Biosensors For Biomedicine,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Biosensors For Biomedicine, Drake O'Leary
Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference
This project investigated the use of engineered bacterial reporter systems to detect cellular stress responses associated with antibiotic activity. While constructs were successfully introduced and tested against known antibiotics, the reporter consistently produced a blue signal across conditions, limiting the ability to distinguish specific stress responses. This suggests issues such as leaky expression, insufficient regulatory control, or lack of specificity in the reporter design. Although results were inconclusive, this work highlights key challenges in developing reliable biosensors and provides a foundation for future optimization. Improving signal specificity and reducing background expression will be critical for enabling accurate characterization of antibiotic …
Ecovoltaic Solar Energy Development Creates Novel Microclimate, Temperature, And Soil Moisture Patterns Under Solar Panels In A Warm Desert,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Ecovoltaic Solar Energy Development Creates Novel Microclimate, Temperature, And Soil Moisture Patterns Under Solar Panels In A Warm Desert, Juan Pinos, Seth M. Munson, Claire C. Karban, Matthew D. Petrie
Life Sciences Faculty Research
Background As solar energy development expands in desert regions, new installation practices and solar technologies seek to balance ecosystem conservation and energy generation (ecovoltaics). The Gemini Solar Project, a large ecovoltaic facility located in the northeastern Mojave Desert, employed low impact installation methods to reduce disturbance of the desert ecosystem within arrays of bifacial panels mounted on solar tracking systems. We evaluated microclimate and environmental conditions across five locations: four within-facility microsites (underneath solar panels, east and west panel driplines, and interspaces between panel rows) and one in the undisturbed desert outside the facility. Results Under panel microsites experienced lower …
Sustainable Mitigation Of Microplastic Pollutants Using Native Plant Species,
2026
St. Mary's University
Sustainable Mitigation Of Microplastic Pollutants Using Native Plant Species, Antonio De Jesus Martinez De La Rosa, Emily Lancaster
Research Papers
Microplastics (MPs) are defined as small plastic particles that come from the degradation of plastics [Ziani et al. 2023], that hold a regular or irregular shape, ranging from 1μm to 5 mm [Campanale et al. 2025]. This diminutive size makes them virtually impossible to remove once released into the environment[Lee et al. 2023]. Furthermore, biological, chemical, and physical processes break MP's further down in the environment, causing them to exist in nano-level sizes (1nm-1μm) [Lee et al. 2023], further exacerbating their threat to critical habitats. However, recent studies have shown MP contamination expands beyond the natural environment as recent studies …
Assessing The Influence Of Temperature And Water Level On Gill Disease In Goldfish,
2026
Belmont University
Assessing The Influence Of Temperature And Water Level On Gill Disease In Goldfish, Moses Elijah Cadawas, Emmalie Turner, Darlene Panvini
SPARK Symposium Presentations
Gill disease in fish is a strong biological indicator of water quality and environmental stress. These diseases are commonly caused by bacterial or parasitic infections that target gill tissues and can lead to severe physiological impairment and ultimately mortality. Several environmental factors, including water level and temperature, play a critical role in determining fish susceptibility to these infections. Changes in these conditions can act as stressors that weaken immune defenses and promote pathogen proliferation. This study aimed to evaluate the relative impact of environmental stressors on the development of gill-associated disease in Carassius auratus (goldfish) under controlled conditions. Following exposure …
Imidacloprid Effects On The Survival And Cutaneous Microbiome Of Northern Leopard Frogs,
2026
University of South Dakota
Imidacloprid Effects On The Survival And Cutaneous Microbiome Of Northern Leopard Frogs, Evelyn Margaret Osterloo
Honors Thesis
Amphibians are experiencing population declines due to habitat loss, climate change, and diseases, particularly chytridiomycosis caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Protection from this fungal infection stems from the cutaneous microbiome. Pesticides have been shown to affect amphibians in a variety of ways, including reducing survival, locomotor performance, and accumulation in body tissues. Pesticides may also lead to changes in the cutaneous microbiome affecting amphibians who rely on these organisms as an anti-Bd defense mechanism. To investigate the effect of imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, Northern Leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens) were subjected to sublethal concentrations (control = …
Enhancing Urban Garden Capacity By Linking Biodiversity And Ecosystem Function,
2026
Georgetown University
Enhancing Urban Garden Capacity By Linking Biodiversity And Ecosystem Function, Mary T. Nguyen, Carleen Rauh, Shelby Gresch, Charlotte Correiro, Heidi Elmendorf, Adriane Fugh-Berman, Gina Wimp, Alexandra L. Decandia
Virginia Journal of Science
Urban agriculture broadly describes food and plant cultivation in metropolitan areas. While biodiversity is thought to support ecosystem health and resilience, the relationship between above-ground and below-ground diversity has been understudied in urban green spaces. This study examines plant, animal, bacterial, and fungal diversity across three distinct urban habitats: a turf lawn, a forb garden, and a farming space. Using bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS2 sequencing, soil nutrient analyses, and surveys of vegetation and wildlife, we connect diverse philosophies in urban agriculture to their role in advancing community diversity and ecosystem function. We found that different urban gardens support …
Methane Consumption Rates By Coastal Virginia Beach Microbes,
2026
Old Dominion University
Methane Consumption Rates By Coastal Virginia Beach Microbes, James R. Bailey Ii
Knowledge and Creativity Expo
This study measures whether microbial communities in the shallow coastal waters of Virginia Beach are capable of consuming methane in the water column. Using methane enrichment incubations and gas chromatography, we found no measurable methane oxidation of our samples over multi-day periods. These results suggest that these coastal waters may act as net sources of atmospheric methane.
Impact Of Legacy Amf Communities On Vegetative Growth & Yield Of Soybean,
2026
University of Louisville
Impact Of Legacy Amf Communities On Vegetative Growth & Yield Of Soybean, Dylan Habeeb, Connor Morozumi, Natalie Christian
The Cardinal Edge
Soil microbial communities are increasingly recognized as an important factor in sustainable agriculture. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), are key players in these communities, known to benefit their plant host in a number of ways, such as increased nutrient uptake. Plants can partner with multiple AMF species; however, little is known about how interactions between multispecies communities of AMF impact plant growth and yield. In an agricultural setting, the long-term development of these communities following practices such as rotational planting or cover cropping is also an important consideration, but there is little research on the long-term legacy of AMF communities or …
Seasonal Dynamics And Trends Of Environmental Conditions In Lake Louise, Georgia,
2026
Valdosta State University
Seasonal Dynamics And Trends Of Environmental Conditions In Lake Louise, Georgia, Daniel Kwawuvi, James A. Nienow
Georgia Journal of Science
Lakes are important aquatic ecosystems that are extensively influenced by seasonal variations. In this study we investigate the seasonal dynamics and trends of three environmental variables, water temperature, conductivity and dissolved oxygen (DO), in Lake Louise, a sinkhole lake located in southern Georgia. These variables were measured in-situ along a depth profile from January 27, 2024 to January 17, 2025. We also accessed archived data from field campaigns in 2003, 2004, and 2017 in order to test whether a recent increase in the number of hurricanes impacting the region, five since August, 2017, may have significantly altered the seasonal dynamics …
Biofilm Architecture Determines Proliferation Of Phages And Plasmids,
2026
Dartmouth College
Biofilm Architecture Determines Proliferation Of Phages And Plasmids, James B. Winans
Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations
This thesis explores how biofilm architecture determines the spread and ecological consequences for the bacteria-dependent genetic elements phages and plasmids. Using Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae as model microbes, and the genetic elements T7 phages, λ phages, and conjugative plasmid pED208, we investigate how spatial structure influences phage infection dynamics, plasmid transfer, and interbacterial interactions within biofilms. We show that densely packed biofilms can protect sensitive bacteria from phage exposure and modulate competitive outcomes between obligately lytic and temperate phages. We find that entirely different outcomes can coöccur within microns of each other dependent on biofilm structure. We also demonstrate …
The Role Of The Virb Ligand Ctp In The Molecular Mechanism Of Transcriptional Anti-Silencing In Shigella Flexneri,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The Role Of The Virb Ligand Ctp In The Molecular Mechanism Of Transcriptional Anti-Silencing In Shigella Flexneri, Taylor M. Gerson, Monika M A Karney, Helen Wing
Life Sciences Faculty Research
In bacteria, nucleoid-structuring proteins bind and constrain DNA, often leading to transcriptional silencing. In Shigella spp., the histone-like nucleoid-structuring protein H-NS silences many genes on the large virulence plasmid. Upon a shift to human body temperature, VirB, a DNA-binding protein and key transcriptional regulator of the Shigella virulence cascade, is produced. VirB counteracts H-NS-mediated transcriptional silencing and belongs to a fast-evolving clade of the ParB superfamily. Like other ParB proteins, VirB binds the ligand CTP. While CTP is essential for the anti-silencing activity of VirB, the role of CTP in the mechanism of VirB-dependent anti-silencing has yet to be …
Isolated Bacillus Licheniformis Sp01 From Daqing Oilfield In Reducing Chromium(Iii) Crosslinked Polymer Residue And Enhancing Oil Recovery,
2026
Universiti Malaya
Isolated Bacillus Licheniformis Sp01 From Daqing Oilfield In Reducing Chromium(Iii) Crosslinked Polymer Residue And Enhancing Oil Recovery, Xiao Hui
Student Works (2020-2029)
After polymer gel formation, the residual partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) and the crosslinker (Cr3+) caused plugging and decreased oil recovery. Microorganisms can degrade HPAM to address the issues, but Cr³⁺ inhibits the process and reduces oil recovery. This study explores the underexamined biodegradation of HPAM and improved oil recovery in the presence of Cr³⁺, offering new perspectives for microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) after polymer gel formation. HPAM and crude oil were innovatively used as the sole nitrogen(N) and carbon(C) sources to isolate the best-growing strain from Daqing Oilfield produced water, identified as Bacillus licheniformis SP01. The oil displacement potential …
Waters At Risk: Preventive Methods Against Cyanobacteria Blooms In Rhode Island,
2026
Gettysburg College
Waters At Risk: Preventive Methods Against Cyanobacteria Blooms In Rhode Island, Ryan Boline
CAFE Symposium 2026
This project analyzes the rise of cyanobacteria blooms in Rhode Island freshwater systems and identifies a policy gap in the state’s largely reactive management approach. Drawing on state reports and interviews with environmental experts, it highlights nutrient runoff, climate change, and limited public education as key drivers of bloom severity. To address this gap, I developed a prevention-focused public education poster designed for integration into existing state alert and outreach systems.
Antimicrobial Resistance Of Cultivable Bacteria Isolated From Sorcerer’S Cave In Texas,
2026
Abilene Christian University, Texas, USA
Antimicrobial Resistance Of Cultivable Bacteria Isolated From Sorcerer’S Cave In Texas, Jennifer R. Huddleston, David E. Sanderson, Braden J. Smith, Joshua M. Brokaw, Evan M. Babb, Jeffrey T. Wooliscroft
International Journal of Speleology
Studying caves with minimal human contact offers insights into antimicrobial resistance before human influence. In this study, we isolated 315 bacterial strains from Sorcerer’s Cave in Texas and evaluated their resistance to seven common antimicrobials. Under half (41.4%) of the Gram-positive isolates and 68.4% of the Gram-negative isolates were resistant to three or more antimicrobials. The two most common genera identified were Pseudomonas and Bacillus. Compared to bacteria isolated in previous cave studies, Sorcerer’s Cave bacteria exhibited more extensive antimicrobial resistance. This study underscores the importance of minimally disturbed cave environments in advancing our knowledge of antimicrobial resistance present …
Environmental Detection And Genetic Profiling Of Staphylococcus Sp. At Taal Volcano Island,
2026
De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, Philippines
Environmental Detection And Genetic Profiling Of Staphylococcus Sp. At Taal Volcano Island, Ray Albert E. La Rosa, Shaun Michael C. Basco, Martin Gabriel Z. Dela Cruz, Iluminada A. Ronio
The Lasallian Journal of Health
Taal Volcano Island’s hydrothermal environment supports extremophilic microbial communities. This study isolated, biochemically characterized, and genetically profiled Staphylococcus sp. from shoreline soils. Soil samples were collected near active vents and cultured on acidified gelatin agar (pH 5.0). Biochemical tests—Methyl Red, Spirit Blue Agar, Motility, and Acrolein—were performed. DNA extraction and 16S rRNA sequencing identified Staphylococcus candidatus, with 99 % sequence similarity to GenBank entries JN794602.1 and KX250303.1. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the isolate with S. ureilyticus, S. cohnii, and S. equorum. The organism’s presence in volcanic soils demonstrates adaptation to acidic, thermophilic conditions and suggests potential applications in bioremediation and enzyme …
Exploring Alkaline Protease Activity Of Bacillus Strain Isolated From Sidon Dumpsite Lebanon,
2026
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Beirut Arab University, Debbieh, Lebanon
Exploring Alkaline Protease Activity Of Bacillus Strain Isolated From Sidon Dumpsite Lebanon, Zahra Farroukh, Dalia El-Badan, Jamilah Borjac
BAU Journal - Science and Technology
Proteases are crucial hydrolytic enzymes present in all organisms, performing essential physiological and industrial tasks. This study was conducted to screen and isolate protease-producing bacteria from soil and water samples collected from Sidon dumpsite in Lebanon. Bacterial samples were cultured onto skim milk agar medium to identify the alkaline protease-producing ones. In this study, we report on the partial purification and characterization of one of the isolated alkaline protease-producing bacteria. The bacterium was identified as Bacillus subtilis Z3 based on 16S rRNA sequencing. The molecular weight of the partially purified protease was approximately 55 kDa, estimated by sodium dodecyl sulphate …
Bacterial Community Function In Pitcher Plant Leaves As An Experimental And Mathematical Model Of Functional Dynamics,
2026
Humboldt State University
Bacterial Community Function In Pitcher Plant Leaves As An Experimental And Mathematical Model Of Functional Dynamics, Amelia Jackson
Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects
This work looks at two different sites with differing abiotic factors in measures of altitude, temperature and precipitation. The site with higher altitude, larger temperature range, and lower precipitation, located in Plumas National Forest (Quincy, CA), had a flat BEF trend that suggests functional redundancy The site with lower altitude, more moderate temperatures, and higher precipitation located in Six Rivers National Forest (Gasquet, CA), also had a flat BEF trend. These abiotic factors could correlate to the significantly different bacterial compositions between sites. The second portion of this work is modeling the host antagonist relationship between Eyxra moths and their …
Combining Crispr And Nanoasv To Uncover The Rare Bacterial Communities Of The Human Oral Microbiome,
2026
San Jose State University
Combining Crispr And Nanoasv To Uncover The Rare Bacterial Communities Of The Human Oral Microbiome, Gilma Ruth Sevilla Alvarez
Master's Projects
Studying the oral microbiome is vital because its health implications are not contained to the mouth. Cariogenic bacteria cause tooth demineralization and oral microbes that translocate to extra-oral organ systems are linked to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Some of these pathogens belong to the most abundant phyla in the oral cavity: Bacillota, Pseudomonadota, Bacteroidota, Actinomycetota, Spirochaetota, and Fusobacteriota, which together comprise 94% of the oral microbiome. This project uses CRISPR-Cas9 to deplete sequences from highly abundant phyla and the Eubacteria domain, enriching the remaining 6% of rarer taxa. Paired with NanoASV for single-nucleotide resolution, this …
Surveillance Of A Novel Vesivirus Discovered In An Urban Mephitis Mephitis Population,
2026
University of New Hampshire, Durham
Surveillance Of A Novel Vesivirus Discovered In An Urban Mephitis Mephitis Population, Amanda E. Diggins
Honors Theses and Capstones
Caliciviridae is a family of non-enveloped, positive-sense, single stranded RNA viruses, including eleven defined genera that contain important pathogens of humans and animals. Within the Caliciviridae family, the genus Vesiviridae includes feline calicivirus, a leading cause of upper respiratory disease in cats, and vesicular exanthema of swine virus, a historical disease of domestic swine that has now been implicated in several marine mammal vesicular diseases, one of which has been confirmed zoonotic. Urban landscapes create a unique environment for rapid intra- and interspecies transmission of viruses. Clustered resources attract high-density populations of synanthropic wildlife species, increasing spatial overlap and heightening …
Investigating Microbe-Mediated Temperature Tolerance In Lemna Minor,
2026
University of New Hampshire, Durham
Investigating Microbe-Mediated Temperature Tolerance In Lemna Minor, Matthew Thomas Farbaniec
Honors Theses and Capstones
Temperature limits plant growth and survival more than many other environmental variables, and increases in the frequency of extreme hot or cold weather events pose significant challenges for plant growth and crop yields. Previous studies have shown that bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms associated with plants ( i.e., the plant microbiome) can influence host response to temperature stress. These same microbes have their own temperature tolerances. We investigated whether microbial temperature tolerance correlates with plant resilience using an aquatic plant model, Lemna minor, and isolates derived from its microbiome. Microbial isolates were assessed at −10°C, 4°C, and 32°C for …
