Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
Articles 1 - 4 of 4
Full-Text Articles in Other Microbiology
Investigating The Dna-Binding Role Of Tbp1 In Toxoplasma Gondii: Expression And Characterization Of A Recombinant Protein, Madison T. Jeckell
Investigating The Dna-Binding Role Of Tbp1 In Toxoplasma Gondii: Expression And Characterization Of A Recombinant Protein, Madison T. Jeckell
Honors Theses and Capstones
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite with a complex life cycle and an unusual transcriptional machinery compared to other eukaryotes. Unlike most organisms, Toxoplasma lacks multiple well-conserved promoter motifs and has multiple TATA-binding proteins (TBPs), including TBP1, whose function in DNA binding and transcription regulation is poorly understood. This study aimed to generate and express a recombinant TBP1 protein from Toxoplasma to enable future DNA-binding assays and motif identification. Using RT-PCR, the TgTBP1 gene was amplified and cloned into a pGEX vector to produce a GST-tagged protein. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. coli BL21 cells, and protein …
Do Duckweeds Adapt To Water And Microbes?, Ava M. Rose
Do Duckweeds Adapt To Water And Microbes?, Ava M. Rose
Honors Theses and Capstones
Organisms in their home environment sometimes outperform transplanted individuals native to other areas, in a phenomenon termed local adaptation. While local adaptation is traditionally considered to be driven by the abiotic factors of an environment, scientists have recently increased consideration of biotic factors. Specifically, of interest to many is host-associated microbiomes, which can alter host trait expression. As the desire to commercialize microbiome treatments for agriculture and medicine grows, it is important to analyze the potential value of local microbiomes, which may be adapted to their hosts, or to which local hosts may have adapted. Using Lemna minor (duckweed) as …
A Survey Of Opportunistic Fungi In The Portsmouth, Nh Region, Chloe E. Richard
A Survey Of Opportunistic Fungi In The Portsmouth, Nh Region, Chloe E. Richard
Honors Theses and Capstones
Opportunistic mycoses are caused by ubiquitous fungi that we encounter daily. This study identified the most common opportunistic fungi in a local area during the current winter season. A survey of fungi was conducted in the Portsmouth, New Hampshire region by taking environmental samples from both indoor and outdoor locations. The samples were then cultured and identified using colony morphology, microscopic characteristics, and biochemical testing. Despite the cold weather, the results showed that fungal species are still prevalent outdoors, with the most variation in single samples coming from areas with exposed soil and decaying vegetation, while less fungal presence was …
A Messenger Molecule Governs Interdependency In An Evolved Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Biofilm Community, Thomas Macelliott Johnson
A Messenger Molecule Governs Interdependency In An Evolved Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Biofilm Community, Thomas Macelliott Johnson
Honors Theses and Capstones
Biofilm populations are known to harbor great diversity, but the importance of this diversity is not fully understood. A likely contributor to this variation is the second messenger molecule cyclic-di-GMP: low levels associate with a planktonic lifestyle while high levels favor biofilm formation. In ongoing studies of an evolving biofilm population of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), we observed extensive ecological diversification that may relate to this lifestyle switch. In PA, the gene bifA encodes a phosphodiesterase that is known to degrade cyclic-di-GMP and reduce biofilm. This gene was cloned onto a plasmid under control of an inducible promoter and the plasmid …