Cell and Developmental Biology Commons^™

Trends In Utilization Of Human Papillomavirus Vaccines And The Incidence Of Malignant Cervical Cancer In The U.S. Population: A Secondary Analysis, Myah Luna, Soumya Upadhyay

Healthcare Administration and Policy Faculty Research

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection, and HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for approximately 66% of all U.S. cervical cancer cases in women. The quadrivalent HPV vaccine was licensed in mid-2006, and it was designed to target and protect against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. The aim of this study is to examine the utilization rate of the HPV vaccine, and the trends and incidence rate of malignant cervical cancer across the United States. Methods: This study utilized data from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) and the National Immunization Survey's (NIS) teenage …

The Molecular Mechanism Of Load Adaptation By Branched Actin Networks, Tai-De Li, Peter Bieling, Julian Weichsel, R Dyche Mullins, Daniel A. Fletcher

Advanced Science Research Center

Branched actin networks are self-assembling molecular motors that move biological membranes and drive many important cellular processes, including phagocytosis, endocytosis, and pseudopod protrusion. When confronted with opposing forces, the growth rate of these networks slows and their density increases, but the stoichiometry of key components does not change. The molecular mechanisms governing this force response are not well understood, so we used single-molecule imaging and AFM cantilever deflection to measure how applied forces affect each step in branched actin network assembly. Although load forces are observed to increase the density of growing filaments, we find that they actually decrease the …

Combined Curcumin And Luteolin Synergistically Inhibit Colon Cancer Associated With Notch1 And Tgf-Β Signaling Pathways In Cultured Cells And Xenograft Mice, Rukayat Aromokeye, Hongwei Si

Human Sciences Faculty Research

This study aimed to select a combination of curcumin and luteolin, two phytochemicals from food, at lower concentrations with a higher inhibitory effect on colon cancer growth and investigate possible molecular mechanisms of this anti-colon cancer effect. By pairwise combination screening, we identified that the combination of curcumin (CUR) at 15 μM and luteolin (LUT) at 30 μM (C15L30) synergistically suppressed the proliferation of human colon cancer CL-188 cells, but the individual chemicals had a little inhibitory effect at the selected concentrations. This result was also confirmed in other colon cancer DLD-1cells, suggesting that this synergistic inhibitory effect of C15L30 …

Investigating Roles Of 2 Novel Eklf Targets Involved In Erythropoiesis, Rose M. Gott

ETD Archive

Erythrocytes are primarily comprised of the oxygen carrying protein hemoglobin. Genetic mutations causing defects in the proper synthesis of hemoglobin result in various anemias. It is during the last phases of terminal erythroid differentiation that hemoglobin levels rise, making it a focus for therapeutic research. Fetal hemoglobin is comprised of ⍺-globin and gamma globin, then after a change in gene expression called hemoglobin switching which takes place after birth, adult hemoglobin is comprised of ⍺-globin and beta globin. We investigated hemoglobin switching and erythroid terminal differentiation by focusing on the master erythroid transcription factor Erythroid Krüppel-like Factor (EKLF). Data led …

Bio-Vascular 3d, Wisdom Shadrach

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity across the world and according to the world health organization account for 32% of mortality rate globally. There still remain a need to develop better in vitro vascular models that would aid further in-depth understanding of cardiovascular pathogenesis and proposed therapeutic intervention.

This study intends to characterize four novel medically relevant synthetic polymer scaffolds, and one hydrogel, for their biocompatibility and potential application in a tissue engineered blood vessel (TEBV). A primary human endothelial cell line derived from the vein of the umbilical cord (HUVEC), and a human primary smooth …

Short Chain Fatty Acid Combination Treatment Protects Against 6-Ohda Induced Decrease In Neurite Growth In An In Vitro Model Of Parkinson’S Disease., Alex Morris

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

Title: Short chain fatty acid combination treatment protects against 6-OHDA induced decrease in neurite growth in an in vitro model of Parkinson’s disease.

Authors: Alex Morris¹, Louise M. Collins^1,2,3, Gerard W. O’Keeffe², Caitriona M. Guinane¹

¹ Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University (MTU), Cork, Ireland.

² Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.

³ Department of Physiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopaminergic neuron degeneration. This leads to motor dysfunction which is accompanied by gastrointestinal comorbidities such as constipation …

Complex Role Of Microbiome In Pancreatic Tumorigenesis: Potential Therapeutic Implications, Suneetha Amara, Li V. Yang, Venkataswarup Tiriveedhi, Mahvish Muzaffar

Biology Faculty Research

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality with limited diagnostic and therapeutic options. Although immunotherapy has shown promise in the treatment of several cancers, its role in pancreatic cancer is rather limited. Several studies have focused on determining the role of the tumor microenvironment with cancer-cell-intrinsic events and tumor-infiltrating immune cellular properties. However, in the past decade, there has been emerging research aimed at delineating the role of the host microbiome, including the metabolites from microbes and host responses, on pancreatic tumorigenesis. Importantly, there is emerging evidence suggesting the beneficial role of a gut microbiome transplant …

Ciliogenesis Mechanisms Mediated By Pak2-Arl13b Signaling In Brain Endothelial Cells Is Responsible For Vascular Stability, Karthikeyan Thirugnanam, Shubhangi Prabhudesai, Emma Van Why, Amy Pan, Ankan Gupta, Koji Foreman, Rahima Zennadi, Kevin R. Rarick, Surya M. Nauli, Sean P. Palacek, Ramani Ramchandran

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

In the developing vasculature, cilia, microtubule-based organelles that project from the apical surface of endothelial cells (ECs), have been identified to function cell autonomously to promote vascular integrity and prevent hemorrhage. To date, the underlying mechanisms of endothelial cilia formation (ciliogenesis) are not fully understood. Understanding these mechanisms is likely to open new avenues for targeting EC-cilia to promote vascular stability. Here, we hypothesized that brain ECs ciliogenesis and the underlying mechanisms that control this process are critical for brain vascular stability. To investigate this hypothesis, we utilized multiple approaches including developmental zebrafish model system and primary cell culture systems. …

Impacts Of Motor Developmental Delay On The Inter-Joint Coordination Using Kinematic Synergies Of Joint Angles During Infant Crawling, Li Zhang, Chun F. Deng, Yuan Liu, Lin Chen, Naong Xiao, Sheng J. Zhai, Wen S. Hou, Yu X. Chen, Xiao Y. Wu

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Research

Motor developmental delay (MDD) usually affects the inter-joint coordination for limb movement. However, the mechanism between the abnormal inter-joint coordination and MDD is still unclear, which poses a challenge for clinical diagnosis and motor rehabilitation of MDD in infant’s early life. This study aimed to explore whether the joint activities of limbs during infant crawling are represented with kinematic synergies of joint angles, and evaluate the impacts of MDD on the inter-joint coordination using those synergies. 20 typically developing infants, 16 infants at risk of developmental delay, 11 infants at high risk of developmental delay and 13 infants with confirmed …

The Effect Of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva On The Tongue, Amy Backal, Amanda Harrop, David J. Goldhamer Dr.

University Scholar Projects

FOP is a rare genetic disorder in which skeletal muscle and associated connective tissue progressively turn to bone through a process called heterotopic ossification (HO). The extra skeletal bone growth is cumulative, eventually trapping patients in a second skeleton that eventually leads to death by asphyxiation. The FOP mutation is autosomal dominant that can be inherited or acquired sporadically. Unfortunately, FOP is currently incurable with no therapeutic options to inhibit bone growth or reduce existing bone nodules. My project intends to further our understanding of the cellular mechanisms of the disease within the tongue muscle. A population of cells known …

The Effect Of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva On The Tongue, Amy Backal, Amanda Harrop, David J. Goldhamer Dr.

Honors Scholar Theses

FOP is a rare genetic disorder in which skeletal muscle and associated connective tissue progressively turn to bone through a process called heterotopic ossification (HO). The extra skeletal bone growth is cumulative, eventually trapping patients in a second skeleton that eventually leads to death by asphyxiation. The FOP mutation is autosomal dominant that can be inherited or acquired sporadically. Unfortunately, FOP is currently incurable with no therapeutic options to inhibit bone growth or reduce existing bone nodules. My project intends to further our understanding of the cellular mechanisms of the disease within the tongue muscle. A population of cells known …

Resolving The Repression Pathway Of Virulence Gene Hila In Salmonella, Alexandra King, Lon Chubiz Phd, Brenda Pratte, Lauren Daugherty

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Salmonella is a relatively abundant, virulent species of bacteria that is most known for spreading gastrointestinal diseases through food. These illnesses result in approximately 1.35 million infections, including over 25,000 hospitalizations each year, in the U.S. alone (CDC.gov). As antibiotic resistance becomes an increasingly urgent public health problem, the importance of developing alternative treatment methods is only becoming more crucial. One of the genes responsible for this virulence is known as hilA. HilA is the main transcriptional regulator of Salmonella Pathogenicity Island-1 gene (UniProt). SPI-1 plays an important role in the invasion of Salmonella into epithelial cells. The proteins encoded …

College Of Natural Sciences Newsletter, May & June 2022, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

Volume 3, Issue 4

Page 1 Dean's Message
Page 2 Awards and Recognition
Page 3-4 The path to a Doctorate Degree
Page 4 American Indian Student Center Native Graduate Honoring Ceremony
Page 5 Celebrating the lives of those who touched the College
Page 6 Media coverage of CNS
Page 7 Open PRAIRIE
Page 8-10 CNS Graduation Festivities
Page 11-14 Spring 2022 Dean's List
Page 16 Richard and Janice Vetter Endowed Professorship in Biotechnology.position

Cdc6 Is Sequentially Regulated By Pp2a-Cdc55, Cdc14, And Sic1 For Origin Licensing In S. Cerevisiae, Jasmin Philip

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Control of DNA replication is critical for progression of the cell cycle and genomic stability. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) coordinate numerous phosphorylation events to accomplish two biological tasks for all living organisms: DNA replication and cell division. One CDK, Cyclin-Cdc28, is responsible for cell cycle progression in budding yeast. DNA replication requires a stepwise assembly of the pre-replicative complex on DNA, including Orc1-6, Cdc6, Cdt1 and Mcm2-7, during M-G1 phase. Cdc6 contains eight Cdc28 consensus sites, SP or TP motifs. Clb5-Cdc28 phosphorylates Cdc6-T7 to recruit Cks1, the Cdc28 phospho-adaptor, for subsequent multisite phosphorylation during S phase. There are two phospho-degrons at …

The Effects Of Aging On Wound Healing And Limb Regeneration In The Axolotl, Hande Sahin

Graduate Masters Theses

The Mexican axolotl is capable of regenerating various parts of its body and maintains this capacity throughout its entire life. Although this ability is sustained through adulthood, multiple regenerative processes appear to be negatively affected by aging. Here, we focus on evaluating the effect of aging on the rate of wound healing and limb regeneration. We have developed new in vivo, and ex vivo assays to characterize wound healing and identify differences between young and aged animals during this process. We have also characterized morphological features of mature skin from both groups of animals and although there are no obvious …

Low-Salt Diet Reduces Anti-Ctla4 Mediated Systemic Immune-Related Adverse Events While Retaining Therapeutic Efficacy Against Breast Cancer, Durga Khandekar, Debolanle O. Dahunsi, Isaac V. Manzanera Esteve, Sonya Reid, Jeffrey C. Rathmell, Jens M. Titze, Venkataswarup Tiriveedhi

Biology Faculty Research

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has revolutionized the breast cancer treatment landscape. However, ICI-induced systemic inflammatory immune-related adverse events (irAE) remain a major clinical challenge. Previous studies in our laboratory and others have demonstrated that a high-salt (HS) diet induces inflammatory activation of CD4+T cells leading to anti-tumor responses. In our current communication, we analyzed the impact of dietary salt modification on therapeutic and systemic outcomes in breast-tumor-bearing mice following anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) monoclonal antibody (mAb) based ICI therapy. As HS diet and anti-CTLA4 mAb both exert pro-inflammatory activation of CD4+T cells, we hypothesized that a combination of …

Comparative Studies Between The Murine Immortalized Brain Endothelial Cell Line (Bend.3) And Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Human Brain Endothelial Cells For Paracellular Transport, Jiahong Sun, Weijun Ou, Derick Han, Annlia Paganini-Hill, Mark J. Fisher, Rachita K. Sumbria

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Brain microvascular endothelial cells, forming the anatomical site of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), are widely used as in vitro complements to in vivo BBB studies. Among the immortalized cells used as in vitro BBB models, the murine-derived bEnd.3 cells offer culturing consistency and low cost and are well characterized for functional and transport assays, but result in low transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Human-induced pluripotent stem cells differentiated into brain microvascular endothelial cells (ihBMECs) have superior barrier properties, but the process of differentiation is time-consuming and can result in mixed endothelial-epithelial gene expression. Here we performed a side-by-side comparison of the …

Noxious Cellular Injury Triggers An Oxidative Stress Gene Response, Shawyun Khoshneviszadeh

Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses

Wound and regeneration involves a series of complex processes that can induce oxidative stress by elevating intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. In this study, we used RNA-seq and qPCR to examine the molecular signature of Human Embryonic Kidney cells (HEK-293T) stimulated with Crotalus atrox (CA) venom. NGS data was assembled and annotated utilizing the Illumina paired-end RNA-seq approach with software packages HISAT2 and StringTie. Results showed 243 genes were differentially expressed (106 upregulated, 137 downregulated) between CA venom stimulated and non-stimulated cells (p<0.05). HEK-293T stimulated with CA venom for 4 hours showed an increase in the expression of oxidative stress response genes (e.g., TOMM6, EGR (1,2,3), HSP70 (1A, 1B), SPRY4, ETV5, and EMP1) (Fold-Change (fc) >2.0). Significantly downregulated genes were associated with many novel transcripts/proteins such as AC117378, AD000671, and AC023509. …

Save The Frogs, Mackenzie Johnson, Alison Bohlen, Andie Ellis, Ryan Pinto

Student Work

The species Xenopus laevis is native to sub saharan Africa, but ever since its discovery in effectiveness in pregnancy tests, the frog now lives invasively around the world. Today the Xenopus Laevis is used mostly in laboratories as a model organism for studying developmental biology (Willigan 2001). The commercialized herbicide Atrazine, has been found to interact with this model organism species in an odd way you might not have guessed (Sanders 2010). Atrazine is primarily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and has been shown to have neuroendocrine, reproductive, and developmental effects on experimental animals such as Xenopus laevis (ATSDR 2004). …

Genetically Explicit Model May Explain Multigenerational Control Of Emergent Turing Patterns In Hybrid Mimulus, Emily Simmons

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.