Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Sometimes, When It Rains It Pours: How Does Flooding Alter Plant-Herbivore Relationships?, Lauren R. Urie, Erinn Dady, Esther N. Ngumbi

PRECS student projects

Flooding, an under-studied abiotic stressor, creates hostile soil conditions, including hypoxia, which hinder the growth and development of plants. Plants respond to abiotic and biotic stressors. A common response is the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which modulate stress responses and mediate plant and insect interactions. Flooding causes significant losses in crops of agricultural and economic importance including tomato. Understanding how flooding impacts plant growth, plant chemistry, caterpillar performance and chemical mediated plant-herbivore interactions will create fundamental knowledge to an emerging challenge brought about by climate change and inform pest management decisions post flooding events. This study investigated how …

Mapping Traits In A Soybean Recombinant Inbred Line Population, Gabriela Ortiz, Chris Montes, Lisa Ainsworth

PRECS student projects

What is SoyFACE?

• Soybean Free Air Concentration Enrichment
• Field conditions mimic the future's atmosphere, temperature, and soil
• Connect physiological responses of crops under these conditions to their genes (aka mapping)

What is a recombinant inbred line population?

Method for mapping traits

• Two parents with variance in a certain trait (in this case, response to elevated carbon dioxide)
• The parents used: HS93-4118 and Loda
• Allows understanding of what regions (quantitative trait loci) respond to atmospheric change

Comparative Efficacy Of Novel Endolysins In Queso Fresco, Daniella Smith, Maxwell J. Holle, Dr. Michael Miller

PRECS student projects

Listeria monocytogenes is problematic for the manufacturing, storage, and consumption of ready-to-eat foods. This bacterium may cause listeriosis upon consumption often with deadly complications. Queso Fresco (QF), a pasteurized Hispanic-style fresh cheese (HSFC), has been shown to support the growth of L. monocytogenes. QF is the most widely produced and implicated HSFC in the U.S., representing a significant health hazard to at risk populations such as infants, pregnant women, elderly, and the immunocompromised. The objective of this research project is to evaluate the efficacy of ten novel antimicrobial endolysins in combatting L. monocytogenes contamination in a miniaturized lab-scale queso fresco …

Stress Induced Remodeling In The Nematode C. Elegans, Becky Rose, Rebecca Androwski, Nathan E. Schroeder

PRECS student projects

Caenorhabditis elegans is a model organism for studying genetics and neuroscience C. elegans is frequently studied to understand how genes and the environment interact to produce new phenotypes. We take advantage of an organism-wide stress response and genetic tools that provide an excellent model for studying how phenotypes are impacted by stress.

Verification Of Successful Kainic Acid Injections In A Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Mouse Model, Adrian J. Garcia, Robbie J. Ingram, Catherine A. Christian

PRECS student projects

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most prominent form of partial epilepsy in adults. Reproductive endocrine comorbidities appear in patients with TLE at significantly higher rates than in the general population. These comorbidities include polycystic ovary syndrome, hypothalamic amenorrhea, hyperandrogenism, irregular menstrual cycle, lower testosterone levels, hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, and decreased semen motility. It is believed that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons in the hypothalamus play an important role in the development of these comorbidities. The kainic acid (KA) mouse model is used to study epilepsy-associated changes in GnRH neurophysiology. Our lab recently observed that the activity of GnRH neurons is …

Fungal Endophytes Interact With Endophytic Yeast Isolated From Soybean Leaves, Baldemar Basurto, Natalie Christian, Katy Heath

PRECS student projects

Endophytes (endo = inside and phyte=plant) are microscopic fungi that live inside of the leaves of all species of plants and can have beneficial effects on their hosts. Previous work in our lab has shown a significant decrease of Sporobolomyces sp., an endophytic yeast, within soybean hosts exposed to elevated levels of CO₂. Sporobolomyces sp. has certain properties to enable them to act as natural biocontrol agents. This pink yeast may have untapped potential to protect crops from pathogenic organisms. If Sporobolomyces sp. interacts with fungal pathogens, it may have strong effects on other fungal endophytes in the community. The …

Direct Impacts Of Heat Stress On Illinois Soybeans, Jessica O'Connor, Charles Burroughs, Lisa Ainsworth

PRECS student projects

Rising global temperatures are challenging agricultural productivity and can affect soybean yield through many physiological and metabolic processes. Recent regression analyses indicate that soybean yield is depressed in warmer years. This research aims to help determine which processes are affected by heat stress, such as photosynthesis, plant development, leaf area index and yield. The experiment consists of two different varieties of commercial Illinois soybeans, which will be continually heated throughout the growing season in order to compare the physiological characteristics of the soybeans in the heated arrays to those growing in ambient conditions. Data collected on photosynthesis, plant development, leaf …

Effects Of Mycorrhizae On Struvite Dissolution Can Plant-Fungus Mutualism Increase The Viability Of A Sustainable Phosphorus Fertilizer?, Isako Battista Di Tomassi, Erinn Dady, Neha Chatterjee, Andrew Margenot

PRECS student projects

Phosphorus (P) is essential for all organisms. In agriculture, P, nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) are applied in large amounts as fertilizer. Monoammonium phosphate (MAP), a conventional fertilizer, is highly water soluble, causing high P and N concentrations in agricultural runoff, harming aquatic life. Struvite (NH4MgPO4 ·6H2O), a waste-water derived product with potential for use as a P fertilizer; has low water solubility, and phosphorus in struvite is not as accessible to plants as it is in MAP. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form mutualisms in which they receive carbon from plants in exchange for other nutrients, and assist in P …

Plasticity Or Local Adaptation?: Survival Of L. Parva Larvae In Varying Salinity, Kaitlyn Cortez, Lauren Mcdaniel, Becky Fuller

PRECS student projects

As environmental stressors continue to amplify, Lucania parva, or Rainwater Killifish, are expected to outlast other species in unpredictably fast changing environments, as they are unique in their ability to tolerate multiple salinities. The objective of this research is to understand what affects L. parva’s ability to tolerate salinity and discover the limitations the species might have to tolerating it. Understanding this fish’s biology will help with the conservation of aquatic ecosystems in Florida. Preliminary data and early trends suggest that during early larval stages, L. parva are plastic but the extent of their plasticity is limited as they cannot …

Construction Of A Tn5 Mutant Library In Xanthomonas Cucurbitae, Keirsten Kline, Rikky Rai, Sarah R. Hind

PRECS student projects

The health and yield of important crop plants around the world is a significant concern when faced with food scarcity in the generations to come. The Xanthomonas bacterial genus can infect more than 400 different plant species including economically important crops such as rice and soy. In Illinois, Xanthomonas cucurbitae can infect pumpkin and winter squash and cause bacterial spot disease (Figure 1) resulting in up to 100% yield loss of pumpkin crops. The disease caused by this pathogen has become one of the most significant threats to production of pumpkins in Illinois, the U.S. and the world.

There are …

Robert J. Lefkowitz And Discovery Of The G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Family, Clarence Lee

Natural Sciences Student Research Presentations

This poster for the Natural Sciences Poster Session at Parkland College features Dr. Robert J. Lefkowitz, 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner (with Brian Kobilka) for their research on G-protein-coupled receptors, proteins in the plasma membrane that allow for the transmission of information through the membrane and into the cell. This research was to impact the development of medications that target these receptors, such as SSRIs.

Natural Sciences Newsletter - Fall 2018, Parkland College, Manuel I. Rodriguez

Department of Natural Sciences Newsletter

In this semester's Parkland College Natural Sciences Newsletter, you'll find a letter from Department Chair Scott Siechen, updates from the Natural Science Commons, the Planetarium, the Professional Development Committee, and Astronomy and Science Clubs. Also, we say hello and good bye to incoming and outgoing faculty, and learn about conference happenings.

Sperm-Mediated Effects Of Predation Risk On Reproduction In Male Threespined Sticklebacks, Shayne Kempfer, Erika Carlson, Jennifer Hellmann, Jason Keagy, Alison Bell

PRECS student projects

Threespined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus, exhibit male-only parental care, but will decrease paternal care if exposed to predators while given care or if their mate has had prior experiences with predators. The offspring will experience lasting effects based on the experience of their parents (behavior-mediated transgenerational plasticity). While other studies have concluded that male exposure to predators prior to fertilization (sperm-mediated transgenerational plasticity) impacts offspring, whether sperm-mediated effects exist in sticklebacks, and for how many generations the effects persist is unknown. Courtship trials with both predator exposed and predator unexposed females with six male treatment groups shows significant impact of maternal …

Production Of Bioactive Isothiocyanates By Bacterial Myrosinase, Juan Isaiz, Xiaoji Liu, Michael J. Miller

PRECS student projects

Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are bioactive products found in several plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family, and are produced as defense upon disruption of the tissue by herbivores or pathogens, but in humans they have shown anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.

Although we know gut microbes can hydrolyze GSL into ITC, the mechanism is not known. With improved detection methods, the aim of this experiment is to explore whether the gut microbial myrosinase β-glucosidase found within the genome of E. coli Nissle 1917 can hydrolyze glucosinolates (GSLs) into detectable ITCs.

Finding Dex-1 Phenotype Suppressing Components, Matthew Barnum, Kristen Flatt, Nathan E. Schroeder

PRECS 2018

Caenorhabditis elegans is a species of microscopic round worm that has been used as a genetic model for over forty years. When in an adverse environment, C. elegans larvae cease reproductive development and enter the stress-resistant dauer stage.

dex-1 mutants of C. elegans are deficient in this protein, resulting in shortened dendrites and a sensitivity to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). SDS will kill any non-dauer C. elegans, but wild type dauers will survive well past the standard concentration of 1% SDS. Thus, treatment with SDS is commonly how labs isolate dauers. By contrast, dex-1 dauers (Fig.3) will …

Identifying Kif Subtype That Mediates Axonal Targeting Of Kv7 Channels, Allison Houghton, Jennifer Walters, Mary Hong, Dhruv Joshi, Hee Jung Chung

PRECS 2018

Early-onset Benign Familial Neonatal Epilepsy (BFNE) and Epileptic Encephalopathy (EE), are associated with mutations in neuronal KCNQ/Kv7 channel subunits Kv7.2 and Kv7.3. Kv7 channels are voltage-dependent potassium channels. Enriched at the axonal plasma membrane, they pump potassium ions out of the neurons and inhibit repetitive or burst firing of action potentials. A single neuronal Kv7 channel is a heterotetramer composed of two Kv7.2 and two Kv7.3 subunits. BFNE and EE mutations in Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 lead to decreased surface expression along the axon, which means less potassium ions are moved across the axonal membrane where action potentials are generated and …

The Effect Of Imidacloprid On Honey Bee Queen Fecundity, Jamilyn Martin, Julia D. Fine, Amy Cash-Ahmed, Gene E. Robinson

PRECS 2018

Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid insecticide commonly used in agricultural settings to control insect pests by acting as an agonist of acetylcholine receptors and inducing paralysis and mortality. In small doses, imidacloprid can cause loss of memory and foraging ability along with impaired learning and a lowered immune response in western honey bees (Apis mellifera). Effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on colony reproduction have been documented including decreased colony expansion, queen failure and replacement, and decreased queen egg laying.

For this study, we examined the effects of imidacloprid on the fecundity of queen bees when their worker attendants were exposed to low …

Methamphetamine Effects On Adolescent Brain Development In Both Sexes, Jessica Alvarez, Sarah Westbrook, Joshua Gulley

PRECS 2018

Vulnerability to drug addiction in adolescents (ADOLs) may lead to faster rates of addiction and higher rates of relapse. The brain is developing in adolescence, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc), which are regions involved in self-control and reward systems, respectively. Further, females, both human and rat models, often exhibit faster rates of addiction than males. Research from this lab has found previously that adult rats of both sexes exposed to amphetamine during ADOL had reduced expression of dopamine D₁ receptors (D₁R) in the medial PFC but no change in the NAc. The …

How Does Climate Change Affect Endophytic Fungi?, Amber Toussaint, Natalie Christian, Katy Heath

PRECS student projects

Plant-associated microorganisms can have major effects on plant health, but climate change can affect plant microbiomes. While it is unknown how climate change will affect aboveground plant-associated microorganisms, such as foliar endophytic fungi, we hypothesize that increased CO₂ concentrations will increase species richness and diversity in endophytic fungal communities, because increased plant photosynthesis under elevated CO₂ will increase the resources available to the fungi.

Phosphorus Vs. Mycorrhiza: Mitigation Of Lead Uptake In Tomatoes, Helen Senerchia, Liz Miernicki, Andrew Margenot

PRECS 2018

This study seeks to understand how the mutualist relationship between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM) and Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) affects the uptake and distribution of iron (Pb) found in soil by tomatoes and how the effects of phosphorous (P) application may pose a trade-off between AM and P mitigation of bioavailability of Pb.

How The Carbon To Nitrogen Ration Affects Soil Microorganisms, Logan M. Stenger, Morgan R. Hobgood

Natural Sciences Student Research Presentations

This slide presentation for the Natural Sciences Poster Session at Parkland College presents information on the importance of the correct ratio between nitrogen and carbon for microorganism health.

Natural Sciences At Parkland College - Fall 2017, Parkland College Natural Sciences Department, David Wilson, Elizabeth Phillipi, Scott Siechen, Erik Johnson, Mike Retzer, Sheryl Drake, Christina Beatty, Britt Carlson, Fatemah Hermes, Waylena Mccully, David Leake, Rich Blazier

Department of Natural Sciences Newsletter

The Parkland College Natural Sciences Department Newsletter for Fall 2017 -- this issue features an article on IR cameras, use of display case, engaging students outside the classroom with the Astronomy Club and the Parkland Science Club, the solar eclipse, updates from the professional development subcommittee for faculty, summaries from events and meetings, a report on Phenotypic Pasticity Research Experience for Community College Students (PRECS) first summer, and a special feature from former professor Rich Blazier, with a special feature on the history of the Natural Sciences Department.

You Are What You Eat: Food-Drug Interaction In Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera), Allison G. Kelley, Liao Ling-Hsiu, May Berenbaum

PRECS student projects

The research featured in this poster examined how phytochemicals in nectar and pollen (quercetin and p-coumaric acid), which are known to upregulate cytochrome P450 detoxification enzymes, affect honey bee survival in combination with the pesticides propiconazole, a fungicide, and chlorantraniliprole, an insecticide. While consuming either phytochemical in the absence of pesticides can prolong longevity, consumption of pesticides reduced bee lifespan significantly with or without phytochemicals present.

Thick Slice Clarity For Localization Of Novel Neuroactive Target Gene Products, Eva C. Ping, Michael C. Saul, Lisa Stubbs

PRECS student projects

This poster describes the Thick Slice CLARITY technique, an alternative to the whole tissue or whole body clarity technique. The CLARITY technique is a tissue clearing method allowing for both structural and molecular analysis of a tissue sample, but the method applied to whole tissue or body is very expensive and time consuming. Thick Slice CLARITY applies the same principles but to a 200 micrometer slice of brain tissue. This method, used in conjunction wit standard fluorescent staining methods and imaging via confocal microscopy, has allowed for the colocalization of GPR3 with neurons in the mouse striatum.

Determining Effects Of Heat Stress On Illinois Soybeans, Ava Alford, Charles Burroughs, Lisa Ainsworth

PRECS student projects

Rising global temperatures affect our food supply. Heat stress could negatively affect photosynthesis, plant development, and flower and pod production. The research summarized in this poster aims to better understand which physiological processes in soybeans are negatively affected by heat stress in order to identify targets for future soybean production. Using infrared heat arrays, two different cultivars of Illinois soybeans are continually heated. Throughout the experiment, data is collected on photosynthesis, leaf area index, and overall productivity of the plant. At the end of the growing season, all of the soybean plants will be harvested and their biomass will be …

Natural Sciences At Parkland College -- Spring 2017, Parkland College Natural Sciences Department, David Wilson, Scott Siechen, Amy Nicely, Erik Johnson, Britt Carlson, Toni Burkhalter, Derrick Baker, Christina Beatty, Heidi Leuszler, David Leake

Department of Natural Sciences Newsletter

This issue of the Natural Sciences Newsletter features an article on the SciCommons, an open tutoring center for Natural Sciences students at Parkland, a report on the seventh annual Illinois Science Olympiad Regional Tournament, submissions from the Astronomy Club and Science Club, a summary of the Laboratory Skills Assessment Survey, an article on internationalizing curriculum, and an article on the local March for Science (April 22, 2017).

Zoloft, Hannah Kollross

Natural Sciences Student Research Presentations

This is a poster presented at the Natural Sciences Poster Session at Parkland College, which provides the chemical makeup, dosage, and the body's response to Sertraline Hydrochloride (Zoloft), a medication used to treat major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, generalized anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

How Environmental Conditions Affect Cattle Diets, Kalynne R. Ewerks

Natural Sciences Student Research Presentations

This poster presented at the Natural Sciences Poster Session at Parkland College, outlines a study that shows that protein content in animal feed is decreased by increased temperatures and briefly identifies measures that might be taken to counteract an impact on food supply.

Chlomid, Niki Smith

Natural Sciences Student Research Presentations

This poster details the use of Clomid and provides a chemical analysis.

Ethanol From The Field To The Pump, Cameron Heiser

Natural Sciences Student Research Presentations

This poster describes the use of dry mill and wet mill processes to produce ethanol.