Detecting Endogenous Ccl28,
2014
Brigham Young University
Detecting Endogenous Ccl28, Sara Mason, Dr. Eric Wilson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Chemokines play a well-characterized and significant role in the immune system as chemoattractants for white blood cells. Some chemokines have also been shown to have antimicrobial properties in addition to their chemoattractant functions. CCL28 is a chemokine that aids in the recruitment of antibody secreting cells to mucosal surfaces of the body, especially in the large intestine and lactating mammary glands.1 Recent research has shown that, in addition to recruiting lymphocytes, CCL28 also exhibits antimicrobial activity against gram positive and gram negative bacteria, and antifungal activity.2
Development Of A Traveler’S Vaccine Against Dengue Infection,
2014
Brigham Young University
Development Of A Traveler’S Vaccine Against Dengue Infection, Arthur Lee, Dr. Bradford Berges
Journal of Undergraduate Research
There are currently no vaccines available against dengue virus. Each year, about 400 million people become infected and half a million of them, especially children, develop complications such as dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome.
Genome Annotation Of Novel Viruses And Discovery Of Critical Sequences In Genes Via Comparative Analysis Of B4 Mycobacteriophage,
2014
Brigham Young University
Genome Annotation Of Novel Viruses And Discovery Of Critical Sequences In Genes Via Comparative Analysis Of B4 Mycobacteriophage, Cameron Sargent, Dr. Sandra Burnett
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Over the past few years at Brigham Young University and other colleges nationwide, members of the Phage Hunters program have endeavored to find and analyze novel mycobacteriophage in an attempt to create new treatment and research methods for the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Comparative Genome Analysis Of Novel Paenibacillus Larvae Bacteriophage,
2014
Brigham Young University
Comparative Genome Analysis Of Novel Paenibacillus Larvae Bacteriophage, Bryan Merrill, Dr. Sandra Burnett
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Honey bees pollinate one third of the crops in the U.S. diet. The spore-forming bacterium Paenibacillus larvae causes American Foulbrood (AFB), a highly contagious disease that is lethal in honey bee larvae. P. larvae is the most serious pathogen affecting honey bees. The spores can be found in any healthy beehive, are stable for 40 years or more, and cannot be killed by antibiotics. The disease manifests itself when worker bees feed P. larvae spores to larvae and the spores germinate. The bacteria then consume the larvae and turns back into a spore that the worker bees then transfer throughout …
Determining Gene Expression Levels In Healthy And Degraded Alpaca Spinal Discs,
2014
Brigham Young University
Determining Gene Expression Levels In Healthy And Degraded Alpaca Spinal Discs, Loyd Christensen, Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (IDD) is a disease estimated to affect between 60 and 90 percent of the total population at some point in life. Evidence of spinal disc degeneration has been shown in 30 percent of individuals under 40 years old, with earliest symptoms visible at 21 years of age; its prevalence only increases with age. Symptoms of spinal disc degeneration account for more than 13 million doctor visits each year and result in costs of more than $200 billion in lost productivity and health-care related expenses in the US alone. Unfortunately, despite these staggering costs, no widely effective treatment …
Understanding The Irf5 Gene Through Characterization Of Its Four Promoters,
2014
Brigham Young University
Understanding The Irf5 Gene Through Characterization Of Its Four Promoters, Lissenya Argueta, Dr. Brian Poole
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Interferon Regulatory Factor 5 (IRF5) is a transcription factor involved with the innate antiviral immune response and primarily expressed in immune cells1. This protein is responsible for the regulation of interferon activity and cytokine signaling, namely that of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These processes play major roles in autoimmune diseases. IRF5 is also involved with control of cell cycle and apoptosis upon activation2, therefore in certain cancers it can be inactivated3,4. The IRF5 gene has four different promoters for each first exon: 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D. Each promoter is distinct, displaying unique correlations with certain proteins. However, the resulting IRF5 protein …
The Wall-E Effect: Testing How Long-Term Growth Under Ideal Conditions Affects Bacterial Traits,
2014
Brigham Young University
The Wall-E Effect: Testing How Long-Term Growth Under Ideal Conditions Affects Bacterial Traits, Kevin Johnson, Dr. Joel Griffitts
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Organisms removed from their wild environment that are subjected to long term laboratory conditions can experience drastic change. We have specifically used Sinorhizobium meliloti as a model bacterium to address this topic. If soil bacteria containing large genomes necessary to survive in nutrient deficient and stressful conditions were suddenly subjected to nutrient rich and luxurious conditions for 2,500 generations, would they lose some survival based function? We hypothesize that without natural environmental stress, these bacteria would lose the metabolic flexibility previously required for survival resulting in large scale genome reduction.
Engineering Pathogen Specific High Affinity T-Cell Receptors Linked To Cytokines For Targeting Of Antigen Presenting Cells,
2014
Brigham Young University
Engineering Pathogen Specific High Affinity T-Cell Receptors Linked To Cytokines For Targeting Of Antigen Presenting Cells, Bryce Anderson, Dr. Scott Weber
Journal of Undergraduate Research
In February last year I was awarded an ORCA grant which turned out to be the starting of one of my biggest learning experiences here at BYU. My research mentor, Dr. Weber, and I work with the immune system. This semester I have been able to see firsthand exactly how things in my field are moved forward. Along with that I have learned many numerous, invaluable techniques that I will no doubt continue to use for many years to come through post undergraduate school along with my career. Also, I was able to work one on one with my research …
Irf7 Expression In B Cells Infected With Ebv,
2014
Brigham Young University
Irf7 Expression In B Cells Infected With Ebv, Michael Ahlborn, Dr. Brian Poole
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Systemic lupus erythematosus, commonly known simply as lupus, is an incurable autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation and tissue damage in virtually any part of the body. Many studies have shown a correlation between lupus diagnosis and positive infection with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). Scientists currently estimate that greater than 90% of the adult US population is infected with this human herpesvirus, probably because it is easily transferred through saliva. Although we do not entirely understand how it contributes to lupus it is apparent there is a link between the two. Other research has shown that EBV may also play a …
Recombination And Evolution Of Hiv In Vivo,
2014
Brigham Young University
Recombination And Evolution Of Hiv In Vivo, Sterling Adams, Dr. Bradford Berges
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Worldwide we have known about the Human Immunodeficiency Virus since the early 80’s, and since that time there has been research to find different “cures” for the disease that the virus causes called: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Since the epidemic has started nearly 30 million people have died from AIDS related causes, and there are nearly 34 million people worldwide that are HIV positive. One of the striking features of the virus that makes it so difficult to treat is its rapid ability to evolve. When looking at an HIV positive patient, statistically speaking, if you were to take every …
Understanding Chemokine Binding And Bacterial Response,
2014
Brigham Young University
Understanding Chemokine Binding And Bacterial Response, Brittany Kartchner, Dr. Eric Wilson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
For this project, I hypothesized that the amino acid composition of the C terminus of chemokine proteins allows some chemokines to bind to specific proteins on the cell membrane of bacteria. Previous research has shown that the C terminal region of the chemokine CCL28 is largely responsible for the antimicrobial activity (Liu, 2010). However, it has not been shown what the C terminus region of the chemokine binds to. The C terminus region could bind to the negatively charged LPS on the bacterial membrane, or have a specific protein target on the cell membrane. Polymyxin B, another antimicrobial protein that …
Characterizing The Role Of Hspb2,
2014
Brigham Young University
Characterizing The Role Of Hspb2, Whitney Hoopes, Dr. Julianne Grose
Journal of Undergraduate Research
HSPB2 is one of ten known small Heat Shock Proteins (sHSP) that share a conserved structural element called the alpha-crystallin domain. Extreme heat or cold, oxidative & reductive stress, and heavy metal exposure can induce the expression of these sHSP. HSPB2 is located on Chromosome 11, only 958 base pairs upstream of CYRAB. The protein homology and proximity of these two genes suggests they share structural and regulatory elements and serve as a model of inverted gene duplication. Both CRYAB and HSPB2 act as molecular chaperones to form complexes around denatured proteins and help them to refold into their normal …
The Adherence Of Escherichia Coli 0157:H7 On Lettuce Leaves Over Time And Removal Technique Using Chlorinated Water,
2014
Minnesota State University - Mankato
The Adherence Of Escherichia Coli 0157:H7 On Lettuce Leaves Over Time And Removal Technique Using Chlorinated Water, Karenzha Huwae
Undergraduate Research Symposium
EHEC 0157:H7 causes hemorrhagic colitis (HUS) characterized by renal injury that leads to permanent kidney failure, impairment of the central nervous system, and ultimately death. Fresh leafy produce has carried the 10 organisms needed for illness. Thus understanding the behavior of EHEC on produce is essential. Previous research conducted in Spring 2013 showed that EHEC did not grow as well as E. coli lab strain on lettuce leaves. Both strains grew better at room temperature rather than at 4C temperature. This project examines the adherence of EHEC on the lettuce surface as a factor of time and the effectiveness of …
Role Of The Apee Esterase In The Growth Of Salmonella On Phospholipids As Phosphate Sources,
2014
Minnesota State University - Mankato
Role Of The Apee Esterase In The Growth Of Salmonella On Phospholipids As Phosphate Sources, Stella Menuba
Undergraduate Research Symposium
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, a bacterium frequently implicated in outbreaks of food poisoning, is able to survive in limiting phosphate environments by inducing a number of proteins that allow it to use a variety of compounds as phosphate sources. The gene apeE is induced when the cells are starved for phosphate. This gene encodes an outer membrane esterase that is not found in E. coli, and has been shown to be necessary for the growth of Salmonella Typhimurium in phosphate-limiting environments, such as those that may be encountered in an egg. To demonstrate the role of apeE in these environments, …
Carriage Of Methicillin Resistance In Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci,
2014
Minnesota State University - Mankato
Carriage Of Methicillin Resistance In Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci, Christa Moller
Undergraduate Research Symposium
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is becoming more commonly encountered in clinical settings. The prevalence of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus species other than Staphylococcus aureus, and therefore the potential for the former to serve as a reservoir for methicillin resistance has not been studied in great detail. Staphylococcus species isolated from students as part of a class exercise in Medical Microbiology in 2012 were screened for resistance to oxacillin, which is similar to methicillin and is prescribed much more frequently. The identification of isolates was verified, and isolates were screened on oxacillin screening agar plates. Isolates that screened positive for oxacillin …
Harnessing Microbiome And Probiotic Research In Sub-Saharan Africa: Recommendations From An African Workshop,
2014
Western University
Harnessing Microbiome And Probiotic Research In Sub-Saharan Africa: Recommendations From An African Workshop, Gregor Reid
Biology Publications
To augment capacity-building for microbiome and probiotic research in Africa, a workshop was held in Nairobi, Kenya, at which researchers discussed human, animal, insect, and agricultural microbiome and probiotics/prebiotics topics. Five recommendations were made to promote future basic and translational research that benefits Africans.
Use Of Humanized Mice To Study The Production Of Human B Cell Lineage,
2014
Brigham Young University
Use Of Humanized Mice To Study The Production Of Human B Cell Lineage, German Cuadra, Dr. Bradford Berges
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Our study focuses on the development of an animal model capable of reproduce cellular responses as in humans. For years humanized mice have been used in the study of infectious diseases. The goal of this research was to document, characterize and record the existence of human B cell lineage and penetration into different tissues of humanized mice.
Orca Undergraduate Research Award – Final Report,
2014
Brigham Young University
Orca Undergraduate Research Award – Final Report, Michael Daetwyler
Journal of Undergraduate Research
While working on my undergraduate degree, I studied an interesting strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis. This particular strain produced an unidentified substance, which was lethal to other Gram-positive bacteria. I immediately thought that this substance might prove advantageous in treating infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria. To begin investigating that possibility, I grew the strain of S. epidermidis near clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycinresistant Enterococcus (VRE), antibiotic resistant bacteria that plague hospital patients around the world. Amazingly, the strain of S. epidermidis was lethal to all of the isolates that it was tested against.
Colonization Of Intestinal Pathogen Changes The Gut Microbiota,
2014
Liberty University
Colonization Of Intestinal Pathogen Changes The Gut Microbiota, Kaitlyn Shondelmyer
Senior Honors Theses
Enterohemorrhagic Escherechia coli is a serious human pathogen causing bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome. It is difficult to study in animal models, but pathogenesis may be modeled in mice with the similar murine pathogen, Citrobacter rodentium. C. rodentium does not cause disease in streptomycin-treated mice, suggesting that it is competition with other facultative anaerobes that triggers pathogenesis. Streptomycin-treated mice were co-colonized with C. rodentium and a commensal E. coli strain. The intestinal microbiota of each group was observed over a 15-day period using quantitative PCR. Colon weights were also measured over the same period. Results indicate that the …
Bioremediation Of Crude Oil Spills Impacts Microbial Communities And The Magnetic Susceptibility Of Sediments,
2014
Western Michigan University
Bioremediation Of Crude Oil Spills Impacts Microbial Communities And The Magnetic Susceptibility Of Sediments, Carol L. Beaver, Anja Williams, Estella Atekwana, Gamal Abdel Aal, Farag Mewafy, Lee Slater, Silvia Rossbach
Research and Creative Activities Poster Day
A worldwide increase in the production, shipment, and storage of crude oil has led to an increase in oil spills, and efforts to physically remove this oil from the environment are often insufficient. As a result, hydrocarbon contamination that is not eliminated by suction, excavation, or by dispersants remains in the water and sediments to be degraded by microbes. Initially, the bioremediation of oil occurs aerobically, but as oxygen is depleted, microbes must switch to alternate electron acceptors. Gradients of terminal electron acceptors form over time, which in conjunction with the toxic properties of oil, have an effect on the …
