Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology Commons^™

The Effects Of Heat-Killed Echinostomatid Parasites On Mice Treated With Dextran Sodium Sulfate (Dss), Natalie Gooder

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Objective: Autoimmune diseases are chronic, incurable, and affect approximately 50 million Americans. This is a strong need for better ways to treat autoimmune diseases. Parasites and parasite proteins have been observed to protect mice from symptoms of induced colitis in mice treated with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), a model for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). I hypothesize that non-living echinostomatid parasites, given during DSS treatment, can decrease intestinal inflammation and weight loss, providing a possible novel treatment for IBD.

Methods: A range of DSS concentrations (0.5%-3%) were delivered to female C57BL/6 mice in their drinking water in order to determine the …

Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probes For Sensitive Determination Of Lysosomal & Mitochondrial Ph In Live Cells, Wafa Mazi

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Varied intracellular pH levels are critical for various physiological processes such as enzymatic activity, cell proliferation and apoptosis, ion transport, and muscle contraction. Cellular compartments, like lysosomes, must retain an acidic environment (pH ~ 4.5) to activate hydrolytic enzymes necessary for the breakdown of large biomolecules. Another cellular organelle, the mitochondria, provides the cell with energy and must retain an alkalis environment (pH ~ 8.0) for proper function. Substantial lysosomal and mitochondrial pH deviation is associated with cellular dysfunction and disease. Therefore, the precise detection of lysosomal and mitochondrial pH is essential to provide a better understanding of cellular physiological …

Changes On Movement Control Of Dart Throwing Under Distance And Target Weight Constraints, Carlos E. Campos, Guilherme M. Lage, Andre G.P. Andrade, Crislaine R. Couto, Suziane P. Santos, Vitor L.S. Profeta, Herbert Ugrinowitsch

Athletic Performance Research

The aim of the study was to verify the effects of dart weight and target distance on kinematic variables of the movement control of the underarm dart throwing task. Four women and one man performed the task of throwing a dart at two horizontal circular targets located at 2m (Nt) and 3m (Ft) away, with two different weights, 22g (Ld) and 44g (Hd). On the first phase of the experiment, the human volunteers performed 200 trials per day during four sessions. On the fifth day, it had 40 more trials in a pseudo random order that were recorded and analysed. …

Characterizing The Cellulose-Modifying Enzyme Bcsg From Escherichia Coli, Alexander Anderson, Joel T. Weadge

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Microbial biofilms are communities of microorganisms that exhibit co-operative behaviour, producing a matrix of exopolysaccharide that enmeshes the community. The well-studied human pathogens Escherichia coli and Salmonella entericaproduce a biofilm matrix comprised chiefly of the biopolymer cellulose, along with amyloid protein fibers termed curli. This biofilm matrix confers surface adherence and acts as a protective barrier to disinfectants, antimicrobials, environmental stressors, and host immune responses. Pertaining to this research, the bcsEFG operon, conserved in the Enterobacteriaceae, encodes an inner membrane-spanning complex responsible for the addition of a phosphoethanolamine (pEtN) modification to microbial cellulose, essential for extracellular matrix assembly and …

Global Patterns And Drivers Of Ecosystem Functioning In Rivers And Riparian Zones, Scott D. Tiegs, David M. Costello, Mark W. Isken, Guy Woodward, Peter B. Mcintyre, Mark O. Gessner, Eric Chauvet, Natalie A. Griffiths, Alexander S. Flecker, Vicenç Acuña, Ricardo J. Albariño, Daniel C. Allen, Cecilia Alonso, Patricio Andino, Clay Arango, Jukka Aroviita, Marcus V. M. Barbosa, Leon A. Barmuta, Colden V. Baxter, Jose Checo Colón-Gaud

Biology: Faculty Publications

River ecosystems receive and process vast quantities of terrestrial organic carbon, the fate of which depends strongly on microbial activity. Variation in and controls of processing rates, however, are poorly characterized at the global scale. In response, we used a peer-sourced research network and a highly standardized carbon processing assay to conduct a global-scale field experiment in greater than 1000 river and riparian sites. We found that Earth’s biomes have distinct carbon processing signatures. Slow processing is evident across latitudes, whereas rapid rates are restricted to lower latitudes. Both the mean rate and variability decline with latitude, suggesting temperature constraints …

Non-Contact Trapping And Stretching Of Biological Cells Using Dual-Beam Optical Stretcher On Microfluidic Platform, Aotuo Dong, Balaadithya Uppalapati, Shariful Islam, Brandon Gibbs, Ganesan Kamatchi, Sacharia Albin, Makarand Deo

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Optical stretcher is a tool in which two counter-propagating, slightly diverging, and identical laser beams are used to trap and axially stretch microparticles in the path of light. In this work, we utilized the dual-beam optical stretcher setup to trap and stretch human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells and mammalian breast cancer (MBC) cells. Experiments were performed by exposing the HEK cells to counter-propagating laser beams for 30 seconds at powers ranging from 100 mW to 561 mW. It was observed that the percentage of cell deformation increased from 16.7% at 100 mW to 40.5% at 561 mW optical power. The …

Measuring Trace Element Concentrations In Artiodactyl Cannonbones Using Portable X-Ray Fluorescence, Joshua L. Henderson

All Master's Theses

Artiodactyl bones are the most common faunal remains found in Washington prehistoric archaeology sites, but they are often too fragmented to accurately identify a family, genus, or species. Traditional faunal analysis can only organize unidentifiable bone fragments into size class, and chemical methods often require the destruction of bone samples. In this thesis research, I tested a new, nondestructive faunal analysis technique using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) to measure trace element concentrations in comparative collection and archaeological bone samples. Using cannonbones from five different artiodactyl species, I collected trace element data from 50 comparative collection specimens and 18 archaeological specimens …

Investigating Potential Multi-Protein Complexes Involving Emx2, Nicole Enger

All Master's Theses

The neocortex of the mammalian brain is allocated into specialized areas during embryonic development. In mice, as well as humans, the neocortex develops four primary areas: somatosensory, auditory, visual, and motor. In the adult neocortex, the boundaries between these four areas are marked by differences in cellular architecture and gene expression patterns. However, these physical boundaries are not evident during embryonic development of this structure. Rather, the neocortex initially appears uniform across its expanse, with one exception: a handful of proteins that regulate neocortical arealization are generated in gradients across the expanse of the neocortex and control the size of …

Effects Of Hydrogen Synthesis Inhibition On Changes Of Bioproduct Contents In Cyanobacterium Synechocystis Sp. Pcc 6803, Nannaphat Sukkasam

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Cyanobacteria have an ability to convert carbon dioxide and solar light to bioproducts. Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is the laboratory model strain of cyanobacteria with known metabolism and biochemistry. NADPH is one of the essential electron carriers and coenzymes required for various cellular metabolism including the production of bioproducts. [NiFe]-Hydrogenase consumes NADPH to produce hydrogen gas which considerably the loss of metabolic energy. Thus, the elimination of [NiFe]-hydrogenase would increase NADPH level in the cell and might increase the accumulation of bioproducts. In this work, hoxY and hoxH genes (encoding the two catalysis subunits of [NiFe]-hydrogenase) were inactivated. The inactivation …

Anti-Tumor Activities Of Auricularia Polytricha Extracts In Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line (Hepg2) And Breast Cancer Cell Lines (Mcf-7 And Mda-Mb-231), Sunita Nilkhet

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Cancer is the disease that happens to occur in a high number of new cases each year. Even the choice of treatment is developing, but the adverse effects on cancer therapeutic drugs still challenging. To investigate the antitumor activities of Auricularia polytricha (AP) mushroom extract and active compounds, human cancer cell lines such as Hepatocellcular (HepG2) and Breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) were interested. The crude hexane extract of AP (APH) and crude ethanol extract of AP (APE) were prepared by maceration and Soxhlet extraction, respectively. Both APE and APH were investigated for their compound compositions by GC-MS. …

Biomass Yield In A Genetically Diverse Miscanthus Sinensis Germplasm Panel Evaluated At Five Locations Revealed Individuals With Exceptional Potential, Lindsay V. Clark, Maria S. Dwiyanti, Kossonou G. Anzoua, Joe E. Brummer, Bimal Kumar Ghimire, Katarzyna Glowacka, Megan Hall, Kweon Heo, Xiaoli Jin, Alexander E. Lipka, Junhua Peng, Toshihiko Yamada, Ji Hye Yoo, Chang Yeon Yu, Hua Zhao, Stephen P. Long, Erik J. Sacks

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

To breed improved biomass cultivars of Miscanthus ×giganteus, it will be necessary to select the highest‐yielding and best‐adapted genotypes of its parental species, Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus sacchariflorus. We phenotyped a diverse clonally propagated panel of 569 M. sinensis and nine natural diploid M. ×giganteus at one subtropical (Zhuji, China) and five temperate locations (Sapporo, Japan; Leamington, Ontario, Canada; Fort Collins, CO; Urbana, IL; and Chuncheon, Korea) for dry biomass yield and 14 yield‐component traits, in trials grown for 3 years. Notably, dry biomass yield of four Miscanthus accessions exceeded 80 Mg/ha in Zhuji, China, approaching …

An Arabidopsis Protoplast Isolation Method Reduces Cytosolic Acidification And Activation Of The Chloroplast Stress Sensor Sensitive To Freezing 2, Allison C. Barnes, Christian G. Elowsky, Rebecca Roston

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Chloroplasts adapt to freezing and other abiotic stresses in part by modifying their membranes. One key-remodeling enzyme is SENSITIVE TO FREEZING2 (SFR2). SFR2 is unusual because it does not respond to initial cold stress or cold acclimation, instead it responds during freezing conditions in Arabidopsis. This response has been shown to be sensitive to cytosolic acidification. The unique lipid products of SFR2 have also been detected in response to non-freezing stresses, but what causes SFR2 to respond in these stresses is unknown. Here, we investigate protoplast isolation as a representative of wounding stress. We show that SFR2 oligogalactolipid products accumulate …

Ehdv-2 Infection Prevalence Varies In Culicoides Sonorensis After Feeding On Infected White-Tailed Deer Over The Course Of Viremia, Sandra Y. Mendiola, Mary K. Mills, Elin Maki, Barbara S. Drolet, William C. Wilson, Roy D. Berghaus, David E. Stallknecht, Jonathan Breitenbach, D. Scott Mcvey, Mark G. Ruder

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses (EHDVs) are arboviral pathogens of white-tailed deer and other wild and domestic ruminants in North America. Transmitted by various species of Culicoides, EHDVs circulate wherever competent vectors and susceptible ruminant host populations co-exist. The impact of variation in the level and duration of EHDV viremia in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on Culicoides infection prevalence is not well characterized. Here we examined how infection prevalence in a confirmed North American vector of EHDV-2 (Culicoides sonorensis) varies in response to fluctuations in deer viremia. To accomplish this, five white-tailed deer were experimentally infected with EHDV-2 and colonized C. …

Determining The Role Of Nudt7 In The Regulation Of Cellular Coa Levels And Metabolism, Stephanie Anne Shumar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Coenzyme A (CoA) is an essential cofactor required for hundreds of metabolic processes. Because it is such a critical cofactor, CoA levels are tightly regulated. In the fasted state and in diabetic mice, the concentration of CoA increases dramatically in the liver. This phenotype is associated with constitutively low CoA degradation, a process that is emerging as a potentially important mechanism for CoA regulation. Nudt7 and Nudt19 are two mammalian peroxisomal enzymes with CoA-degrading activity, which are highly expressed in the liver and kidney, respectively. Limited information is available on the biochemistry of Nudt7 and Nudt19; the structural basis for …

Exploration Of Thiol-Michael Addition Bioconjugation To Extend Polymers Of A Protein-Based Hydrogel, Elaine Wallin Smith

Honors Theses

Hydrogels have been explored for many biomedical applications, including targeted, in situ drug delivery to avoid the negative side effects associated with systemic delivery. In our work, we are exploiting the high affinity, calcium-dependent binding between calmodulin and its target peptides to create a biomaterial for in situ, extracellular drug delivery. Genes were engineered to make two protomers, Calmodulin Collagen-Like Protein (CCLP) and Peptide Collagen-Like Protein (PCLP), that will spontaneously self-assemble in situ due to the high Ca2+ concentration in the extracellular space and provide tunable, targeted drug delivery in a biocompatible hydrogel. One important factor that would dictate the …

Preparation Of A Perylenebisimide Acceptor With Serinol And Nonadecyl-Swallowtail Imides For Use In Molecular Rectification, Tarrah Frederick

Honors Theses

Several attempts were made to add 2-amino-1,3-propanediol to the acceptor perylene monoanhydride (PMA). The theoretical product, N-(10-nonadecyl)-N'-(1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-yl)perylene-3,4,9,10-bis(dicarboximide), is intended for use in unimolecular rectification because the perylenebisimide core is classified as a good acceptor due to its high electron affinity. Rectification usually utilizes donor-σ-acceptor molecules, whose localized orbitals permit electron transfer when placed between metal electrodes of asymmetric voltages. However, according to an “asymmetric rectification” analysis, an electron can pass from one electrode, through the LUMO of the acceptor, and then to the other electrode when said electrodes are held at certain voltages, and result in rectification if the acceptor …

Carbon Dioxide Reduction Using Redox-Active Macrocyclic Catalysts, Dawson Kendall Buettner

Honors Theses

The current energy crisis experienced by society today is in desperate need of a solution. Through carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction, we can reduce the amount of greenhouse gas that is warming our planet as well as create a source of renewable energy. Significant challenges currently inhibit the reduction of CO2 to more desirable products. Current limitations can be addressed through the design and synthesis of more efficient catalysts that are selective, durable, and operate close to the target thermodynamic potential of CO2 reduction. In this work, three redox-active macrocyclic ligands have been synthesized and studied for the development of potential …

The Impact Of Household Biocides And Antibiotics On Aquatic Microbial Community Composition, Abdulaziz Saud M Alrashdi

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Triclosan (TCS) is antimicrobial agent that is used in a lot of consumer products, including toothpaste, liquid and bar soap, and cosmetics. TCS has been found in many lakes and rivers in the United States. However, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned TCS recently and it will no longer be used in household products. Despite the recent ban, TCS is known to persist in the environment and may have long-term impacts. We conducted an experiment on using fresh water from three locations Houghton, Green Bay and the Huron Mountains. Our goals in the study is to assess the impact …

Effect Of Osteoactivin And Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 On Soft Tissue In Rat Spinal Fusion Model, Andrew Ohliger

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Osteoinductive therapeutic strategies are essential for the bone healing process and are applicable in multiple orthopaedic procedures. The novel protein Osteoactivin (OA) has proven to stimulate osteoblast differentiation and function in vitro and bone regeneration in vivo in the rat model. More recently, OA has shown significant bone regeneration ability in sheep. The goal of this study is the comparison of osteoactivin with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in the rat spinal fusion model.

Unravelling The D1r-D2r Heteromer, Margaret M. Champion

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Dopamine receptors D1R and D2R form a heterooligomeric complex with signaling properties distinct from the individual receptors. Aberrant expression of this protein-protein complex is linked to the etiology of various neuropsychiatric diseases. Formation of the D1R-D2R heteromer is thought to be dependent upon electrostatic interactions occurring between the carboxyl tail of D1R and the third intracellular loop of D2R. Using this interaction site as template, I synthesized several peptides designed to disrupt the minimal area of the D1R-D2R interaction interface and tested these using whole cell lysates of human brain tissue and dopamine receptor constructs. I report that a synthetic …