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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Exploring The Interaction Of Minor-Groove-Binder Netropsin With Dna Using Optical Tweezers, Irbazhusain Shaikh May 2023

Exploring The Interaction Of Minor-Groove-Binder Netropsin With Dna Using Optical Tweezers, Irbazhusain Shaikh

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Netropsin is an antibiotic that binds in the minor grooves of DNA, which also exhibits anticancer properties. There have been many previous studies that explored the binding of this drug to DNA using traditional methods where an ensemble averaging is used. In this study we explore the interaction of Netropsin with DNA at a single molecule level using dual beam optical tweezers. We trapped and stretched a single DNA molecule using optical tweezers to measure the force experienced by the DNA as a function of extension in the absence and presence of various concentrations of Netropsin. Our results show the …


Developing An Inquiry-Based Laboratory Project For Chem 142l Course At Bsu, Manuel Pina May 2021

Developing An Inquiry-Based Laboratory Project For Chem 142l Course At Bsu, Manuel Pina

Honors Program Theses and Projects

In addition to content knowledge, critical and independent thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem-solving skills are essential in preparing next generation of successful workforce. Since one of the biggest advantages of STEM disciplines is a “must-have” hands-on laboratory experience, it is intuitive to exploit this learning space to reinforce afore-mentioned skills. In this context, project-based (PBL) or inquiry-based (IBL) laboratory experiences are rapidly becoming mainstream pedagogical choice for many STEM instructors across United States.[1-4] PBL, and IBL are learning experiences that offer students an opportunity to experience realistic scientific process of discovery through carefully designed inquiry-driven and/or open-ended investigative laboratory …


Mathematical Models Of Covid-19, Kate Faria May 2021

Mathematical Models Of Covid-19, Kate Faria

Honors Program Theses and Projects

For more than a year, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a major public health issue, affecting the lives of most people around the world. With both people’s health and the economy at great risks, governments rushed to control the spread of the virus. Containment measures were heavily enforced worldwide until a vaccine was developed and distributed. Although researchers today know more about the characteristics of the virus, a lot of work still needs to be done in order to completely remove the disease from the population. However, this is true for most of the infectious diseases in existence, including Influenza, …


Quantifying Anticancer Drug Doxorubicin Binding To Dna Using Optical Tweezers, Zachary Ells Dec 2020

Quantifying Anticancer Drug Doxorubicin Binding To Dna Using Optical Tweezers, Zachary Ells

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Doxorubicin is a successful anticancer drug approved for use in the 1970s and is considered to be one of the most effective cancer treatment methods today. Although Doxorubicin has positive survival statistics it has very negative side effects in many cases. Bleeding from the soles of the palms and feet, along with excruciating pain is often exhibited through the administration of this drug. Based on the preliminary findings utilizing optical tweezers we anticipate that this study will provide critical information about the drug binding mechanism. Single molecule biophysics techniques have provided useful insight into the DNA-binding mechanisms of small molecules. …


Bridging The Gaps In Elementary Life Science Lessons, Kaitlin Cook Dec 2019

Bridging The Gaps In Elementary Life Science Lessons, Kaitlin Cook

Honors Program Theses and Projects

The United States is experiencing a rise in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers while facing a shortage of STEM workers. This could partly be due to a decline in the amount of time allowed for science in elementary schools or possibly because many life science lessons in elementary school lack originality and may not stimulate an interest in science. Lack of captivating STEM education prior to college may be contributing to the decline of students graduating with STEM based degrees. My thesis focuses on getting out of the routine of using monotonous life science lesson plans. I identify …


Development Of Biomarkers For Endocrine Disrupting Compounds In The Fathead Minnow, Pimephales Promelas, Tara Frare Jan 2011

Development Of Biomarkers For Endocrine Disrupting Compounds In The Fathead Minnow, Pimephales Promelas, Tara Frare

Undergraduate Review

Organic waste compounds (OWC’s) are an environmental concern that can have adverse effects on humans, animals, and the environment. Ethinyl estradiol (EE2) is one common OWC and is an active ingredient in oral birth control pills. The presence of EE2 in aquatic environments and drinking water can be linked to decreased fertility and altered physiology in fish. I am developing Q-PCR biomarkers to detect changes in fish at low concentrations before adverse effects occur at higher concentrations. RNA was extracted from twenty fathead minnows that had not been exposed to OWC’s and will be used to synthesize cDNA. Thus far …


The Invasive Asian Shore Crab, A Dominant Species On Southeastern Massachusetts Beaches: A Cause For Concern, Kimberly Westgate Jan 2011

The Invasive Asian Shore Crab, A Dominant Species On Southeastern Massachusetts Beaches: A Cause For Concern, Kimberly Westgate

Undergraduate Review

The non-native Asian shore is becoming a dominant species in southeastern Massachusetts beaches. A study was conducted to test whether environmental conditions across beaches in southeastern Massachusetts had an effect on the crab species inhabiting those areas. Although this was the main focus, it was found that the invasive Asian shore crab has had an ecological impact on the native crab populations. Six southeastern Massachusetts beaches (Scituate Beach, Plymouth Beach, Mass Trust Estuary, Ellisville Harbor, Gooseberry Island, and Sandwich Marsh) were visited and crab species were counted in measured sites, generally two sites pe r beach. Crab species found were …


Structure Of Human Dna Polymerase Κ Inserting Datp Opposite An 8-Oxog Dna Lesion, Rodrigo Vasquez-Del Carpio, Timothy D. Silverstein, Samer Lone, Michael K. Swan, Jayati R. Choudhury, Robert E. Johnson, Satya Prakash, Louise Prakash, Aneel K. Aggarwal Jan 2009

Structure Of Human Dna Polymerase Κ Inserting Datp Opposite An 8-Oxog Dna Lesion, Rodrigo Vasquez-Del Carpio, Timothy D. Silverstein, Samer Lone, Michael K. Swan, Jayati R. Choudhury, Robert E. Johnson, Satya Prakash, Louise Prakash, Aneel K. Aggarwal

Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Oxygen-free radicals formed during normal aerobic cellular metabolism attack bases in DNA and 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) is one of the major lesions formed. It is amongst the most mutagenic lesions in cells because of its dual coding potential, wherein 8-oxoG(syn) can pair with an A in addition to normal base pairing of 8-oxoG(anti) with a C. Human DNA polymerase κ (Polκ) is a member of the newly discovered Y-family of DNA polymerases that possess the ability to replicate through DNA lesions. To understand the basis of Polκ's preference for insertion of an A opposite 8-oxoG lesion, …


Chronological Patterns Of Emergence Of Dragonflies In Carver Pond, Bridgewater, Ma, Chris Haslam Jan 2004

Chronological Patterns Of Emergence Of Dragonflies In Carver Pond, Bridgewater, Ma, Chris Haslam

Undergraduate Review

In this study larval skins of dragonflies were collected counted and studied in order to find peaks and patterns of emergence and correlate with environmental factors. One of the most important stages of the life of a dragonfly is the time when it changes from a larval aquatic insect into a flying adult. This stage takes place when the dragonfly emerges out of its skin called the exuvia. Exuvia were collected from two sites at Carver Pond, Bridgewater, Massachusetts to determine differences in species emergence patterns from May 26, 2003 to July 18, 2003 and correlated with environmental conditions. Peak …


Research Note: Getting Graphic: Computer Graphics In Biochemistry, Wilmon B. Chipman Dec 1985

Research Note: Getting Graphic: Computer Graphics In Biochemistry, Wilmon B. Chipman

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.