Expression, Purification, And Inhibition Profile Of Dihydrofolate Reductase From The Filarial Nematode Wuchereria Bancrofti,
2018
Montclair State University
Expression, Purification, And Inhibition Profile Of Dihydrofolate Reductase From The Filarial Nematode Wuchereria Bancrofti, Andrew M. Tobias, Dea Toska, Keith Lange, Tyler Eck, Rohit Bhat, Cheryl A. Janson, David P. Rotella, Ueli Gubler, Nina M. Goodey
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works
Filariasis is a tropical disease caused by the parasitic nematodes Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi. Known inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) have been previously shown to kill Brugia malayi nematodes and to inhibit Brugia malayi DHFR (BmDHFR) at nanomolar concentrations. These data suggest that BmDHFR is a potential target for the treatment of filariasis. Here, protocols for cloning, expression and purification of Wuchereria bancrofti DHFR (WbDHFR) were developed. The Uniprot entry J9F199-1 predicts a 172 amino acid protein for WbDHFR but alignment of this sequence to the previously described BmDHFR shows that this WbDHFR sequence lacks a crucial, conserved 13 …
Analyzing The Effects Of Site-Directed Mutagenesis On The Structure Of Coxsackievirus B3 Genomic Rna,
2018
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Analyzing The Effects Of Site-Directed Mutagenesis On The Structure Of Coxsackievirus B3 Genomic Rna, Erin Dimon
Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects
Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is known to cause myocarditis and pancreatitis in humans. The virus has a single stranded RNA genome that codes for 11 different proteins. CVB3 is found to have two serotypes: 28 (virulent and disease causing) and GA (avirulent and not disease causing). Like other members of the Picornaviridae family, CVB3 utilizes the genomic 5’ untranslated region (5’ UTR) to initiate viral replication mechanisms through interactions with host protein factors. Structural variations of the CVB3 5’ UTR are hypothesized to influence the success of such interactions and consequentially determine viral virulence. The aim of this project was to …
Role Of Leptin And Dyslipidemia In Chronic Kidney Disease,
2018
Jinnah Medical & Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
Role Of Leptin And Dyslipidemia In Chronic Kidney Disease, Sabeela Noor, Faiza Alam, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Mahnur Khan, Rehana Rehman
Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are at an increased risk of cardiovascular complications and plasma leptin level is elevated in cardio renal syndrome. We wanted to explore leptin levels in patients with different stages of CKD and find its association with risk of cardiovascular disease. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Nephrology Department of Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) from January 2014 to September 2014. Group I comprised of controls (GFR=116±8.3, n = 44) acquired from general population, CKD patients were grouped as II, III and IV respectively with GFR; 85.77±9.9 (n = 42), 53.84±9.9 (n=42) and 20.22±8.4 (n …
Engineering The Structure Of The Human Acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor To Enhance Its Stability And Cell Proliferation Activity,
2018
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Engineering The Structure Of The Human Acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor To Enhance Its Stability And Cell Proliferation Activity, Julie Davis Eberle
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Human acidic fibroblast growth factor (hFGF1) is a protein well known for its role in cell growth and differentiation. To elicit these cell-signaling processes, hFGF1 non-selectively binds to any one of the seven cell surface hFGF receptor isoforms. Due to its significant involvement in tissue repair activity, hFGF1 is a prime candidate for novel wound healing therapeutics. However, one drawback toward its use as a novel wound healing therapeutic is the poor inherent thermal stability of hFGF1, as it has been found to unfold near physiological temperature. The cause of this instability is strong electrostatic repulsion created by a dense …
Ph Sensitivity Of Connexin 50 Hemichannels: H95 And Beyond,
2018
SUNY Buffalo State University
Ph Sensitivity Of Connexin 50 Hemichannels: H95 And Beyond, Leah Volk
Biology Theses
Gap junction channels formed by connexin proteins are critical for the health and function of the vertebrate lens. It is important to understand how these channels are affected by pH because a pH gradient exists in lens tissue. Intracellular pH (pHi) is a regulator of gap junction coupling, and different connexins show different sensitivities to pHi. A “Particle-Receptor” model for pH-dependent channel closure involves the intramolecular interaction between the cytoplasmic tail of the connexin and a region near the mouth of the channel dependent on a highly conserved histidine residue at position 95. While this model …
Investigation Of Catalytic Activity Of Stable Β-Ketoacyl-Acp Substrate Analogs In Quorum Sensing Signal Synthesis,
2018
Boise State University
Investigation Of Catalytic Activity Of Stable Β-Ketoacyl-Acp Substrate Analogs In Quorum Sensing Signal Synthesis, Nhu Lam
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
Quorum sensing is an intercellular mechanism used by many bacterial pathogens to regulate behaviors, such as motility, virulence, and antibiotic production. Disruption of quorum sensing is shown to be deleterious to bacterial pathogenicity, without causing lethality. In Gram-negative bacteria, acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL or acyl-HSL) signal molecules are synthesized by AHL synthase enzymes using acylated-acyl carrier protein (acyl-ACP) and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) as their substrates. Pantoea stewartii EsaI, which causes Stewart’s wilt in corn, and Yersinia pestis YspI, which causes bubonic plague are AHL synthases that use 3-oxohexanoyl-ACP and 3-oxooctanoyl-ACP as the acyl-substrate to synthesize 3-oxohexanoyl-HSL and 3-oxooctanoyl-HSL signals, respectively. Unfortunately, the …
Optimizing Genetic Manipulation Of Methanogens Through Faster Cloning Techniques,
2018
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Optimizing Genetic Manipulation Of Methanogens Through Faster Cloning Techniques, Merrisa Jennings
Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses
Methanogenesis is the biological production of methane. Only anaerobic archaea known as methanogens are capable of such a metabolic feat. They have strict living conditions and substrate sources which determine their rate of metabolism. This is of particular importance from a greenhouse gas reduction perspective or biogas capturing perspective. One of the best ways to optimize methanogen methane production is via genetic manipulation. The current procedures are timely though, therefore a faster cloning processes should be developed. The objective of this study was to optimize a premade genetic transformation kit known as the Gibson Kit. The Gibson Kit was supposed …
Genetic Testing And A Real World Case Of Lynch Syndrome,
2018
University of Rhode Island
Genetic Testing And A Real World Case Of Lynch Syndrome, Paige Montanaro
Senior Honors Projects
In recent years, advancements in genetic testing methods have revolutionized the medical field by enhancing the ability to identify persons with an inherited predisposition to cancer. According to the American Society for Clinical Oncology, individuals should undergo genetic testing when he or she meets the following criteria: the individual demonstrates familial history that indicates a predisposition to certain cancers, the test can be adequately interpreted, and the results will aid in the diagnosis, treatment, or management of the patient or additional family members at risk. Genetic testing can be done on samples of hair, skin, blood, amniotic fluid, or other …
Design Of Mononuclear Nonheme Enzyme For Oxygen Activation,
2018
Syracuse University
Design Of Mononuclear Nonheme Enzyme For Oxygen Activation, Joel John Rempillo
Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All
Natural enzymes are complex systems with intricate folds and binding pockets, which recognize specific substrates and position them ideally for catalysis. Large size and complexity of enzymes prevent their study and use as industrial catalysts. On the other hand, de novo designed models of enzymes often use simple and stable protein scaffold, which streamlines mechanistic studies and allows industrial applications. In this work, we use previously designed four-helix bundle as a protein framework to incorporate 2-His-1- carboxylate motif often found in non-heme enzymes. Such coordination environment provides ligands to bind iron(II) and leaves three additional coordination sites to accommodate substrate …
Functional Similarity Of Prd-Containing Virulence Regulators In Bacillus Anthracis,
2018
The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Functional Similarity Of Prd-Containing Virulence Regulators In Bacillus Anthracis, Malik Raynor
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Bacillus anthracis produces three regulators, AtxA, AcpA, and AcpB, that control virulence gene expression and are members of an emerging class of regulators termed “PCVRs” (Phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase regulation Domain-Containing Virulence Regulators). AtxA controls expression of the toxin genes; lef, cya, and pag, and is the master virulence regulator and archetype PCVR. AcpA and AcpB are less well studied. AcpA and AcpB independently positively control transcription of the capsule biosynthetic operon capBCADE, and culture conditions that enhance AtxA activity result in capBCADE transcription in strains lacking acpA and acpB. RNA-Seq was used to assess the regulons of the …
Nanoscale Organization Of The Small Gtpase Rac1,
2018
The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Nanoscale Organization Of The Small Gtpase Rac1, Kelsey Maxwell
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Rac1 is a small, guanine-nucleotide binding protein that cycles between an inactive GDP-bound and active GTP-bound state to regulate actin-mediated motility, migration, and adhesion. Plasma membrane (PM) localization is essential for its biological activity. Rac1 PM targeting is directed by a C-terminal membrane anchor that encompasses a geranylgeranyl-cysteine-methyl-ester, palmitoyl, and a polybasic domain (PBD) of contiguous lysine and arginine residues. Using high-resolution imaging combined with spatial mapping analysis, I found that Rac1 forms nanoclusters on the PM. Cycling between the GTP- and GDP-bound states, Rac1 forms nanoclusters that are non-overlapping, consequently undergoing guanine nucleotide-dependent spatial segregation. I further found that …
Calvin Avenue Basin Project Description And Analysis,
2018
Calvin University
Calvin Avenue Basin Project Description And Analysis, Calvin University
Faculty and Professional Research
The existing detention basin, Calvin Avenue Basin was modified in 2017 to include a two-stage ditch, level spreaders, and micro- and macrotopography with the goal of reducing the volume of stormwater leaving the basin, resulting in less stormwater, less flashiness, and improved water quality in the downstream, impaired waterway of Silver Creek. The total storage increase at a reference elevation of 690 is 348,615 gallons (1.07 acre-feet) for all modifications (two-stage ditch and microtopography). This equates to 4.35 million gallons of stormwater that will be stored and slowly released. Of this, 2.46 million gallons of stormwater will be infiltrated annually. …
The Effects Of Passive Integrated Transponder Tagging On Cortisol Release In The Gulf Killifish, Fundulus Grandis,
2018
University of New Orleans
The Effects Of Passive Integrated Transponder Tagging On Cortisol Release In The Gulf Killifish, Fundulus Grandis, Ariel Marcelo Hernandez
Senior Honors Theses
Due to its ease of use, low cost, and essentially limitless number of unique codes, PIT tagging has become the favored technique for tagging individuals in biological studies. However, studies employing PIT tagging generally assume that stress due to the implantation and presence of a PIT tag has no influence on the experimental results. This study investigated the effects of PIT tagging on levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the Gulf Killifish, Fundulus grandis, an estuarine fish of the Gulf of Mexico that is prone to daily or seasonal environmental stressors. Cortisol was measured non-invasively by extracting and …
Raman Spectral Analysis For Rapid Screening Of Dengue Infection,
2018
Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Raman Spectral Analysis For Rapid Screening Of Dengue Infection, Tahir Mahmood, Haq Nawaz, A. Ditta, M.I. Majeed, M.A. Hanif, N. Rashid, H.N. Bhatti, H.F. Nargis, M. Saleem, Franck Bonnier, Hugh Byrne
Articles
Infection with the dengue virus is currently clinically detected according to different biomarkers in human blood plasma, commonly measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, including non-structural proteins (Ns1), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). However, there is little or no mutual correlation between the biomarkers, as demonstrated in this study by a comparison of their levels in samples from 17 patients. As an alternative, the label free, rapid screening technique, Raman spectroscopy has been used for the characterisation/diagnosis of healthy and dengue infected human blood plasma samples. In dengue positive samples, changes in specific Raman spectral bands associated with …
Clinical Applications Of Infrared And Raman Spectroscopy: State Of Play And Future Challenges,
2018
University of Strathclyde
Clinical Applications Of Infrared And Raman Spectroscopy: State Of Play And Future Challenges, Matthew Baker, Hugh Byrne, John Chalmers, Peter Gardner, Royston Goodacre, Alex Henderson, Sergei Kazarian, Francis Martin, Julian Moger, Nick Stone, Josep Sule-Suso
Articles
Vibrational spectroscopies, based on Infrared absorption and/or Raman scattering provide a detailed fingerprint of a material, based on the chemical content. Diagnostic and prognostic tools based on these technologies have the potential to revolutionise our clinical systems leading to improved patient outcome, more efficient public services and significant economic savings. However, despite these strong drivers, there are many fundamental scientific and technological challenges which have limited the implementation of this technology in the clinical arena, although recent years have seen significant progress in addressing these challenges. This review examines (i) the state of the art of clinical applications of infrared …
Characterization And Analysis Of Ultrathin Cigs Films And Solar Cells Deposited By 3-Stage Process,
2018
Old Dominion University
Characterization And Analysis Of Ultrathin Cigs Films And Solar Cells Deposited By 3-Stage Process, Grace Rajan, Krishna Aryal, Shankar Karki, Puruswottam Aryal, Robert W. Collins, Sylvain Marsillac
Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications
In view of the large-scale utilization of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells for photovoltaic application, it is of interest not only to enhance the conversion efficiency but also to reduce the thickness of the CIGS absorber layer in order to reduce the cost and improve the solar cell manufacturing throughput. In situ and real-time spectroscopic ellipsometry (RTSE) has been used conjointly with ex situ characterizations to understand the properties of ultrathin CIGS films. This enables monitoring the growth process, analyzing the optical properties of the CIGS films during deposition, and extracting composition, film thickness, grain size, and surface roughness which …
Functional And Structural Impact Of The Loss Of The Leucine-Rich Repeat Protein Lrit1 In The Mouse Retina.,
2018
University of Louisville
Functional And Structural Impact Of The Loss Of The Leucine-Rich Repeat Protein Lrit1 In The Mouse Retina., Catherine Ann Cobb
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Mutations in genes encoding the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) proteins nyctalopin and LRIT3 lead to complete congenital stationary night blindness because they are critical to depolarizing bipolar cell function in the retina. LRIT3 has two closely related family members, LRIT1 and LRIT2. In silico analyses of publicly available RNA-Seq data showed that Lrit1 was highly expressed in the retina. Here I describe the expression pattern and impact of loss of LRIT1 on retinal function. To enable these studies, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to create an Lrit1-/- mouse line. Retinal morphology and morphometry analyses showed no gross changes in retinal structure …
Elucidation Of Substrate Binding To Photolyase From Sulfolobus Solfataricus Using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry,
2018
Montclair State University
Elucidation Of Substrate Binding To Photolyase From Sulfolobus Solfataricus Using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry, Amanda Rose Kuerzi
Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects
DNA photolyase is a DNA repair enzyme commonly found across the kingdom of life. Binding studies for the hyperthermophilic photolyase derived from Sulfolobus solfataricus (SsPL) may serve to illuminate how DNA photolyase can adapt over a large temperature range. In the first section of this study, the thermodynamics of substrate binding for SsPL in a choline chloride buffer were determined using isothermal titration calorimetry. Using the Counter-Ion Condensation Concept as a model, ionic strength studies were performed to separate the binding interactions into electrostatic, and nonelectrostatic components. The electrostatic interactions do not appear to make a significant contribution to the …
Guided-Inquiry In Biochemistry Laboratory Course Improves Lab Math Skills,
2018
Montclair State University
Guided-Inquiry In Biochemistry Laboratory Course Improves Lab Math Skills, Grishma Deven Patel
Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects
Biochemistry graduates pursuing research-related careers must master basic quantitative skills. Laboratory courses present students opportunities to practice lab math skills such as dilution and solution calculations. Employers and researchers have reported inadequate math skills among bioscience graduates and there is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of laboratory teaching approaches in increasing students’ lab math skills. In this threeyear study, we examined the impact of guided-inquiry learning on students’ ability to perform laboratory calculations required for experimental design. An upper-level undergraduate biochemistry laboratory course was divided into sections taught using an inquiry approach where students design their own experiments or …
Impacts Of Sieving And Cultivation On Martian Regolith Simulant,
2018
Florida Institute of Technology
Impacts Of Sieving And Cultivation On Martian Regolith Simulant, Abdulgadir Ahmad Elnajdi
Theses and Dissertations
The effect of different size particle fractions of JSC-MARS1A on chemical and mineralogical data was examined in this study. The Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) results showed no difference in the presence of elements or minerals of the different grain sizes of (<5mm, <1mm, <125μm, and <63μm), however, differences in abundance were noted. In addition, changes in chemical composition and mineralogy were not detected after the addition of Hoagland’s nutrient solution which had been applied prior to plant growth experiments nor after plant growth.
