Studying The Lysine Acetylation Of Aconitase Isozymes In E. Coli,
2022
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Studying The Lysine Acetylation Of Aconitase Isozymes In E. Coli, Sara Ottinger
Chemistry & Biochemistry Undergraduate Honors Theses
The contents of this thesis have been modified from the publication “Araujo J, Ottinger S, Venkat S, Gan Q and Fan C (2022) Studying Acetylation of Aconitase Isozymes by Genetic Code Expansion. Front. Chem. 10:862483”. Though studies have found multiple lysine sites in which acetylation takes place in Escherichia Coli aconitase, acetylation’s effects on the enzyme’s activity have yet to be studied. Aconitase is the dehydratase-hydratase found in the citric acid and glyoxylate cycles responsible for the reversible isomerization of citrate to isocitrate via cis-aconitate intermediate. There are two isoforms of aconitase in E. coli: AcnA and AcnB. In …
Roles Of Small Rnas And Paralogous Proteins In Bacillus Anthracis Virulence Gene Regulation,
2022
The Texas Medical Center Library
Roles Of Small Rnas And Paralogous Proteins In Bacillus Anthracis Virulence Gene Regulation, Ileana Corsi
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Bacteria have evolved a myriad of regulatory mechanisms to control gene expression. One of the most common mechanisms is post-transcriptional control through the function of small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs). Small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) are short transcripts that base-pair to mRNA targets or interact with regulatory proteins. sRNA function has been studied extensively in Gram-negative bacteria; comparatively less is known about sRNAs in Firmicutes. In this dissertation, I investigated two sRNAs encoded within the virulence plasmid pXO1 of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. The sRNAs, named “XrrA and XrrB” (for pXO1-encoded regulatory RNA) are abundant and highly stable …
Investigation Of Genomic Instability Induced By G-Quadruplexes In The Absence Of Functional To Poisomerase 1 In Yeast,
2022
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Investigation Of Genomic Instability Induced By G-Quadruplexes In The Absence Of Functional To Poisomerase 1 In Yeast, Alexandra Berroyer
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Topoisomerase 1 (Top1) is an enzyme that removes transcriptionally generated negative supercoils by binding and nicking DNA. Since transcription of guanine-rich DNA leads to the formation of G-quadruplex (G4) structures, Top1’s function likely suppresses G4-formation. In support of this, Top1 significantly reduces co-transcriptional G4 DNA-associated genomic instability at a model G4-motif in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, whether Top1 suppresses G4-formation on a genome-wide scale in yeast remains unexplored. Therefore, I aimed to uncover if deletion of Top1 enhances genome-wide G4-formation in S. cerevisiae. As an approach to quantify global G4-formation, I expressed the G4-specific antibody BG4 from a yeast …
The Effect Of Cognitive Status And Residency On Oral Health In Patients With Dementia,
2022
The Texas Medical Center Library
The Effect Of Cognitive Status And Residency On Oral Health In Patients With Dementia, Nicole Stephens
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Poor oral health is a predictor of cognitive decline in elderly populations and has been shown to precede dementia. As cognitive decline progresses, patients are likely to move from the community into nursing facilities. We hypothesize that severity of dementia and residency type will impact the oral health of patients with dementia. Fifty-two participants of two dementia levels were recruited from the UTHealth Neurocognitive Disorders Center and two Houston-area nursing homes. A standardized oral health assessment, plaque index, and oral bacteria analysis determined participants’ oral health status. Further, data was collected on participants’ medical history, oral hygiene habits, dietary habits, …
Mathematical Modeling Of Potassium Modulated Viral Infection,
2022
The University of Texas at El Paso
Mathematical Modeling Of Potassium Modulated Viral Infection, Zaira Elizabeth Mather
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
In recent years, there is a growing interest in the investigation of using potassium to treat virus infections. In the region of infection, there is a biological observation of extracel- lular potassium level being typically very low whereas the intracellular potassium levels are much higher. There are numerous biological studies showing that elevated potassium levels in the extracellular membrane tends to block virus infections. A recent effort in this direction is a collaborative research conducted by mathematicians and biologists from the University of Texas at El Paso, New Mexico State University, and the University of New Mexico, where we develop …
Effects Of Continuous In Situ Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation On Microorganisms,
2022
Clemson University
Effects Of Continuous In Situ Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation On Microorganisms, Molly E. Wintenberg
All Dissertations
Precise detection and monitoring of nuclear fuel cycle, enrichment, and weapon development activities are critical for supporting warfighter preparation in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) operations, clandestine activities, and nuclear compliance. A biological sensing system could serve as an alternative to traditional detection methods by using organic material naturally present in the environment to discreetly detect residual trace nuclear material. Microorganisms provide an optimal platform for an alternative sensing system; however, their response to low levels of ionizing radiation is poorly characterized. Combining the power of next-generation sequencing and transcriptomic analysis, this dissertation takes an approach to obtain …
Dynamics Of The Supragingival Dental Plaque Microbiome And Its Implications In Early Childhood Caries (Ecc),
2022
Clemson University
Dynamics Of The Supragingival Dental Plaque Microbiome And Its Implications In Early Childhood Caries (Ecc), Lauren O'Connell
All Dissertations
Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide and remains a serious public health crisis in developing countries and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. Caries is a complex polymicrobial, sugar-driven disease caused by interactions between the biofilm and tooth surface. While there is a general understanding of the microbial processes driving dental caries development and progression, the microbiota associated with the initiation and progression of dental caries have yet to be fully characterized. The most-studied species associated with tooth health and disease are the oral streptococci. Nevertheless, there are still large gaps in our knowledge of the …
Mechanistic Insights On The Role Of Ambrisentan, An Endothelin Type-A Receptor Antagonist, In Breast Cancer,
2022
United Arab Emirates University
Mechanistic Insights On The Role Of Ambrisentan, An Endothelin Type-A Receptor Antagonist, In Breast Cancer, Ruba Saleem Lutfi Amer
Theses
The activation of the endothelin receptor type A (ETAR) by its ligand endothelin-1 (ET-1) is well known for its role in vasoconstriction. Interestingly, ET-1 and ETAR are over-expressed in various human tumours, including breast cancer. Several studies described the important role of ETAR in cancer progression and metastasis. The extensive network of interactions that exist between the ET-1 axis and other signalling pathways can trigger autocrine and paracrine signalling that modulates different tumorigenesis processes, such as cellular proliferation and survival, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and chemoresistance. The main objective of this study was to investigate the antitumor effects of Ambrisentan, a …
Describing Bacterial Mutagenic Hotspots And Signatures Along With The Factors That Drive Them,
2022
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Describing Bacterial Mutagenic Hotspots And Signatures Along With The Factors That Drive Them, Carmen Vallin
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
In my dissertation work, I investigated bacterial mutagenesis. I asked: where do mutations occur in the bacterial genome? What types of mutations occur? What factors promote or prevent mutations? And lastly, how do the answers to these questions change depending on the bacterial life cycle (When)? I used Bacillus subtilis, a Gram-positive bacterium belonging to the phylum Firmicutes, and Escherichia coli, a Gram-negative bacterium belonging to the phylum Proteobacteria, to answer these questions. B. subtilis and E. coli are model systems that have been used to gain insights into fundamental processes of mutations and evolution for nearly ~8 decades. Here, …
Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans Exploits And Modulates The Immune Response By Human Neutrophils For Survival In The Anaerobic Environment.,
2022
University of Louisville
Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans Exploits And Modulates The Immune Response By Human Neutrophils For Survival In The Anaerobic Environment., Hazel Ozuna
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) is a Gram-negative facultative anaerobe and an opportunistic oral pathogen, strongly associated with localized periodontitis and other inflammatory diseases. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammation of the periodontium resulting from the inflammatory response of the host towards the dysbiotic microbial community present at the gingival crevice. The host immune response creates a hostile environment for microorganisms; therefore, it is important for Aa to be able to regulate the necessary genes to survive and thrive in such an environment. Aaexpresses several virulence factors such as a cytolethal distending toxin (Cdt), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and leukotoxin A (LtxA), …
Mycobacteriosis Of Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis) In Virginia Tributaries Of The Chesapeake Bay,
2022
Old Dominion University
Mycobacteriosis Of Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis) In Virginia Tributaries Of The Chesapeake Bay, Joshua S. Mcgilly
Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations
Mycobacteriosis was first documented in Chesapeake Bay striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in 1997 after fish exhibited emaciation and skin lesions. Since it was first identified, studies of mycobacteriosis in the mainstem of the Chesapeake Bay (2003-2007) and the Rappahannock River (2005-2012) have shown high disease prevalence and disease-associated mortality. Until this study, no current prevalence data existed from the Rappahannock River, and no published prevalence data existed for the James River, leaving a gap in our understanding of this disease in major Chesapeake Bay tributaries. We began gathering mycobacteriosis prevalence data from an existing survey collecting striped bass …
Diffusive Dynamics Of Biological Macromolecules In The Cytoplasm Of Live Bacteria,
2022
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Diffusive Dynamics Of Biological Macromolecules In The Cytoplasm Of Live Bacteria, Asmaa Ali Sadoon
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Bacteria are small organisms that play important roles in our bodies and in maintaining our surrounding environment. However, bacterial infections are considered as one of the health diseases that threatens the lives of humans. Resistance of bacteria to antibiotics has made treating bacterial infections more challenging. With the emergence of many developed optical techniques, it has become possible to study various biological mechanisms of molecules inside these small organisms with high resolution and precise localization. In this research, single particle tracking photoactivation localization microscopy (sptPALM) technique was used to investigate the dynamics of fluorescent histonelike nucleoid-structuring proteins (H-NS) in live …
Characterizing The Interaction Between Candida Albicans And Two Enterobacter Species,
2022
East Tennessee State University
Characterizing The Interaction Between Candida Albicans And Two Enterobacter Species, Abigail Cornett
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Candida albicans is the most common human fungal pathogen. The relationship between C. albicans and Enterobacter bacteria have yet to be explored. The hypothesis of this study is that C. albicans and both E. aerogenes and E. cloacae have a positive relationship and work together to infect the host. In this study, the physical cell-to-cell interaction, molecular components of said interaction, and the impact of the interaction on a live organism were explored. Results indicate that Enterobacter adheres to C. albicans and inhibits growth with unidentified secreted molecules. Als1p has potential involvement in the attachment of E. cloacae to C. …
The Microbiome Characterization And Comparison Of Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) And Green (Chelonia Mydas) Sea Turtle Eggs In Broward County, Florida,
2022
Nova Southeastern University
The Microbiome Characterization And Comparison Of Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) And Green (Chelonia Mydas) Sea Turtle Eggs In Broward County, Florida, Colleen Mcmaken
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
All seven extant species of sea turtles are classified as threatened or endangered due to natural and anthropogenic impacts. Sea turtle conservation efforts are largely dedicated to ensuring healthy nesting activity. Hatching success of sea turtle eggs can be affected by several factors including the proliferation of pathogenic microbes. However, it is unclear as to which microbes have the most impact on hatching success and how they are transmitted into the eggs. The primary aims of this study characterized and compared the bacterial communities (microbiomes) from the i) cloaca of nesting sea turtles; ii) sand within and surrounding the nests …
Literature Review: Antibody Production In Mice In Response To Aspergillus Fumigatus Inhalation,
2022
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Literature Review: Antibody Production In Mice In Response To Aspergillus Fumigatus Inhalation, Jenica Hancock, Courtney Folk
Student Academic Conference
Aspergillus fumigatus is a commonly inhaled respiratory fungal pathogen and an allergen found in flooded indoor environments, household dust, soil, and plant matter. Inhalation of A. fumigatus poses a threat to weakened immune systems due to the potential of infection in the lungs or sinuses which can spread to other areas of the body. The mouse genome is 99% similar to the human genome, and therefore they serve effectively in modeling the effects of inhaled A. fumigatus. A comprehensive literature search of antibody production in mice in response to A. fumigatus inhalation was conducted utilizing PubMed and the search terms …
Aeromonas Phage Research And The Public Health Impact Of Antibiotics In Aquaculture Workers,
2022
Bowling Green State University
Aeromonas Phage Research And The Public Health Impact Of Antibiotics In Aquaculture Workers, Madelyn Merchant
Honors Projects
One of the most common fish diseases in aquaculture is Aeromonas infection. The most common way to treat this infection is through antibiotics. The bacteria in the fish can become antibiotic-resistant and perpetuate the disease. The diseases in fish create a huge financial loss and the industry loses $6 billion per year due to diseases in fish. An alternative to antibiotics is bacteriophage which causes less environmental degradation and is better for human gut flora. In aquaculture there have been examples of aquaculture workers becoming sick from the water in aquaculture ponds as well as from people eating the fish. …
Diversity Of Bacteriophage In Burkholderia Species,
2022
Bowling Green State University
Diversity Of Bacteriophage In Burkholderia Species, Abigail Price
Honors Projects
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect and replicate within bacteria and offer the potential of a therapeutic alternative to chronic infections that do not respond to antibiotic-based therapies. B. vietnamiensis is one of a number of Burkholderia species involved with chronic drug resistant infections in the lungs of individuals with compromised respiratory systems, as found in those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and, most especially, are of particular significance in patients with cystic fibrosis. The diversity of the Burkholderia species is explored by using online databases and looking at bacteriophage or phage-encoding viruses found in B. vietnamiensis. The open reading frames …
Periodic Spatial Disturbances Alter The Expression Of Quorum Sensing Virulence Factors In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa,
2022
Nova Southeastern University
Periodic Spatial Disturbances Alter The Expression Of Quorum Sensing Virulence Factors In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Laura García-Diéguez
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen associated with severe acute and chronic illnesses. Current antibiotic-based approaches fail to effectively treat P. aeruginosa infections due to the effectiveness and robustness of the quorum sensing signaling system (QS). Pathogenic bacteria, such as P. aeruginosa, employ this population density-dependent communication mechanism to confer antimicrobial resistance, propagate infection, and coordinate the expression of virulence factors, through the production and detection of autoinducing signaling molecules (AI). As such, there is a growing interest in developing novel non-antibiotic-based techniques to attenuate the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa by disrupting the functionality of its QS system. Previous …
Examining Bacteriophage Reliance On The Tola Protein Of Escherichia Coli,
2022
Bowling Green State University
Examining Bacteriophage Reliance On The Tola Protein Of Escherichia Coli, Ellen Davis
Honors Projects
With the ever-growing crisis of antibiotic resistant bacteria, bacteriophage provide an important potential alternative therapy to treat infections when antibiotics are ineffective. For this reason, it is important to understand the mechanisms bacteriophage use to enter their bacterial host cell. The cellular envelope of the gram-negative bacterium E. coli contains a protein system known as Tol-Pal, which utilizes energy from the Proton Motive Force to carry out several cellular functions, including some associated with cellular division and outer-membrane stability. Certain bacteriophage take advantage of the energy produced by this system to cross the bacterial cell membrane. One important protein of …
Assessing Environmental Factors That Influence Cyanobacterial Blooms In Skinn Lake,
2022
Bowling Green State University
Assessing Environmental Factors That Influence Cyanobacterial Blooms In Skinn Lake, Kloe Atwood
Honors Projects
Global lakes are experiencing an increase in toxic algal blooms that can be damaging to the environment. These blooms are caused by cyanobacteria, specifically a species called Planktothrix. Skinn Lake, in Ohio, is a location of a cyanobacterial bloom that is mainly populated by Planktothrix rubescens. This lake was further examined to identify the major toxin-producing bacteria and identify environmental microbes surrounding the bloom. When the data was examined it was found that the microbiomes of the lake greatly differed between the winter (bloom) months and the summer (non-bloom) months. This difference can be viewed within the nutrient analysis from …
