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Articles 331 - 360 of 474

Full-Text Articles in Microbiology

Testing For The Mafia Mouse Suicide Gene, Robert Kitz, Dr. Sandra Burnett Aug 2013

Testing For The Mafia Mouse Suicide Gene, Robert Kitz, Dr. Sandra Burnett

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Macrophage Fas-Induced Apoptosis (Mafia) mouse is a transgenic mouse model designed by Dr. Sandra Burnett to study the role of macrophages in the absence of macrophages. The Mafia transgene contains the genetic code for the Green Florescent Protein, a suicide gene and a c-fms promoter that makes the gene specific to macrophages. The transgene inserted randomly in more than one place causing it to express at different levels within different mice. In order to identify the separate insertion points within the mouse genome, I used several methods of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing followed by DNA sequencing.

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Identification And Characterization Of An Effective Antimicrobial Peptide Defensin And Its Effects On Transmission Efficiency, Kody Johnson, Dr. David Erickson Aug 2013

Identification And Characterization Of An Effective Antimicrobial Peptide Defensin And Its Effects On Transmission Efficiency, Kody Johnson, Dr. David Erickson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Among many transmissible infectious diseases falls the Bubonic Plague, a disease that is caused by Yersinia pestis, a bacterium. It is still a concern because there have been human cases as recent as last year in our home state of Utah. While health care has advanced significantly since the last large plague epidemic, there are still areas of the world where health care is not as efficient or advanced and it is in these areas that this disease causes the greatest harm.

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Feun As A Regulator In A Two Component System, Rebecca Carlyon, Dr. Joel Griffitts Aug 2013

Feun As A Regulator In A Two Component System, Rebecca Carlyon, Dr. Joel Griffitts

Journal of Undergraduate Research

How does infection work? There exists a process in which a bacterium receives a signal from the environment which starts a series of events which initiates infection. This process is vital for understanding both disease-causing and beneficial bacteria, and could prove to be vital for the agricultural process, yet remains an under-researched subject.

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Lymphocyte Apoptosis In The Involuting Mammary Gland And The Application Of Qpcr In Gene Expression Profiling, Kathryn Distelhorst, Dr. Eric Wilson Aug 2013

Lymphocyte Apoptosis In The Involuting Mammary Gland And The Application Of Qpcr In Gene Expression Profiling, Kathryn Distelhorst, Dr. Eric Wilson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The initial aim of this project was to discover the fate of lymphocytes in the mammary gland after lactation. I hypothesized that lymphocytes, in an analogous mechanism used by mammary gland-specific epithelial cells, undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death. This non-inflammatory mechanism ensures cell homeostasis, and defects in this process are implemented in certain diseases such as multiple myeloma, a severe cancer of plasma cells that is generated from an over-proliferation of antibody-secreting cells (ASCs).

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Mutant Bacterium Photorhabdus Luminescens’ Effect On Nematode’S Ability To Enter Endotokia Matricida, Jared Nielsen, Dr. Byron Adams Aug 2013

Mutant Bacterium Photorhabdus Luminescens’ Effect On Nematode’S Ability To Enter Endotokia Matricida, Jared Nielsen, Dr. Byron Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Nematodes (roundworms), like all organisms, must develop, survive, and reproduce. For entomopathogenic nematodes (insect pathogens) such as H. bacteriophora, this is only possible when the worm can find an adequate food source (host insects). As the nematode scours the surrounding soil and finds a potential host, it will pass directly into the hemolymph of the insect. Inside its newly-found host, the nematode will then regurgitate a colony of bacteria. This particular bacteria, P. luminescens, works together with the nematode in a symbiotic relationship to kill and devour the insect (3). After the bacteria and nematodes have feasted on their host …

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Pcr Genotyping And Analysis Of Bacteriocin Production By Natural Salmonella Isolates For Potential Use As Inhibitors Of Pathogenic Salmonella, Ramesh Tiwari, Dr. Brent Nielsen Aug 2013

Pcr Genotyping And Analysis Of Bacteriocin Production By Natural Salmonella Isolates For Potential Use As Inhibitors Of Pathogenic Salmonella, Ramesh Tiwari, Dr. Brent Nielsen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Salmonella is a genus of bacteria that is a major cause of food borne illness throughout the world. Species of Salmonella like S. thyphimurium and S. enteriditis still pose significant health problems. Poultry and egg products are the main food sources infected by these species (Portrait et al. 1999). The main problem with these infections is their rapid spread among the infected species (in a flock). An infected bird (which has Salmonella infection in its intestinal tract) or a flock of birds can transfer the infection to others rapidly even before the appearance of symptoms and thus the urgency of …

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Binding Site Sequence Motifs Estrogen Receptor Mediation Of Transcriptional Repression By Interactions Determined By Cis-Regulatory Dna Sequences, Brianna Teerlink, Dr. Chin-Yo Lin Aug 2013

Binding Site Sequence Motifs Estrogen Receptor Mediation Of Transcriptional Repression By Interactions Determined By Cis-Regulatory Dna Sequences, Brianna Teerlink, Dr. Chin-Yo Lin

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States and affects millions each year. Much of the current research on hormonal regulation in breast cancer systems focuses on up-regulation of genes (increased rates of transcription) by estrogen receptors (ERs); however, repression, or down-regulation, of genes can also play a significant role in estrogen-responsive expression of genes. (Lin et al., 2004) Since the mechanisms of down-regulation, or gene repression, have not been well-studied, information on repression becomes a foundation for potential future application of hormonal down-regulation to other cancer systems and biological processes.

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Acetaminophen Induced Dna Damage Evaluated With The Single Cell Gel Assay, Karl A. Kirby, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill Aug 2013

Acetaminophen Induced Dna Damage Evaluated With The Single Cell Gel Assay, Karl A. Kirby, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Acetaminophen is a popular non-prescription analgesic and antipyretic drug. Therefore, studies concerning its effects on human DNA are of great value. In this study, the single cell gel, or comet assay, was used to study the extent of Acetaminophen induced DNA damage at varying concentrations and times. The human lymphocyte Raji cell line was used for the experiments.

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Inflammation And Apoptosis In Developing Dmm, Cho, And Sedc Articular Cartilage: The Role Of The Unfolded Protein Response (Upr), Caitlin Nichols, Dr. Laura Bridgewater Aug 2013

Inflammation And Apoptosis In Developing Dmm, Cho, And Sedc Articular Cartilage: The Role Of The Unfolded Protein Response (Upr), Caitlin Nichols, Dr. Laura Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Dmm, cho, and sedc mutations in mice collagen genes activate unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways in developing cartilage tissues. The inflammation or cell death triggered by the UPR may contribute to the weakened articular cartilage and premature osteoarthritis (OA) observed in these mouse lines.

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Mechanisms Of Estrogen Receptor Α Mediated Transcriptional Repression, Joseph Sin Aug 2013

Mechanisms Of Estrogen Receptor Α Mediated Transcriptional Repression, Joseph Sin

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In the US, the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2008, breast cancer killed 40,930 people. Breast cancer remains the most common form of cancer among women today and results in almost 1% of all deaths worldwide. Various types of treatment for breast cancer exist today such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc. Breast cancer treatments are usually selected based on the specific character of breast cancer: estrogen receptor (ER) positive or estrogen receptor negative. Treatment of breast cancer through estrogen modulation is a common form of treatment. Predicting the overall longer cancer-free survival is best done through measuring the levels …

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Mice Show Decreased Muscle Strength Bearing A Targeted Inactivation Of Nbmp2, Alina Schmidt, Dr. Laura Bridgewater Aug 2013

Mice Show Decreased Muscle Strength Bearing A Targeted Inactivation Of Nbmp2, Alina Schmidt, Dr. Laura Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

An important secreted growth factor, bone morphogenic protein 2 (Bmp2), is involved in mesoderm formation, heart development, neurogenesis, skeletal development, axis formation, and muscle development 1 and is a member of the TGF-β superfamily of proteins. Members of the TGF-β superfamily are commonly known as secreted growth factors but has recently been discovered in the nucleus, known as nuclear Bmp21. nBmp2 bypasses the secretory pathway by having an alternative start codon downstream of the signal peptide.

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Inflammation: A Key Component Of The Immunosuppression Observed In Aggressive Breast Cancer?, Bryan Swanson, Dr. Kim O'Neill Aug 2013

Inflammation: A Key Component Of The Immunosuppression Observed In Aggressive Breast Cancer?, Bryan Swanson, Dr. Kim O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are current treatments used to combat cancer. Future treatments may directly involve the cancer patient’s immune system. The immune system has the potential to destroy tumors. This destructive potential is orchestrated by small secreted proteins called cytokines and chemokines. These proteins control communications between immune cells, endothelial cells, and other cell types found within the body. In addition, cytokines and chemokines have growth, differentiation, and activation effects on target cells. Increasing evidence suggests the effects of these proteins may lead to tumor growth, tumor progression, and host immunosuppression in cancer patients.

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Chemical Susceptibility Of High-Risk Native Human Papilloma Virus Virions, Jordan Meyers, Dr. Richard Robison Aug 2013

Chemical Susceptibility Of High-Risk Native Human Papilloma Virus Virions, Jordan Meyers, Dr. Richard Robison

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This project was designed to take an in-depth look into how resistant papilloma viruses are to common clinical disinfectants. This idea was investigated because there is no published data on papillomavirus.

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Novel Genes Required In Gluconate Metabolism In The Symbiotic Bacterium Sinorhizobium Melitoti, Lejdja Beshku, Dr. Joel S. Griffitts Aug 2013

Novel Genes Required In Gluconate Metabolism In The Symbiotic Bacterium Sinorhizobium Melitoti, Lejdja Beshku, Dr. Joel S. Griffitts

Journal of Undergraduate Research

S. meliloti is a nitrogen fixing bacterium, which forms a symbiosis with different plants such as Medicago, Melilotus, and Trigonella. It will be important to study the metabolism of S. meliloti since its ability to form symbiotic relationships with plants has a great impact in agriculture and ecology. Another reason why we want to study S. meliloti is to gain a better understanding of its gluconate metabolism. Gluconate is a derivative of glucose and a good carbon source for S.meliloti(1). The main purpose of my research for the last two years has been screening for novel genes that are involved …

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Identification And Characterization Of An Effective Antimicrobial Peptide Defensin And Its Effects On Transmission Efficiency, Kody Johnson, Dr. David Erickson Aug 2013

Identification And Characterization Of An Effective Antimicrobial Peptide Defensin And Its Effects On Transmission Efficiency, Kody Johnson, Dr. David Erickson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Among many transmissible infectious diseases falls the Bubonic Plague, a disease that is caused by Yersinia pestis, a bacterium. It is still a concern because there have been human cases as recent as two years ago in our home state of Utah. While health care has advanced significantly since the last large plague epidemic, there are still areas of the world where health care is not as efficient or advanced and it is in these areas that this disease causes the greatest harm.

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A Functional Assay To Measure Chemokine Mediated Integrin Upregulation, Victoria Harris, Dr. Eric Wilson Aug 2013

A Functional Assay To Measure Chemokine Mediated Integrin Upregulation, Victoria Harris, Dr. Eric Wilson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The presence of IgA antibody secreting cells (ASCs) in mucosal tissues is a mechanism of host defense against many pathogens. For my project I investigated the molecular mechanisms of how these specialized cells arrive at their destination. I focused on designing an adhesion assay to quantitatively measure the functional qualities of cells, rather than simply measuring the presence of certain molecules. The process of leukocyte homing includes a series of steps that culminates in the cells extravasating into the surrounding tissue. The first step is the stimulation of cells with a chemokine (a molecule that “pulls” cells in a certain …

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Determining Functions Of A Nuclear Variant Of The Growth Factor Bmp2, Evan D. Davis, Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater Aug 2013

Determining Functions Of A Nuclear Variant Of The Growth Factor Bmp2, Evan D. Davis, Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (Bmp2) is a secreted growth factor that modulates many essential physiological and developmental processes by means of extracellular signaling (1). Several of these processes include neuronal differentiation, cardiac development, and skeletal muscle development (1-5). Dr. Laura Bridgewater at Brigham Young University recently identified a novel nuclear variant of Bmp2 that challenged its sole classification as a secreted growth factor (1). Subsequently, the Bridgewater lab demonstrated the existence of nuclear Bmp2 (nBmp2) and also characterized its origins.

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A Novel Negative Regulator Of A Symbiotic Two-Component System, Rebecca Carlyon, Dr. Joel Griffitts Aug 2013

A Novel Negative Regulator Of A Symbiotic Two-Component System, Rebecca Carlyon, Dr. Joel Griffitts

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Symbiosis is the process by which two different species interact in nature. Relationships can be either mutualistic, where both species benefit from the situation, or parasitic, where only one organism benefits. Shinorhizobium meliloti is a nitrogen-fixing soil bacterium which is involved in a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with alfalfa and other compatible host plants. The plant allows the bacterium to colonize the plant in forming a root nodule. This symbiosis provides the bacteria with carbon resources, and the plant with enough fixed nitrogen to flourish in the soil.

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Cancer’S Red Light To The Immune System?, Amanda Enz, Dr. Kim O'Neill Aug 2013

Cancer’S Red Light To The Immune System?, Amanda Enz, Dr. Kim O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The field of cancer research is extensive, and there are many avenues being explored into how cancer works inside the body and what we can do to prevent and cure this disease. I chose to look at the way the body’s immune system interacts with different types of cancer cells. I specifically looked at a cell in the human immune system known as a macrophage. The macrophage’s job is to attack foreign invaders by engulfing, or eating them. My question focused on how exactly cancer is sometimes able to evade these macrophages, which allows it to proliferate throughout the body. …

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The Influence Of The Irf 5 Risk Haplotype On Ebv Gene Expression In B Cells, Brandon Henrie, Dr. Brian Poole Aug 2013

The Influence Of The Irf 5 Risk Haplotype On Ebv Gene Expression In B Cells, Brandon Henrie, Dr. Brian Poole

Journal of Undergraduate Research

IRF5 (interferon regulatory factor 5) is an integral protein in the innate immune response to viruses in humans. Once activated, IRF5 acts as a transcription factor which facilitates the production of inflammatory cytokines, interferons, and a host of other anti-viral agents in humans. To date, there are twelve documented splice variants of IRF5 in the human population. These variants range from minor deletions to drastic changes in the protein makeup of IRF5. A risk IRF5 haplotype is a person possessing alleles coding for these radically altered IRF5 mRNA (Kozyrev). A protective IRF5 hapolotype is a person possessing alleles coding for …

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Orca Final Report, Matthew Wright Aug 2013

Orca Final Report, Matthew Wright

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cationic Steroid Antibiotics (CSAs) are potent innovative antimicrobial agents. In particular, CSA-13 has a very low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 2 µg/mL. When dissolved in a solvent and combined with a commercial polymer, CSA-13 can be used to coat endotracheal (ET) tubes. Biofilm formation on ET tubes can cause ventilator assisted pneumonia and is potentially fatal. CSA-13-coated ET tubes are extremely effective in preventing biofilm formation. Testing in standard Mueller-Hinton broth, we have been able to prevent P. aeruginosa growth on tubes for up to 28 days. This is compared to silver-coated endotracheal tubes (which are …

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Abundance Of Thymidine Kinase In Cancer Cells, Joshua Holm, Brady Bowen, Brady Samuel, Travis Lovell, Dr. Kim O'Neill Aug 2013

Abundance Of Thymidine Kinase In Cancer Cells, Joshua Holm, Brady Bowen, Brady Samuel, Travis Lovell, Dr. Kim O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Thymidine Kinase 1 (TK1) is a protein that is produced in much greater quantities by cancer cells in general than by normal cells (Abbasciano et al., 1991, p. 29; Hallek et al., 1997, p. 155; He et al., 2000, p. 139; Kuwa et al., 1996, p. 15). Such molecules are commonly referred to as cancer “biomarkers.” Such markers are commonly used to screen for and diagnose various cancers. Many of these biomarkers are often significantly elevated in the blood of cancer patients—helping to first lead to the detection of cancer.

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Understanding The Phou Protein’S Part In Phosphate Import By Synthesis Of Double Mutations In Escherichia Coli., Geoffrey R. Johnston, Dr. William Mccleary Aug 2013

Understanding The Phou Protein’S Part In Phosphate Import By Synthesis Of Double Mutations In Escherichia Coli., Geoffrey R. Johnston, Dr. William Mccleary

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of our research was to gain a better understanding of what function the phoU protein serves in phosphate import by completely knocking out it’s functionality at two highly conserved and nearly identical sites on almost identical domains at a genetic level.

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The Metastatic Role Of Macrophages, Ryley Enz, Dr. K. L. O'Neill Aug 2013

The Metastatic Role Of Macrophages, Ryley Enz, Dr. K. L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Macrophages perform a variety of functions from phagocytosis and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines to the repair and remodeling of damaged tissues. Two phenotypically different types of macrophages have been proposed to identify their diverse roles: types M1 and M2. (Mantovani et al., 2002) The M1 macrophage refers to the cell which aggressively destroys foreign invaders and tumor cells, and releases pro-inflammatory cytokines. Antigen presentation by the M1 links innate immunity to adaptive immunity. The M2 macrophage acts as a support cell by promoting the healing of damaged cells by angiogenesis and tissue remodeling. Macrophages have been observed to have …

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In Vivo Specific Degradation Of Selected Rna Substrates By Endogenous Trna 3’ Processing Endoribonuclease, Duane R. Wesemann Aug 2013

In Vivo Specific Degradation Of Selected Rna Substrates By Endogenous Trna 3’ Processing Endoribonuclease, Duane R. Wesemann

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The enzyme tRNA 3’ Processing Endoribonuclease (3’tRNase) is suspected to be an enzyme responsible for 3’ end processing of various pre-tRNAs. Our lab has demonstrated that RNAs containing a hairpin structure can be manipulated to appear as a “pre-tRNA” molecule and be recognized and cleaved by 3’tRNase. This is accomplished by the introduction of an RNA molecule that is complementary to an area of the target RNA that has a stable hairpin structure. The hairpin of a target RNA may mimic the T-stem loop of tRNA and the hybridizing RNA molecule may act as an acceptor-like stem, thereby fooling 3’tRNase …

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The Main Electron Source For Electron Transport In Malaria Parasite Plasmodium Falciparum, Amy Sorensen, Dr. James B. Jensen Aug 2013

The Main Electron Source For Electron Transport In Malaria Parasite Plasmodium Falciparum, Amy Sorensen, Dr. James B. Jensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The protozoa, Plasmodium falciparum, causes malaria, a disease that rivals tuberculosis in being the world’s largest killer. In order to combat malaria, new methods of chemotherapy, as well as better control of its causative agent are necessary. Knowing the main source from which P. falciparum gains its electrons may provide a new method for its control.

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Dna Fingerprinting Of Twelve Bordetella Avium Strains, Friederike Roloff, Dr. Ron W. Leavitt Aug 2013

Dna Fingerprinting Of Twelve Bordetella Avium Strains, Friederike Roloff, Dr. Ron W. Leavitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Bordetella avium causes a respiratory disease in poultry which especially young turkeys are susceptible to. We are working with the Moroni Feed Company, who supplied us with 12 strains of Bordetella avium. Eleven of the strains are from outbreaks of the disease in the Southern Utah turkey farms. The twelfth strain is the vaccine strain V87. This vaccine was produced by chemically mutating B. avium and selecting a non-virulent temperature sensitive strain. Dr. Jensen, a former professor of Microbiology, BYU, produced this vaccine by chemically mutating B. avium and selecting a non-virulent temperature sensitive strain.

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Isolation Of An Escherichia Coli High-Adherence Plasmid For Use In A Bacterial Interfering Agent, Christopher M. Runyan, Dr. Ronald Leavitt Aug 2013

Isolation Of An Escherichia Coli High-Adherence Plasmid For Use In A Bacterial Interfering Agent, Christopher M. Runyan, Dr. Ronald Leavitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Colibacillosis is a disease found in poultry that results in various levels of morbidity and mortality. It is primarily caused by pathogenic strains of E. coli that inhabit the poults’ intestinal tracts. Antibiotics have frequently been used to protect the turkeys but with less and less effectiveness as the bacteria have begun to develop antibiotic resistance. Hence alternate ways are needed to combat pathogenic bacteria.

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Plasmodiumfalciparum. Continuous Cultivation In Defined Culture Medium, Yury M. Colton, Dr. James B. Jensen Aug 2013

Plasmodiumfalciparum. Continuous Cultivation In Defined Culture Medium, Yury M. Colton, Dr. James B. Jensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Continuous cultivation of the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodiumfalciparum has greatly increased the possibilities of malaria research (Trager and Jensen 1976). However, the need for human serum in the culture medium has proved to be limiting in some situations and the necessary serum is becoming very difficult and costly to acquire. This paper describes the development of culture media in which the serum requirement is reduced by ten-fold and Plasmodiumfalciparum can be maintained indefinitely using standard culture techniques.

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Engineering, Production And Optimization Of A Bench Scale Tce Bioreactor, David Schlesinger, Dr. Alan R. Harker Aug 2013

Engineering, Production And Optimization Of A Bench Scale Tce Bioreactor, David Schlesinger, Dr. Alan R. Harker

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Trichloroethylene (better known as TCE) has been used for decades as a solvent for fats, waxes, oils, paints, varnishes, and rubber. This characteristic of TCE has made it useful in industry for cleaning and degreasing; hence, its wide use at airports, and military installations.

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