Microbiology Commons^™

Comparative Resistance Of Human Papilloma Virus To Inactivation By Selected Chemical Disinfectants, Elisabeth Tillman, Dr. Richard A. Robinson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cervical cancer is the fifth most common cancer in humans as well as the second most common cause of cancer death in women [3]. In developing countries, cervical cancer is actually the most common female disease, constituting 30% of female cancers [1]. In the United States, cervical cancer is diagnosed in approximately 15,000 women and is responsible for 4,600 deaths each year [2]. At least 90% of all cervical carcinomas are related to human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. The purpose of my study is to reduce the dangerous spread of HPV through effective disinfection.

Bax Over-Expression Coupled With Bcl-2 Suppression Under The Control Of The Cancer-Specific Thymidine Kinase Promoter, Brian H. Ladle, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

As researchers continue to discover the molecular origins of cancer, gene therapy targeting cellular processes gone awry shows great promise as the future in cancer treatment. Extensive research is being done to develop more effective techniques targeting different cellular events. One pathway receiving increased attention is apoptosis (the default mechanisms activated intracellularly by extensive damage, causing the cell to kill itself). Often cancer will develop when genetic mutations or other cellular events render the cells unable to die by apoptosis. My research investigates a novel gene therapy that will restore the cancer cell’s ability to die by apoptosis, while limiting …

Acanthamoeba And Bacteria Produce Antimicrobials To Target Their Counterpart, Junaid Iqbal, Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui, Naveed Ahmed Khan

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background

In the microbial ecosystem, microbes compete for space and nutrients. Consequently, some have developed the ability to kill or inhibit the growth of other competing microbes by producing antimicrobial substances. As the ‘producer’ species are generally immune to these substances, their compounds act on the competing microbial species and give the producer more space and access to nutrients for growth. Many currently used antibiotics were developed by exploiting this potential of certain microbes.

Findings

Here, the free-living amoeba, Acanthamoeba castellanii, was investigated for its antibacterial activity against representative Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, while bacterial isolates were …

The Inhibitory Affects Of Phytochemicals Against A Carcinogen By The Modulation Of Xenobiotic Enzymes In Hepg2 Cells, Jon Ahlstrom, Dr. Kim O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cancer is the cause of death of 1 in 3 citizens in the United States. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce cancer deaths by 33%. Cancer prevention from dietary plants may in part be derived from individual phytochemicals inherent to the plant. The identification of plant phytochemicals that have anti-cancer properties and their mode of action is an important area of cancer research.

Antibiotic Resistance In Escherichia-Coli Isolates From Guatemala, Troy Russon, Dr. Ronald Leavitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

It is estimated that at least one-half of all antibiotic use in the United States is inappropriate.1 Physicians often prescribe broad spectrum antibiotics when the disease causing bacterial strain could be targeted specifically. Also, patients are prone to expect prescriptions for antibiotics even when their infections are viral, such as the common cold. While the United States and most industrialized nations require prescriptions for antimicrobial drug use, most developing countries do not. It is reasonable to hypothesize that drug resistance in these countries may be occurring at a more accelerated rate.2 I tested Escherichia-coli isolates from Guatemala for resistance to …

In Vitro Effects Of Follicular Dendritic Cells On Proliferation Of Hiv Infected T Cells, Jesse Rowley, Dr. Gregory Burton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS, has eluded successful treatment since its discovery in the early 1980s. HIV is a retrovirus that infects and eventually destroys CD4+ T cells. In HIV infected individuals it is believed that during the longest phase of infection (latency) most viral production takes place in and around the germinal centers of secondary lymphoid tissues. Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) are a unique component of the germinal center, and previous studies done in our laboratory have suggested that FDCs may augment viral replication and/or infection within the germinal center.

Ancient Egyptian Textiles: A Genetic Look Into 2000-Year-Old Egyptian Communities, Shaun Odell, Dr. Scott Woodward

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In the mid 1980’s archeologists from BYU began excavating a 2000-year-old burial site in Northern Egypt called the Fag-el-Gamous cemetery. This cemetery contains the remains of roughly 350,000 individuals who had been buried there between 200 BC and 400 AD during the Greco-Roman period of Egyptian history. The chemical composition of the desert, as well as the hot, dry climate, naturally mummified not only the individuals of focus, but also numerous textile samples found on the mummies. Excavation of this sight has proceeded from that time, providing unique opportunities for study of ancient Egyptian culture.

Preventing Salmonella And Other Bacterial Contamination In Poultry Using A High-Adhering Strain Of Escherichia Coli, Jeffrey P. North, Dr. Ron Leavitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In 1928 Alexander Fleming revolutionized the world with the discovery of penicillin. Penicillin and the antibiotics discovered thereafter revolutionized the treatment of infectious diseases. Equipped with these miracle drugs, scientists thought the battle against pathogenic bacteria was won. However, bacteria began to evolve to meet the antibiotic challenge. As the 20th century progressed, more and more bacteria developed resistance to one or more antibiotics. This resistance is achieved through mutation or through horizontal gene transfer, when one bacterium transfers the gene to another bacterium.

Follicular Dentritic Cells And Retention Of Hiv Quasi-Species, Candace Mcnaughton, Dr. Gregory Burton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

HIV infects millions of people worldwide; in the year 2000 alone, more than 3 million people died from AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) as a result of HIV infection1. In countries, such as the United States, where effective treatment is affordable, highly active antiretroiviral therapy (HAART) can reduce viral blood loads to currently undetectable levels2. Unfortunately, the side effects of HAART can be severe, resulting in noncompliance, and upon its termination, HIV levels rapidly rebound. Several viral reservoirs within the body have been identified, including the follicular dendritic cell (FDC) network3. FDCs trap HIV antibody complexes for long periods of time …

Epigallocatechin Gallate, A Green Tea Polyphenol, Causes Direct Dna Damage At Physiological Concentrations, Jeremy Mcbride, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a polyphenol found in green tea. Because tea is ingested by over two thirds of the world’s population, considerable research has been done to identify and characterize the active components of the second most widely consumed beverage (1). Among the many chemopreventative properties that have been attributed to green tea, and EGCG, this botanical product has been established as an antimutagen and a potent free-radical scavenger that has been shown to effectively quench reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that may otherwise damage DNA and other sensitive biomolecules. Such damage, accumulated over time, may lead to mutagenesis …

The Effects Of Concurrent Treatment Of Caffeine And Various Apoptotic-Inducing Drugs In The Molt-4 Cell Line, Janet L. Hart, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Apoptosis is the method by which cells undergo programmed cell death or “cell suicide.” The cell initiates apoptosis after there is irreparable damage or if the cell is simply not needed. Some insults that are known to induce apoptosis are irradiation, heat shock, as well as many chemotherapeutic drugs including staurosporine, paclitaxel, and dexamethasone. The precise regulation of apoptosis is critical, as disregulation can lead to many diseases or conditions including autoimmune disorders or cancer.

Bench Top Bioremediation Of Trichloroethylene, Colin Jones, Dr. Alan Harker

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The initial aim of the project was to compare degradation rates of trichloroethylene (TCE) using two different bacterial strains. After four months of research, my greatest find concerns how to build an effective reactor. After the reactor was constructed, time allowed only focusing on the genetically engineered bacterium and not on the wild type. Perhaps a better title for my final report to ORCA would be “Bench Top Bio-reactors, How Not to Build One.”

Antigenotoxic Effects Of Diallyl Disulfide And Allyl Disulfide On Benzo (A) Pyrene Induced Dna Damage In Hepg2 Cells As Measured By The Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis Assay, Corey W. Speers, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

One of the most effective strategies in cancer control is chemoprevention. Previous studies have shown naturally occurring organosulfur compounds from garlic and onion to be effective against carcinogenesis. The effects of two of these organosulfur compounds, diallyl sulfide (DAS) and diallyl disulfide (DADS), are thought to be of especial worth. Their anti-carcinogenic effects in the human cell line HepG2 are, however, less understood. HepG2 cells are human hepatoblastoma cells that have maintained their xenobiotic metabolizing competence. Because they are similar in function to cells obtained from human liver tissue, they are ideal for research in vitro. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is an …

Investigation Into The Anti-Angiogenic Activities Of Convolvulus Arvensis Extract, Jeremy F. Mcbride, Rachelle R. Olsen, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Angiogenesis, the development and differentiation of new blood vessels from the pre-existing vasculature, is a fundamental physiological process involved in growth, development, and wound healing. Loss of control over the biological molecules which regulate this process can lead to pathologic angiogenesis, or neoangiogenesis, a process associated with such diseases as retinopathies, psoriasis, arthritis, and most importantly, cancer.

Determination Of The Proteins That Bind To The Fg Enhancer Region Of The Col11a2 Gene, Eric Freeman, Dr. Laura Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the human body and is responsible for the development of bone and cartilage. The Col11a2 gene is one of the many genes that participate in the formation of collagen. Mutations in this gene can cause a variety of cartilage diseases and disorders such as cleft palate, hearing loss, osteoarthritis, and perhaps even prenatal lethal chondrodysplasia. Arthritis alone is “the leading cause of work-related disability and the leading cause of disability in persons >65 years in the United States”.ⁱ The deadly effects of these mutations warrant a more in-depth study of the …

Analysis Of Unique Genome Segments Of Burkholderia Mallei Obtained From Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism, Benjamin Nelson Kartchner, Dr. Richard A. Robison

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Burkholderia mallei the etiological agent of the disease glanders, has the capability to cause disease in both animals and humans. Infection is usually caused through inhalation of organisms present in aerosols which results in serious pulmonary and systemic conditions that results in 40% mortality even with vigorous antimicrobial intervention and rises above 90% without such therapy(2). In addition, because of their dangerous nature both organisms have emerged as possible agents which may be used in the production of biological weapons. Recent research conducted in Dr. Richard Robison’s lab has analyzed genomic relatedness in various strains of B. mallei and the …

Concomitant Treatment Of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs And Chemotherapeutics On Human Acute T Lymphocytes., Janet L. Hart, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as sulindac and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) are frequently used to relieve pain, clotting, fever and inflammation. Recently, NSAIDs have been shown to decrease the occurrence of colorectal cancer and inhibit mammary cancer in rats. To elucidate this mechanism, further research has been done to show an inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by NSAIDs in lung and prostate carcinomas. Many current chemotherapeutic agents such as doxorubicin and methotrexate (DOX and MTX respectively) rely on the Fas/FasL (CD95) pathway to induce cell death. Because MMPs are able to cleave membrane-bound Fas, these chemotherapeutics are less-effective.

Fdcs In Hiv Infected Patients Retain Archival Hiv Sequences, Jesse Rowley, Dr. Gregory Burton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the causative agent of AIDS, has eluded successful treatment since its discovery in the early 1980s. The prospect of successful treatment came with the advent of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) which has reduced plasma virus replication to undetectable levels in many patients. Although virus may be maintained below detectable levels for years by treatment, complete viral clearance has not been achieved. “Hidden” reservoirs of non-replicating or slowly replicating virus escape rigorous drug treatment. When the patient is taken off of anti-retroviral therapy, plasma virus levels will return to pre-therapy levels and HIV will continue the …

Locating The High Adherence Genes On Pha-28, Jonathan Walter Dukes, Dr. Ronald Leavitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Bacterial high adherence is an important of research because of its effect on bacterial pathogenesis and intestinal colonization. In the laboratory of Dr. Ronald Leavitt, we have been studying the ability of certain bacteria to prevent the colonization of intestinal epithelial cells by other bacteria. Of particular interest to us are non-pathogenic Escherichia coli strains that have the ability to out compete and overrun colonies of Salmonella, as well as the colonies of the pathogenic E. coli strains that cause the turkey disease colibacillosis. Such E. coli have the potential to be used as an interfering agent against Salmonella and …

Sub Cellular Localization 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 pieces of DNA, resulting in variations in genetic diversity. Recombination provides essential genetic variation, but can also cause harmful rearrangements, resulting in genetic disorders in mammals, plants and yeast. DNA recombination in plant mitochondria is supported by a variety of evidence, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Due to evidence of an evolutionary relationship between bacteria and mitochondria, a RecA mechanism has been proposed for mitochondrial recombination. This is supported by a similar mechanism in chloroplasts.