Microbiology Commons^™

Antigenotoxic Effects Of Diallyl Disulfide And Allyl Disulfide On Benzo (A) Pyrene Induced Dna Damage In Hepg2 Cells As Measured By The Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis Assay, Corey W. Speers, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

One of the most effective strategies in cancer control is chemoprevention. Previous studies have shown naturally occurring organosulfur compounds from garlic and onion to be effective against carcinogenesis. The effects of two of these organosulfur compounds, diallyl sulfide (DAS) and diallyl disulfide (DADS), are thought to be of especial worth. Their anti-carcinogenic effects in the human cell line HepG2 are, however, less understood. HepG2 cells are human hepatoblastoma cells that have maintained their xenobiotic metabolizing competence. Because they are similar in function to cells obtained from human liver tissue, they are ideal for research in vitro. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is an …

Investigation Into The Anti-Angiogenic Activities Of Convolvulus Arvensis Extract, Jeremy F. Mcbride, Rachelle R. Olsen, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Angiogenesis, the development and differentiation of new blood vessels from the pre-existing vasculature, is a fundamental physiological process involved in growth, development, and wound healing. Loss of control over the biological molecules which regulate this process can lead to pathologic angiogenesis, or neoangiogenesis, a process associated with such diseases as retinopathies, psoriasis, arthritis, and most importantly, cancer.

Determination Of The Proteins That Bind To The Fg Enhancer Region Of The Col11a2 Gene, Eric Freeman, Dr. Laura Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the human body and is responsible for the development of bone and cartilage. The Col11a2 gene is one of the many genes that participate in the formation of collagen. Mutations in this gene can cause a variety of cartilage diseases and disorders such as cleft palate, hearing loss, osteoarthritis, and perhaps even prenatal lethal chondrodysplasia. Arthritis alone is “the leading cause of work-related disability and the leading cause of disability in persons >65 years in the United States”.ⁱ The deadly effects of these mutations warrant a more in-depth study of the …

Analysis Of Unique Genome Segments Of Burkholderia Mallei Obtained From Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism, Benjamin Nelson Kartchner, Dr. Richard A. Robison

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Burkholderia mallei the etiological agent of the disease glanders, has the capability to cause disease in both animals and humans. Infection is usually caused through inhalation of organisms present in aerosols which results in serious pulmonary and systemic conditions that results in 40% mortality even with vigorous antimicrobial intervention and rises above 90% without such therapy(2). In addition, because of their dangerous nature both organisms have emerged as possible agents which may be used in the production of biological weapons. Recent research conducted in Dr. Richard Robison’s lab has analyzed genomic relatedness in various strains of B. mallei and the …

Concomitant Treatment Of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs And Chemotherapeutics On Human Acute T Lymphocytes., Janet L. Hart, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as sulindac and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) are frequently used to relieve pain, clotting, fever and inflammation. Recently, NSAIDs have been shown to decrease the occurrence of colorectal cancer and inhibit mammary cancer in rats. To elucidate this mechanism, further research has been done to show an inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by NSAIDs in lung and prostate carcinomas. Many current chemotherapeutic agents such as doxorubicin and methotrexate (DOX and MTX respectively) rely on the Fas/FasL (CD95) pathway to induce cell death. Because MMPs are able to cleave membrane-bound Fas, these chemotherapeutics are less-effective.

Fdcs In Hiv Infected Patients Retain Archival Hiv Sequences, Jesse Rowley, Dr. Gregory Burton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the causative agent of AIDS, has eluded successful treatment since its discovery in the early 1980s. The prospect of successful treatment came with the advent of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) which has reduced plasma virus replication to undetectable levels in many patients. Although virus may be maintained below detectable levels for years by treatment, complete viral clearance has not been achieved. “Hidden” reservoirs of non-replicating or slowly replicating virus escape rigorous drug treatment. When the patient is taken off of anti-retroviral therapy, plasma virus levels will return to pre-therapy levels and HIV will continue the …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 …

Abundance And Distribution Of Major And Understudied Archaeal Lineages At Globally Distributed Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents, Alexander Fenner Rutherford

Dissertations and Theses

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are some of the most biologically productive ecosystems on Earth, yet receive little to no input of photosynthetically derived organic matter. The trophic system at hydrothermal vents is based primarily on the reduction-oxidation (redox) of inorganic chemicals by Bacteria and Archaea. However, the distributional patterns of the microorganisms that colonize deep-sea hydrothermal vent deposits and their link to the geologic setting are still not deeply understood.

The goal of the studies presented in this thesis was to quantify the abundance, and distribution of major and understudied vent colonizing archaeal groups from globally distributed and geochemically distinct hydrothermal …

Phages Of Non-Diary Lactococci: Isolation And Characterization Of Phi L47, A Phage Infecting The Grass Isolate Lactococcus Lactis Ssp Cremoris Dpc6860, Daniel Cavanagh, Caitríona M. Guinane, Horst Neve, Aidan Coffey, R. Paul Ross, Gerald F. Fitzgerald, Olivia Mcauliffe

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

Lactococci isolated from non-dairy sources have been found to possess enhanced metabolic activity when compared to dairy strains. These capabilities may be harnessed through the use of these strains as starter or adjunct cultures to produce more diverse flavor profiles in cheese and other dairy products. To understand the interactions between these organisms and the phages that infect them, a number of phages were isolated against lactococcal strains of non-dairy origin. One such phage, ΦL47, was isolated from a sewage sample using the grass isolate L. lactis ssp. cremoris DPC6860 as a host. Visualization of phage virions by transmission electron …

How Clean Is The Clean Room?, Erik J. Mcfarland

STAR Program Research Presentations

In order to limit contamination and protect the integrity of search-for-life missions, spacecraft assembly clean rooms should be free of microorganisms to the extent that planetary protection guidelines require of the mission. This study monitored the bioburden of the clean room in which the Mars-destined InSight lander was being assembled. Samples of ten locations inside the clean room and one location outside were taken at monthly intervals, starting in March 2014 and scheduled to end in September 2014.

Bioburden was determined using qPCR and ATP analyses with qPCR targating 16S rRNA gene copy number and ATP targating metabolic activity of …

Targeting Cxcr4 With Ctce-9908 Inhibits Prostate Tumor Metastasis, Donald Wong, Pridvi Kandagatla, Walter Korz, Sreenivasa R. Chinni

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

CXCL12/CXCR4 transactivation of epidermal growth factor family receptors in lipid raft membrane microdomains on cell surface is thought to mediate tumor growth and subsequent development of metastatic disease. CTCE-9908 is a known inhibitor of CXCR4. Herein, we tested the efficacy of CTCE-9908 in inhibiting prostate cancer cell growth, invasion, and metastasis.

Methods

We used a panel ofin vitroassays utilizing human prostate cancer cell lines and anin vivoorthotopic prostate cancer model to assess the anti-tumoral activity of CTCE-9908.

Results

We demonstrated that (a) CTCE-9908 treatment resulted in no significant change in the growth of PC-3 and C4-2B cells; (b) …

A Metagenomic Assessment Of The Bacteria Associated With Lucilia Sericata And Lucilia Cuprina (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Baneshwar Singh, Tawni L. Crippen, Longyu Zheng, Andrew T. Fields, Ziniu Yu, Qun Ma, Thomas K. Wood, Scot E. Dowd, Micah Flores, Jeffery K. Tomberlin, Aaron M. Tarone

Forensic Science Publications

Lucilia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a blow fly genus of forensic, medical, veterinary, and agricultural importance. This genus is also famous because of its beneficial uses in maggot debridement therapy (MDT). Although the genus is of considerable economic importance, our knowledge about microbes associated with these flies and how these bacteria are horizontally and trans-generationally transmitted is limited. In this study, we characterized bacteria associated with different life stages of Lucilia sericata (Meigen) and Lucilia cuprina(Wiedemann) and in the salivary gland of L. sericata by using 16S rDNA 454 pyrosequencing. Bacteria associated with the salivary gland of …

Superresolution Imaging Of Human Cytomegalovirus Vmia Localization In Sub-Mitochondrial Compartments, Shivaprasad Bhuvanendran, Kyle Salka, Kristen Rainey, Sen Chandra Sreetama, Elizabeth Williams, Margretha Leeker, Vidhya Prasad, Jonathan Boyd, George H. Patterson, Jyoti K. Jaiswal, Anamaris M. Colberg-Poley

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) viral mitochondria-localized inhibitor of apoptosis (vMIA) protein, traffics to mitochondria-associated membranes (MAM), where the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contacts the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM). vMIA association with the MAM has not been visualized by imaging. Here, we have visualized this by using a combination of confocal and superresolution imaging. Deconvolution of confocal microscopy images shows vMIA localizes away from mitochondrial matrix at the Mitochondria-ER interface. By gated stimulated emission depletion (GSTED) imaging, we show that along this interface vMIA is distributed in clusters. Through multicolor, multifocal structured illumination microscopy (MSIM), we find vMIA clusters localize away from …

Immunologic Special Forces: Anti-Pathogen Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Immunotherapy Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Michael Keller, Catherine M. Bollard

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Anti-pathogen adoptive T-cell immunotherapy has been proven to be highly effective in preventing or controlling viral infections following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Recent advances in manufacturing protocols allow an increased number of targeted pathogens, eliminate the need for viral transduction, broaden the potential donor pool to include pathogen-naïve sources, and reduce the time requirement for production. Early studies suggest that anti-fungal immunotherapy may also have clinical benefit. Future advances include further broadening of the pathogens that can be targeted and development of T-cells with resistance to pharmacologic immunosuppression.

Airborne Staphylococcus Aureus In The Biology Labs At Southern Adventist University, Harrison Filler

Capstone Research Projects

Staphylococcus aureus has been of growing interest to the scientific community in recent years. It is not only easily transferred from one person to another, but its rapidly evolving antibiotic resistance has made it increasingly difficult to treat. Once thought to be a hospital-acquired disease, S. aureus is now often found in the community. Studies indicate that people and clothing can act as carriers of S. aureus not only directly, but through airborne particles. For these reasons a research experiment was designed to determine the prevalence of S. aureus in the microbiology lab and anatomy and physiology lab at Southern …

The Effects Of Lipoxin A4 (Lxa4) On Neutrophil Biology In Sepsis, Benedict Wu

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Theses and Dissertations

During sepsis, neutrophils are inappropriately activated and have prolonged lifespans, thus becoming dysfunctional. Excessive neutrophil activation can lead to tissue injury while neutrophil dysfunction can lead to decreased free radical production and reduced phagocytosis, preventing the host from clearing preexisting infections. Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) is a specialized pro-resolution mediator which reduces neutrophil migration and expression of proinflammatory mediators. Intact neutrophil functions are critical for the host to efficiently clear invading pathogens. The effects of LXA4 on neutrophil function in sepsis have not been established. Using the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of sepsis, LXA4 administered 1 h after sepsis …

Impacts Of Climate Change On Soil Microorganisms In Northern Hardwood Forests, Carley Jane Kratz

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

As global climate continues to change, it becomes more important to understand possible feedbacks from soils to the climate system. This dissertation focuses on soil microbial community responses to climate change factors in northern hardwood forests. Two soil warming experiments at Harvard Forest in Massachusetts, and a climate change manipulation experiment with both elevated temperature and increased moisture inputs in Michigan were sampled. The hyphal in-growth bag method was to understand how soil fungal biomass and respiration respond to climate change factors. Our results from phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analyses suggest that the hyphal in-growth bag method allows relatively pure …

The Unseen World: Environmental Microbial Sequencing And Identification Methods For Ecologists, Naupaka B. Zimmerman, J. Izard, C. Klatt, J. Zhou, E. Aronson

Biology Faculty Publications

Microorganisms inhabit almost every environment, comprise the majority of diversity on Earth, are important in biogeochemical cycling, and may be vital to ecosystem responses to large-scale climatic change. In recent years, ecologists have begun to use rapidly advancing molecular techniques to address questions about microbial diversity, biogeography, and responses to environmental change. Studies of microbes in the environment generally focus on three broad objectives: determining which organisms are present, what their functional capabilities are, and which are active at any given time. However, comprehending the range of methodologies currently in use can be daunting. To provide an overview of environmental …