Chemicals and Drugs Commons^™

From Cough To Crip: The Development Of Codeine From A Purely Medical Substance Into A Popular Recreational Drug, Rhett C. Vaughn

Senior Theses

The research that was conducted aimed to elicit the influence that pop culture has on recreational drug consumption. Specifically, the usage of the drug codeine has become very popular in social media among many influencers. The research focuses on the prevalence of this drug across several media platforms, alongside the growing rate of consumption globally. Research was conducted primarily through combining various databases at various organizations and this study aims to compile the data into one coherent paper regarding codeine in pop culture. While, it cannot be solely attributed to one specific outlet or influence, this study found that alongside …

Combination Treatment With Cdk4/6 And Cdk8/19 Inhibitors In Er-Positive Breast Cancer, Samantha Tolentino Safa

Senior Theses

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) 4 and 6 are the main drivers of proliferation in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells. CDK4/6 inhibitors, such as the FDA-approved cytostatic drug, Palbociclib, induce G1 arrest and prevent cell cycle progression. Prolonged treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitors can lead to drug resistance in the clinic as well as in the lab. The mechanisms behind this resistance are varied, with preliminary evidence suggesting that it may be influenced by the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), CDK6 hyperactivation, or degradation of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb). In contrast to the cell cycle mediating CDK4/6, CDK8 and 19 are involved in …

Plk1 Pbd Selective Inhibition As A Potential Cancer Therapy, Lauren E. Wilder

Senior Theses

Polo-Like Kinase 1 (PLK1) is a protein that has been found to be overexpressed in a variety of cancers including prostate and colorectal cancers, and it is often an indicator of poor patient prognosis. It has functions in initiating, maintaining, and completing mitosis, so it has an important role in controlling the proliferation of cells. PLK1 contains a highly conserved catalytic kinase domain and a less-conserved Polo Box Domain (PBD). Inhibiting the phospho-ligand binding of the PBD is a potential cancer therapy because it would prevent the cell from properly completing the cell cycle, thus inducing apoptosis. In Dr. McInnes’ …

The Pharmabiotic For Phenylketonuria: Development Of A Novel Therapeutic, Chloé Elizabeth Lebegue

Senior Theses

Phenylketonuria, now known as phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency, is a genetic disorder of metabolism affecting approximately one in every 15,000 infants born in the United States. Patients have nonfunctional PAH enzyme secondary to one or more genetic mutations. The enzyme deficit results in destructive supraphysiologic blood phenylalanine levels upon consumption of the essential dietary amino acid phenylalanine. Current standards of care mitigate signs and symptoms of the disorder, but do not approach a cure. The methods for creating a prototype pharmabiotic as an innovative treatment strategy for PAH deficiency are described herein.

DNA molecular cloning techniques were utilized to engineer …