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Articles 211 - 240 of 244
Full-Text Articles in Physiology
Inhibition Of Notch Signaling Increases Neurogenesis In The Ophthalmic Trigeminal Placode Without Expanding The Domain Of Neurogenin2 Expression., Brian Wright, Dr. Michael Stark
Inhibition Of Notch Signaling Increases Neurogenesis In The Ophthalmic Trigeminal Placode Without Expanding The Domain Of Neurogenin2 Expression., Brian Wright, Dr. Michael Stark
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The ever-increasing knowledge regarding cellular regulation and programming requires important insights into the biochemical pathways that determine a cell’s fate. For example, the ability to take a stem cell and grow it into a neuron will directly depend on our knowledge of the steps used in the embryo for normal neurogenesis, or the formation of neurons. The ophthalmic placode (a region of thickening cells) of the trigeminal nerve provides a valuable model for studying sensory neurogenesis, since it gives rise exclusively to sensory neurons. This nerve provides tactile sensation to the upper region of the face.
Establishing The Spondyloepiphyseal Congenita Heterozygous Mouse As An Animal Model For Human Osteoarthritis, Michael Henderson, Dr. Robert Seegmiller
Establishing The Spondyloepiphyseal Congenita Heterozygous Mouse As An Animal Model For Human Osteoarthritis, Michael Henderson, Dr. Robert Seegmiller
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Osteoarthritis (OA) causes discomfort and immobility to millions of Americans every year. Due to the high demand for patient pain relief and improved mobility, scientists are seeking to understand the pathway of OA and develop drugs which would illuminate the onset of, and/or the progression of, OA.
The Cerebral Cortex As An Effect Site For Anesthetic Induced Unconsciousness, Ryan Martin, David Busath
The Cerebral Cortex As An Effect Site For Anesthetic Induced Unconsciousness, Ryan Martin, David Busath
Journal of Undergraduate Research
General anesthetics are widely used today in medicine. Their molecular mechanisms however, still remain a mystery. For centuries, general anesthetics were thought to be “drugs without receptors” because of the lack of knowledge about their mechanism of action (Hemmings, et al., 2005). While some advances have been made by Neuroscientists and Biologists there is still a lot that is not known about general anesthetics. The exact location of general anesthetic action is thought to be complex, but two particular locations have been suggested—the cerebral cortex and the midbrain. Detailed understanding of where general anesthetics act is important because it would …
The Role Of Htra1, Ddr2, And Mmp-13 Proteins In The Mechanistic Pathway Leading To Osteoarthritis In Sedc Mice, David Holt, Robert Seegmiller
The Role Of Htra1, Ddr2, And Mmp-13 Proteins In The Mechanistic Pathway Leading To Osteoarthritis In Sedc Mice, David Holt, Robert Seegmiller
Journal of Undergraduate Research
In the present study, we report OA in a mouse model that, like the human families presented by Kannu et al., bears a heterozygous mutation in the Col2a1 gene but has a phenotypically normal skeleton.1 The mouse mutation was named sedc by Donahue et al. because when homozygous, it produces feature that resemble the most common clinical phenotypes of SED congenita in humans, including abnormal epiphyses, flattened vertebral bodies, and problems with the eyes and ears.2 The mutation consists of a single base pair substitution in exon 48 of the Col2a1 gene, which changes an arginine to a cysteine in …
Lifetime Dietary Exposure To Soy Isoflavones Is Beneficial To Prostate And Testicular Health In 100-Day Old Male Long-Evans Rats, Benjamin Hogan, Dr. Edwin Lephart
Lifetime Dietary Exposure To Soy Isoflavones Is Beneficial To Prostate And Testicular Health In 100-Day Old Male Long-Evans Rats, Benjamin Hogan, Dr. Edwin Lephart
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Phytoestrogens are plant-derived compounds that are structurally and functionally similar to estradiol. Isoflavones are a major type of phytoestrogen that can be found in foods such as soy beans, tofu, and soy milk. They have become popular due to the health benefits they effect by binding to estrogen receptors throughout the body. However, while their action is similar to that of estradiol, they are non-steroidal and therefore less potent.
Ror2/Wnt5a Mediated Directional Limb Outgrowth, Aaron Smith, Dr. Jeff Barrow
Ror2/Wnt5a Mediated Directional Limb Outgrowth, Aaron Smith, Dr. Jeff Barrow
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The apical ectodermal ridge (AER) is a small strip of epithelial tissue that is found at the distal tip of the embryonic vertebrate limb and runs from anterior to posterior. It is known that the AER is necessary to maintain the life of mesenchymal cells (interior non-surface cells) of the limb and is also necessary to maintain other important signaling centers in the limb (citations). The AER is also believed to be responsible for patterning the limb along the proximal to distal axis. However, it is unknown what precise role the AER plays in this and researchers have been attempting …
Amantadine Blockage Of The Influenza A M2 Proton Transporter, Jared Kelson, David Busath
Amantadine Blockage Of The Influenza A M2 Proton Transporter, Jared Kelson, David Busath
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The reproduction of influenza A is very closely regulated by the pH levels maintained both in the cytoplasm and in various organelles of a host cell. To accommodate this, the virus provides genetic coding to assemble an M2 transporter which regulates the flow of protons across the different membranes. Until recently, influenza A was treated with a drug known commonly as amantadine (1-aminoadamantane), which blocked M2 proton transport. Unfortunately, by the year 2005, 91% of known influenza A strains had mutated to the extent that amantadine was no longer an effective reagent (High, 2006 p. 44). The 2009 epidemic of …
Effect Of Muscle Stimulation On Gene Expression For Mitochondrial Proteins, Darren Goring, Dr. David Thomson
Effect Of Muscle Stimulation On Gene Expression For Mitochondrial Proteins, Darren Goring, Dr. David Thomson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The original purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of muscle stimulation on gene expression for mitochondrial proteins in mLKB1-KO mice (mice in which the LKB1 gene has been knocked out of the muscles and heart). LKB1 is an important protein involved in the signaling of mitochondrial protein production. The original protocol was to run the mice on a treadmill fast enough and long enough to cause transcription of mitochondrial proteins. I hypothesized that the mLKB1-KO mice would still have some mitochondrial gene expression but to a lesser degree than the conditional mice.
Trash Brings A New Diet Water Conservation In Cape Verde, Africa, Tanner Goff, Dr. Bruce Woolley
Trash Brings A New Diet Water Conservation In Cape Verde, Africa, Tanner Goff, Dr. Bruce Woolley
Journal of Undergraduate Research
In Sub-Saharan African countries the resource of most significance, we Americans take for granted: water. The African people know this and strive to minimize wasting such a precious resource. However, with little education on how to conserve water, waste is inevitable. The country of Cape Verde is no stranger to a huge water deficit and this water deficit has a direct effect on the diet of the people. Most of the country relies on beans and rice with no variety of vegetables in their diet. The typical Cape Verdeans diet is characterized by “repeated rice meals” and “as the water …
The Role Of Nectin In Zyxin Localization, Jace Bullard, Dr. Marc Hansen
The Role Of Nectin In Zyxin Localization, Jace Bullard, Dr. Marc Hansen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
A major difficulty of treating cancer rises from its ability to metastasize. During metastasis, strong adhesions between cells break, allowing individual cells to separate and migrate to different locations in the body. Strong cell-cell junctions are formed by protein interactions between actin cables and cell junction proteins. Zyxin is an actin regulator that localizes at cadherin-based cell-cell adhesions. Our lab has shown that cells expressing constitutively active forms of zyxin lose the ability to completely detach from each other, a result of maintained actin-membrane associations. How zyxin is localized to the cell membrane is unknown. Given zyxin’s role in maintaining …
Biophysical Cell Membrane Changes During Chemotherapeutic Drug-Induced Apoptosis, Amanda Berbert, Dr. John Bell
Biophysical Cell Membrane Changes During Chemotherapeutic Drug-Induced Apoptosis, Amanda Berbert, Dr. John Bell
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Our project provided us the opportunity to gain insight into how chemotherapy drugs affect the cell membrane and how secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) can work in tandem with these drugs to accelerate the cell death process. The enzyme sPLA2 produces a pro-inflammatory response that plays an important role in wound protection and healing and is also associated with diseases including septic shock, atherosclerosis, and cancer. This enzyme preferentially hydrolyzes cells that exhibit specific physical membrane properties in response to cellular trauma or apoptosis (programmed cell death). We hypothesized that although chemotherapeutic agents work through different mechanisms, the …
Exploring Folate Uptake In Chicken Understanding Prevention Of Neural Tube Defects, Bret Gardner, Dr. Michael Stark
Exploring Folate Uptake In Chicken Understanding Prevention Of Neural Tube Defects, Bret Gardner, Dr. Michael Stark
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common congenital malformations, afflicting .5- 8/1000 live births (Saitsu, 2003). Examples of such defects include spina bifida and anencephaly, resulting from failed closure of the posterior and anterior neural tube, respectively. The neural tube is the fetal precursor to the central nervous system. Currently the most common and effective method for preventing such defects consists of periconceptional folate intake. In developed countries, sufficient folate (folic acid or vitamin B12) is readily obtained from multivitamins, enriched cereals, or other items in a balanced diet. This preventative treatment, however, remains ineffective in 30-50% of …
Endocannabinoid Biosynthetic Enzymes In Hippocampal Interneurons, Ryan Williamson, Dr. Jeff Edwards
Endocannabinoid Biosynthetic Enzymes In Hippocampal Interneurons, Ryan Williamson, Dr. Jeff Edwards
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The hippocampus is a region of the brain that mediates learning and memory formation by changing the properties of synapses within its circuitry [2]. The plastic nature of these synapses allows the brain to alter how sensitive one neuron is to stimulation from another neuron. Improper regulation of synaptic plasticity may cause memory loss associated with neurodegenerative disease [4].
Rescuing The Collagen 2a1 Gene In Mouse Model To Alleviate Stickler Syndrome Symptoms, Jamie Twiggs, Dr. Robert Seegmiller
Rescuing The Collagen 2a1 Gene In Mouse Model To Alleviate Stickler Syndrome Symptoms, Jamie Twiggs, Dr. Robert Seegmiller
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Stickler Syndrome is a severe disease with no cure that occurs in 1/7500 births resulting in extreme ocular, craniofacial, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular problems for those diagnosed. It is caused by mutations in the collagen genes, most often a premature stop codon in the collagen 2A1 gene, although in some cases it is caused by mutations in the collagen 11 A1 and A2 genes. The purpose of this research was to discover an effective method of gene therapy in mice models by reinserting a functional collagen gene into mice embryos using a viral vector and plasmids. I hypothesized that if the …
Does Secretory Phospholipase A Ii Induce Apoptosis In Cells That Have Been Infected By A Virus?, Stephanie Melchor, Dr. John Bell
Does Secretory Phospholipase A Ii Induce Apoptosis In Cells That Have Been Infected By A Virus?, Stephanie Melchor, Dr. John Bell
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Well, to be perfectly honest, this project has been fraught with disaster since the beginning. We obtained 400 microliters of the immunosuppressive strain of Minute Virus of Mice (MVMi) at 1 x 109 pfu/mL from Dr. David J. Pintel at the University of Missouri-Columbia. MVMi was the only virus we could find that would infect our cell line (S49 mouse T-lymphoma cells. Because S49 cells are suspension cells and not adherent, they do not form plaques when infected with a virus, which makes it more difficult to quantify how many cells have been successfully infected with the virus. Instead, …
Effects Of Antiviral Drug Compounds In Blocking Influenza Virus M2 Channels In Xenopus Laevis Ooctyes, Timothy Mcclain, David Busath
Effects Of Antiviral Drug Compounds In Blocking Influenza Virus M2 Channels In Xenopus Laevis Ooctyes, Timothy Mcclain, David Busath
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The purpose of this project was to research and test various drug compounds to prevent influenza virus infection. A specific target of my research is M2 protein channels that aid in the uncoating of the viral coat. Recent mutations have rendered formerly effective drugs almost completely useless. With recent outbreaks and mutations of the virus, the demand for antiviral drugs has never been greater. The goal of the project was to test several different compounds that had been selected based on unique characteristics, designed to adjust to the mutation, and prevent further infection.
The Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita Homozygous Mutant: A Model For The Mechanism Of Osteoarthritis, David Macdonald, Dr. Robert Seegmiller
The Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita Homozygous Mutant: A Model For The Mechanism Of Osteoarthritis, David Macdonald, Dr. Robert Seegmiller
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Articular cartilage is a hard-wearing and specialized form of hyaline cartilage which allows for an almost frictionless surface during joint movement (Ofek et al. 2008). These unique characteristics are primarily due to chondrocyte secretions, and the composition and properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) (Buckwalter and Mankin 1998). Chondrocytes play a crucial role in cartilage durability because of their extracellular secretions (Knudson and Knudson 2001). Being immotile, chondrocytes depend greatly upon the equilibrium of the ECM for protection, integrity, and regulation (Aszodi et al. 2003). The ECM is composed primarily of type II collagen, glycoproteins, water and aggrecan proteoglycan (Hollander …
Effects Of Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplementation On Ampk-Activity And Mitochondrial Biogenesis In Lkb1 Knockout Mice, Lisa Mccoy, Dr. David Thomson
Effects Of Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplementation On Ampk-Activity And Mitochondrial Biogenesis In Lkb1 Knockout Mice, Lisa Mccoy, Dr. David Thomson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
During the medical school interview of the school I will be attending next Fall, my interviewer asked me to speak of a time in which I had failed or suffered an obstacle in my academic career. He laughed and said that I probably hadn’t even had one because of the numbers he had observed in my application. I rebutted and told him I very recently had faced difficulty. I spoke of this experience. Throughout my entire academic career, I have never really had to face failure. I was blessed with motivation and the capacity to excel and my grades consistently …
Mdck Gene Expression During Emt, Jason Burton, Marc Hansen
Mdck Gene Expression During Emt, Jason Burton, Marc Hansen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. This is mostly due to a lack of understanding into the function of cancer and the different mechanisms it uses to spread. The process by which cancer cells detach from the primary tumor and spread to form metastases is known as Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). EMT is a process whereby specialized epithelial cells undergo a transformation back to primitive, mobile cells (see figure 1). These cells can travel through the basement membranes and enter the nervous and vascular systems and spread throughout the body. This process has …
Rho Kinase Pathway Inhibition And Its Effect On Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, Jacob Hoj, Dr. Marc Hansen
Rho Kinase Pathway Inhibition And Its Effect On Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, Jacob Hoj, Dr. Marc Hansen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The Rho Kinase Pathway is a cellular pathway that is thought to be involved in cancer metastasis, as previous research has indicated1. As indicated by the name, the Rho group of proteins are central to this pathway. Over the past year, we set out to analyze this pathway and to further our understanding of its role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a biological process common in many metastatic cancers. Through experimental analysis, we were able to look at this pathway in ways that no one else has been able to. While our results were very intriguing, obtaining the data …
A Novel Role For Amp-Activated Protein Kinase As A Selective Inhibitor Of De Novo Ceramide Biosynthesis, Kate Erickson, Dr. Benjamin Bikman
A Novel Role For Amp-Activated Protein Kinase As A Selective Inhibitor Of De Novo Ceramide Biosynthesis, Kate Erickson, Dr. Benjamin Bikman
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The purpose of this project was to determine the cellular mechanisms that mediate AMPK-induced reductions in lipotoxicity. We predicted that AMPK activation inhibits lipotoxic ceramide biosynthesis via targeted reduction in transcription of a critical, rate-limiting enzyme involved in de novo ceramide synthesis.
Cellular Mechanisms Behind Memory Formation In The Developing Brain, Spencer Bell, Dr. Jeffrey Edwards
Cellular Mechanisms Behind Memory Formation In The Developing Brain, Spencer Bell, Dr. Jeffrey Edwards
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Carrying out my research project with my mentor’s assistance has provided valuable experiences and important lessons. At the present time, however, my research has not produced the results we had anticipated. We had hoped to demonstrate that a certain receptor in the brain called transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) modulated memory formation in the developing brain by influencing a process known as long-term depression, or the weakening of a chemical connection between two brain cells. Although we have not yet produced statistically significant results, our observations indicate that we may simply need to conduct more experiments to acquire enough …
Comparisons Of Amantadine Analogues Against The Dominant Influenza A Virus M2 Proton Channel Mutant Via Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy And Tryptophan Fluorescence Anisotropy, Trevor Anderson, David Busath
Comparisons Of Amantadine Analogues Against The Dominant Influenza A Virus M2 Proton Channel Mutant Via Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy And Tryptophan Fluorescence Anisotropy, Trevor Anderson, David Busath
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The influenza A virus is a severe ongoing threat to public health, accounting for over 250,000 fatalities worldwide each year. In order to actuate the virus, it is necessary for the M2 proton channel to be activated upon fusion with an endosome.
The Neuroprotective Effects Of Exercise On Ltd In The Hippocampus, Adam Field, Dr. Jeff Edwards
The Neuroprotective Effects Of Exercise On Ltd In The Hippocampus, Adam Field, Dr. Jeff Edwards
Journal of Undergraduate Research
In April of 2012, IACUC committee approved the methods which we had set forth for the carrying out of the experiment. At this point we began gathering the tools and materials needed for the performing of the experiment. Mice were obtained, and the electrophysiological research begun.
Premature Osteoarthritis In The Temporomandibular Joint Of Heterozygous Disporportionate Micromelia Mice, Jason Farrell, Dr. Robert Seegmiller
Premature Osteoarthritis In The Temporomandibular Joint Of Heterozygous Disporportionate Micromelia Mice, Jason Farrell, Dr. Robert Seegmiller
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The purpose of this study, as also summarized in the proposal for this research grant, was to analyze the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) of mice with a specific collagen defect, Disproportionate Micromelia. Examining these joints was done to provide an animal model to be used in Osteoarthritis research, and to propose a potential mechanism for osteoarthritis in this joint in humans. Better understanding of Osteoarthritis in this joint using an animal model can help lead to potential future treatments for a wide variety of TMJ disorders.
Mentored Research In Geochemistry Of Ancient Maya And Fremont Archaeological Sites, Dr. Richard Terry
Mentored Research In Geochemistry Of Ancient Maya And Fremont Archaeological Sites, Dr. Richard Terry
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Many of the activities of the ancient Maya did not leave artifactual or architectural remains for us to study, since many activities involved organic materials that were biodegraded over time. Furthermore, the warm and humid climate accelerated the decomposition of most organic materials (Dahlin et al., 2007). However, minerals like phosphate contained in food and other organic materials are fixed on the soil surface, imprinting a chemical trace which is possible to analyze (Barba and Ortiz 1992; Terry et al. 2000; Parnell et al. 2001). Geochemical techniques can be used to determine ancient human activity and their correlation to minerals …
The Role Of Pas-Kinase In Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy And Endurance Adaptation, Dr. David Thomson
The Role Of Pas-Kinase In Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy And Endurance Adaptation, Dr. David Thomson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The purpose of this mentoring environment grant was to determine whether the presence of the protein PAS-kinase (PASK) affects muscle growth and/or endurance performance. Our primary model system was the PASK knockout mouse (PASK-KO) and findings from this mouse were compared with wild-type (WT) mice. The project is now completed. The primary research objectives and findings are listed below:
Secretory Phospholipase A2, Dr. John Bell
Secretory Phospholipase A2, Dr. John Bell
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) binds to and hydrolyzes cell membranes. It is important in inflammatory responses and diseases including septic shock, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Normally, cells resist the enzyme’s action, but they become susceptible early during the process of either biochemically-programmed or of traumatic cell death. A recent discovery demonstrated that the activity of different isozymes of sPLA2 depends on the type of cell death involved. Understanding the relationship between this specificity and physiological roles of these isozymes requires elucidation of the relevant molecular mechanisms. This project will test the hypothesis that the relative levels of four membrane biophysical parameters …
Changes In Membrane Physical Properties During Chemotherapy, Dr. John Bell
Changes In Membrane Physical Properties During Chemotherapy, Dr. John Bell
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Many chemotherapeutic agents treat cancer by inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the tumor. One of the consequences of apoptosis is changes in the physical properties of the cell membrane. Some of these changes are important for other phagocytic cells to recognize and remove the dying cells thereby preventing an inflammatory response. However, other physical changes convert the membrane from its normal state of resistance to hydrolytic attack by enzymes present in the blood to a state of susceptibility. If this susceptibility precedes removal of the apoptotic cells by phagocytes, a harmful inflammatory response could potentially occur. Whether cells become …
Endocannabinoid Enzyme Expression In The Hippocampus, Dr. Jeff Edwards
Endocannabinoid Enzyme Expression In The Hippocampus, Dr. Jeff Edwards
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The objectives of this award were met, especially in regard to the mentoring focus of the award. The students have been mentored and trained in an effective manner as outlined below. Using this mentoring environment and the experiences gained by it has allowed all but one of the students graduating in the last two years from my lab to this point, to be accepted into the professional school of their choice (see students listed below). Research, especially where the students are actually involved in all aspects of it and publishing can play a major role in their acceptance to professional …