Genetics Commons^™

Genomic Analysis Of Paenibacillus Larvae Bacteriophages, Casey Stamereilers

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

American Foulbrood is the most destructive bacterial infection of the honeybee (Apis mellifera) and is caused by the Gram-positive, spore forming bacterium Paenibacillus larvae. Current treatment methods rely on antibiotics, but antibiotics treatments are experiencing a reduction in efficacy due to the recent rise in antibiotic resistant strains of P. larvae. This has been a major catalyst for exploration of alternative treatment methods. Phage therapy is an alternative treatment method that uses viruses that exclusively infect bacteria, known as bacteriophages (phages), to combat bacterial infections. Several experimental studies have shown that phages P. larvae phages are effective at lysing P. …

Dynamics Of Hybrid Zones At A Continental Scale, Bradley T. Martin

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hybridization has traditionally been viewed as a happenstance that negatively impacts populations, but is now recognized as an important evolutionary mechanism that can substantially impact the evolutionary trajectories of gene pools, influence adaptive capacity, and contravene or reinforce divergence. Physiographic processes are important drivers of dispersal, alternately funneling populations into isolation, promoting divergence, or facilitating secondary contact of diverged populations, increasing the potential for hybridization. In North America, glacial-interglacial cycles and geomorphological changes have provided a dynamic backdrop over the last two million years that promoted such oscillations of population contraction and expansion. These biogeographic processes have resulted in regional …

The Genetic Links Between Archaic And Modern Humans, Maria J. Orellana Rosales

Thinking Matters Symposium

Our modern physiology is the mixture of many archaic humans that once roamed our planet. The evidence of these archaic humans is still present in our DNA. This poster reviews how our understanding of ancient human genetics has drastically changed due to advances in molecular genetics. Neanderthal and Denisovan remains have been sequenced for nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Neanderthal and Denisovan genetic ancestry have been identified by genomic studies in modern human populations across Eurasia and Pacific Island regions. Studies have shown a gene flow of 4±1% from Neanderthals to present-day Eurasians. Whereas, Papuan and Melanesian individuals share 4±0.7% more …

The Genes Of Pain, Alina Semenova

Thinking Matters Symposium

Pain is an important defense mechanism that protects us from environmental factors that might harm us. Our body's response to pain helps us to avoid injury. However, constant pain is a problem. Management of constant pain is an important area of research. Studies have shown that genetic variation contributes to pain sensitivity.

Numerous pain-related genes and their functional polymorphisms (CYP450, MOR-1, COMT, GCH1, etc.) have been identified in the past ten years. In particular, three opioid receptors (OPRM, OPRD and OPRK) are associated with pain sensitivity. One of the most studied human functional polymorphisms is the debrisoquine/sparteine polymorphism of CYP2D6 …

Genetically Modified Organisms Are Important But Also Controversial, Masen Pelletier

Thinking Matters Symposium

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms containing a set or multiple sets of genes that have been introduced into the organism using laboratory techniques. In the instance of agriculture, the genes introduced provide advantages for the farmer and consumer by yielding plants that produce greater yields, longer growing seasons, longer shelf lives, greater concentrations of vitamins or add additional vitamins that are novel to the plant. There are two general ways that GM (genetically modified) crops are produced: the addition or removal of genes. This review focuses on an example of each strategy. An example of the latter is GM …

Understanding The Genetics Of Schizophrenia, Matthew Toohey

Thinking Matters Symposium

Schizophrenia has been considered heritable for a long time, but only with the advent of new technologies such as whole-genome sequencing and genome-wide association studies can we begin to identify specific molecular causes of schizophrenia. This poster will review some of the genetic variants that research groups have associated with schizophrenia. Current research has indicated that schizophrenia is a polygenic disease and has been linked to many genes. Some of these common risk variants are in protein coding sections of the DNA. These proteins are often linked to neurological development or immune system function. Other variants that have been associated …

The Evolution Of Mimicry; The Doublesex Gene, Aisha Hill

Thinking Matters Symposium

Many butterfly species use mimicry in order to increase their chance of survival. In Batesian mimicry, non toxic butterflies mimic the wing patterns, colors, and shapes of another species that is toxic to predators. Swallowtail butterflies (Papilio polytes) are well-known Batesian mimics, and also display sexual dimorphism with distinct differences between the sexes. Sex limited mimicry is common. The female butterfly may mimic an inedible red-bodied swallowtail, such as the common rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae), or she may be non-mimetic. The male butterfly is non-mimetic. This is a review of recent research into the origin and evolution …

Identification Of Mitochondrial Transfer Sequences In Homologs Of A Folic Acid Metabolism Gene, Alyson Hally

Biology Student Work

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common malformities resulting in exposed spinal cord or brain tissues caused by the inability to close the neural tube in embryogenesis. Previous research has shown folate deficiency increases the risk of NTDs. A folic acid metabolism gene, serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) is responsible for the synthesis of thymidylates, purines, and methionine which are important for DNA replication especially during embryogenesis. Typically, eukaryotes have two copies of SHMT which are either localized to remain in the cytosol or transferred to the mitochondria. The different localizations are a result of mitochondrial target sequences on the N-terminus. Interestingly, the …

Novel Genetic Mutations In Genes Agbl5 And Tulp1 For Presumed Unilateral Retinitis Pigmentosa Managed With Low Vision Rehabilitation: A Case Report And Review, Maggie Man Ki Ho Od, Ms, Faao, Stephanie Schmiedecke-Barbieri Od, Faao, Abcmo, Dip Low Vision, Patricia C. Sanchez-Diaz Phd, Dvm, Faao, Carolyn E. Majcher Od, Faao, Fors

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of hereditary retinal diseases characterized by the degeneration of rod and cone photoreceptors. It commonly results in night blindness followed by tunnel vision and central vision reduction. The classic triad of clinical signs includes pigmented bone spicules, waxy disc pallor, and arterial attenuation. Unilateral retinitis pigmentosa is rare and can be supported with ancillary testing including genetic and laboratory studies to rule out differential diagnoses.

Case Report: A 68-year-old Hispanic female was referred to the low vision rehabilitation clinic due to progressive vision loss in the left eye (OS) that began 15 years ago. …

208— Describing Genetic Diversity In A Non-Native Ant-Mimicking Spider, Cassidy Mills, Jennifer L. Apple

GREAT Day Posters

The ant-mimicking spider Myrmarachne formicaria (Salticidae) is a species native to Eurasia and was first identified in North America in 2001. It has since been found in many locations in the Northeast including western New York, western Pennsylvania, northeastern Ohio, and southern Ontario. Little is known about its introduction to North America and how it has dispersed since. By characterizing the mitochondrial genetic diversity of this species, we can learn about its introduction history and dispersal patterns in North America. Sequencing of a 600-bp mitochondrial DNA gene region spanning the 16s rRNA, leucine tRNA, and part of the ND1 gene …

307— Cooperation Of Selfish Genetic Elements In Stalk-Eyed Flies, Suhani Patel, Ben Mcpherson

GREAT Day Posters

SGEs are selfish genetic elements that increase the likelihood of their own transmission regardless of the host’s best interest. Transposable elements (TEs) and meiotic drivers are both types of SGEs. SGEs subsequently result in genetic conflict as they disrupt functional elements in the genome. We are working to better understand the cooperation of selfish genetic elements in Stalk-Eyed flies. Transposable elements are counteracted by small non-coding RNA molecules called piRNA. These RNA molecules work by reducing the expression of TEs by degrading TE RNA transcripts. Prior work in stalk-eyed flies has shown that TEs are expressed at a higher rate …

Study Of Sickle Cell Disease, Aaron Guevarra, Carlos Herrera, Faysal Ali

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

The purpose of this research timeline is to explore the history, prevalence, and effects of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) so that treatments and possible future experiments or cures may be discussed. In SCD, abnormal red blood cells appear as sickle shaped as opposed to the round shape of normal red blood cells. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, so an individual must inherit two copies of the allele. The gene mutation is a single nucleotide mutation in the gene which codes for β-globin. In 1910, James B. Herrick first described the disease, and in 1949, its inheritance pattern …

Exploration Of Patient Communication Preference Regarding Reclassified Genetic Test Results, Cooper Nicole Hall

Theses and Dissertations

Genetic testing is becoming increasingly used to detect individuals who are predisposed to developing cancer. If genetic testing identifies a variant in an individual’s DNA, the testing laboratory uses available data to classify the variant as either disease-causing or benign. When limited data is available regarding a variant’s pathogenicity and the risk of cancer for an individual is not clear, the variant is classified as a “variant of uncertain significance” (VUS). If new data is discovered, the VUS may be reclassified. There is a gap in current literature regarding desired communication for a reclassified genetic test result. There are no …

A Timeline Of Oculocutaneous Albinism, Mohammed Abushanab, Maria Ceroni, Kimberly Morán

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

The purpose of this research timeline is to synthesize the natural history of Oculocutaneous Albinism (OCA), discover gaps in knowledge, as well as understand the genes and mutations that incite the disease. It is through methods of literature-based research that we found the earliest recognition of OCA and investigated it up to its most current state of research. The rate of research remains steady and continuous with the focus varying widely; either by examining more of the genes involved in the disease or by taking more in-depth looks at mutational analyses of genes that are already observed to be linked …

An Investigation On The History And Current Research Of Fragile X Syndrome, Makeda Asare, Isabelle Avenido, Maxene Vergonia-Fehlman

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

The purpose of this research is to synthesize the history of Fragile X Syndrome through literature-based research in order to assess the scope of research, population variation, social impact, and treatment. Fragile X was first documented in 1943 by Dr. Julia Bell and Dr. James Purdon Martin in a report of a family case study in which eleven males across two generations showed symptoms of intellectual disabilities. Fragile X Syndrome is an X-linked disorder caused by mutation in the Fragile X mental retardation 1(FMR1) gene on chromosome Xq27.3. The FMR1 mutations are triplet repeat expansion of the CGG repeat sequences …

The History And Future Of Cystic Fibrosis, Randall Combs, Che Fung Andy Chan, Daisy Sahagun

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

The purpose of this research timeline is to highlight the tumultuous yet inspiring history of Cystic Fibrosis disease and treatment to give us a more pragmatic understanding of its current state. Cystic Fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disease, most often caused by a single amino-acid deletion of phenylalanine at position 508 in the nucleotide binding domain, which results in a loss of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Symptomatology varies considerably but a buildup of mucus in the respiratory tract leading to lung failure, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency which results in digestive and metabolic dysfunction are commonly, if not …

Retinoblastoma: Past, Present, And Future, Izabela Daneva, Crysty-Ann Olaco, Albert Tran

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

The purpose of this research timeline is to synthesize the natural history of retinoblastoma to understand its societal effects and develop a public health message to raise awareness of the disease. We used literature-based research in order to gain an understanding about the discovery of this disease and investigate its most current state of knowledge. Retinoblastoma is an intraocular cancer that manifests early in childhood. It is typically linked to a somatic or germline insertion, deletion, or single-base substitution mutation on both alleles of RB1, a tumor-suppressor gene. Retinoblastoma was first identified in 1809 by James Wardrop, and since then, …

Determination Of The Presence Of Rickettsia Spp. And Borrelia Spp. Carried By Tortoise Ticks From Madagascar, Anna Phan

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Ticks were removed from three species of Malagasy tortoises, Astrochelys yniphora, A. radiata, and Pyxis arachnoides (comprising two subspecies P. a. arachnoides and P. a. oblonga), between 2012 and 2015. The ticks were presumed to be from the genus Amblyomma. Ticks were morphologically identified and then checked molecularly to confirm their classification or identify any ticks that could not be morphologically identified. Molecular identification was done via end-point PCR that amplified tick cytochrome oxidase (CO1) and tick 12S rRNA genes. Ticks were screened via a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the presence of Rickettsia spp. …

An Exploration Of The Genetic Counselor’S Role In The Individualized Education Program, Naomi Jean Barker

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This exploratory study aimed to assess the knowledge of school psychologists and special education teachers regarding genetic conditions and the resources used in the development of individualized education programs (IEP) for students with genetic disorders. While the IEP process has been described for children with disabilities, literature explicitly focusing on children with genetic conditions is lacking. The rarity of genetic conditions often leaves school personnel with limited information. Methods: School psychologists (N=29) and special education teachers (N =14) throughout the United States participated in an online questionnaire. School psychologists were recruited from research committee listservs of state associations, and …

Efficacy Of Telegenetics: A Diagnostic Yield Comparison Between In-Person And Telemedicine Pediatric Genetic Evaluations, Allie Merrihew

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of telegenetic services for pediatric genetic evaluations conducted by telemedicine by comparing it to in-person pediatric genetic evaluations. Research into the utility of telegenetics would greatly serve to identify if this is a preferred alternative service delivery model to bridge the gap in accessibility and reach a greater catchment area of the population, especially to those living in underserved and rural locations. This study was a retrospective review of electronic medical records of pediatric patients seen at Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) for initial in-person genetic visits prior to the COVID-19 …