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Articles 271 - 300 of 474

Full-Text Articles in Microbiology

Binding Partners Of The Pho U Protein In E .Coli, Dustin C. Higgins, Dr. William Mccleary Sep 2013

Binding Partners Of The Pho U Protein In E .Coli, Dustin C. Higgins, Dr. William Mccleary

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Escherechia coli phosphate detection system is coded by a set of genes in the bacterium and is used to regulate phosphate production for metabolic processes. These genes make the PstSCAB phosphate transporter, PhoU protein, Alkaline Phosphatase, PhoR protein, and the PhoB protein. When phosphate is low in the cell’s environment, the system is activated to produce Alkaline Phosphatase.

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Molecular Evolution And The Effects Of Amelioration In Meloidogyne Incognita, Adler R. Dillman, Dr. Byron J. Adams Sep 2013

Molecular Evolution And The Effects Of Amelioration In Meloidogyne Incognita, Adler R. Dillman, Dr. Byron J. Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The process of horizontal or lateral gene transfer involves the movement of genetic information in a lateral fashion from one organism to another, regardless of phylogenetic distance. Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a major mechanism of prokaryotic evolution while its role in eukaryotic evolution remains undecided, with many claims of genes being laterally transferred from prokaryotes to eukaryotes being subsequently refuted [1,2]. Recently, 12 genes of the plant parasite M. incognita have been proposed as being good candidates of HGT. Because certain rhizobial bacteria occupy a very similar niche both inside and out of the plant, and use many of …

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Critical Parameters Influencing Chemical-Induced Apoptosis In Human Lymphoid Cell Lines, Matthew Ben Cook, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill Sep 2013

Critical Parameters Influencing Chemical-Induced Apoptosis In Human Lymphoid Cell Lines, Matthew Ben Cook, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In 2005, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reported that an estimated 10.9 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the year 2002 (for a total of 24.6 million persons currently living with cancer) and that 6.7 million deaths were attributable to cancer[1]. Around 300,000 new cases of leukemia, with 222,000 new deaths, were also reported. In many cases, the occurrence of cancer in an individual can be attributed to lifestyle choices, such as smoking, diet, exercise, work environment, etc. However, there are also genetic contributors to cancer.

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Characterization Of Phase-Switching Genes In Photorhabdus Luminescens, Tj Bliss, Dr. Byron J. Adams Sep 2013

Characterization Of Phase-Switching Genes In Photorhabdus Luminescens, Tj Bliss, Dr. Byron J. Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Nearly every living organism derives benefit from living with one or more species of bacteria during some or all of its lifetime. Numerous studies have described the phenotypic benefit that each or either partner receives from associations of this kind, but the molecular mechanisms of such interactions have not been well described. Understanding beneficial bacterial interactions with their hosts are of interest in that information obtained will have implications in identifying mechanistic components of those interactions that may operate similarly in pathogens and can be exploited in combating infection or in describing the interactions between bacteria and more complex organisms …

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Description Of A Novel Mutant Entemopathogenic Bacterium Photorhabdus Luminescence, George Bailey, Dr. Byron J. Adams Sep 2013

Description Of A Novel Mutant Entemopathogenic Bacterium Photorhabdus Luminescence, George Bailey, Dr. Byron J. Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The bacterium Photorhabdus luminescence and the nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora share an intimate symbiotic relationship. Together, the pair preys on insect larva in the soil. Infective juvenile (IJ) nematodes seek out insect hosts by following chemical signals, such as CO2, given off by potential hosts. After locating the insect, IJs quickly invade the larva. In their new home, the nematodes regurgitate the bacteria they have been harboring in their gut. The bacteria immediately begin attacking the insect and then multiply within the fresh cadaver. The nematodes feed on the proliferating bacteria, sexually develop, and reproduce. In addition to acting as the …

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Antarctic Soil Microbial Food Webs: Molecular Analysis Of Nematode Gut Contents, Kyle Winkler, Dr. Byron Adams Sep 2013

Antarctic Soil Microbial Food Webs: Molecular Analysis Of Nematode Gut Contents, Kyle Winkler, Dr. Byron Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Soils are the basis of agriculture and the sustainability of life as we know it. Despite this fact, we know very little about soil ecosystem function and what biotic organization is required for effective nutrient cycling in soils. In this project, I attempted to better our understanding of soil food web relationships in a simple, natural ecosystem.

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Erick Reece Christensen, Erick Reece Christensen Sep 2013

Erick Reece Christensen, Erick Reece Christensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

During the past semester I have made chimeric molecules using the chemokine MEC and human IgG3.

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Creating A Geographic Information System For Nematology, Levi Hilton, Dr. Byron Adams Sep 2013

Creating A Geographic Information System For Nematology, Levi Hilton, Dr. Byron Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A geographic information system (GIS) is a powerful tool for correlating information that has a spatial component. This technique has been used in many different ways from organizing major corporations and services to building intricate maps. We used a GIS to help determine if there was a certain type of soil that can be correlated to specific nematode species which are used as organic pesticides in agriculture.

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A Mitochondrial Phylogenetic Analysis Of Sculpin (Genus Cottus) In Montana Based On The Nadh Dehydrogenase Subunit 4 Gene, Andrew Moffat, R. Paul Evans Sep 2013

A Mitochondrial Phylogenetic Analysis Of Sculpin (Genus Cottus) In Montana Based On The Nadh Dehydrogenase Subunit 4 Gene, Andrew Moffat, R. Paul Evans

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to investigate the distribution and phylogenetic status of Cottus (sculpins) species populations in Montana relative to other species in western North America using the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) gene in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This study of the ND4 gene in sculpin could possibly provide additional insight into the historical timing of fish invasion events and provide the phylogenetic status of species in the genus Cottus. Although the distribution of aquatic vertebrates in western North America has been interpreted relative to late Pleistocene events, genetic studies of cutthroat trout have not supported that mechanism …

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Induced Modulation Of Membrane Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Possibilities For Chemotherapeutic Intervention In Cancer, Christopher Trimble, Dr. Byron Murray Sep 2013

Induced Modulation Of Membrane Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Possibilities For Chemotherapeutic Intervention In Cancer, Christopher Trimble, Dr. Byron Murray

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Polyunsaturated fatty acids have several integral functions in the human body. In addition to playing essential structural, metabolic, and cell-signaling roles, fatty acids may be involved in the onset of cancer. The fatty acid profile of a cell, which is defined as the relative ratios of individual fatty acids as compared to the entire cellular fatty acid content, is known to play a direct role in controlling gene expression and the protection of cells from oxidative damage caused by bodily inflammatory responses. It is known that cancer cells have modulated membrane fatty acid profiles, differing gene expression, and increased inflammatory …

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Effects Of Inbreeding On The Fecundity And Heat Tolerance Of Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora, John Chaston, Dr. Byron J. Adams Sep 2013

Effects Of Inbreeding On The Fecundity And Heat Tolerance Of Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora, John Chaston, Dr. Byron J. Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Biological control using predators, parasitoids, or pathogens can be an effective alternative to the use of chemical pesticides for management of insect pests because the agents of biological control are generally not harmful to humans, the environment, or non-target organisms (1). One problem with using biological control agents, however, is that their success in suppressing pest populations often depends on fitness, including ecological compatibility with the pest, searching and dispersal capacity, and reproductive capacity (1). When mass-produced for commercial purposes the agent may lose these biocontrol traits from genetic processes including drift, inbreeding, or inadvertent selection (4) or from non-genetic …

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Intracellular Localization Of A Novel Bmp-2 Variant Protein Involved In Col11a2 Regulation, Carolina M. Montaño, Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater Sep 2013

Intracellular Localization Of A Novel Bmp-2 Variant Protein Involved In Col11a2 Regulation, Carolina M. Montaño, Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cartilage is a type of connective tissue that is found in many parts of the skeleton and covers the joint surfaces of bones. It consists of an abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) that is produced and maintained by chondrocytes. This ECM includes type II, IX and XI collagens. Collagen XI plays a critical role in regulating fibril diameter and cartilage development. This heterotrimeric molecule consists of three chains—α1(XI), α2(XI), and α3(XI)—encoded by three distinct genes, Col11a1, Col11a2, and Col2a1, respectively.1 While expression of the α1(XI) and α3(XI) subunits is found in other tissues, the expression of the α2(XI) is restricted to …

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Identification Of Unknown Hydrocarbon-Decomposing Microbes Of The Great Salt Lake Petroleum Seep, Eric Barker, Dr. Alan Harker Sep 2013

Identification Of Unknown Hydrocarbon-Decomposing Microbes Of The Great Salt Lake Petroleum Seep, Eric Barker, Dr. Alan Harker

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Biodegradation of hydrocarbons (petroleum and oil like substances) has long been an issue of interest to microbiologists. The process is one in which microorganisms naturally break down oil or petroleum for their benefit as a source of carbon and energy. There is a wide range of practical uses in society for which such oil degrading capabilities could be used (such as natural oil spill cleanup). However the scope of this technology’s potential usefulness has been greatly restricted as thus far no microorganisms have been shown to have the capacity to biodegrade hydrocarbons in a hypersaline (extremely salty) environment, a condition …

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Tumor-Associated Macrophage Interaction With The Tumor Microenvironment, Heather Aamodt, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill Sep 2013

Tumor-Associated Macrophage Interaction With The Tumor Microenvironment, Heather Aamodt, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Oncologists currently use chemotherapy and radiation to treat many cancers. The goal of both these treatments is to target cancerous cells without killing too many healthy ones. Both radiation and chemotherapy induce a form of cell death called apoptosis in an attempt to eliminate the body of a tumor. Current studies suggest that when tumor-associated macrophages ingest apoptotic cell debris, they fail to secrete pro-inflammatory mediators that would help clear the invader – whether a pathogen or a tumor – from the body. Ruptured necrotic cells, however, induce a strong inflammatory response that augments immune function. If macrophage engulfment of …

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The Effects Of Bryostatin I On The Progression Of Papillomavirus Dna-Induced Tumors, David J. Hoopes, Dr. Richard Robison, Dr. Beverly Roeder Sep 2013

The Effects Of Bryostatin I On The Progression Of Papillomavirus Dna-Induced Tumors, David J. Hoopes, Dr. Richard Robison, Dr. Beverly Roeder

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The bryostatins are a unique family of at least 13 naturally occurring macrocyclic lactones which have demonstrated considerable anti-neoplastic activity. Bryostatin 1 was isolated by G. R. Pettit from the marine bryozoan Bugula neritina. B. neritina is a colonial filter-feeder commonly know as a sea-mat or false coral and often grows on the docks, rocks and ships of the Pacific Ocean.1

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Spatial Heterogeneity Of Alkaline Phosphatase Activity Associated With Sediment Types In Great Salt Lake, Matthew Johnson, Dr. Donald P. Breakwell Sep 2013

Spatial Heterogeneity Of Alkaline Phosphatase Activity Associated With Sediment Types In Great Salt Lake, Matthew Johnson, Dr. Donald P. Breakwell

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Great Salt Lake supports a vast quantity of halophiles in the domains of Bacteria and Archaea that have not been studied extensively. Rozel Point, located on the north arm of Great Salt Lake, is a prime hyper saline environment for halophiles to exploit for its natural source of carbon in the form of oil. Little has been done to quantify the biotic activity in such an environment to understand the spatial variability of these halophiles. A viable method for quantifying their activity is alkaline phosphatase.

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Determination And Analysis Of The Functionality And Required Amino Acid Residues Of Phou In Escherichia Coli, Michael Schurdell, Dr. William Mccleary Sep 2013

Determination And Analysis Of The Functionality And Required Amino Acid Residues Of Phou In Escherichia Coli, Michael Schurdell, Dr. William Mccleary

Journal of Undergraduate Research

While researching the required amino acid residues of PhoU, we discovered a small intergenic region located between pstA and pstB on the pstSCAB-phoU operon. Defining the role of this small intergenic region took precedence over my previously proposed research project. All of my research on this project was performed in conjunction with Garrett Woodbury and William McCleary. We presented our findings in a poster presentation at the Intermountain Branch of the American Society of Microbiology Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 18, 2006. A peer reviewed article containing the full details of our work was accepted for publication on December 1, …

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The Role Of Rpl41 In Genetic Regulation Of Col11a2, David William Timme Sep 2013

The Role Of Rpl41 In Genetic Regulation Of Col11a2, David William Timme

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of my research was to investigate what role ribosomal protein L41 (RPL41) has in regulating transcriptional activities of the Collagen 11a2 (Col11a2) gene. Prior to the ORCA grant, I had researched identifying possible transcription factors which bound to the B/C enhancer region of the Col11a2 gene, possibly regulating transcription. This work revealed that RPL41 could bind to the B/C enhancer in a eukaryotic (yeast) system. Since a protein binding to DNA could be relevant to transcriptional activity, unrelated to transcriptional regulation, or merely an artifact from the investigational method, it was important to examine the specific role RPL41 …

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Representations Of The Braid Group In The Symmetric Group, Holly Freedman, Dr. Stephen Humpries Sep 2013

Representations Of The Braid Group In The Symmetric Group, Holly Freedman, Dr. Stephen Humpries

Journal of Undergraduate Research

My project was to determine which elements of the symmetric group, or permutations on a finite set of objects, generate group representations for the braid group. I started out by finding group representations for the three-strand braid group. A three-strand braid is a set of three disjoint strings in three-dimensional space, whose height functions increase monotonically and which end at points vertically above where they start. The set of braids can be made into a group by letting one braid “multiply,” or perform an operation on, another braid by being placed above it, with their two sets of ends joined. …

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Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis: Strategies For Identification And Control, Wendy Chao, Dr. Richard Robison Sep 2013

Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis: Strategies For Identification And Control, Wendy Chao, Dr. Richard Robison

Journal of Undergraduate Research

After over a century of decline, tuberculosis (TB) has re-emerged as the leading killer among infectious diseases. In addition, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB, has developed strains resistant to multiple antibiotics, making the disease increasingly difficult to treat.

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A Study Of Analytical Reasoning Skills: What Are The Cognitive Dimensions? What Byu Courses Successfully Promote Them?, Jennifer Nelson, Dr. William Bradshaw Sep 2013

A Study Of Analytical Reasoning Skills: What Are The Cognitive Dimensions? What Byu Courses Successfully Promote Them?, Jennifer Nelson, Dr. William Bradshaw

Journal of Undergraduate Research

It is crucial that science education place more emphasis on helping students learn to think rather than requiring them to memorize endless lists of facts. A vital tool in ascertaining student learning is assessment. Teachers typically assess either student performance (by measuring understanding of facts, concepts, theories, etc.) or affect (student attitudes, self-efficacy, interests, etc.). In my work with Drs. Bradshaw and Bell over the last year, I have helped to develop and test a novel assessment, the Student Mobility Profile (SMP), that addresses the question of epistemology. It allows a teacher to tell if participation in the course enabled …

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The P17 Protein As An Activator Of The Coll11a2 Gene, William Wittwer, Dr. Laura Bridgewater Sep 2013

The P17 Protein As An Activator Of The Coll11a2 Gene, William Wittwer, Dr. Laura Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

One of the main things that I have learned over the course of this project is that things work better in theory than in practice. I spent two semesters attempting to builda plasmid containing the the p17 cDNA sequence in order to test the ability of p17 as an activator of the Coll11a2 gene. Unfortunately, I was not able to produce the plasmid given to me.

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Thymidine Kinase-1 Activity Of Uv Induced B Lymphocytes, Geoffrey G. Wood, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill Sep 2013

Thymidine Kinase-1 Activity Of Uv Induced B Lymphocytes, Geoffrey G. Wood, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The normal life of a eukaryotic cell involves a dynamic struggle between survival and death. When a cell is no longer capable of living, certain pathways are initiated for natural cell death. These “programmed cell deaths” transpire in predictable patterns, and are regulated by many proteins and signals that either activate or inactivate the cell death pathways. Changes in the various homeostatic molecules initiate the apoptotic pathway. However, there are other agents within the cell that regulate these apoptotic triggers. Tumors can arise when these regulatory proteins are mutated, inactivated, or ignored, resulting in the aggressive replicating nature of tumor …

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Mononuclear Leukocyte And Breast Cancer Cell Interaction Affects Angiogenic Activity, Philip Maximilian Scherer, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill Sep 2013

Mononuclear Leukocyte And Breast Cancer Cell Interaction Affects Angiogenic Activity, Philip Maximilian Scherer, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In 2005, the National Cancer Society estimated that about 211,240 new cases of invasive breast cancer in the United States will be diagnosed. Overall, an estimated 1,372,910 new cases of cancer and 570,280 cancer deaths in the United States are predicted for 2005. The National Institutes of Health estimated that the overall costs for cancer in 2004 were $189.9 billion. Cancer is thus a growing health concern. While past research has investigated genes in order to find a cure to cancer, current research now emphasizes a study of the microenvironment surrounding the cancer. The purpose of this research was to …

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Investigating Why Luminescence Genes Have Been Evolutionarily Preserved In Photorhabdus Luminescens, Dana Blackburn, Dr. Byron J. Adams Sep 2013

Investigating Why Luminescence Genes Have Been Evolutionarily Preserved In Photorhabdus Luminescens, Dana Blackburn, Dr. Byron J. Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Photorhabdus luminescens is a gram-negative bacterial endosymbiont of the insect pathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophera. After the nematode infects an insect it releases bacteria from its gut into the insect. The bacteria then produce a toxin that kills the insect providing a nutrient rich environment for the nematode to grow and reproduce. When all of the nutrients are gone the nematode reassociates itself with the bacteria and moves on to the next insect.

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Characterization Of A Dna Helicase Gene That Targets Sub-Cellular Organelles In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Logan Hazard, Dr. Brent Nielsen Sep 2013

Characterization Of A Dna Helicase Gene That Targets Sub-Cellular Organelles In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Logan Hazard, Dr. Brent Nielsen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

DNA helicases are essential to the development of all living organisms. The function of these proteins is to temporarily separate duplex DNA, allowing for transcription, replication, recombination, and repair to take place. The Pif1p subfamily of helicases found in yeast specifically targets sub-cellular organelles, notably the mitochondria.

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Nuclear Localization Of Gdf5 Is Mediated By A Bipartite Nuclear Localization Signal, J. Daniel Jensen, Dr. Laura Bridgewater Sep 2013

Nuclear Localization Of Gdf5 Is Mediated By A Bipartite Nuclear Localization Signal, J. Daniel Jensen, Dr. Laura Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

GDF5, also known as cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein-1 (CDMP1), is a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) protein superfamily. TGFβ proteins play an integral role in cell proliferation and differentiation, matrix synthesis, and apoptosis. First identified in 1981, highly-conserved TGFβ protein homologues have since been identified in a wide range of animal species, a compelling indication of their importance in biological function.

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Hormonal Effects On Antibody-Secreting Cell Migration, Brad Hyatt, Dr. Eric Wilson Sep 2013

Hormonal Effects On Antibody-Secreting Cell Migration, Brad Hyatt, Dr. Eric Wilson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

I started by following the injection protocol established by Weisz-Carrington , et al., administering 5 mg of progesterone and 4 µg of estrogen daily for 21 days, followed by 7 days of 2 mg of prolactin. Since progesterone and estrogen are lipid-soluble, olive oil was used as a solvent; unfortunately, even with heat and time, the lipid solvent never fully dissolved the hormones that we bought in powder form. Consequently, I was injecting more of a suspension than a solution, and I was never sure that all the hormone was delivered, or how much had been delivered in a form …

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Characterizing The Receptor Profile Of Distinct Migrating Iga Antibody Secreting Cell Populations, Erick Christensen, Dr. Eric Wilson Sep 2013

Characterizing The Receptor Profile Of Distinct Migrating Iga Antibody Secreting Cell Populations, Erick Christensen, Dr. Eric Wilson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cells of the immune system must be precisely positioned to facilitate appropriate lymphocyte function. Immune system cells use a multi-step process, which allows them to home to specific areas of the body and perform different tasks. Cells traveling through the blood stream will bind to specific vascular adhesion molecules and begin to slow down and roll along the blood vessel. Circulating white blood cells express chemokine receptors that bind chemokines floating in the blood and chemokines expressed on the membrane of other cells. When the proper chemokine is bound it triggers the white blood cell to firmly adhere to the …

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Experiment Three, - - Sep 2013

Experiment Three, - -

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In order to demonstrate the presence of hydrocarbon biodegradation in a hypersaline aqueous environment an isotopic method of analysis was employed. The relative 13C abundance of Great Salt Lake’s HCO3- in equilibrium with atmosphere and fossil hydrocarbon are quite different. By creating microcosms using the sediment of Rozel Point and allowing the microbial activity to occur over a 12 week timeframe, data were collected regarding the change of CO2 concentration and the isotopic signature of the 13C in HCO3- of the microcosm water. A shift in the isotopic signature from the 13C levels of the HCO3- in equilibrium with atmosphere …

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