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Full-Text Articles in Microbiology

Locating The High Adherence Genes On Pha-28, Jonathan Walter Dukes, Dr. Ronald Leavitt Jan 2014

Locating The High Adherence Genes On Pha-28, Jonathan Walter Dukes, Dr. Ronald Leavitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Bacterial high adherence is an important of research because of its effect on bacterial pathogenesis and intestinal colonization. In the laboratory of Dr. Ronald Leavitt, we have been studying the ability of certain bacteria to prevent the colonization of intestinal epithelial cells by other bacteria. Of particular interest to us are non-pathogenic Escherichia coli strains that have the ability to out compete and overrun colonies of Salmonella, as well as the colonies of the pathogenic E. coli strains that cause the turkey disease colibacillosis. Such E. coli have the potential to be used as an interfering agent against Salmonella and …


Sub Cellular Localization Of A Putative Single Stranded Dna Binding Protein From Arabidopsis Thaliana, Andrew C. Edmondson, Dr. Brent L. Nielsen Jan 2014

Sub Cellular Localization Of A Putative Single Stranded Dna Binding Protein From Arabidopsis Thaliana, Andrew C. Edmondson, Dr. Brent L. Nielsen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

DNA recombination is the exchange of segments between homologous pieces of DNA, resulting in variations in genetic diversity. Recombination provides essential genetic variation, but can also cause harmful rearrangements, resulting in genetic disorders in mammals, plants and yeast. DNA recombination in plant mitochondria is supported by a variety of evidence, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Due to evidence of an evolutionary relationship between bacteria and mitochondria, a RecA mechanism has been proposed for mitochondrial recombination. This is supported by a similar mechanism in chloroplasts.


Analysis Of The Binding Of Sox9 To Enhancer Regions In The Col11a2 Gene By In Vivo Cross-Linking, Alisha Clinger, Dr. Laura Clark Bridgewater Jan 2014

Analysis Of The Binding Of Sox9 To Enhancer Regions In The Col11a2 Gene By In Vivo Cross-Linking, Alisha Clinger, Dr. Laura Clark Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Improper development of collagen is the cause for many cartilage-based diseases, including osteoarthritis as wells as various skeletal disorders. The Col11a2 (type XI collagen á2 subunit) gene is critical to cartilage development and is necessary for cartilage cells to be able to perform their specific functions (1,5). The development of collagen is controlled by the regulation of various collagen genes by specific proteins. Certain proteins bind to regions in the DNA called enhancers and promoters and this activates the gene. Dr. Laura Bridgewater’s laboratory at Brigham Young University has analyzed three enhancer regions for the Col11a2 gene. Each of these …


Sequence Analysis Of Hiv Quasi Species In Vivo, Eryn Barber Hadley, Dr. Greg Burton Jan 2014

Sequence Analysis Of Hiv Quasi Species In Vivo, Eryn Barber Hadley, Dr. Greg Burton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the causative agent of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). There is currently no cure for HIV infection, and AIDS has been reported as the fourth highest killer in the world [1]. The initial success of the drug cocktail used in Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) has made the possibility of a cure for AIDS seem attainable, however the persistence of virus reservoirs makes this extremely difficult and leads to a rebound of viral load [2]. The known reservoirs of HIV include latently infected T cells, macrophages and follicular dendritic cells.


Fc Receptors In Hiv Trapping And Retention On Follicular Dendritic Cells, Daniel Willis, Dr. Gregory Burton Jan 2014

Fc Receptors In Hiv Trapping And Retention On Follicular Dendritic Cells, Daniel Willis, Dr. Gregory Burton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The development of HighlyActive Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) against the HIV virus created a temporary excitement regarding a possible cure for HIV. This optimism resulted due to the fact that HAART blocked active HIV replication and reduced the level of HIV in the bloodstream to below standard limits of detection. However, it was soon discovered that HIV blood levels were restored shortly after cessation of HAART. This led to the discovery of HIV reservoirs, or sites where latent virus is harbored. It is this harbored virus that actively replicates and replenishes HIV viral loads when HAART is discontinued.


Follicular Dendritic Cells (Fdcs) And Sparing Of Cd4+ T Cells From Hiv/Cd62l Triggered Apoptosis, Devon C. Cole, Dr. Grey Burton Jan 2014

Follicular Dendritic Cells (Fdcs) And Sparing Of Cd4+ T Cells From Hiv/Cd62l Triggered Apoptosis, Devon C. Cole, Dr. Grey Burton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Both B and T lymphocytes intimately interact with follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in lymphoid follicles of secondary lymphoid tissue (e.g., spleen, lymph node, and tonsils). FDCs trap and retain antigens needed to induce and maintain potent memory antibody responses. FDCs contribute both antigen dependent and independent signals to B lymphocytes residing in the microenviroment of germinal centers in secondary lymphoid tissue, which contributes to the optimal activation of these cells as well as T lymphocytes. One important contribution of FDCs to B lymphocytes is signaling that spares these cells from programmed cell death. As B cells differentiate in germinal centers, …


The Effects Of Phorbol Esters On Cotton Tail Rabbit Papillomas, Cory Funk, Dr. Richard Robison Jan 2014

The Effects Of Phorbol Esters On Cotton Tail Rabbit Papillomas, Cory Funk, Dr. Richard Robison

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Papillomas are virus-induced benign tumors or lesions of the skin and mucous membranes, more commonly known as warts. Most everyone has personally experienced a papilloma virus infection at some point in his or her life. We normally do not think of warts as a health concern because they do not affect our general health. Although this is true for most papillomas, it is not the case with many types of genital warts. It has been well documented that genital warts caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) types such as 16, 18 and 31 are directly linked to malignant cancers (3, …


Reduction In Toxicity Of Doxorubicin By Á-Tocopherol Succinate (Vitamin E) And Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) In Human Adenocarcinoma Cells, Christie Michaud, Dr. Byron Murray Jan 2014

Reduction In Toxicity Of Doxorubicin By Á-Tocopherol Succinate (Vitamin E) And Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) In Human Adenocarcinoma Cells, Christie Michaud, Dr. Byron Murray

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and doxorubicin, is one of the more widely chemotherapeutic treatments for this disease. This study investigated the possibility of exposing adenocarcinoma cells to vitamin C/vitamin E (VC/VE) combinations as a means to reduce toxicity associated with doxorubicin (DXR) treatment.


Hepatic Oval Cells: A Potential Source Of Cartilage, Chris Meinhart, Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater Jan 2014

Hepatic Oval Cells: A Potential Source Of Cartilage, Chris Meinhart, Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Damage to articular cartilage found in synovial joints can occur both by trauma and disease processes. Cartilage, because of its avascular nature and low cellularity, has very poor regeneration capabilities. It is therefore important to explore new and effective cellular therapies to facilitate the repair of diseased or otherwise damaged cartilage.


Identification Of A Novel Positive Cis-Acting Element In The First Intron Of The Mouse Col11a2 Gene, Steven Alan Smith, Dr. Laura Bridgewater Jan 2014

Identification Of A Novel Positive Cis-Acting Element In The First Intron Of The Mouse Col11a2 Gene, Steven Alan Smith, Dr. Laura Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Three chondrocyte-specific enhancer elements were previously identified in the mouse type XI collagen gene, Col11a2 (1-3). Enhancer elements are base pair sequences of DNA to which proteins bind enhancing expression of a particular gene. One of these enhancers, called F/G, is located in the first intron of that gene (3). This work has revealed the likely presence of additional positive cis-acting (enhancer) elements in the first intron, and one of those elements has been identified.


Fdc As An Hiv Reservoir: Dna Sequence Analysis Of Hiv Isolated From Fdc And Cd4+ T Cells Of Infected Patient, Trever Bradley Burgon, Dr. Gregory F. Burton Jan 2014

Fdc As An Hiv Reservoir: Dna Sequence Analysis Of Hiv Isolated From Fdc And Cd4+ T Cells Of Infected Patient, Trever Bradley Burgon, Dr. Gregory F. Burton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the retrovirus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), has infected over 60 million people and become what the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS calls: “the most devastating disease mankind has ever faced” (8). Current treatment, known as HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy), is able to reduce HIV in the blood to undetectable levels but it cannot completely block replication nor remove HIV from the body. When patients stop taking HAART, their viral load (the quantity of virus detected in their blood) and symptoms quickly return to pretreatment levels. This viral rebound is caused by latent …


The Potential For Grape Seed Extract As An Antioxidant In Human Cells, Mark J. Eliason, Dr. Kim O'Neill Jan 2014

The Potential For Grape Seed Extract As An Antioxidant In Human Cells, Mark J. Eliason, Dr. Kim O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The single-cell gel electrophoresis assay or “Comet Assay” is a novel test which can be used to empirically ascertain the degree of damage sustained by the DNA of individual cells when exposed to cytotoxic chemicals. In this experiment a known cell line was grown in varying concentrations of grape seed extract (GSE), a reputed antioxidant, and then exposed to hydrogen peroxide, an oxidant, known to cause breaks in the DNA. When the comet assay was subsequently run the effect that the varying concentrations of grape seed extract had in protecting the cells from damage could be quantified.


Hiv In The Immune System: The Role Of Specialized Follicular Dendritic Cells In Promoting Viral Disease, Jacob D. Estes, Dr. Gregory F. Burton Jan 2014

Hiv In The Immune System: The Role Of Specialized Follicular Dendritic Cells In Promoting Viral Disease, Jacob D. Estes, Dr. Gregory F. Burton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has become a world wild epidemic affecting millions of people across the globe. Even in the face of potent antiviral drugs which are only available in first world countries, HIV continues to evade intervention strategies and eventually destroy the body’s immune system. During the longest stage of HIV disease, clinical latency, much of active infection is confined to the germinal centers of secondary lymphoid tissue (1). Here HIV is trapped on the surface of follicular dendritic cells (FDC) which reside in this region of all secondary lymphoid organs (2). Large amounts of HIV localize on FDC …


Sequencing The Mammoth Cytochrome B Gene: A Genetic Look Into The History Of Prehistoric Columbian Mammoths, Shaun Odell, Dr. Scott Woodward Oct 2013

Sequencing The Mammoth Cytochrome B Gene: A Genetic Look Into The History Of Prehistoric Columbian Mammoths, Shaun Odell, Dr. Scott Woodward

Journal of Undergraduate Research

During the excavation process associated with the reconstruction of Cleveland reservoir dam near the Huntington Canyon area of UT, the massive skeleton of a Columbian mammoth was unearthed. Excavation of the remains ensued, and bone samples from this prehistoric mammal were sent to the Molecular Archaeogenetic Research facility at Brigham Young University. These samples were studied in hopes of unlocking many of the mysteries associated with this ancient animal.


Chemical Disinfection Of Mycobacterium Ulcerous, Brandon John Webb, Dr. Richard Robison Oct 2013

Chemical Disinfection Of Mycobacterium Ulcerous, Brandon John Webb, Dr. Richard Robison

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Mycobacterium ulcerans is the causative agent of Buruli ulcer, a disfiguring disease of the skin and muscle tissue, whose prevalence has grown exponentially in recent decades. An ulcerative disease similar to leprosy, Buruli ulcer is characterized by a superficial infection of the subcutaneous fat layer that results in large lesions that often spread to cover an entire limb. Although most severe in Third World countries, cases of M. ulcerans infection have been reported in 33 countries on five continents. According to World Health Organization statistics, the recent rise in incidence of the disease has been so pronounced that Buruli ulcer …


Chondrogenic Differentiation Of Adult Hepatic Stem Cells: Investigating Candidates For Osteoarthritis Treatment, Jaron Coombs, David Sonntag, Dr. Laura Bridgewater Oct 2013

Chondrogenic Differentiation Of Adult Hepatic Stem Cells: Investigating Candidates For Osteoarthritis Treatment, Jaron Coombs, David Sonntag, Dr. Laura Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Osteoarthritis is a painful disease associated with the breakdown of articular cartilage, the protective protein coating of the major joints of the body. Over 20 million Americans are affected by this pervasive disease which is associated with the overuse of joints and aging. Osteoarthritis occurs when the proteins that compose articular cartilage are degraded by repetitive use and injury. These actions can lead to swelling, tearing, or flaking off of the cartilage at the surface of the bone. When cartilage loses its integrity in this manner the amount of friction in the joint greatly increases and the patient begins to …


Comparative Study Of Total Antioxidant Activity Between The Fruit Momordica Cochinchinensis (Gac) And Its’ Major Carotenoid Constituents, Katherine Secrest, Dr. Kim O'Neill Oct 2013

Comparative Study Of Total Antioxidant Activity Between The Fruit Momordica Cochinchinensis (Gac) And Its’ Major Carotenoid Constituents, Katherine Secrest, Dr. Kim O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The red fruit Momordica cochinchinensis (gac) grows indigenously throughout Southeast Asia and possesses naturally high levels of provitamin A carotenoids, beta-carotene and lycopene. In much of Southeast Asia, rural populations suffer from chronic vitamin A deficiency.1 Currently, government programs distribute vitamin A capsules as supplements, but long-term solutions lie in food-based alternatives. At this time, gac fruit is only consumed during annual festivals when the red pulp of the fruit is used to color rice. Consumption of gac fruit has been shown to significantly increase plasma beta-carotene concentrations and could provide an inexpensive, food-based alternative to improving the vitamin A …


Ecology Of Two High Copy Plasmids, Ermira Pazolli, Dr. Alan Harker Oct 2013

Ecology Of Two High Copy Plasmids, Ermira Pazolli, Dr. Alan Harker

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Plasmids are genetic entities residing in the cell. They can vary in size and genetic content. There are alternate views about plasmids, but the consensus one is that they are genetic elements that are transferred from cell to cell, thus conferring resistance or performing some other function advantageous to the cell. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the behavior of plasmids as individuals ‘forced’ to cooperate under selective pressure. In the first phase, we had to extract the plasmids in large quantities and construct two similar models. Due to time constraint and other unforeseen obstacles, we have …


Analysis Of Hnf1-Beta As A Possible Regulatory Protein For The Transcription Of The Col11a2 Collagen Gene, Nicholas M. Orme, Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater Oct 2013

Analysis Of Hnf1-Beta As A Possible Regulatory Protein For The Transcription Of The Col11a2 Collagen Gene, Nicholas M. Orme, Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cartilage is a highly specialized form of connective tissue that functions as a template for most skeletal structures and aids in supporting the tension and pressure common to most animal joint function. Abnormal cartilage formation often results from defective collagen DNA and can lead to several skeletal diseases including dwarfism, cleft palate and osteoarthritis. The purpose of this research was to investigate the regulatory role of HNF proteins in the transcription of the Col11a2 gene which codes for a collagen protein found in cartilage.


The Implications Of Subtype Diversity Of Hiv-1 For Vaccine Development, Ryan Peterson, Dr. Keith A. Crandall Oct 2013

The Implications Of Subtype Diversity Of Hiv-1 For Vaccine Development, Ryan Peterson, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

HIV’s ability to infect a host and grow without killing the host allows the virus to accumulate genetic diversity. Over time, HIV has diverged into a number of subtypes, differing up to 30% in their nucleic acids (2). For this reason, one of the greatest problems with vaccine development is that different subtypes express different protein variants (3). With the increase of HIV recombination and human travel, geographical patterns subtypes are becoming mixed, thus allowing the virus to explore new genetic variants and evade vaccine effectiveness (5).


Antigenotoxic Effects Of N-Acetylcysteine On Benzo[A]Pyrene Induced Dna Damage In Hepg2 Cells As Measured By The Alkaline Comet Assay, Loni A. O'Neil, M. Todd O'Neil, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill Oct 2013

Antigenotoxic Effects Of N-Acetylcysteine On Benzo[A]Pyrene Induced Dna Damage In Hepg2 Cells As Measured By The Alkaline Comet Assay, Loni A. O'Neil, M. Todd O'Neil, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A major factor involved in the risk of developing cancer with the probability of enhancing or suppressing carcinogens is dietary composition. A chemoprevention approach to cancer means preventing this disease by the administration of one or several compounds. For a number of years, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has shown in studies to be an effective chemopreventive agent, but there have also been some studies disproving the effectiveness of NAC.1, 2 This is because NAC has different functions in different cell types. Because of this, we decided to test the effectiveness of NAC against DNA damage in human HepG2 cells and to determine …


Investigation Into The Mechanisms Associated With Angiogenesis And Metastasis, Rachelle R. Olsen, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill Oct 2013

Investigation Into The Mechanisms Associated With Angiogenesis And Metastasis, Rachelle R. Olsen, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Angiogenesis, the development and differentiation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, is tightly controlled during physiological processes including wound healing, growth, and development. Angiogenesis is also associated with several human malignancies including arthritis, psoriasis, and cancer. Angiogenesis, which provides a source of nutrients and a waste outlet for biological products, is absolutely required for a tumor to grow larger than a few millimeters in size. Blood vessels formed by angiogenesis are young and immature and can facilitate metastasis, the spread and subsequent growth of primary tumor cells to distal body sites.


Inducing Coexistence Of Incompatible Single-Copy Plasmids With Selective Pressure, Geoffrey Benton, Dr. Alan Harker Oct 2013

Inducing Coexistence Of Incompatible Single-Copy Plasmids With Selective Pressure, Geoffrey Benton, Dr. Alan Harker

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Plasmids, which are circular molecules of extrachromosomal DNA, are often found in bacterial cells. Traditionally plasmids have been considered simply accessories to chromosomal DNA. However, recent publications have demonstrated that plasmids may be more than simply an appendage to the bacterial chromosome.


An Exploration Of The Genotoxic Effects Of Ellagic Acid On Human Hepg2 Cells And Its Potential Impact On Cancer Prevention, Amanda Stevens, Dr. Kim O'Neill Oct 2013

An Exploration Of The Genotoxic Effects Of Ellagic Acid On Human Hepg2 Cells And Its Potential Impact On Cancer Prevention, Amanda Stevens, Dr. Kim O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Over the past few years, cancer prevention has become a more important focus for research in the fight against cancer. Recent studies suggest that perhaps as much as 70-80 % of all cancers could be prevented by diet alone. Ellagic acid is a compound found in foods like raspberries, strawberries, and apples, and is thought to be important for cancer prevention. Benzo[a]pyrene is a potent environmental carcinogen detected in substances such as cigarette smoke, cooked foods, and fossil fuel combustion. Studies involving rodents exposed to Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), whose diets included ellagic acid (EA), showed a decrease in tumor formation as …


Initiation Of Chloroplast Dna Replication, Michael Zundel, Dr. Brent Nielson Oct 2013

Initiation Of Chloroplast Dna Replication, Michael Zundel, Dr. Brent Nielson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the macromolecule found in cells that carries all of our genetic information. Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, where the DNA is housed. Plant cells also contain chloroplasts. Chloroplasts convert light energy into chemical energy, typically in the form of sugar. Chloroplasts contain DNA, which is thought to have evolved from an early symbiotic relationship between a eukaryotic cell and a prokaryotic cell, or bacterium. The eukaryotic cell engulfed the prokaryotic cell and used it for the conversion of light energy. Chloroplast DNA replicates independent of the cell cycle and the nuclear DNA.


Detection Of Positive Selection In The Gp120 Protein Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus In Relation To Vaccine Trials, Theodore L. Oliphant, Dr. Keith A. Crandall Oct 2013

Detection Of Positive Selection In The Gp120 Protein Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus In Relation To Vaccine Trials, Theodore L. Oliphant, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This project’s purpose is to determine sites of positive selection in the gp120 envelope protein of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Positive selection is defined as the fixation of changes in amino acid composition in a population. A data set containing the envelope sequence from patients who contracted HIV while participating in a phase 3 efficacy trial of the AIDSVAXTM HIV vaccine was obtained from Vaxgen, the vaccine’s developer. This data is being compared with data sets taken from Genbank to identify sites along the gp120 protein which have mutated, to allow the virus to escape the antibodies generated by …


Phosphorylation Dependent Conformational Changes Of Phob In Escherichia Coli, Allison Sparks, Dr. William Mccleary Oct 2013

Phosphorylation Dependent Conformational Changes Of Phob In Escherichia Coli, Allison Sparks, Dr. William Mccleary

Journal of Undergraduate Research

All bacteria must have a way to control cell functions when their outside environment changes. E.coli uses a phosphate signaling pathway to accomplish this. In the bacterial cell membrane, there are proteins that take up phosphate from the environment, transports it into the cell, and triggers transcription of certain genes. The system is comprised of an ATP-dependent transport system which consists of a periplasmic substrate binding protein, PstS, three membrane proteins, PstC, PstA, and PstB, a regulator, PhoU, a transmembrane histidine kinase, PhoR, and a response regulator PhoB. In this system, the response regulator, PhoB is phosphorlated and then activates …


Purification And Characterization Of A Putative Single-Stranded Dna Binding Protein From Arabidopsis Thaliana, Andrew C. Edmondson, Dr. Brent L. Nielsen Oct 2013

Purification And Characterization Of A Putative Single-Stranded Dna Binding Protein From Arabidopsis Thaliana, Andrew C. Edmondson, Dr. Brent L. Nielsen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

DNA recombination is the exchange of segments between homologous molecules of DNA, resulting in expanded genetic diversity. Recombination provides essential genetic variation, but can also cause harmful rearrangements, resulting in genetic disorders in plants, mammals and yeast. The mechanisms and results of these events are still the subject of much research. A variety of evidence supports DNA recombination in plants, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Researchers have proposed a bacterial RecA-mediated mechanism for DNA recombination in mitochondria based on evidence of an evolutionary relationship between bacteria and mitochondria. However, until recently, plant mitochondria had not been shown to contain …


Permeability And Durability Effects Of Cellulose Polymer Variation In Polymer Inclusion Membranes, Jed Walker Oct 2013

Permeability And Durability Effects Of Cellulose Polymer Variation In Polymer Inclusion Membranes, Jed Walker

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) have been used as an effective means of separation of ions in solution. Due to their mechanical stability, PIMs provide a more effective method of separation than supported liquid membrane (SLM) and bulk liquid membrane (BLM) systems. PIMs also provide higher efficiency, selectivity and ease of use than the previously mentioned systems1,2. The large surface area to volume ratio that is exhibited by PIMs affords them the potential to be used in nuclear and harmful metal waste remediation on an industrial scale.


A Novel Approach To Assessing The Metastatic Potential Of Cancer Cells, Nyall Robert London Jr., Dr. Kim O'Neill Oct 2013

A Novel Approach To Assessing The Metastatic Potential Of Cancer Cells, Nyall Robert London Jr., Dr. Kim O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cancer remains a major cause of death around the world today. A major problem with cancer is metastasis or the spread of cancerous cells from the tumor to a secondary location. This occurs when cancer cells break away from a primary tumor, invade the tissue, and travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other parts of the body. The aim of this study was to develop a cost-effective in vivo model through which metastasis could be explored in more depth.