Phylogeography and Population Structure of Scottnema lindsayae

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Mac Martin with Dr. Byron Adams, Department of Biology Glaciologists have suggested that because of the extent of the ice sheets during the last glacial maximum (LGM) in Antarctica no terrestrial species could have survived these harsh conditions. However, substantial evidence suggests that some invertebrate species did indeed survive the LGM. We hypothesize that S. […]

Potential Synergism between Antioxidants found in Blueberries (Vaccinium Cyanococcus)

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Richard Low and Dr. Tory Parker, Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Main Text According to a review by Battino et al. (2009), blueberry consumption can regulate blood pressure, inhibit cancer growth, and improve cardiovascular health by preventing plaque buildup in the arteries. Naturally occurring antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables that are thought […]

Destabilization of the Medial Meniscus: A Non-Genetic Approach to Inducing Osteoarthritis in Mice

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Christopher Stockdale, Joshua Lloyd, and Dr. Robert E. Seegmiller, Physiology and Developmental Biology Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease that causes discomfort and pain due to the degradation of the articular cartilage found on the surface of bones within the body’s joints. A properly functioning joint has a strong network of articular cartilage that can […]

The Contribution of CCR9 to the Homing, Migration, and Accumulation of IgA Antibody Secreting Cells in Mouse Salivary Glands

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Susanne Linderman with Dr. Eric Wilson, Microbiology and Molecular Biology IgA is the most common antibody isotype involved in the immune system’s defense of mucosal membranes. In order to migrate and accumulate at these sites, IgA antibody secreting cells rely on chemokines. These chemokines, which are proteins differentially secreted in different tissues, bind to chemokine […]

What can Phylogeographic Breaks in the Livebearer Poeciliopsis Turrubarensis tell us about Fish Community Boundaries in Western Costa Rica?

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April Larson and Dr. Jerald B. Johnson, Biology One active area of study in ecology, termed biogeography, is the determination of how communities are formed. A basic knowledge of what factors have shaped the formation of ecological communities leads to greater understanding of a system as a whole and specific species interactions. One possible factor […]

Assessing the Splicing Variants of the Interferon Regulatory Factor 5 Risk Haplotype

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Jared Lambert and Dr. Brian Poole, Life Sciences Introduction Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease which commences from the immune system producing antibodies which target the body’s own tissues and cells. There are various factors thought to be involved in the development of SLE. In this study I assessed how the splicing variants […]

Genetic Investigation of the Pathology of Ustilago bullata

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Erin Ladle and Dr. Jeff Maughan, Plant and Wildlife Sciences Main Text Bromus tectorum L., commonly known as cheatgrass, is an invasive annual grass species that dominates millions of hectares of land in the Great Basin area, in the western United States.1 The widespread invasion of cheatgrass has increased fire incidence in some areas of […]

Cancer and the Immune System: A Study of Cytokine Communication with Macrophages

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Charles Daniel Knechtel and Dr. Kim O’Neill, Microbiology Macrophages are a part of the early immune system that interacts with abnormal and foreign cells in your body. They are a non-specific defense system that engulfs foreign cells or stimulates other immune system cells to respond. We know they can play a role in fighting cancer, […]

Exploring Phylogenetic Relationships, Origins of Claws, and Loss of Functional Eyes in Decapod Lobsters (Infraorder Astacidea, Achelata, Glypheidea, Polychelida)

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Dohyup Kim and Dr. Keith Crandall, Biology Department Introduction The order Decapoda represents a species-rich and economically important group of crustaceans. Among decapods, lobsters play a huge role of monetary significance, bringing in billions of dollars each year to world fisheries. Understanding the genetic relationships among commercially important lobsters will aid in both fishery and […]

Amantadine Blockage of the Influenza A M2 Proton Transporter

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Jared Kelson and Professor David Busath, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology Main Text The reproduction of influenza A is very closely regulated by the pH levels maintained both in the cytoplasm and in various organelles of a host cell. To accommodate this, the virus provides genetic coding to assemble an M2 transporter which regulates the flow […]