Chemicals and Drugs Commons^™

Structural Transformation Of A Hydrogel-Forming Cell Division Protein Zapb Of Multidrug Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae With Small Molecules, Ayesha Khan, M. Iqbal Choudhary, Sumaira Javaid, Humaira Zafar, Innokentiy Maslennikov, Atia-Tul Wahab

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Septal ring assembly protein ZapB (EMR18431.1) is involved in Z-ring formation, and nucleoid segregation during the bacterial cell division . It promotes cell division in the initial stages of the cell cycle through direct interaction with FtsZ, thus stimulating Z-ring assembly. The ZapB inhibition can make bacterial cell susceptible to primary antibiotics, and therefore considered as an important approach for adjuvent therapy against MDR bacterial infections. Hence in the current study, ZapB protein of multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae was cloned, and expressed in E. coli system. To understand its role, and to assess the mechanism of ZapB activation, the characteristic …

Re-Purposing Pre-Existing Tilapia Aquaculture Open-Design System For Zebrafish Biomedical Research Purposes, Luke Cantu, David Sierra, Skyleigh Curtis, Maya Avila

ATU Scholars Symposium

Title: Re-purposing pre-existing tilapia open-design aquaculture systems for zebrafish biomedical research purposes.

Background: Zebrafish (Danio rerio) models are gaining popularity in biomedical research; however, the high infrastructure cost, at approximately $20,000 per unit, is a significant hurdle for primary undergraduate institutions (PUIs) establishing zebrafish facilities. This study assesses if repurposing existing tilapia open-design aquaculture systems could be a cost-effective method for zebrafish facility establishment.

Methods: Between November-2025 to February-2026, the study used a pre-existing tilapia aquaculture open-design system with personnel modified outlet filters. The water quality of this system was monitored and recorded. The study compared the stabilization phase or …

Discovering Drug-Like Compounds By Targeting Protein-Protein Interactions Using A Yeast-3-Hybrid System, Chesley C. Blake

Senior Theses

Protein-protein interactions are important targets in cancer biology as they can make historically “undruggable” proteins viable drug targets. However, the current approach to targeting protein-protein interactions relies on the use of small molecule drugs, which have low efficiencies as they must cover a large surface area of the interaction. Further, traditional drug therapies often lead to off-target toxicity, limiting therapeutic specificity. The objective of this project is to develop a selection system in yeast to identify short peptide sequences that can disrupt protein-protein interactions specific to cancer cells. Following proof of principle and development of the AH109 yeast strain having …

Exploring Synthesized Cbd Derivatives: Implications Of Therapeutic Strategies For Neuroinflammation, Josephine Mosser

Senior Theses

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid derived from Cannabis Sativa with well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, yet its clinical utility is limited by moderate receptor selectivity, rapid hepatic metabolism, and broad pharmacological activity on the central nervous system (CNS). This thesis describes the design and partial execution of a multi-step synthetic route aimed at generating CBD/CBD-derived chalcone intermediates for potential therapeutic applications for neuroinflammation. The steps encompass an O-methylation, O-acetylation, and a Fries rearrangement. The first three steps were completed successfully and reproducibly shown through 1H-NMR and 12C-NMR; however, purification of the fourth step was not successful within the available …

Folic Acid–Carbon Dot–Gemcitabine Nanoparticles For Targeted Cancer Drug Delivery, Irfan Huda, Hua Mei

SPARK Symposium Presentations

This project aims to develop a folic acid-attached carbon dot nanoparticle system (FA-CDs-GEM) for the targeted delivery of gemcitabine to cancer cells. While gemcitabine is widely used, its effectiveness is limited because a short in vivo half life and lack of selectivity, which lead to severe side effects. Carbon dots offer a simple and modifiable platform as the drug delivery and bioimaging agent. Conjugation of folic acid to the carbon dots enables selective targeting of cancer cells that overexpress folate receptors. In this study, we synthesized and characterized FA-CD-GEM nanoparticles and developed an HPLC calibration curve of GEM to accurately …

Increased Backbone Rigidity Of Artificial Transcription Factors, Jasmine Glover, Emma Otey, Joanna K. Kwao, Nicholas Truex

Senior Theses

Programming DNA-binding proteins is an effective strategy for developing therapeutics that regulate gene expression. These proteins can directly bind to DNA to activate or repress transcription of specific genes. Zinc finger proteins are a class of DNA-binding proteins commonly found in eukaryotic organisms. Their DNA-binding function is derived from unique amino acid sequences within each domain that recognizes specific nucleotides, allowing each finger to selectively recognize three DNA base pairs. Adjoining of multiple domains in tandem allows recognition of a specific DNA sequence. Artificial transcription factors can be made of multiple zinc finger domains arranged in tandem and engineered to …

Recombinant Gelonin: Purification And Functional Validation For Electroporation-Assisted Delivery, Eleni Zivla, Giedrė Šilkūnienė, Andrei G. Pakhomov, Mantas Šilkūnas, Olga N. Pakhomova

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Type I ribosome-inactivating proteins, such as gelonin, are enzymatically potent toxins but are effectively non-toxic under physiological conditions because they are unable to cross the plasma membrane[1]. Pulsed electric fields (PEF) overcome this delivery barrier by transiently permeabilizing the plasma membrane, allowing direct cytosolic entry. This enhances gelonin cytotoxicity by several thousand-fold, highlighting gelonin’s potential as an electrochemotherapy candidate[2]. Here, we present a recombinant gelonin (rGel) expression platform in E. coli with HPLC-based purification that enables reproducible protein production and structure-guided engineering.

The mature gelonin sequence (residues 47–297) was cloned into pET-32a(+) with an N-terminally fused Trx-6×His tag and TEV …

In Vitro And In Silico Analysis Of The Antibacterial Activity Of Bioactive Compounds Extracted From Pineapple Peel, Wafa Mohammad Sadik, Iman Tajer Abdullah, Lana Abed Alnajar

Makara Journal of Science

Antibiotic resistance is a critical global challenge that requires the discovery of alternative therapeutic agents. Plants -derived compounds, such as those found in Ananas comosus (pineapple)peel, offer promising antibacterial potential. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of pineapple peel extract using both in vitro and in silico approaches. Ethanolic extracts of pineapple peel were fractionated using silica gel chromatography, and the resulting fractions were analyzed by GC-MS. Antibacterial activity was tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens using the agar well diffusion method, and the inhibition zones were recorded. Molecular docking was performed to assess the interaction of identified …

Design And In Silico Modeling Of Heterocyclic-Based Xanthone Derivatives As Potential Anticancer Agents Through Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition, Yehezkiel Steven Kurniawan, Ervan Yudha, Nela Fatmasari, Radite Yogaswara, Harno Dwi Pranowo, Eti Nurwening Sholikhah, Jumina Jumina

Makara Journal of Science

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases nowadays, and tyrosine kinase receptors play crucial roles in cancer cell survival, differentiation, proliferation, and migration. This study designed and developed a new inhibitor from heterocyclic-based xanthone derivatives to target two tyrosine kinase receptors, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), through in silico screening. Eighteen heterocyclic-based xanthones were evaluated through molecular docking for both receptors. All heterocyclic-based xanthones gave the root mean square deviation (RMSD) value lower than 2.00 Å. Xanthone with isobenzothiazole substituent (iBzThio) was found as the most potent inhibitor with binding energies of -10.60 and …

Egf Enhances Re-Epithelization In Our Ex-Vivo Pig Eye Model, Andrew D. Le, Lisandra Plana-Ramos, Kate Tarvestad, Brian Ceresa

The Cardinal Edge

The cornea, the foremost anterior portion of the eye, plays a critical role in vision by refracting light and serving as a protective barrier. Its three distinct layers—the outermost epithelial layer, the thick stromal layer, and the innermost endothelial layer work together to maintain corneal transparency and function. The epithelial layer is particularly susceptible to damage, which can compromise the eye’s defense against foreign particles such as bacteria and viruses, potentially leading to infection and blindness. In this study, we established an ex vivo porcine corneal model to quantitatively and qualitatively investigate corneal re-epithelialization. Using adult pig eyes sourced from …

Breaking Into Hiv-1'S Epigenetic Vault: Cure Strategies To Eliminate The Viral Reservoir, Joanna Jones, Chelsea Gunderson, Brian Wigdahl, Michael Nonnemacher

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is a retrovirus that integrates into the host cell's DNA as a provirus. Transcription from the provirus is regulated in large part by cellular proteins and epigenetic factors. These may be repressive or permissive to productive infection. The host factors that regulate this balance are therefore attractive targets for HIV-1 therapeutics. Indeed, proviral chromatin is the focus of two of the current HIV-1 cure strategies. "Shock and Kill" uses latency reversal agents to open the provirus's chromatin, promoting high levels of gene expression that induce the killing of infected cells. "Block and Lock" uses …

No Effect In Plasma Corticosterone Levels After Observation Of Diseased Conspecifics, B. M. Hardy, M. Chang, S. Mccallum, S. Santangelo, Patricia C. Lopes

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Organisms commonly respond to stressors in their environment by increasing the secretion of corticosterone (CORT). While increased CORT is acknowledged as a response to predation risk by organisms inhabiting a landscape of fear, new research raises the potential for changes in CORT as a response to the risk of infection by organisms in their environment. An increase in CORT of a healthy, uninfected individual in response to their perception of the risk of infection in their environment could change their susceptibility to infection, highlighting a significant role for CORT to alter host–pathogen dynamics. To investigate the effects of infection risk …

Ns5-Targeting Nucleoside Analogs Inhibit Dengue Virus And Other Flaviviruses, Priyanka Bhakt, Swechha Pokharel, Yue Li, Tamanna Srivastava, Jesse Miller, Mark Dittmar, Yongqing Zhu, David Nguyen, Zachary Walter, Kasirajan Ayyanathan, Matthew Tudor, Chenguang Yu, Arnab Chatterjee, Holly Ramage, David Schultz, Sara Cherry

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus that circulates globally as four distinct serotypes and poses a substantial threat to public health. There are an estimated ~96 million symptomatic infections yearly, including severe cases of dengue fever, underscoring the urgency of identifying effective therapeutics targeting all four serotypes. Nucleoside analogs, which mimic endogenous nucleosides to inhibit viral RNA replication, offer a promising strategy for broad-spectrum antiviral development. Here, we conducted a high-throughput screen of 1,101 nucleoside analogs against DENV serotype 2 (DENV2) in a panel of human cell models, including human epithelial cells, hepatocytes, and fibroblasts. Candidates that were active …

Albumin-Binding Domains In Therapeutic Protein Engineering: A Structural And Computational Perspective On Rational Design, Matthew Argyle, Dallin M. Chipman, Anna Claire Woolley, Bradley C. Bundy, Dennis Della Corte

Faculty Publications

Therapeutic proteins face a critical pharmacokinetic challenge: rapid clearance from circulation limits their clinical efficacy. Albumin-binding domains (ABDs) offer an elegant solution by enabling therapeutic proteins to “hitchhike” on serum albumin’s favorable 19-day half-life through FcRn-mediated recycling. Clinical validation through approved therapeutics like ozoralizumab demonstrates the success of this approach, with preclinical studies showing fusion to an ABD extended half-life to 18 days. This review provides an analysis of ABD-fusion protein design, integrating structural biology, computational prediction, and rational engineering principles. We catalog the major classes of albumin-binding modalities, including bacterial three-helix bundle domains, engineered peptides, antibody-derived binders, and alternative …

Cytotoxic And Antimicrobial Effects Of Plant-Derived Compounds Used In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Amanda Ly, Diane Sun, Shelbi Salinas, Victor M. Jimenez

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Mutations Altering The Dna Binding Domains Of The Human Rad52 Protein Exert Distinct Effects On Homologous Recombination Repair In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Glenn M. Manthey, Elise W. Wolf, Jason Xu, M. Cristina Negritto, Renee A. Bouley, Ruben C. Petreaca, Adam M. Bailis

College of Health Professions Faculty Papers

RAD52 is a conserved member of the homologous recombination repair (HRR) apparatus from yeast to humans. Mutating conserved amino acids in the internal and external DNA binding domains of the human RAD52 protein (HsRAD52) has discrete effects in vitro. Previous studies have shown that HsRAD52 supports multiple mechanisms of HRR in budding yeast, suggesting the utility of this model system for exploring the correspondence between losses of HsRAD52 function in vitro and their impact in vivo. We report that disrupting the internal and external DNA binding domains of HsRAD52 produced distinct effects on the repair of genomic DNA double-strand breaks …

Protein Allostery Probed By Ligands Across Sites, Virgil A. Woods

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Allostery is a pervasive regulatory principle throughout biology, yet the structural pathways by which distal inputs alter active‑site chemistry within protein structures remain incompletely defined and exploited. This dissertation uses protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) as a tractable model to map those pathways with complementary experimental and computational tools. I integrate high‑resolution hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), room-temperature crystallography, NMR, steady-state kinetics, crystallographic pseudo-ensembles, and machine-learning-guided ligand discovery. The working premise is that regulation reflects redistribution within a conformational ensemble rather than a binary switch. That orthogonal perturbations by small molecules, mutations, and protein partners can be used to both …

Stat-Independent Functions Of Janus Kinases 1 And 2 Are Obligatory For The Postnatal Development Of Mammary Epithelial Ducts, Rayane Dennaoui, Madison N. Wicker, Carson Moen, Michaela Schlederer, Kerry Vistisen, Aleata A. Triplett, Thomas Rülicke, Hallgeir Rui, Lukas Kenner, Emilio Casanova, Kay-Uwe Wagner

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Janus kinases 1 and 2 and STAT transcription factors are critical signaling nodes for numerous growth factors. In the mammary gland, JAK2 and STAT5a/b are essential for alveolar cell differentiation and lactation, but little is known about the cooperative roles of JAKs and STATs before pregnancy. We examined female mice conditionally deficient in JAK1/2 and discovered that both kinases jointly regulate epithelial cell proliferation and ductal morphogenesis. To assess the role of downstream STATs, we generated genetic models co-deficient in STAT3/5a/5b with or without STAT1 or JAK1. Although loss of STAT3/5a/5b leads to a JAK1-dependent upregulation of STAT1, the formation …

Reverse Micelles Produce Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles As More Efficient Gene Delivery Carriers Than Regular Micelles, Vuk Uskoković

Administration and Staff Articles and Research

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is an effective inorganic gene delivery carrier due to its ability to transport genetic cargo across cell membranes, protect it from proteolysis, and enable escape from late endosomes via pH-controlled dissolution. However, its transfection efficiency remains lower than that of viral agents, prompting studies of hybrids with cationic molecules or phases to enhance the gene delivery performance. This study reports on the synthesis of HAp in regular and reverse micellar regions of a ternary microemulsion system composed of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), 1-hexanol and water. Spectroscopic characterization revealed that CTAB headgroups adopted more ordered supramolecular conformations in reverse micelles …

Selective Deletion Of Slc2a1 From The Rpe Reveals That Rods But Not Cones Depend On Glucose Transport Across The Outer Blood-Retinal Barrier, Lauren L. Daniele, John Y.S. Han, Minzhong Yu, Ravi A. Sangani, Craig D. Beight, Cyrus Rostami, Philip D. Kiser, Neal S. Peachy, Nancy J. Philp

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

GLUT1 facilitates a continuous flow of glucose across the inner and outer blood-retinal barriers (BRBs) to support vision. To understand the extent to which photoreceptors rely on glucose transport across the outer BRB, we generated a tamoxifen-inducible conditional knockout of Slc2a1 in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) (RPE-iΔGlut1). In the RPE-iΔGlut1 mice, rod photoreceptors exhibited impaired outer segment renewal and decreased the expression of proteins involved in phototransduction and ciliary transport. Proteins regulating the retinal stress response increased. Cone photoreceptors were functional and viable 15 months post-tamoxifen treatment in the RPE-iΔGlut1 mice, while 70% of the rods died. …

Alcohol And The Endocrine System: A Critical Review Of Disruptions, Potential Mechanisms, And Health Implications, Patricia E. Molina, Liz Simon

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

The endocrine system coordinates and integrates cellular activity throughout the body by regulating cellular and organ function and maintaining homeostasis. Homeostasis, the dynamic maintenance of internal balance despite changing external or internal conditions, is essential for proper cellular function. The endocrine system achieves this through a complex regulatory network of hormone-mediated signaling among multiple endocrine organs, relying on precisely regulated synthesis and release of hormones and specific hormone-receptor interactions. Endocrine-mediated actions coordinate critical physiological processes, including growth, metabolism, reproduction, stress adaptation, and circadian rhythms throughout the lifespan. Endocrine glands—such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid glands, pancreas, adrenal glands, and …

Defining Rna Oligonucleotides That Reverse Deleterious Phase Transitions Of Rna-Binding Proteins With Prion-Like Domains., Lin Guo, Jacob Mann, Jocelyn Mauna, Katie Copley, Hejia Wang, Jack Rubien, Cristian Bergmann, Jenny Carey, Jessica Merjane, Marilyn Ngo, Jiazhen Xu, Hana Odeh, Jiabei Lin, Bo Lim Lee, Laura Ganser, Emma Robinson, Kevin Kim, Anastasia Murthy, Tapas Paul, Bede Portz, Amanda Gleixner, Zamia Diaz, Ashleigh Smirnov, George Padilla, Ellen Lavorando, Carolann Espy, Yulei Shang, Eric Huang, Alessandra Chesi, Nicolas Fawzi, Sua Myong, Christopher Donnelly, James Shorter

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) with prion-like domains (PrLDs), such as FUS and TDP-43, condense into functional liquids, which can transform into pathological fibrils that underpin fatal neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Here, we define short RNAs that prevent FUS fibrillization by promoting liquid phases and distinct short RNAs that prevent and reverse FUS condensation and fibrillization. These activities require interactions with multiple RNA-binding domains of FUS and are encoded by RNA sequence, length, and structure. We define a short RNA that dissolves cytoplasmic FUS aggregates, restores nuclear FUS, and mitigates FUS toxicity in optogenetic models and ALS …

The Role Of Extracellular Vesicles As Diagnostic Tools In Gut-Brain Axis Disorders, Patricia Marçal Da Costa, Paulo Iury Gomes Nunes, Gabriella Cunha Vieira Ciurleo, José Wagner Leonel Tavares Junior, Pedro Braga Neto, Ludmila Belayev, Reinaldo Barreto Oriá

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

The gut–brain axis represents a dynamic two-way signaling network whose dysregulation has been implicated in a wide range of neurogastrointestinal disorders. In this context, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as critical mediators of intercellular signaling and as promising non-invasive biomarkers. Derived from host and microbial cells, EVs carry bioactive cargo—including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and metabolites—that reflect the physiological or pathological state of their cells of origin. Their ability to cross biological barriers, such as the blood–brain barrier, underscores their potential for diagnosing and monitoring gut–brain axis dysfunctions. In this mini-review, we integrate microbial and brain-derived EVs within the framework …

Investigation Of Genx Exposure To Pathways Associated With Colorectal Cancer Risk, Emily J. Ferguson

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants widely detected in drinking water and food sources, resulting in chronic human exposure. Among these compounds, hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), commonly known as GenX, has been introduced as a short-chain replacement for legacy PFAS such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Although GenX is believed to be a safer alternative, emerging research suggests it can still affect human health.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, highlighting the need to better understand environmental …

Long Acting Beta2-Adrenergic Receptor Agonists Reverse Diabetic Nephropathy And Liver Steatosis In Murine Models Of Diabetes And Are Associated With Protection In Retrospective Human Studies, Brennan Winkler

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) affects 13.9% of men and 14.3% of women worldwide, a total of approximately 828 million people. Patients with diabetes are at risk of several complications including diabetic nephropathy (DN) and metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). These diseases eventually lead to end stage kidney disease (ESKD) and liver failure requiring dialysis and organ transplantation. In addition, diabetes exacerbates disease severity of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most common potentially lethal genetic disease to affect humans with a prevalence of 1 in 500-1000. Therefore, a therapeutic approach that can attenuate organ damage and restore function in patients with DM, …

From Fog To Function: An Occupational Therapist's Guide To Evaluating And Treating Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairments, Lauren E. Toner

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Cancer – related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a common side effect of cancer treatment that interferes with cancer survivors’ occupational performance, independence, and quality of life. Despite its high prevalence, CRCI remains under recognized and inconsistently addressed within oncology care. About 70% of individuals diagnosed with cancer report cognitive changes during or after treatment, yet many do not receive treatment. Occupational therapists are clinically trained to evaluate and treat functional cognition, activities of daily activities, instrumental activities of daily living, and client centered goals, positioning them as key providers in addressing CRCI. However, limited occupational therapy specific resources have hindered …

Proteome-Based Identification And Validation Of Nxpe3 In Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Najia Tabassum, Yamna Khurshid, Basir Syed, Aftab Ahmad, Sadia Muhammad, Rehan Imad, Talat Mirza

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (cALL) tends to metastasize to central nervous system. Treatment with antileukemic agents against CNS leukaemia is an essential component for cure in ALL. Hence, it is essential to identify biomarkers for CNS infiltration. Proteomics, supported by mass spectrometry, is the platform for exploring biomarkers in various biological samples, contributing to translational research. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the plasma proteome profile of children across different risk groups of cALL. Neurexophilin and PC-esterase family, member 3 (NXPE3), was validated. The protein-protein interactions (PPI) of NXPE3 were evaluated with bioinformatics analyses. Methods: Plasma …

Potential Environmental Triggers Of Goodpasture's Disease And The Role Of The Sulfimine Crosslink, Colton S. Miller, Andrea Florian, Elena Pokidysheva

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Goodpasture’s syndrome (GP) is an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects kidneys and lungs. The main issue for patients with Goodpasture's syndrome is the binding of autoantibodies to the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), which hinders the filtration of blood. A key characteristic of Goodpasture's syndrome is the presence of autoantibodies that target the NC1 domain of the α345 isoform of type IV collagen, a crucial component of the GBM that provides structural support and is critical for filtration function. Sulfilimine bonds crosslink the collagen IV NC1 hexamers, contributing to the stabilization of these structures. A recent clinical case of recurring Goodpasture's …

Perinatal Inflammation And Oxidative Stress Alter Adult Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) Motor Behavior, Alexander Young

Honors College Theses

Recent evidence in comparative animal models suggests that early life exposure to elevated inflammation (via LPS exposure) and oxidative stress (via acetaminophen exposure) may synergistically interact to alter typical neurodevelopmental trajectories, resulting in lasting effects on both behavior and gut-brain neurochemistry. The current study observed emotional and motor behaviors and collected fecal-boli to measure Tyrosine (TE) levels in male and female Long-Evans (Rattus norvegicus) rats. Subjects were either treated with [1] saline [2] lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to introduce an inflammatory state, [3] acetaminophen (APAP) to introduce oxidative stress, or [4] a dual-hit of both LPS + APAP on postnatal day (PD) …

Development Of Tunable Rose Bengal Based-Nanogumbos As Potential Selective Chemotherapeutic Agents, William J.A. Russell

Honors College Theses

As cancer remains one of the greatest threats to the global population, the development of chemotherapeutic agents that are selective and tunable is of critical importance. Herein, a series of Rose Bengal (RB)-based GUMBOS, a group of uniform materials based on organic salts, were synthesized via counterion exchange between [Na]₂[RB] and three organic cations: tetrabutylphosphonium bromide [TBP][Br], tetraphenylphosphonium chloride [TPP][Cl], and 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [C₁₂MIm][Cl]. The resulting GUMBOS were characterized through FT-IR, ESI-MS, NMR, and UV-Vis Spectroscopy. Partition coefficient studies indicated all GUMBOS exhibited hydrophobic physiochemical characteristics. These hydrophobic RB-based GUMBOS …