Study Of Coronavirus Protease Using Cfp-Yfp Fluorescent Assay,
2013
Purdue University
Study Of Coronavirus Protease Using Cfp-Yfp Fluorescent Assay, Caitlin E. Specht, Andrew Mesecar Ph.D., Katrina Molland Ph.D.
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium
Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is an emerging viral disease originating in the Arabian Peninsula with a current mortality rate of nearly fifty percent throughout Europe and Asia according to the World Health Organization. Characterization of this disease is being done to understand the basis of viral replication. One target for viral inhibition are replication proteases. Replication proteases are enzymes that cleave proteins specific to cell growth and reproduction that form the viral replicase complex making them an ideal target for viral replication inhibition. First, replication proteases were characterized using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) construct by measuring the …
Wash Education: Need For More Than Water Treatment For Floating Villages In Cambodia,
2013
Bridgewater State University
Wash Education: Need For More Than Water Treatment For Floating Villages In Cambodia, Kevin Curry
2013 New England Association for Asian Studies Conference
Point of use (POU) water treatment systems are widely used around the world to provide microbiologically safe drinking water in developing countries. Work done in Cambodia by Brown et al. (2007) and Liang et al. (2010) have documented ceramic and biosand filters as cost effective point of use treatment systems capable of removing over 95% E. coli bacteria when properly used and maintained. Bridgewater State University and Water for Cambodia (WfC) explored using BioSand filters (BSF) to provide microbiologically safe drinking water for people in the Moat Khla floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake in Siem Reap Province. All …
Sequencing The Mammoth Cytochrome B Gene: A Genetic Look Into The History Of Prehistoric Columbian Mammoths,
2013
Brigham Young University
Sequencing The Mammoth Cytochrome B Gene: A Genetic Look Into The History Of Prehistoric Columbian Mammoths, Shaun Odell, Dr. Scott Woodward
Journal of Undergraduate Research
During the excavation process associated with the reconstruction of Cleveland reservoir dam near the Huntington Canyon area of UT, the massive skeleton of a Columbian mammoth was unearthed. Excavation of the remains ensued, and bone samples from this prehistoric mammal were sent to the Molecular Archaeogenetic Research facility at Brigham Young University. These samples were studied in hopes of unlocking many of the mysteries associated with this ancient animal.
Chemical Disinfection Of Mycobacterium Ulcerous,
2013
Brigham Young University
Chemical Disinfection Of Mycobacterium Ulcerous, Brandon John Webb, Dr. Richard Robison
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Mycobacterium ulcerans is the causative agent of Buruli ulcer, a disfiguring disease of the skin and muscle tissue, whose prevalence has grown exponentially in recent decades. An ulcerative disease similar to leprosy, Buruli ulcer is characterized by a superficial infection of the subcutaneous fat layer that results in large lesions that often spread to cover an entire limb. Although most severe in Third World countries, cases of M. ulcerans infection have been reported in 33 countries on five continents. According to World Health Organization statistics, the recent rise in incidence of the disease has been so pronounced that Buruli ulcer …
Chondrogenic Differentiation Of Adult Hepatic Stem Cells: Investigating Candidates For Osteoarthritis Treatment,
2013
Brigham Young University
Chondrogenic Differentiation Of Adult Hepatic Stem Cells: Investigating Candidates For Osteoarthritis Treatment, Jaron Coombs, David Sonntag, Dr. Laura Bridgewater
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Osteoarthritis is a painful disease associated with the breakdown of articular cartilage, the protective protein coating of the major joints of the body. Over 20 million Americans are affected by this pervasive disease which is associated with the overuse of joints and aging. Osteoarthritis occurs when the proteins that compose articular cartilage are degraded by repetitive use and injury. These actions can lead to swelling, tearing, or flaking off of the cartilage at the surface of the bone. When cartilage loses its integrity in this manner the amount of friction in the joint greatly increases and the patient begins to …
Comparative Study Of Total Antioxidant Activity Between The Fruit Momordica Cochinchinensis (Gac) And Its’ Major Carotenoid Constituents,
2013
Brigham Young University
Comparative Study Of Total Antioxidant Activity Between The Fruit Momordica Cochinchinensis (Gac) And Its’ Major Carotenoid Constituents, Katherine Secrest, Dr. Kim O'Neill
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The red fruit Momordica cochinchinensis (gac) grows indigenously throughout Southeast Asia and possesses naturally high levels of provitamin A carotenoids, beta-carotene and lycopene. In much of Southeast Asia, rural populations suffer from chronic vitamin A deficiency.1 Currently, government programs distribute vitamin A capsules as supplements, but long-term solutions lie in food-based alternatives. At this time, gac fruit is only consumed during annual festivals when the red pulp of the fruit is used to color rice. Consumption of gac fruit has been shown to significantly increase plasma beta-carotene concentrations and could provide an inexpensive, food-based alternative to improving the vitamin A …
Ecology Of Two High Copy Plasmids,
2013
Brigham Young University
Ecology Of Two High Copy Plasmids, Ermira Pazolli, Dr. Alan Harker
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Plasmids are genetic entities residing in the cell. They can vary in size and genetic content. There are alternate views about plasmids, but the consensus one is that they are genetic elements that are transferred from cell to cell, thus conferring resistance or performing some other function advantageous to the cell. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the behavior of plasmids as individuals ‘forced’ to cooperate under selective pressure. In the first phase, we had to extract the plasmids in large quantities and construct two similar models. Due to time constraint and other unforeseen obstacles, we have …
Analysis Of Hnf1-Beta As A Possible Regulatory Protein For The Transcription Of The Col11a2 Collagen Gene,
2013
Brigham Young University
Analysis Of Hnf1-Beta As A Possible Regulatory Protein For The Transcription Of The Col11a2 Collagen Gene, Nicholas M. Orme, Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Cartilage is a highly specialized form of connective tissue that functions as a template for most skeletal structures and aids in supporting the tension and pressure common to most animal joint function. Abnormal cartilage formation often results from defective collagen DNA and can lead to several skeletal diseases including dwarfism, cleft palate and osteoarthritis. The purpose of this research was to investigate the regulatory role of HNF proteins in the transcription of the Col11a2 gene which codes for a collagen protein found in cartilage.
The Implications Of Subtype Diversity Of Hiv-1 For Vaccine Development,
2013
Brigham Young University
The Implications Of Subtype Diversity Of Hiv-1 For Vaccine Development, Ryan Peterson, Dr. Keith A. Crandall
Journal of Undergraduate Research
HIV’s ability to infect a host and grow without killing the host allows the virus to accumulate genetic diversity. Over time, HIV has diverged into a number of subtypes, differing up to 30% in their nucleic acids (2). For this reason, one of the greatest problems with vaccine development is that different subtypes express different protein variants (3). With the increase of HIV recombination and human travel, geographical patterns subtypes are becoming mixed, thus allowing the virus to explore new genetic variants and evade vaccine effectiveness (5).
Antigenotoxic Effects Of N-Acetylcysteine On Benzo[A]Pyrene Induced Dna Damage In Hepg2 Cells As Measured By The Alkaline Comet Assay,
2013
Brigham Young University
Antigenotoxic Effects Of N-Acetylcysteine On Benzo[A]Pyrene Induced Dna Damage In Hepg2 Cells As Measured By The Alkaline Comet Assay, Loni A. O'Neil, M. Todd O'Neil, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill
Journal of Undergraduate Research
A major factor involved in the risk of developing cancer with the probability of enhancing or suppressing carcinogens is dietary composition. A chemoprevention approach to cancer means preventing this disease by the administration of one or several compounds. For a number of years, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has shown in studies to be an effective chemopreventive agent, but there have also been some studies disproving the effectiveness of NAC.1, 2 This is because NAC has different functions in different cell types. Because of this, we decided to test the effectiveness of NAC against DNA damage in human HepG2 cells and to determine …
Investigation Into The Mechanisms Associated With Angiogenesis And Metastasis,
2013
Brigham Young University
Investigation Into The Mechanisms Associated With Angiogenesis And Metastasis, Rachelle R. Olsen, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Angiogenesis, the development and differentiation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, is tightly controlled during physiological processes including wound healing, growth, and development. Angiogenesis is also associated with several human malignancies including arthritis, psoriasis, and cancer. Angiogenesis, which provides a source of nutrients and a waste outlet for biological products, is absolutely required for a tumor to grow larger than a few millimeters in size. Blood vessels formed by angiogenesis are young and immature and can facilitate metastasis, the spread and subsequent growth of primary tumor cells to distal body sites.
Inducing Coexistence Of Incompatible Single-Copy Plasmids With Selective Pressure,
2013
Brigham Young University
Inducing Coexistence Of Incompatible Single-Copy Plasmids With Selective Pressure, Geoffrey Benton, Dr. Alan Harker
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Plasmids, which are circular molecules of extrachromosomal DNA, are often found in bacterial cells. Traditionally plasmids have been considered simply accessories to chromosomal DNA. However, recent publications have demonstrated that plasmids may be more than simply an appendage to the bacterial chromosome.
An Exploration Of The Genotoxic Effects Of Ellagic Acid On Human Hepg2 Cells And Its Potential Impact On Cancer Prevention,
2013
Brigham Young University
An Exploration Of The Genotoxic Effects Of Ellagic Acid On Human Hepg2 Cells And Its Potential Impact On Cancer Prevention, Amanda Stevens, Dr. Kim O'Neill
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Over the past few years, cancer prevention has become a more important focus for research in the fight against cancer. Recent studies suggest that perhaps as much as 70-80 % of all cancers could be prevented by diet alone. Ellagic acid is a compound found in foods like raspberries, strawberries, and apples, and is thought to be important for cancer prevention. Benzo[a]pyrene is a potent environmental carcinogen detected in substances such as cigarette smoke, cooked foods, and fossil fuel combustion. Studies involving rodents exposed to Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), whose diets included ellagic acid (EA), showed a decrease in tumor formation as …
Initiation Of Chloroplast Dna Replication,
2013
Brigham Young University
Initiation Of Chloroplast Dna Replication, Michael Zundel, Dr. Brent Nielson
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the macromolecule found in cells that carries all of our genetic information. Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, where the DNA is housed. Plant cells also contain chloroplasts. Chloroplasts convert light energy into chemical energy, typically in the form of sugar. Chloroplasts contain DNA, which is thought to have evolved from an early symbiotic relationship between a eukaryotic cell and a prokaryotic cell, or bacterium. The eukaryotic cell engulfed the prokaryotic cell and used it for the conversion of light energy. Chloroplast DNA replicates independent of the cell cycle and the nuclear DNA.
Detection Of Positive Selection In The Gp120 Protein Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus In Relation To Vaccine Trials,
2013
Brigham Young University
Detection Of Positive Selection In The Gp120 Protein Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus In Relation To Vaccine Trials, Theodore L. Oliphant, Dr. Keith A. Crandall
Journal of Undergraduate Research
This project’s purpose is to determine sites of positive selection in the gp120 envelope protein of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Positive selection is defined as the fixation of changes in amino acid composition in a population. A data set containing the envelope sequence from patients who contracted HIV while participating in a phase 3 efficacy trial of the AIDSVAXTM HIV vaccine was obtained from Vaxgen, the vaccine’s developer. This data is being compared with data sets taken from Genbank to identify sites along the gp120 protein which have mutated, to allow the virus to escape the antibodies generated by …
Phosphorylation Dependent Conformational Changes Of Phob In Escherichia Coli,
2013
Brigham Young University
Phosphorylation Dependent Conformational Changes Of Phob In Escherichia Coli, Allison Sparks, Dr. William Mccleary
Journal of Undergraduate Research
All bacteria must have a way to control cell functions when their outside environment changes. E.coli uses a phosphate signaling pathway to accomplish this. In the bacterial cell membrane, there are proteins that take up phosphate from the environment, transports it into the cell, and triggers transcription of certain genes. The system is comprised of an ATP-dependent transport system which consists of a periplasmic substrate binding protein, PstS, three membrane proteins, PstC, PstA, and PstB, a regulator, PhoU, a transmembrane histidine kinase, PhoR, and a response regulator PhoB. In this system, the response regulator, PhoB is phosphorlated and then activates …
Purification And Characterization Of A Putative Single-Stranded Dna Binding Protein From Arabidopsis Thaliana,
2013
Brigham Young University
Purification And Characterization Of A Putative Single-Stranded Dna Binding Protein From Arabidopsis Thaliana, Andrew C. Edmondson, Dr. Brent L. Nielsen
Journal of Undergraduate Research
DNA recombination is the exchange of segments between homologous molecules of DNA, resulting in expanded genetic diversity. Recombination provides essential genetic variation, but can also cause harmful rearrangements, resulting in genetic disorders in plants, mammals and yeast. The mechanisms and results of these events are still the subject of much research. A variety of evidence supports DNA recombination in plants, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Researchers have proposed a bacterial RecA-mediated mechanism for DNA recombination in mitochondria based on evidence of an evolutionary relationship between bacteria and mitochondria. However, until recently, plant mitochondria had not been shown to contain …
Mycological Study For A Management Plan Of A Neotropical Show Cave (Brazil),
2013
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Mycological Study For A Management Plan Of A Neotropical Show Cave (Brazil), Erika Linzi Silva Taylor, Maria Aparecida De Resende Stoianoff, Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira
International Journal of Speleology
Caves are stable environments with characteristics favoring the development of microorganisms. The allocthonous input of organic matter and microbes into the warm Neotropical caves may favor the development of filamentous fungi, including pathogenic species. Histoplasma capsulatum is a pathogenic species commonly found in caves and associated with bat and bird guano. Many Brazilian caves have been historically visited due to scenic and religious tourism. The objective of this study was to perform a microbiology study for a management plan of a show cave in Brazil, focusing on the presence and distribution of pathogenic and opportunistic fungi in the cave. Statistics …
Permeability And Durability Effects Of Cellulose Polymer Variation In Polymer Inclusion Membranes,
2013
Brigham Young University
Permeability And Durability Effects Of Cellulose Polymer Variation In Polymer Inclusion Membranes, Jed Walker
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) have been used as an effective means of separation of ions in solution. Due to their mechanical stability, PIMs provide a more effective method of separation than supported liquid membrane (SLM) and bulk liquid membrane (BLM) systems. PIMs also provide higher efficiency, selectivity and ease of use than the previously mentioned systems1,2. The large surface area to volume ratio that is exhibited by PIMs affords them the potential to be used in nuclear and harmful metal waste remediation on an industrial scale.
A Novel Approach To Assessing The Metastatic Potential Of Cancer Cells,
2013
Brigham Young University
A Novel Approach To Assessing The Metastatic Potential Of Cancer Cells, Nyall Robert London Jr., Dr. Kim O'Neill
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Cancer remains a major cause of death around the world today. A major problem with cancer is metastasis or the spread of cancerous cells from the tumor to a secondary location. This occurs when cancer cells break away from a primary tumor, invade the tissue, and travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other parts of the body. The aim of this study was to develop a cost-effective in vivo model through which metastasis could be explored in more depth.
