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Articles 301 - 318 of 318
Full-Text Articles in Microbiology
A Multiplex Real-Time Pcr Assay For Rapid Detection And Differentiation Of Burkholderia Mallei, B. Pseudomallei, And B. Thailandensis, Chinn-Woan Shih, Richard Robison
A Multiplex Real-Time Pcr Assay For Rapid Detection And Differentiation Of Burkholderia Mallei, B. Pseudomallei, And B. Thailandensis, Chinn-Woan Shih, Richard Robison
Journal of Undergraduate Research
As stated in the proposal, my focus has been with three bacterial species of Burkholderia: mallei, pseudomallei, and thailandensis. Burkholderia mallei is the causative agent of glanders, an abscess-forming infection that is predominantly found in the equine population and is capable of being transmitted to humans from infected animals. There is documentation that B. mallei was used as a biowarfare agent in World War I (Gee et al., 2003).
Cancer And The Immune System: A Study Of Cytokine Communication With Macrophages, Charles Daniel Knechtel, Dr. Kim O'Neill
Cancer And The Immune System: A Study Of Cytokine Communication With Macrophages, Charles Daniel Knechtel, Dr. Kim O'Neill
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Macrophages are a part of the early immune system that interacts with abnormal and foreign cells in your body. They are a non-specific defense system that engulfs foreign cells or stimulates other immune system cells to respond. We know they can play a role in fighting cancer, or promoting it, but we don’t fully understand how. According to Frontiers in Bioscience May 2008, “At late stages tumor-associated macrophages are known to produce molecules directly promoting tumor growth, invasion and metastasis….however, if properly activated, macrophages may control initial tumor development”(Nardin, A., Astado, J. 2008). Cytokines are small signaling molecules that play …
Characterization Of Herpes Simplex Clinical Isolate, Daniel Hammond, Dr. Brian Poole
Characterization Of Herpes Simplex Clinical Isolate, Daniel Hammond, Dr. Brian Poole
Journal of Undergraduate Research
My project was focused on the identification and characterization of a clinical isolate of Herpes Simplex, the virus family responsible for cold sores and genital herpes. The virus was collected from a 48 year old female who was otherwise healthy. The patient had no previous history of genital herpes. The patient’s sexual partner was also HSV positive. The specimen was collected from a suspected infected genital tract and was submitted for analysis for Herpes simplex virus. Initial analysis using non-specific antibody tests verified that the virus was indeed a member of the herpes simplex family. Further analysis, shown in Figure …
Analyzing The Homing Of Iga Antibody Secreting Cells In The Gestational Murine Mammary Gland Via Chemokine Interaction, Taylor Gardner, Dr. Eric Wilson
Analyzing The Homing Of Iga Antibody Secreting Cells In The Gestational Murine Mammary Gland Via Chemokine Interaction, Taylor Gardner, Dr. Eric Wilson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
My purpose was to understand more deeply the process of mucosal immunological response in mice. Specifically, I hoped to understand the role of chemokine interactions in the recruitment of Immunoglobin A (IgA) in mouse colostrum/milk and mammary gland tissue during the gestation period. I focused on the time period just prior to the point at which milk production (and thus relative IgA levels) is upregulated in preparation for feeding young.
Yersinia Murine Toxin And Its Potential Role In Preventing Killing Of Yersinia Pestis Via Hympthiocyanate, Sarah Pyne-Gehen, Dr. David Erickson
Yersinia Murine Toxin And Its Potential Role In Preventing Killing Of Yersinia Pestis Via Hympthiocyanate, Sarah Pyne-Gehen, Dr. David Erickson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, is transmitted by fleas such as the Oriental rat flea Xenopsylla cheopis. Very little is known about the Y. pestis factors that are important in establishing a transmissible infection in fleas. The Yersinia Murine Toxin (Ymt) is an intracellular phospholipase enzyme that is required for Y. pestis to survive inside the midgut after fleas take an infectious blood meal (1). The basis for the Ymt requirement is unknown.
Improvement Of Malaria Diagnosis Techniques In Low-Income Areas, Trenden Flanigan, Dr. Eric Wilson
Improvement Of Malaria Diagnosis Techniques In Low-Income Areas, Trenden Flanigan, Dr. Eric Wilson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Malaria causes over 1 million deaths every year worldwide. Due to the difficulty in obtaining a precise diagnosis, combined with nonspecific symptoms in early stages (fever, aches, fatigue), many cases are misdiagnosed. Diagnosis methods are generally done through visual examination of peripheral blood smears or rapid diagnostic tests. Due to transient low levels of parasitemia in patients, these diagnostic methods often result in false negatives. By separating the parasitized erythrocytes from the others, the sensitivity of diagnostic tests improves. This was demonstrated by using a novel blood smear technique that introduces centrifugation and isolation into the conventional smear or by …
Phou Localization In Escherichia Coli, Austin Callison, Dr. William R. Mccleary
Phou Localization In Escherichia Coli, Austin Callison, Dr. William R. Mccleary
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Just as simpler systems are studied to better understand more complex systems, E. coli has long been a standard for biological experiments aimed at a more complete comprehension of the mechanisms that propitiate cell life. One of these vital mechanisms in E. coli is the uptake of phosphate (Pi) in varying levels of environmental phosphorous. Pi is a key element involved in cell membranes, DNA, RNA, and metabolism in E. coli. This uptake is accomplished by the cooperation of the PstSCAB2, PhoU, PhoR and PhoB proteins in phosphate poor environments1. PhoU acts as a negative regulator of the Pho operon …
Development Of Humanized Mice As A Model For The Study Of Neuro-Aids, German Cuadra, Dr. Bradford Berges
Development Of Humanized Mice As A Model For The Study Of Neuro-Aids, German Cuadra, Dr. Bradford Berges
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Our main goal of this project was to document the existence of human macrophages in the brain of humanized mice. After the accomplishment of this goal, we planned to infect humanized mice with HIV and find out if these human macrophages support infection in mouse brain tissue. We hypothesize that humanized mice will have human macrophages engrafted in the brain and that these cells will become infected with HIV via normal pathways after introduction of virus via other routes, as in humans. By identifying these cells in humanized mice, we plan to develop a mechanism to study the relationship between …
A Nuclear Variant Of Gdf5 May Present Novel Insights On Arthritis Formation, Michael Baldwin, Dr. Laura Bridgewater
A Nuclear Variant Of Gdf5 May Present Novel Insights On Arthritis Formation, Michael Baldwin, Dr. Laura Bridgewater
Journal of Undergraduate Research
More than 40 million Americans suffer from the pains of arthritis. Arthritis is characterized by joint inflammation and cartilage deterioration (3). For many years growth differentiation factor 5 (Gdf5) has been associated with cartilage formation and maintenance (4, 1). GDF5 has been traditionally regarded as a secreted growth factor; however, a new variant of Gdf5 was recently discovered in the nucleus. Nuclear Gdf5 (nGdf5) may present a new mechanism by which Gdf5 regulates cartilage development and preservation.
Determining The Effect Of Toll-Like Receptor-7 On Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Development, Douglas Baumann, Dr. Brian Poole
Determining The Effect Of Toll-Like Receptor-7 On Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Development, Douglas Baumann, Dr. Brian Poole
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) is an autoimmune disease that afflicts over 250,000 citizens of the United States. Although much remains to be learned about Lupus, the information gathered so far has proven to be extremely valuable in increasing survival rates and improving the quality of life of Lupus patients. As we continue to put time and energy into Lupus research, the result will be that we will be able to combat the disease more effectively. The first step in combating Lupus is to gain knowledge about the pathogenesis and mechanisms of the disease. By further developing our knowledge, we will …
Molecular Mechanisms Of Lupus Risk Conferred By Allele In The Gene For Interferon Response Factor 5, Dr. Brian Poole
Molecular Mechanisms Of Lupus Risk Conferred By Allele In The Gene For Interferon Response Factor 5, Dr. Brian Poole
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The academic objectives of this proposal were met. Using the funding provided by the MEG, we generated data that was used to publish four peer-reviewed journal articles and one peer-reviewed book chapter. These are:
Transcriptional Activity Of The Novel Nuclear Protein Nbmp-2, Dr. Laura Bridgewater
Transcriptional Activity Of The Novel Nuclear Protein Nbmp-2, Dr. Laura Bridgewater
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The goal of this project was to follow up on preliminary data suggesting that nBmp2 directly activated transcription. A few months of follow-up experiments, however, showed that the original transcription data was not reproducible. At that point we turned our attention to two different questions about nBmp2 function: 1) Does nBMP-2 affect the cell cycle? 2) Is nBMP-2 involved in the immune response? These questions have each yielded interesting and important results that are leading toward publications and grant proposals.
Development Of Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Q-Pcr) Assays For The Specific Detection And Characterization Of Select Bacterial Pathogens, Dr. Richard Robison
Development Of Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Q-Pcr) Assays For The Specific Detection And Characterization Of Select Bacterial Pathogens, Dr. Richard Robison
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Primer generation software will be used to design primer and probe sequences that will theoretically perform optimally in PCR reactions. All sequences will be subjected to BLAST searches to confirm their specificity for a particular organism. Once primer sequences have been obtained, they will be synthesized by Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc. (IDT). These primers will be evaluated in q-PCR reactions using target DNA from multiple isolates and SyberGreen to detect nucleic acid amplification. Parameters for each reaction will be optimized using these same tools. Once a reaction has been optimized, a specific labeled probe will be synthesized which contains both …
Cytokine Signaling In The Microenvironment May Aid In Tumor Development And Progression, Dr. Kim O'Neill
Cytokine Signaling In The Microenvironment May Aid In Tumor Development And Progression, Dr. Kim O'Neill
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Studies have indicated that in breast tumors a high number of tumor associated macrophages (TAM’s) is indicative of a poor prognosis. TAM’s in the breast tumor microenvironment generally have a compromised immune response and focus their energy toward tissue repair which leads to angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis. These macrophages have been termed M2 macrophages. Conversely, studies also indicate that in the microenvironment of some colon cancers, M1 phenotypic macrophages are present and that a high number of TAM’s is associated with a good prognosis.
A Novel Nuclear Variant Of Nbmp-2: Role In Ca2+ Transport, Dr. Laura Bridgewater
A Novel Nuclear Variant Of Nbmp-2: Role In Ca2+ Transport, Dr. Laura Bridgewater
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The goal of this project was to elucidate the role that nBMP-2 plays in Ca2+ transport. In the previous year, we demonstrated that mice that have no nBMP-2 in the nuclei of their cells exhibit delays in the transport of Ca2+ back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum after each muscle contraction. During the period of this award we have extended our focus on nBMP-2 and Ca2+ transport to its effects on neurological function, since learning and memory are also dependent on intracellular Ca2+ transport. To do so, we collaborated with Dr. Jeff Edwards, a neuroscientist in the Department of Physiology and …
Interferon Alpha In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Dr. Brian Poole
Interferon Alpha In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Dr. Brian Poole
Journal of Undergraduate Research
We presented data from this project at two meetings, 2 presentations at the American society for Microbiology Branch Meeting, Provo UT 2010 and one at the Intermountain Research Symposium, Logan Utah 2010. At the ASM meeting one of my undergraduates was selected to give an oral presentation, and all presentations were done by students. We also published a paper with student authorship that was supported by the MEG. The paper is “Neiwold, Timothy; Clark, Daniel; Salloum, Rafeh; Poole Brian D. Interferon alpha in systemic lupus erythematosus. J Biomed Biotechnol. 2010;2010:948364” We also have three manuscripts in preparation that include data …
The Function Of Yeast Pas Kinase, Dr. Julianne Grose
The Function Of Yeast Pas Kinase, Dr. Julianne Grose
Journal of Undergraduate Research
PAS kinase is a newly discovered member of the nutrient sensing kinases that regulates glucose homeostasis in mice and yeast. The aim of our 2009 MEG “The Function of Yeast PAS kinase” was to characterize the role of a known PAS kinase substrate, Ugp1, as well as to identify novel PAS kinase substrates. We have made significant progress on each of these aims, which has facilitated the preparation of publications, presentations and abstracts. In addition, the findings described below have opened up further research as evidenced by our 2010 and 2011 MEG proposals as well as a 2009 NIH grant …
The Role Of Nuclear Bmp2 (Nbmp2) In Skeletal Muscle, Dr. Laura Bridgewater
The Role Of Nuclear Bmp2 (Nbmp2) In Skeletal Muscle, Dr. Laura Bridgewater
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The goal of this project was to characterize the molecular pathway by which nBmp2 disrupts Ca2+ handling in skeletal muscle of nBmp2 mutant mice. Previously, we had worked with Dr. Chad Hancock’s lab to measure muscle function in nBmp2 mutant mice, and those results showed a slowing in the rate at which Ca2+ is pumped from the cytoplasm back into the sarcoplamic reticulum at the conclusion of a skeletal muscle contraction. Our rationale for this MEG study was that characterizing the muscle dysfunction phenotype in the nBmp2 mutant mice would ultimately lead to a molecular level understanding of the functions …