Functional Characterization Of Vago In Black Tiger Shrimp Penaeus Monodon Ikk-Nf-Κb Signaling Pathway Against Viral Infection,
2025
Faculty of Science
Functional Characterization Of Vago In Black Tiger Shrimp Penaeus Monodon Ikk-Nf-Κb Signaling Pathway Against Viral Infection, Zittipong Nanakorn
Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)
Cytokines serve as key regulators in innate antiviral defense. In crustaceans, research on cytokine-mediated immunity remains limited. A previous study in Penaeus monodon has demonstrated that PmVago proteins exhibit cytokine-like function by acting through the inhibitor of kappa B kinase-nuclear factor κB (IKK-NF-κB) cascade to defend against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). In this study, five PmVago isoforms were identified, each showing differential transcriptional responses to pathogen challenges. Among them, PmVago1 and PmVago4 exhibited strong antiviral responses against WSSV infection. RNA interference of PmVago1 and PmVago4 increased shrimp susceptibility to WSSV infection with enhanced viral replication. Their suppression also disrupted …
Electrochemical Detection Of Prostate Cancer—Associated Mirna-141 Using A Low-Cost Disposable Biosensor,
2025
Old Dominion University
Electrochemical Detection Of Prostate Cancer—Associated Mirna-141 Using A Low-Cost Disposable Biosensor, Alexander Hunt, Gymama Slaughter
Center for Bioelectronics Publications
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States. The early detection of aggressive forms is critical. Current diagnostic methods, including PSA testing and biopsies, are invasive and often yield false results. MicroRNA-141 (miRNA-141) has emerged as a promising non-invasive biomarker due to its elevated levels in the urine of patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Here, a low-cost, paper-based electrochemical biosensor for the sensitive detection of miRNA-141 in synthetic urine is reported. The device employs inkjet-printed gold electrodes on photopaper, functionalized with thiolated single-stranded DNA-141 capture probes for specific target recognition. The biosensor …
Investigating The Lyoprotective Properties Of An Antifreeze Protein From A Broadleaf Desert Shrub,
2025
University of New Hampshire, Durham
Investigating The Lyoprotective Properties Of An Antifreeze Protein From A Broadleaf Desert Shrub, Alexzandria Sheppard
Honors Theses and Capstones
Lyophilization, or freeze-drying, is an important preservation method for protein-based products, such as protein pharmaceuticals. However, the process introduces both freezing and drying stresses that can harm proteins. Here, we have studied the efficacy of AnAFP, a dehydrin-like antifreeze protein isolated from the broadleaf desert shrub Ammopiptanthus nanus, in reducing enzyme damage during freeze-drying, or lyophilization. We have shown that AnAFP can protect the model enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from both freezing and dehydration damages during lyophilization with similar or better efficacy than 10% w/v sucrose and superior to that of another known antifreeze protein.
Site-Specific Modification Of Antibodies Utilizing Microbial Transglutaminase For Improved Immunoassay Performance,
2025
Illinois State University
Site-Specific Modification Of Antibodies Utilizing Microbial Transglutaminase For Improved Immunoassay Performance, Emily Beitello
Theses and Dissertations
Immobilization strategies used for fixing antibodies to solid phase surfaces significantly contribute to the antigen capture capacity and influences the performance and sensitivity of immunoassays. Traditional methodologies result in the random orientation and/or the weak attachment of immobilized antibodies. Different formats of immunoassays scope in applicability to many fields of research and everyday use. Improving the efficiency of immobilizing antibodies in immunoassays is a beneficial endeavor to increase assay sensitivity. Here, we investigated the use of enzyme-mediated conjugation of antibodies to facilitate a highly oriented immobilization. Microbial transglutaminase (mTG) catalyzes the covalent bond formation between a plethora of primary amine …
Open Path Spectroscopic Detection Of The Hydroxyl Radical: A Comparison Between Broadband Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (Bbceas) And Bbceas Coupled With A Fabry-Pérot Interferometer (Bbceas-Fp),
2025
Brigham Young University - Provo
Open Path Spectroscopic Detection Of The Hydroxyl Radical: A Comparison Between Broadband Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (Bbceas) And Bbceas Coupled With A Fabry-Pérot Interferometer (Bbceas-Fp), Callum Flowerday, Ryan Thalman, Matthew C. Asplund, Samuel A. Badstubner, Adam K. Cook, Philip Lundrigan, Jaron C. Hansen
ScholarsArchive Data
Data collected by the BBCEAS and BBCEAS-FP instruments described in the paper "Open Path Spectroscopic Detection of the Hydroxyl Radical: A Comparison Between Broadband Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (BBCEAS) and BBCEAS coupled with a Fabry-Pérot Interferometer (BBCEAS-FP)"
Microbial And Plant Biodiversity In Appalachian Agroecosystems And Their Implications For Soil Health,
2025
West Virginia University
Microbial And Plant Biodiversity In Appalachian Agroecosystems And Their Implications For Soil Health, Kinsey Reed Close
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
The sustainability of agricultural landscapes depends on understanding the complex interactions between plants, soil, and microbes. In Appalachia, a region shaped by complex terrain and long histories of human and ecological interaction, small family farms produce hay, livestock, and row crops. These agroecosystems, though often treated as “artificial” by many ecologists, have the potential to support both food production and biodiversity conservation if managed with an understanding of ecological complexity. This dissertation examines how plant and microbial diversity interact with soil and management to influence nutrient cycling, soil health, and long-term resilience in Appalachian agricultural systems. A literature review revealed …
The Effect Of Polyethylene Glycol Surface Density Of Dense Brush Gold Nanoparticles On Insulin Fibrillation,
2025
Missouri State University
The Effect Of Polyethylene Glycol Surface Density Of Dense Brush Gold Nanoparticles On Insulin Fibrillation, Ethan Patrick Grier
Graduate Theses/Dissertations
The development of various neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease has been linked to the fibrillation of various proteins within the brain. Parkinson’s disease is specifically linked to the fibrillation of α-Synuclein. During the fibrillation process, the proteins take the form of oligomers, and exposure to these oligomers has been linked to various cytotoxic and neurotoxic effects. Once the fibrillation process is complete, the fibrils made have been shown to be much less toxic than the oligomer stage. This fibrillation process is thermodynamically favorable and is largely irreversible, so one course of action for treatment of these …
Investigations Of Proteins Including Yellow Thermal Protein, Blue Thermal Protein, Lactoperoxidase, And Thyroid Peroxidase,
2025
Missouri State University
Investigations Of Proteins Including Yellow Thermal Protein, Blue Thermal Protein, Lactoperoxidase, And Thyroid Peroxidase, Cammi Dargatz
Graduate Theses/Dissertations
This research investigated four different proteins: yellow thermal protein (YTP), blue thermal protein (BTP), lactoperoxidase (LPO), and thyroid peroxidase (TPO). YTP and BTP were both engineered from the extremely stable and non-aggregative thermal green protein (TGP) by mutating one residue each to obtain proteins with shifted spectra while preserving the stability properties observed in TGP. Site-directed mutagenesis (SDM) was utilized to construct YTP by mutating a histidine at residue 197 to a tyrosine (H197Y) and BTP by mutating a tyrosine at residue 67 to a histidine (Y67H). These proteins were expressed in E. Coli and purified with nickel and diethylaminoethyl …
Development Of Cyan And Blue Thermostable Fluorescent Proteins: Characterization And Structural Analysis,
2025
Missouri State University
Development Of Cyan And Blue Thermostable Fluorescent Proteins: Characterization And Structural Analysis, Acacia J. Jurkowski
Graduate Theses/Dissertations
Fluorescent proteins are commonly used as cell markers in living organisms. Modifications by mutation can be used to improve the qualities of these proteins including fluorescence, thermostability, pH stability, and chemical stability. The goal of this project is to use mutagenesis to improve the fluorescence of thermostable cyan and blue proteins derived from the thermal green protein (TGP). The first cyan protein developed by the DeVore lab (CTP 0.0) shifted the fluorescence to cyan but decreased the quantum yield (ΦF) to 0.056. Further mutations were incorporated to increase the quantum yield through incorporating hydrogen bonding interactions to the …
Human Serum Albumin Interaction With Organochlorine Pesticides,
2025
University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
Human Serum Albumin Interaction With Organochlorine Pesticides, D. S. Sanford, R. Yadav, A. Mishra
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant blood plasma protein and plays a crucial role in drug transport and physiological homeostasis. HSA has a highly flexible structure consisting of three domains, each with multiple binding sites lined with hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues. The structural properties of HSA make it a robust reservoir and receptor for various endogenous and exogenous compounds, including therapeutic drugs. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are a subclass of pesticides characterized by their chlorine content. Once widely used, these compounds remain persistent in the environment and biological systems despite regulatory restrictions in many developed countries. The strong ligand-binding …
Long-Term Antibacterial Efficacy Of Silver (I) Cyanoximates Against Streptococcus Mutans Ua159 Biofilm Growth,
2025
Rollins College
Long-Term Antibacterial Efficacy Of Silver (I) Cyanoximates Against Streptococcus Mutans Ua159 Biofilm Growth, Tiffany A. Rojas
Honors Program Theses
Streptococcus mutans is the primary causative agent of dental caries due to its ability to form resilient multispecies biofilms. These biofilms promote acid production and degradation of the protective layers of the tooth, making biofilm formation a target for novel treatments. Silver(I) cyanoximates are of interest as alternatives to traditional antimicrobials and antibiotics due to the high UV and heat resistivity as well as poor solubility of the cyanoxime ligand paired with the well-established antimicrobial silver ion. Previous research has shown that silver(I) cyanoximates can effectively inhibit S. mutans biofilm formation after 24 hours in vitro. This study aimed to …
Target Cell-Associated Cd47 Suppresses Nadph Oxidase Activity In Macrophages During Antibody Dependent Cellular Phagocytosis,
2025
South Dakota State University
Target Cell-Associated Cd47 Suppresses Nadph Oxidase Activity In Macrophages During Antibody Dependent Cellular Phagocytosis, Seuly Akter
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
CD47-SIRPα signaling is a well-known immune checkpoint that suppresses macrophage-mediated antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). In this study, we explored how CD47 influences reactive oxygen species (ROS) production driven by Fcγ receptor (FcγR) signaling. Our results show that macrophages produce significantly more ROS when encountering IgG coated target cells lacking CD47.Polarization with IFNγ further amplified this effect. ThusCD47-SIRPα interactions limit phagocytosis and suppress oxidative ROS production by macrophages. We found that CD47 blockade and IFNγ stimulation enhanced ADCP through distinct mechanisms. CD47 blockade removed the inhibitory "don't eat me" signal supporting ADCP and ADROS. Similarly, IFNγ enhances ADCP by upregulating FcγRI …
Bridging The Gap Between Structural And Cellular Biology: Insight Into The Organization Of Glycolytic Enzymes In Cells,
2025
West Virginia University
Bridging The Gap Between Structural And Cellular Biology: Insight Into The Organization Of Glycolytic Enzymes In Cells, Heather Hansen
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Glycolytic enzymes are spatially organized in the cytoplasm, and are shown to localize with cellular structures such as the plasma membrane, F-actin, mitochondria, or associate independently within the cytosol. The assembly of these enzymes is hypothesized to regulate pathway flux to meet the energetic needs of the cell. However, it is unclear whether all of these assemblies have the same mechanism of formation or function in the cell. We investigated the role of glycolytic enzyme assemblies in cells, using the glycolytic “gatekeeper” enzyme phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK1). PFK1 is extensively regulated by multiple mechanisms, including over 20 allosteric ligands, post translational modifications, …
Probing The 10-23 Dnazyme Catalytic Core: Insights From Structural And Mechanistic Studies,
2025
West Virginia University
Probing The 10-23 Dnazyme Catalytic Core: Insights From Structural And Mechanistic Studies, Evan Rhyse Cramer
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
The 10-23 DNAzyme is a catalytically active DNA oligonucleotide capable of cleaving RNA at purine-pyrimidine junctions in the presence of divalent metal ions, most notably magnesium. Despite its promise as a programmable RNA knockdown tool, its clinical and biotechnical utility has been hampered by limited structural characterization, low catalytic efficiency under physiological conditions, and poor understanding of its in-cell activity. This dissertation presents a comprehensive framework for the structural and functional analysis of DNAzymes using the 10-23 DNAzyme as a model system. In the absence of high-resolution structures, we first employed detailed in vitro biochemical assays to map essential residues …
Characterization Of P38alpha And Nitric Oxide Synthase 3 Binding,
2025
Kennesaw State University
Characterization Of P38alpha And Nitric Oxide Synthase 3 Binding, Gillyan M. Jewett
Master's Theses
P38alpha is a member of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. This family is important for mediating signal transduction pathways through phosphorylation of downstream substrates. Previous work has described the ability of p38alpha to bind and phosphorylate nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) at two sites, the autoinhibitory loop (AI) at S600 and the N-terminal MAPK binding site (NtMAP) at S114. P38alpha has two substrate binding domains, the common docking groove (CD-groove) and a hydrophobic pocket (DEF) that are important in binding and phosphorylating various substrates specific to each pocket. Utilizing biolayer interferometry, this work describes the importance of both …
Green Chelation Strategy For Deashing Of Algal Biomass,
2025
Old Dominion University
Green Chelation Strategy For Deashing Of Algal Biomass, Agyare Asante, George Daramola, Ryan W. Davis, Sandeep Kumar
Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications
This study investigated a green chelation strategy for deashing algal biomass using nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and deionized water (DI) to enhance its suitability for biofuel and bioproduct applications. Solid-state algal turf scrubber (SS ATS), green algal turf scrubber (ATS), and Scenedesmus were analyzed, with Scenedesmus selected for detailed evaluation due to its high ash removal efficiency. The objective was to optimize a purification process that minimizes ash and heavy metal content while preserving biochemical integrity. Algal biomass underwent sequential washing with DI, NTA, and NTA+DI under varying temperatures (90-130 °C). Analytical techniques including Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Inductively Coupled …
Environmentally Friendly Chelation For Enhanced Algal Biomass Deashing,
2025
Old Dominion University
Environmentally Friendly Chelation For Enhanced Algal Biomass Deashing, Agyare Asante, George Daramola, Ryan W. Davis, Sandeep Kumar
Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications
High ash content in algal biomass limits its suitability for biofuel production by reducing combustion efficiency and increasing fouling. This study presents a green deashing strategy using nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and deionized (DI) water to purify Scenedesmus algae, which was selected for its high ash removal potential. The optimized sequential treatment (DI, NTA chelation, and DI+NTA treatment at 90–130 °C) achieved up to 83.07% ash removal, reducing ash content from 15.2% to 3.8%. Elevated temperatures enhanced the removal of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, while heavy metals like lead and copper were reduced below detection limits. CHN analysis confirmed minimal …
Extended Inter-Laboratory Characterization Of The New Coastal Seawater Dissolved Organic Matter Reference Material Trm-0522,
2025
Uppsala University
Extended Inter-Laboratory Characterization Of The New Coastal Seawater Dissolved Organic Matter Reference Material Trm-0522, Alexander J. Craig, Lydia Babcock-Adams, Maxime C. Bridoux, Charlotte Brun, Juliana D'Andrilli, Aleksandar I. Goranov, Patrick G. Hatcher, Oliver Lechtenfeld, Hang Li, Rebecca Matos, Garrett Mckay, Amy M. Mckenna, Madelyn Miller, Sasha Wagner, Margot E. White, Alexander Zherebker, Jeffrey A. Hawkes
Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) reference materials are critical to ensuring reliable comparability of measurements across experiments and between labs. TRM-0522, isolated in 2022 from 45 m deep seawater off of Sweden’s west coast, fills the niche of a previously unavailable coastal marine DOM reference material. After its isolation, we detailed a limited number of metrics for TRM-0522, initially disclosing Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, carbon proportion, absorbance, and fluorescence data. With TRM-0522 becoming more widely used, a variety of labs have generated different metrics that help to characterize and define the chemical properties of this coastal reference material. …
Experimental Demonstration And Study Of Transmembrane-Electrostatically Localized Protons Prevail,
2025
Old Dominion University
Experimental Demonstration And Study Of Transmembrane-Electrostatically Localized Protons Prevail, James Weifu Lee
Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications
In this review in relation to some interesting arguments from Silverstein, it is now reaffirmed that the experimental demonstration of transmembrane-electrostatically localized protons (TELPs) was successfully accomplished through 1) using an aluminum film as a TELPs sensor in a biomimetic anode water-membrane-water cathode system, 2) analyzing the water-electrolysis current curve, and 3) measuring bulk liquid phase pH. Formation of induced TELPs was subsequently discovered in an anode water-membrane-water-membrane-water cathode system. The discovery of induced TELPs enabled clean experimental tests on the cation-TELPs exchange process by using sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate solution in the central liquid chamber. The sodium/TELPs exchange …
Validating A Novel Capability Of Assessing Pathways Of Animal Water Gain And Loss,
2025
Old Dominion University
Validating A Novel Capability Of Assessing Pathways Of Animal Water Gain And Loss, Zachary T. Steele, Karen Caceres, Zachary A. David, Lisa M. Shollenberger, Alexander R. Gerson, Seth D. Newsome, John P. Whiteman
Biological Sciences Faculty Publications
Understanding variations in the routes by which wild animals gain and lose water is challenging, and common methods require longitudinal sampling, which can be prohibitive. However, a new approach uses Δ′¹⁷OBW (Δ′¹⁷O of animal body water), calculated from measurements of δ′¹⁷O and δ′¹⁸O in a single sample, as a natural tracer of water flux. Δ′¹⁷OBW is promising, but its relationship to organismal variables such as metabolic rate and water intake have not been validated. Here, we continuously measured oxygen influxes and effluxes of captive deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), and manipulated their water intake and metabolic rate. We used …
