Molecular Biology Commons^™

Resveratrol Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects On Human Thp-1 Macrophages, Valeria B. Martinez

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses - Archive

Inflammation is a natural biological response to harmful stimuli. It initiates a series of reactions that prompt defensive and curative mechanisms, ridding the body of offending agents and healing remaining injuries. Inflammation involves the intricate communication between cells, requiring complex signaling that mediates various pathways. This acute form of inflammation is vital for our survival, promoting a myriad of mechanisms that function to defend and heal. However, if this inflammatory response is not resolved, it results in a prolonged condition referred to as chronic inflammation. This persistent inflammatory state is incredibly harmful, damaging the host's healthy cells, tissues, and organs. …

The Role Of Sodium Butyrate As An Inflammatory Regulator And Its Effect On Long Noncoding Rnas In Neuroinflammation, Angel Covarrubias

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses - Archive

Inflammation is a crucial homeostatic process that contributes to both the elimination of foreign invaders and tissue repair. Inflammation at sites of tissue injury or infection is initiated by the detection of a harmful stimulus, triggering vital inflammatory immune signaling pathways and a cascade of cytokines and inflammatory mediators. The dysregulation of this process, however, can result in inappropriate inflammatory responses manifesting in tissue damage and compromised cell function. Dysregulation of the inflammatory response is seen frequently in many human diseases such as Diabetes, Cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases.

In the context of the Central Nervous system, inflammation is …

Characterizing And Targeting The Non-Catalytic Functions Of Phosphatase Of Regenerating Liver 3 (Prl-3) In Oncogenesis And Cancer Progression, Jeffery T. Jolly

Theses and Dissertations--Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Phosphatase of Regenerating Liver 3 (PRL-3) is frequently upregulated in various cancers and is associated with poor patient prognosis. Although traditionally studied for its phosphatase activity, PRL-3 also interacts with the CNNM family of magnesium transporters through its catalytic site, and these two functions are mutually exclusive at any given time. Most previous studies relied on a commonly used PRL-3 mutation that disrupts both phosphatase activity and CNNM binding, making it challenging to determine which function drives its oncogenic effects. To address this gap in the field, I utilized a panel of PRL-3 mutants that selectively disrupt either phosphatase activity …

Functional Analysis Of Ligand Binding Domain 2 Of Outer Surface Protein C Of Borreliella Burgdorferi, Gavin Z. Chambers

Theses and Dissertations

Lyme disease, caused by the spirochete Borreliella burgdorferi, is the most common vector-borne infection in North America. A critical determinant of early mammalian infection is outer surface protein C (OspC), a highly variable lipoprotein that is indispensable for spirochete survival but whose precise function remains unresolved. OspC has been proposed to mediate diverse roles, including complement evasion, adhesion, tissue dissemination, and antiphagocytic activity, supporting the view that it is a multifunctional virulence factor. Structural studies have identified two putative ligand-binding domains (LBD1 and LBD2), with LBD2 forming a solvent-exposed crown at the membrane-distal end of the OspC dimer.

To …

Using Rna Sequencing To Examine Encephalic Gene Expression In Cactus Mice, Sarah A. Nicholls

Honors Theses and Capstones

Many of the exact mechanisms by which desert-adapted animals avoid dehydration-induced complications are unknown, though there are likely ties to the general mammalian dehydration response, a multisystem process spearheaded by the brain. Peromyscus eremicus, the cactus mouse, can survive its whole life without intaking water and is commonly used as a model to study desert adaptations. In this study, we have used bulk transcriptomics to characterize the differential gene expression across hydrated and dehydrated P. eremicus in five major regions of the brain: the cerebral cortex (referred to throughout much of this paper as the cortex), hippocampus, thalamus, midbrain, …

Epigenetic Potential Remains Stable Over 100 Years After Introduction, Danielle Dawkins

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Introduced species provide important insights into organismal behavioral responses. Epigenetic mechanisms are one of the various ways in which behaviors can be modified, particularly through DNA methylation. Through such mechanisms, phenotypic changes can occur in response to environmental changes, allowing an organism to be more plastic. Epigenetic potential (EP) represents the capacity for an organism to be epigenetically modified, and can be measured by counting CpG motifs; cytosine adjacent to guanine within a DNA sequence. Phenotypic plasticity as it relates to EP has been studied extensively in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), a globally introduced songbird. It is …

Systematic Review Of Immunohistochemistry Protocols, Arpitha Parthasarathy

Pitzer Senior Theses

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an essential technique in biological research that allows for the visualization and localization of proteins within tissue samples. This systematic review analyzes the most effective, efficient and reproducible protocols for IHC. It focuses on three critical steps: freezing, cryosectioning, and staining of skeletal muscle tissues in mice models. A total of 41, 44, and 48 articles on freezing, cryosectioning, and staining techniques, respectively, were analyzed, from reputable sources in biology like PubMed and Web of Science. Results showed the following. For freezing, the use of isopentane combined with liquid nitrogen appeared to be the best method, minimizing …

Creation Of A Dual-Fluorescence Reporter System To Assay Mirna Regulation Of Apobec3a, Tolulope D. Ajayi

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

MicroRNAs have an important role in regulating gene expression, including regulating the transcripts of the APOBEC3 family of cytidine deaminases. The APOBEC3 family is part of the immune defense against viral infection but has also been implicated in cancer progression. The hypothesis for this thesis is that specific miRNAs could be identified that regulate APOBEC3A (A3A) expression. I used molecular cloning and confocal microscopy to evaluate the miRNA-mediated silencing of A3A. A commercially available vector, psiCHECK-2, can be used to assay microRNA (miRNA) activity on specific targets. Molecular cloning was performed to modify the psiCHECK-2 Dual luciferase system (Renilla and …

Investigating The Role Of Fnci-1 In The Development And Function Of The C. Elegans Nervous System, Meagan Collins

Open Access Master's Theses

Fanconi Anemia (FA) is a rare human genetic disease caused by mutation of any of twenty-three genes on the FA pathway, which functions in the repair of DNA damage and the maintenance of genome stability. FA is clinically characterized by congenital abnormalities and a predisposition to aplastic anemia and malignancies. Recently, progressive neurological symptoms and abnormal neurological findings on imaging have been noted in FA patients, including cerebral and cerebellar lesions, calcification, necrosis, gliosis, and associated acute and chronic neurological symptoms; this constellation of symptoms has been termed Fanconi Anemia-Associated Neurological Syndrome (FANS).

To elucidate the molecular etiology of FANS, …

Investigating Regulation And The Regulome Of The Nucleic Acid Binding Protein Spovg Within Borrelia Burgdorferi, Timothy C. Saylor

Theses and Dissertations--Medical Sciences

Prior studies indicated Borrelia burgdorferi SpoVG protein was regulated, SpoVG binds specifically to a number of nucleic acids, and SpoVG binds to the non-variable section of the major virulence factor vlsE. Although a direct transcriptional activator or inhibitor was not elucidated, it is shown that SpoVG is regulated based on cell culture density independent of the growth rate of B. burgdorferi, indicating that SpoVG regulation is outside the scope of the alternative sigma factor RpoS. Using a dCas9 CRISPRi construct to target SpoVG resulted in protein expression trending towards upregulation of the BosR-RpoS regulon, and a marked decrease …

Discovery Of Photosynthetic Oxic N2-Fixation In Cyanobacteria Using Wet Lab And Machine Learning Approaches, James A. Young Iii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Using Lateral Flow Assay To Assess The Prevalence Of Trachemys Hybridization, Lillian Groves

Honors Program Theses

The current study focuses on Trachemys species, which is a group of freshwater turtles found throughout the Greater Antilles. The role of studying an isolated island, such as the Dominican Republic, is significant because it serves as a way to better understand how the combined effects of species migration, mass tourism, and climate change can greatly impact isolated species. Of particular significance is how these forces interact in complex ways to reshape habitats and threaten biodiversity. Additionally, the introduction of a highly invasive species, Trachemys scripta elegans (T. scripta), in this environment pressures native species by acting as a source …

Caspases Protect Against Hyperglycemia Induced Necroptosis-Like Cell Death In Brain Endothelial Cells, Aleena S. Mathew

Theses and Dissertations

Acute diabetes characterized by high spikes in blood glucose levels in association with severe hyperglycemia can lead to an increased risk of ischemic stroke in the brain. To better understand high blood glucose levels, hyperglycemia, in the brain we explored its effects on endothelial cells. Endothelial cells line the inner walls of blood vessels and are directly impacted in hyperglycemia. Brain endothelial cells are a major component of the blood brain barrier (BBB) which tightly regulates the brain’s microenvironment. The type of cell death such as apoptosis, caspase dependent, or necroptosis, caspase independent, can exacerbate diabetes associated complications. There is …

Characterization Of Dietary And Hormonal Influences On Renal Sodium Transporters And Channels In Rodent Models, Evelyn Chan

Scripps Senior Theses

Within kidneys, a diverse array of renal epithelial cells works to maintain electrolyte and water balance to regulate blood pressure and pH. These cells contain varying types of sodium transporters that adjust sodium reabsorption according to the body’s needs. Previous studies have observed sex-specific differences in renal sodium transporter regulation, which are thought to optimize reproduction in females. In this study, we performed high resolution microscopy and detailed characterization of cell type-specific expression and localization of major sodium transporters and channels in rodents in response to dietary and hormonal influences. Specifically, we examined the impact of dietary salt intake and …

The Role Of Fruiting Bodies In Protecting A Community Of Myxococcus Xanthus Spores From The Environment, Dave Lall

Wayne State University Dissertations

Environmental microorganisms have evolved a variety of strategies to survive fluctuations in environmental conditions, including the production of biofilms and differentiation into spores. Myxococcus xanthus are ubiquitous soil bacteria that produce starvation-induced multicellular fruiting bodies filled with environmentally resistant spores (a specialized biofilm). Isolated spores have been shown to be more resistant than vegetative cells to heat, ultraviolet radiation, and desiccation. The evolutionary advantage of producing spores inside of fruiting bodies is not clear. Here, we examine a hypothesis that the fruiting body provides additional protection from environmental insults. We developed a high-throughput method to compare the recovery (outgrowth) of …

Examining The Biotic And Abiotic Degradation Of Simple Phenols, Madeline Gruenberg

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Plant secondary metabolites are a diverse class of compounds that encompass small phenols to large polymeric structures such as tannins. Smaller compounds such as phenolic acids can serve as substrates for soil microbes and enzymes. We monitored the degradation of three small phenols pyrogallol, gallic acid, and benzoic acid in biotic and abiotic conditions. They were chosen to observe the impacts of specific functional groups on both degradation processes and act as model compounds to mimic larger tannin reactivity. Both abiotic and biotic degradation of pyrogallol resulted in the formation of a stable quinone, while abiotic degradation of gallic acid …

The Role Of Fbxl16 In Regulating Erk3 Stability And Cell Migration, Seth Charles Murdock

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 3 (ERK3) is a member of the atypical mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. While ERK3’s role in promoting cell migration and invasion in multiple types of cancer has been well-documented, its activation and regulation remain poorly understood. Unlike other typical MAPK proteins, whose activation is regulated via the phosphorylation of an upstream kinase, ERK3 is regulated through its abundance, as it is constitutively phosphorylated when present in the cell. While USP20 has been established as a deubiquitinating protein that stabilizes ERK3 by preventing its degradation, both TRIM21 and FBXW7 have been identified as E3 ligases that target …

Optimization Of L-Citrulline Production In Corynebacterium Glutamicum, And The Effect Of The Human Small Intestine Environment, Simran S. Ghulldu

Honors Undergraduate Theses

L-citrulline is a crucial amino acid involved in nitric oxide production, which supports cardiovascular health, physical performance, and intestinal well-being. Nitric oxide deficiency is linked to conditions like hypertension, highlighting the need for efficient L-citrulline production. This study attempts to enhance L-citrulline synthesis in Corynebacterium glutamicum, a bacterium widely used in industrial amino acid production, as well as test a The hypothesis is that overexpressing carAB, which encodes carbamoyl phosphate synthetase, will increase carbamoyl phosphate levels and boost L-citrulline production. Two C. glutamicum strains were used: a wild type and the CRBG strain, which has mutations that promote …

Investigating Mono-Driver Versus Multi-Driver Oncogenesis Via Alterations To Cell Signaling Pathways, Abygail Chapdelaine

Open Access Dissertations

The latest edition of Global Cancer Statistics released by the American Cancer Society reported approximately 20 million newly diagnosed cancer cases worldwide in 2022 with 9.7 million deaths. This ranks cancer as the second leading cause of death worldwide. For the majority of cancer patients, the standard treatment approach is chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, and while this has been successful in some patients, a lack of specificity to cancer cells causes severe side-effects when these agents damage healthy cells. Despite extensive efforts that have gone into developing targeted cancer therapeutics that block functions specific to cancer, they have not been …

Temporal Dynamics Of Programmed Genome Rearrangement In Sea Lamprey Embryogenesis: A Deep Learning & Lightsheet Imaging Approach To Studying Early Developmental Transitions, Kasturi Rajandran

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

Programmed genome rearrangement (PGR) in the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) leads to the elimination of ~0.5Gb (20%) of the germline genome during early embryogenesis, yet its timing relative to the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) remains unclear. In this study, we imaged embryos cleared at 3-hour intervals (up to 72 hours post fertilization (hpf)) using high-resolution lightsheet fluorescence microscopy and a custom deep-learning image-analysis pipeline (~80% accuracy) to quantify nuclei and micronuclei counts. Micronuclei, which are the hallmarks of PGR first appear between 24 to 27hpf (vs ~36hpf previously reported) indicating PGR starts earlier than previously reported in the sea …