Cell and Developmental Biology Commons^™

Maldi-Msi Identification Of Tissue-Level N-Glycomic And Proteomic Molecular Biomarkers Of Aggressive Prostate Cancer, Jordan Paige Hartig

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Prostate Cancer (PCa) poses a significant clinical challenge, characterized by debates on screening efficacy and continuous issues with distinguishing aggressive from non-aggressive tumors. Despite treatment advancements, poor patient outcome at late stages and clinical overtreatment of indolent disease emphasizes the urgent need for markers of PCa aggression. Aberrant glycosylation and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling are two complex molecular processes necessary for PCa progression, highlighting a novel area for biomarker discovery. Leveraging formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues, tissue microarrays (TMAs), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI), distinct N-glycan and ECM profiles are identified. Elevated bisecting, multi-antennary, and fucosylated N-glycans indicate early …

The Plant Disease Triangle Facing Climate Change: A Molecular Perspective, Charles Roussin-Léveillée, Christina A. M. Rossi, Christian Castroverde, Peter Moffett

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Autophagy And Ime2 Kinase In Regulation Of Meiotic Exit In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Somdutta Paul

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

Meiosis or gametogenesis is a specialized cell division that produces gametes in sexually reproducing organisms. The process of meiosis reduces the genetic content into half that of the progenitor cell. This reduction in the genetic content occurs over a set of two divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II. Because gametes are essential for propagation of life, meiosis operates under tight regulation ensuring the full functionality and viability of the gametes produced. The working principle of the regulatory network that restricts meiosis to only two divisions is not clearly understood. Budding yeast undergoes meiosis in response to starvation. Autophagy being a …

Deciphering The Functional Connections Between The Nuclear Paraspeckle And Rad51 Homologous Recombination Proteins Using A Yeast Protein Interaction System, Eric J. Nutz

Senior Theses

Homologous recombination (HR) is a repair pathway for DNA double-stranded breaks. Mutations in HR genes contribute to genomic instability and increase the prevalence of cancer. Exploiting HR deficiency in tumor cells has led to improved synthetic lethality outcomes. RAD51 paralogue protein complexes are known to be involved with HR. Proteomic analysis of RAD51 paralogues reveals a connection to the nuclear paraspeckle. A paraspeckle is a little-known, specialized organelle found in the interchromatin space of the nucleus in mammalian cells. Its three central protein components include SFPQ, NONO, and PSPC1. RAD51D is an HR protein shown previously to interact with SFPQ …

A Comparative Study Of A Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Associated Egfr Missense Variant Of Uncertain Significance, Vanessa Mejia

Theses

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a form of lung cancer that can be driven by heightened activity of epidermal growth factor receptor encoded by the EGFR gene. Genetic variants in EGFR have been identified that lead to abnormal cell growth and tumorigenesis. The objectives of this study was to 1) determine if an EGFR variant of uncertain significance (VUS) associated with NSCLC is potentially damaging based on evaluation of the ortholog let-23 in the model organism, C. elegans, and 2) identify conserved missense VUS loci associated with NSCLC. Through ClinVar, the EGFR VUS c.845G>C(p.Gly282Ala) was identified in …

Old Vs. New: An Experiment On The Efficacy Of Complexity-Focused Reproductive Biology Lectures For Undergraduate Biology Students, Ive N. Muse, Shraddha Patel, Linda Fuselier

Undergraduate Research Events

Undergraduate reproductive biology courses are traditionally taught in a reductive manner, prioritizing a binary understanding of sex which oversimplifies reproductive behaviors and reproductive system development across diverse taxa. Although this binary approach to lessons on reproduction is intended to benefit students in learning foundational human reproductive concepts, it does not teach the most recent research in reproductive biology, which identifies reproductive variation as the norm. We designed and implemented a lesson on reproductive biology informed by the most current and accurate research and compared it to a traditionally taught biology lecture for first year majors. Students who received the experimental …

Formation Of New Cohesive Linkages And Regulation Of Cohesion Rejuvenation During Meiotic Prophase In Drosophila Oocytes, Muhammad Abdul Haseeb

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

During meiosis, faithful segregation of chromosomes requires maintenance of sister chromatid cohesion from premeiotic S phase until its stepwise dissolution at anaphase I and anaphase II. Research in humans and model organisms indicates that premature loss of meiotic cohesion is a major determinant of age-induced aneuploidy in human oocytes, a phenomenon known as the maternal age effect. Because cohesin turnover after S phase has not been detected in mice oocytes, the prevailing model for mammalian oocytes is that cohesion cannot be replenished after its initial establishment in S phase. However, previous research from the Bickel lab suggested that a cohesion …

Pulsed Electric Fields Sensitize Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus To Antibacterial Therapies And Stimulate Host Immune Responses, Alexandra E. Chittams-Miles

Biomedical Sciences Theses & Dissertations

This research explores the impact of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF) on two fronts: their immune stimulatory effects and their potential as a novel strategy to enhance the sensitivity of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to clinically relevant antibiotics. While pulsed electric fields have been reported to have an immune stimulatory effect, the mechanisms responsible for these effects have yet to be determined.

Our investigation addresses the rising concern of MRSA derived skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). Consistent with other publications, we found that nsPEF alone cause modest inactivation of planktonic MRSA. We then investigated the effects of nsPEF in …

A Comparison Of In Vitro Studies Between Cobalt(Iii) And Copper(Ii) Complexes With Thiosemicarbazone Ligands To Treat Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Duaa R. Alajroush, Chloe B. Smith, Brittney F. Anderson, Ifeoluwa T. Oyeyemi, Stephen J. Beebe, Alvin A. Holder

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer, and disproportionately affects African American women. TNBC cells lack the common hormone receptors that many pre-existing cancer treatments target. Fortunately, metal-based complexes with thiosemicarbazone ligands have gained significant attention for their potential as anti-cancer agents. Cobalt(III) complex ([Co(phen)2(MeATSC)](NO3)3•1.5H2O•C2H5OH]) and Copper(II) complex ([Cu(acetylethTSC)Cl]Cl•0.25C2H5OH) specifically have properties of high toxicity, which can contribute to decreased cancer cell activity. The effects of these complexes are currently being investigated on cancerous and non-cancerous breast cell lines. The cytotoxic effect of the cobalt(lll) complex and the copper(ll) complex was analyzed …

In Silico Analysis Of C-Type Lectins As Co-Infection Receptors Of Dengue And Chikungunya Viruses In Aedes Aegypti, Munawir Sazali, R. C. Hidayat Soesilohadi, Nastiti Wijayanti, Tri Wibawa, Arif Nur Muhammad Ansori

Makara Journal of Science

Aedes aegypti is a primer vector of dengue virus (DENV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV). The susceptibility of mosquitoes to DENV and CHIKV depends on their recognition receptor of pathogens. C-type lectins (CTLs) are an important mediator of virus infection in A. aegypti. This study aims to identify potential receptors and determine the binding affinity between ligand–receptor interaction, CTLs and virus envelopes (DENV-1, 2, 3, and 4 and CHIKV) interaction based on in silico analysis. Sample sequences were obtained from GenBank (NCBI), and 10 CTLs were acquired from VectorBase. Homology modeling based on a minimum standard of 20% was processed …

Ultrabithorax, Abdominal-A And Abdominal-B Form Heterodimers And Homodimers In Living Cells By Bifc, Rubén Montalvo Méndez, Gustavo Jiménez-Mejía, Diana Reséndez-Pérez

Research Symposium

Background: Hox genes encode transcriptional factors that regulate the expression of specific target genes along the anterior-posterior axis determining the segment identity during embryonic development. These master genes are expressed in the same order in which are located in the third chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster. As it was previously reported the interaction of neighboring Hox proteins as Scr-Antp and Antp-Ubx and one of the mechanisms for Hox protein regulation is protein-protein interaction, we determined the heterodimer formation of Ubx with AbdA and AbdB as well as the homodimer formation of these proteins in living cells which in turn could …

Trip13’S Crucial Role In Pancreatic Cancer Progression, Swati Dhasmana, Anupam Dhasmana, Stella Rios, Iris A. Enriquez-Perez, Sheema Khan, Farrukh Afaq, Upender Manne, Murali M. Yallapu, Subhash Chauhan

Research Symposium

Background: Pancreatic cancer, characterized by its high mortality rate, stands as one of the most aggressive cancer forms. The projected surge in pancreatic cancer-related deaths, making it the second leading cause in the United States by 2030, underscores the urgency for effective early screening tools. This study employs data mining methods to scrutinize bioinformatic data surrounding TRIP13. Examining differential expression across various cancers, correlating TRIP13 expression with pancreatic cancer stages, exploring associations with common cancer genes, and analyzing overall survival rates constitute the core investigations. Integrated with molecular biology techniques, the study further quantifies TRIP13 expression in progressive pancreatic cancer …

Exploring The Role Of Calcineurin In Filamentation Across Inducing Conditions In The Fungal Pathogen Candida Albicans, Patricia Harte-Maxwell, Jill R. Blankenship

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Candida albicans is an opportunistic human pathogenic fungus affecting millions of people globally; high mortality rates are possible in systemic infection. Filamentation or a filamentous growth pattern is a primary virulence mechanism of C. albicans underlying other virulent behaviour....

Deep Learning Can Be Used To Classify And Segment Plant Cell Types In Xylem Tissue, Reem Al Dabagh, Benjamin Shin, Sean Wu, Fabien Scalzo, Helen Holmlund, Jessica Lee, Chris Ghim, Samuel Fitzgerald, Marinna Grijalva

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Studies of plant anatomical traits are essential for understanding plant physiological adaptations to stressful environments. For example, shrubs in the chaparral ecosystem of southern California have adapted various xylem anatomical traits that help them survive drought and freezing. Previous studies have shown that xylem conduits with a narrow diameter allows certain chaparral shrub species to survive temperatures as low as -12 C. Other studies have shown that increased cell wall thickness of fibers surrounding xylem vessels improves resistance to water stress-induced embolism formation. Historically, these studies on xylem anatomical traits have relied on hand measurements of cells in light micrographs, …

Human Blood Cell Isolation: The Critical First Step In Our Laboratory’S Immunobiology Experimental Protocals, Victor Rivero

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

HUMAN BLOOD CELL ISOLATION: THE CRITICAL FIRST STEP IN OUR LABORATORY’S IMMUNOBIOLOGY EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCALS

Victor Rivero1 Paul W. Denton1, [email protected]

1Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE

The Denton Immunobiology Laboratory focuses on enhancing human natural killer (NK) cell killing capabilities, particularly in the context of combating cancer. NK cells are immune cells that have the ability to kill diseased cells via two mechanisms: direct killing, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). We recently published our novel approach to testing both methods of killing by using NK cells derived from the same human donor. Our testing approach allows …

Honey Targets Ribosome Biogenesis Process In Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells To Inhibit Their Growth And Metastatic Phenotypes, Aun A. Bangash, Muhammad Bangash, Haider Ahsan, Shiza Khan, Mudassier Ahmad, Dae Joon Kim, Sahir Alvi, Bilal Hafeez

Research Symposium

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PanCa) is the fourth deadliest cancer worldwide and is expected to become the second deadliest cancer by 2030. In the USA, the National Cancer Institute put forth a grim prediction stating that there will be 64,050 new cases in 2023 alone and about 50,000 of these patients will die. Existing therapeutic regimens against PanCa are not that effective and show unacceptable toxicities. Therefore, developing highly effective new agents with less toxicity is urgently required, which could be used as a monotherapy or as an adjuvant to treat PanCa patients. Honey is known for its tremendous health benefits …

Real-Time Camp Dynamics In Live Cells Using The Fluorescent Camp Difference Detector In Situ, Isabella Cattani-Cavalieri, Jordyn Margolis, Camelia Anicolaesei, Francisco J. Nuñez, Rennolds S. Ostrom

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

cAMP Difference Detector In Situ (cADDis) is a novel biosensor that allows for the continuous measurement of cAMP levels in living cells. The biosensor is created from a circularly permuted fluorescent protein linked to the hinge region of Epac2. This creates a single fluorophore biosensor that displays either increased or decreased fluorescence upon binding of cAMP. The biosensor exists in red and green upward versions, as well as green downward versions, and several red and green versions targeted to subcellular locations. To illustrate the effectiveness of the biosensor, the green downward version, which decreases in fluorescence upon cAMP binding, was …

The Effect Of Epicatechin And Its Microbial Metabolites On Differing Pathways Of Beta-Cell Death In Type I And Type Ii Diabetes, Aubree Bench, Jeffery S. Tessem

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

The pathogenesis of type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with progressive beta-cell death and loss of insulin secretion, making functional betacell mass preservation a priority in the treatment of diabetes. T1D beta-cell death is primarily mediated by autoimmune exposure of beta-cells to proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1b, TNFa, and IFNg (1, 2). Beta-cell loss in T2D, however, is characterized by damage caused by a destructive metabolic state of persistent hyperglycemia and elevated free fatty acid (FFA) levels (2, 3). Our lab has shown that the monomeric flavonoid epicatechin and its metabolites hippuric acid, homovanillic acid, and …

Jaspine B And The Sea Sponge That Fights Cancer, Jack Davis, Jared Barrott, Adriene Pavek, Farjana Afrin, Sameena Mateen, Brendon Meldrum, Rocio Rojas, Pamela Diaz, Megan Condie, Ali Aghazadeh-Habashi, Srinath Pashikanti

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

Jaspine B is a natural marine product, derived from the sea sponge, Jaspis, found in some tropical climates. Jaspine B has been shown to be an effective treatment in some cancers with an upregulation of sphingomyelin synthase. This research aimed to understand the effects of Jaspine B on synovial sarcoma, and investigate its potential to be used as targeted treatment in other cancers that have an upregulation of sphingomyelin synthase

Myofiber Necrosis To Electrical Stimulation-Induced Damage: Influence Of Menstrual Cycle Phase, Collin Deshler, Brandon Pfeifer, Mohadeseh Ahmadi, Werner N. Hunter, Madeline N. Nielsen, Krista S. Shimizu, Robert D. Hyldahl

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024

• Estrogen plays important roles in women's overall health, including cardiovascular health, metabolism, bone, connective tissue, and skeletal muscle.
• Existing evidence, mostly based on studies with ovariectomized rodents or post-menopausal women suggests that estrogen is essential for normal muscle recovery, growth, and function.
• Evidence indicates that estrogen plays a role in facilitating skeletal muscle regeneration by activating satellite cells.
• There is a lack of research on the impact of estrogen levels on skeletal muscle damage and recovery in premenopausal populations who have fluctuating levels of estrogen throughout their menstrual cycle.
• The purpose of this study was to determine how menstrual cycle …