Using Single-Cell Sorting, Fish And 13c-Labeling To Cultivate And Assess Carbon Substrate Utilization Of ‘Aigarchaeota’ And Other Novel Thermophiles,
2019
California State University, San Bernardino
Using Single-Cell Sorting, Fish And 13c-Labeling To Cultivate And Assess Carbon Substrate Utilization Of ‘Aigarchaeota’ And Other Novel Thermophiles, Damon Kurtis Mosier
Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations
‘Aigarchaeota’, a deeply branching lineage in the domain Archaea with no cultivated representatives, includes both thermophilic and hyperthermophilic microorganisms that reside in terrestrial and marine geothermal environments. The ‘Aigarchaeota’ consists of at least nine proposed genus-level groups that have been confirmed via 16S rRNA sequencing, with ‘Aigarchaeota’ Group 1 (AigG1) being the focus of this study. Based on cultivation-independent genomic data available from several AigG1 members in Great Boiling Spring (GBS), NV, and Yellowstone National Park, 22 different types of growth media were designed and tested for their ability to support growth of AigG1. One of these cultures, G1-10, was …
Are Microclimate Conditions In El Malpais National Monument Caves In New Mexico, Usa Suitable For Pseudogymnoascus Growth?,
2019
Western Illinois University
Are Microclimate Conditions In El Malpais National Monument Caves In New Mexico, Usa Suitable For Pseudogymnoascus Growth?, Terry J. Torres-Cruz, Andrea Porras-Alfaro, Nicole A. Caimi, Ogochukwu Nwabologu, Edward W. Strach, Kaitlyn J.H. Read, Jesse M. Young, Debbie C. Buecher, Diana E. Northup
International Journal of Speleology
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a bat disease caused by the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which thrives in cold and very humid environments where bats frequently hibernate. Conidia of Pseudogymnoascus species are often documented on bats prior to the onset of WNS, but characterization of high-risk areas defined by microclimate cave conditions have been lacking. Investigating the occurrence of this fungal genus and appropriate environmental conditions to support P. destructans in southwestern U.S. caves is key to understanding the sites most likely to be impacted by WNS. Microclimate conditions in ten caves at El Malpais (ELMA) National Monument in New …
Glycolic Acid Utilization In Two Species Of Marine Bacteria,
2019
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Glycolic Acid Utilization In Two Species Of Marine Bacteria, Erik S. Timsak
STAR Program Research Presentations
Interactions between bacteria and phytoplankton are crucial for the cycling of organic matter in marine environments. Around 50% of organic carbon taken up by marine bacteria is converted into inorganic carbon. The uptake of organic carbon by marine bacteria exuded from phytoplankton is a key factor in regulating the marine carbon cycle. One such molecule that is exuded by phytoplankton and then uptaken by marine bacteria is called glycolate - the anion of glycolic acid, a two caron molecule. Glycolate is exuded by phytoplankton during photorespiration and 10-50% of dissolved organic carbon in marine environments is comprised of glycolate. Additionally, …
Characterizing Nodule Endophyte Communities In Glycine Max And Lablab Purpureus Using Next-Generation Sequencing,
2019
Missouri State University
Characterizing Nodule Endophyte Communities In Glycine Max And Lablab Purpureus Using Next-Generation Sequencing, Scott David Mcelveen
Graduate Theses/Dissertations
Biological nitrogen fixation by rhizobia in the root nodules of legumes is a significant source of agricultural nitrogen in global crop production systems. The influence of and interaction of factors involved in nodule endophyte selection remain poorly understood. In the present study, the influences of crop rotation (soybean-legume vs. cotton-legume) and recalcitrant soil organic matter (compost amendment) on the relative distribution of endophytic bacteria in the root nodules of greenhouse-grown soybean and lablab were investigated by extracting, amplifying, and sequencing 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and nifH genes. Neither preceding crop nor compost amendment were found to have an influence on …
16s Rrna Analysis And Toxin Gene Presence In Escherichia Coli Isolated From Beach Water And Sand At A Public Beach (Erie County, Ny),
2019
State University of New York College at Buffalo - Buffalo State College
16s Rrna Analysis And Toxin Gene Presence In Escherichia Coli Isolated From Beach Water And Sand At A Public Beach (Erie County, Ny), Jennifer D. Jackson
Biology Theses
Every year, thousands of people utilize beaches for recreation, but most are unaware of Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination and the possibility of acquiring an infection. In this study, 173 strains of E. coli were isolated from sand and adjacent waters from a public beach in Erie County, NY and analyzed for genetic relatedness based on sequence differences in the variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Some of the variable regions (V1 and V6) proved useful in constructing phylogenetic trees but the discriminatory power of these regions was inadequate to resolve intraspecies differences. Therefore, whether extant populations …
Molecular Detection Of Pathogenic Leptospira Throughout The Caribbean,
2019
Georgia College
Molecular Detection Of Pathogenic Leptospira Throughout The Caribbean, Zamara R. Garcia Truitt
Biology Theses
Leptospirosis is a common widespread zoonotic disease found throughout the Caribbean. The infection is produced by a pathogenic Leptospira species found in tropical and subtropical regions. The severity of the disease ranges from a mild asymptomatic infection to death. Leptospirosis is a neglected tropical disease due to the lack of public awareness and health approaches. Therefore, misdiagnosis is common because the symptoms are similar to that of other tropical endemic diseases. The aim of the study was to determine the presence of pathogenic Leptospira in water samples collected from Puerto Rico and Trinidad. Sixty-four environmental water samples were collected throughout …
Equivalency Of Indirect And Direct Potable Reuse Paradigms Based On A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment Framework,
2019
China University of Geosciences
Equivalency Of Indirect And Direct Potable Reuse Paradigms Based On A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment Framework, Erfaneh Amoueyan, Yongsheng He, Hongjie Wu, Chuanwei Zhu, Shichun Huang, Jian Huang
Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research
Due to rapid growth in the potable reuse industry, there is a need to better characterize the associated pathogen risks and degree of attenuation achieved by various treatment trains. It is also important to understand how emerging treatment frameworks compare to the historical practice of de facto reuse. As such, the goals of this study were to (1) evaluate the equivalency of indirect potable reuse (IPR) and direct potable reuse (DPR) systems; (2) compare alternative treatment trains; and (3) identify the design components and operational conditions that are most critical to minimizing public health risks. To this end, we developed …
Hawk On Wire: Ecopoems By Scott T. Starbuck,
2019
University of Calgary
Hawk On Wire: Ecopoems By Scott T. Starbuck, Vivian M. Hansen
The Goose
Review of Scott T. Starbuck’s Hawk on Wire: Ecopoems
Culture-Based Analysis Of ‘Cave Silver’ Biofilms On Rocks In The Former Homestake Mine In South Dakota, Usa,
2019
Florida State University
Culture-Based Analysis Of ‘Cave Silver’ Biofilms On Rocks In The Former Homestake Mine In South Dakota, Usa, Amanpreet K. Brar, David Bergmann
International Journal of Speleology
Tunnels in a warm, humid area of the 1478 m level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), located in a former gold mine in South Dakota, USA, host irregular, thin whitish, iridescent biofilms, which appear superficially similar to ‘cave silver’ biofilms described from limestone and lava tube caves, despite the higher rock temperature (32°C) and differing rock surface (phyllite) present at SURF. In this study, we investigated the diversity of cultivable bacteria constituting the cave silver by using several media: CN agar, CN gellan gum and 0.1X R2A agar. The highest colony count (CFU/g of sample) was observed on …
Investigation Of Origin And Growth Of Fungi In Coastal Beach Sand,
2019
Coastal Carolina University
Investigation Of Origin And Growth Of Fungi In Coastal Beach Sand, Ruth L. Wright
Honors Theses
In a previous study from this lab (Stevens, Evans, & Aguirre, 2012) yeast colonies were isolated and grown grown from sand collection at pristine, medium use and high use beaches along the grand strand. In that study greater yeast abundance and greater diversity both correlated with higher census of human use, suggesting that some yeast growth of sites was anthropogenic. However the sand matrix itself also varied from very fine, uniform, dark sand at the pristine beach to coarser, color varying, less tightly packed sand at residential and commercial beaches. This suggested an alternative hypothesis to differential colonization and growth …
See The Forest For The Leaves: Foliar Fungal Community Composition And Volatile Organic Compound Production,
2019
The University of San Francisco
See The Forest For The Leaves: Foliar Fungal Community Composition And Volatile Organic Compound Production, Joshua Copeland
Master's Theses
Endophytes are microbes that live within plants without causing detectable illness. These microorganisms can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), airborne signaling molecules that can significantly affect plant growth. Despite the prevalence of endophytes and their VOCs, little is known about these factors important to plant health. With this in mind I isolated fungal endophytes from leaves of Populus trichocarpa and Populus fremontii, tree species with economic and environmental uses, to determine if endophyte communities are reserved between the closely related tree species and over seasons. Surface sterilized leaf fragments were plated onto malt extract agar and the resulting fungi were …
The Effects Of Constructed Wetlands On Metal Solubilization And Bioavailability In Passive Mine Remediation,
2019
Duquesne University
The Effects Of Constructed Wetlands On Metal Solubilization And Bioavailability In Passive Mine Remediation, Elizabeth Cochran
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The legacy of coal mining in Appalachia has left many watersheds impacted by abandoned mine drainage. The drainage degrades streams, groundwater and habitats with acidity and toxic heavy metals. The Lowber Passive Remediation System has been in operation since 2004 to remediate high amounts of dissolved Fe, SO4, Al, and Mn. The site consists of six settling ponds and an extensive wetlands at the finish. This study investigated the resolubilization of Fe and Mn in the wetlands and the role of bacteria in resolubilization. During three seasons, field measurements of water quality and lab analysis of Fe, Mn, …
Fungi In A Hot, Dry, Changing World,
2019
University of New Mexico
Fungi In A Hot, Dry, Changing World, Miriam I. Hutchinson
Biology ETDs
My doctoral work focused on understanding the reciprocal relationship between fungi and their environment, namely how fungi respond to environmental flux, as well as how fungi can modify and structure their habitats, especially in the context of climate change. As such, I aimed my research on fungi with distinct adaptations to their environmental niches: endophytic fungi that inhabit plant tissue and thermophilic fungi that are capable of growing at the upper temperature limit for eukaryotic life. My research consisted of three studies. First, I investigated the thermophilic species Myceliophthora heterothallica to demonstrate its use as a model organism for efficient …
Warming Up: Climate Change Related Shifts Of Mycorrhizal Fungal Communities In High Latitude Ecosystems,
2019
University of New Mexico
Warming Up: Climate Change Related Shifts Of Mycorrhizal Fungal Communities In High Latitude Ecosystems, Megan Rae Devan
Biology ETDs
This dissertation examines how climate change affects mycorrhizal fungal communities in boreal and arctic ecosystems. In chapter one, I revealed that increases in fire severity and related increases in deciduous tree dominance result in greater Ascomycota relative abundance (RA) and subsequent declines in Basidiomycota RA. In chapter two I analyzed the effects of post-fire mycorrhizal fungal communites on host growth. There were trends at the fungal genus level that were largely reflected at the guild level across all hosts; however, there were some fungal genera that had the opposite effect on different host species. In chapter three, I found host …
Developing A Modern Microbiology Laboratory Manual To Enhance Student Learning,
2019
University of Rhode Island
Developing A Modern Microbiology Laboratory Manual To Enhance Student Learning, Alexander Yonchak
Senior Honors Projects
My project has been addressing the issue of incorporating recent developments in biosafety and pedagogical approaches for lab-courses into our existing educational curriculum by developing a new, modern lab manual aimed at improving experiential learning for introductory microbiology teaching labs. Through researching the most recent safety regulations, industry standards, & guidelines for such teaching labs, my manual clearly delineates learning outcomes to match the skills expected of undergraduates completing degrees within the life sciences. In addition, the lab manual that I have designed has been modernized to incorporate the most recent recommended safety precautions and is written in a user-friendly …
The Effect Of Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia On Gram-Negative Cystic Fibrosis Pathogens.,
2019
University of Louisville
The Effect Of Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia On Gram-Negative Cystic Fibrosis Pathogens., Joshua D Stewart
College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common lethal genetic disorder in the Caucasian population with an incidence of 1 per 3,000 live births and a median predicted survival of only 47 years. Respiratory failure due to repeated pathological insults to lung tissue by infection is the ultimate cause of mortality in the majority of patients. The lung microenvironment created by CF highly favors colonization by opportunistic pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia cenocepacia, and Achromobacter xylosoxidans. Biofilm formation by multiple bacterial species contributes to the chronic, persistent, and difficult to treat nature of CF infections. This study seeks …
Detection, Identification, And Metagenomic Characterization Of Cyanobacteria In Barnegat Bay, New Jersey,
2019
Seton Hall University
Detection, Identification, And Metagenomic Characterization Of Cyanobacteria In Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, Roksana M. Rahman
Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CHAB), caused by eutrophication, is known to threaten both wildlife and human health. Barnegat Bay, also home to Oyster Creek nuclear power plant, has experienced an elevated levels of nitrogen due to human activity such as recreational activity and urbanization. This has caused an increase of CHAB’s at a more frequent rate within Barnegat Bay. In order to detect possible CHAB causing cyanobacteria, water samples were collected from 12 different locations within Barnegat Bay. Each sample was filtered through a 30- and 0.4-mm polycarbonate filter sequentially. Chelex DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and gel electrophoresis …
The Chelation Of Metal Ions By Vicibactin, A Siderophore Produced By Rhizobium Leguminosarum Atcc 14479,
2019
East Tennessee State University
The Chelation Of Metal Ions By Vicibactin, A Siderophore Produced By Rhizobium Leguminosarum Atcc 14479, Joshua Stinnett
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Vicibactin is a small, high-affinity iron chelator produced by Rhizobium leguminosarum ATCC 14479. Previous work has shown that vicibactin is produced and secreted from the cell to sequester ferric iron from the environment during iron-deplete conditions. This ferric iron is then transported into the cell to be converted into ferrous iron. This study uses UV-Vis spectroscopy as well as ion trap-time of flight mass spectroscopy to determine that vicibactin does form a complex with copper(II) ions, however, at a much lower affinity than for iron(III). Stability tests have shown that the copper(II)-vicibactin complex is stable over time. The results of …
Characterization Of Microtubule Organizing Centers In The Genus Protostelium, Including Evolutionary Implications,
2019
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Characterization Of Microtubule Organizing Centers In The Genus Protostelium, Including Evolutionary Implications, Ethan Taylor Ozment
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) are cellular regions of microtubule nucleation. The best known MTOCs are those associated with the centrosome, but several non-centrosomal MTOCs are known in eukaryotes, especially in land plants. MTOCs are poorly characterized across the breadth of amoebozoan diversity, but are well-known in certain amoebozoan lineages, including the genus of protosteloid slime molds Protostelium. The structure of the MTOC is known for two non-ciliated species, P. nocturnum and P. mycophaga, as well as P. aurantium, which can reversibly become ciliated under appropriate conditions. P. nocturnum and P. mycophaga have acentriolar centrosomal MTOCs while P. aurantium has a …
The Contribution Of Foliar Fungi To Agricultural Soil Microbiomes In An Organic Cropping System.,
2019
University of San Francisco
The Contribution Of Foliar Fungi To Agricultural Soil Microbiomes In An Organic Cropping System., Derek R. Newberger
Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD
With finite arable land available to support a growing human population, sustainable agricultural techniques are increasingly needed to provide long-term food security. Traditionally, the focus of using cover crops as a technique in organic agriculture has been on the improved nutrient and physical properties of soil that result from their use. However, recent technological developments in sequencing have enabled a new window into the benefits of plant microbiomes in agriculture that extend beyond these traditionally touted effects. This project will investigate one relatively under-described effect of using cover cropping systems – the transfer of microbes from plants to soil. Specifically, …
