responses In Innate Immune Defense Against Acute Respiratory Infections, Amit Sharma

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress sensor inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) is an important regulator of innate immune cells. However, its role in pulmonary innate host defenses remains poorly understood. This dissertation elucidates the dual, context-dependent role of IRE1α in host defense against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia. We demonstrate IRE1α’s function as both a detrimental mediator of acute pathology and an essential facilitator of innate immune memory. Our work revealed that acute IRE1α activation during primary MRSA infection is detrimental. In lungs and alveolar macrophages (AMs), IRE1α is activated in response to MRSA infection. Consequently, IRE1α activation triggers a hyperinflammatory …

Decorin Evokes A Pro-Lysosomal Pathway In Lymphatic Endothelial Cells, Gabriel J. Pascal, Dipon K. Mondal, Sadie Kim, Christopher Xie, Devanarayanan Siva Sankar, Jörn Dengjel, Renato V. Iozzo

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

The lymphatic system is critical to the body's immune and circulatory system, and lymphangiogenesis, the development of new lymphatic vessels from pre-existing ones, is a significant process capitalized upon by cancer during tumorigenesis. Decorin is a small leucine-rich proteoglycan which we have previously shown to be anti-tumorigenic and a suppressor of lymphangiogenesis. We have also shown that decorin exercises its anticancer properties through its ability to evoke autophagy. Through a comprehensive and unbiased proteomic analysis, we explored the implications of decorin exposure on protein expression within mouse lymphatic endothelial cells. We discovered that decorin enriches several protein pathways, notably proteasomal …

Enhancing Cataract Surgery Outcomes: Optimal Use Of Pre- And Post-Operative Eye Drops, Keith Skolnick M.D., Anu Valiaveedu

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Many preoperative and postoperative cataract patients struggle with comprehending the use of prescription medication as directed. Language barriers and low health literacy levels are major factors contributing to improper use of prescriptions. To increase patients comprehension, the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute employed an educational intervention consisting of a live presentation and an instructional video. Results found that 44% of patients were hesitant to ask questions to clinical staff, 32% felt overwhelmed, and nearly 70% lacked confidence in using their prescribed eye drops. Following the intervention, 91% of patients reported increased confidence in their medications, and most indicated that the video …

Adiponectin-Regulated Macrophage Responses In Aspergillus Fumigatus Infection: Mechanisms Of Uptake And Killing, Sri Harshini Goli

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Invasive aspergillosis (IA), caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised individuals, necessitating novel host-directed therapies. Macrophages are pivotal in antifungal defense, yet their function can be dysregulated; the influence of the adipokine adiponectin (APN) on this process is not fully understood. This thesis investigated the role of APN signaling in alveolar macrophage (AM) and bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) responses to A. fumigatus and assessed the therapeutic potential of the APN receptor agonist, AdipoRon. Initial studies revealed that genetic deficiency in APN or its receptors renders AMs intrinsically pro-inflammatory and significantly impaired fungicidal activity against A. fumigatus. Subsequent …

A Toi Rna Editing In Three Members Of The Microbotryum Violaceum Fungal Complext And Characterization Of Adar Genes Of Microbotryum Superbum., Shikhi Baruri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A-to-I RNA editing is a process that occurs post-transcriptionally. Through this process, adenosine (A) is replaced by inosine (I) in RNAs by adenosine deaminase enzymes that act on the single-stranded RNA. These enzymes, also known as ADARs, act on RNA. The translation and splicing mechanisms subsequently interpret inosine as guanosine (G), which effectively alters genetic information. This kind of RNA alteration can cause both nonsynonymous and synonymous changes in codon, which may have an impact on protein function. A group of over 89 basidiomycete fungal species known as the Microbotryum violaceum complex infects a similarly large group of plant host …

In Silico Prediction Of Cytotoxic T-Cell Epitopes From Helicobacter Pylori Virulence Factors Using An Immunoinformatics Approach, Demy Valerie Chacon, Kiana Alika Co, Daphne Noreen Enriquez, Aubrey Love Labarda, Reanne Eden Manongsong, Edward Kevin B. Bragais

Biology Faculty Publications

Background: Helicobacter pylori infects approximately half of the global population, leading to gastric and duodenal ulcers. Despite the availability of antibiotics, challenges such as patient reluctance, high treatment costs, and antibiotic resistance limit their effectiveness, making vaccination a promising alternative. This study used immunoinformatics to identify candidate epitopes for a multiepitope vaccine construct against H. pylori.

Material and methods: The protein variability server was utilized for conservation analysis. The epitopes were screened for antigenicity, allergenicity, toxicity, cross-reactivity, and population coverage. Selected epitopes were docked with their corresponding human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, and thermodynamic quantities were determined. Five virulence …

Utilizing The Combinatory Power Of Chemotherapeutic Compounds In Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells, Matthew I. Hyder

Biology Summer Fellows

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide and the second most common cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States. Genetic variants that increase the risk of breast cancer include mutations in the breast cancer susceptibility genes 1 and 2 (BRCA1 and BRCA2). Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a natural process that helps the body remove aged cells. However, in cancer, deregulated apoptotic signaling—especially the activation of anti-apoptotic mechanisms—enables cancer cells to evade this process, leading to uncontrolled proliferation, tumor survival, therapeutic resistance, and cancer recurrence. Most anti-cancer drugs function as chemotherapeutic …