Darren Goring and Dr. David Thomson, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology The original purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of muscle stimulation on gene expression for mitochondrial proteins in mLKB1-KO mice (mice in which the LKB1 gene has been knocked out of the muscles and heart). LKB1 is an important protein […]
Trash Brings a New Diet Water Conservation in Cape Verde, Africa
Tanner Goff and Dr. Bruce Woolley, Department of Physiology and Development Biology In Sub-Saharan African countries the resource of most significance, we Americans take for granted: water. The African people know this and strive to minimize wasting such a precious resource. However, with little education on how to conserve water, waste is inevitable. The country […]
Genotypic Analysis of Bromus Tectorum using SNPs
Sudeep Ghimire and Dr. Craig Coleman, Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Bromus tectorum, commonly called cheatgrass or downy brome is an exotic annual invasive weed which was introduced to the western United States over hundred years ago. B. tectorum has quickly expanded its range, displacing native flora and causing extensive loss of shrub and […]
Yersinia Murine Toxin and its Potential Role in Preventing Killing of Yersinia pestis Via Hympthiocyanate
Sarah Pyne-Gehen and Dr. David Erickson, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, is transmitted by fleas such as the Oriental rat flea Xenopsylla cheopis. Very little is known about the Y. pestis factors that are important in establishing a transmissible infection in fleas. The Yersinia Murine Toxin (Ymt) […]
Analyzing the Homing of IgA Antibody Secreting Cells in the Gestational Murine Mammary Gland via Chemokine Interaction
Taylor Gardner and Dr. Eric Wilson, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology My purpose was to understand more deeply the process of mucosal immunological response in mice. Specifically, I hoped to understand the role of chemokine interactions in the recruitment of Immunoglobin A (IgA) in mouse colostrum/milk and mammary gland tissue during the gestation period. […]
Exploring Folate Uptake in Chicken Understanding Prevention of Neural Tube Defects
Bret Gardner and Dr. Michael Stark, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common congenital malformations, afflicting .5- 8/1000 live births (Saitsu, 2003). Examples of such defects include spina bifida and anencephaly, resulting from failed closure of the posterior and anterior neural tube, respectively. The neural tube is […]
Improvement of Malaria Diagnosis Techniques in Low-Income Areas
Trenden Flanigan and Dr. Eric Wilson, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology Abstract Malaria causes over 1 million deaths every year worldwide. Due to the difficulty in obtaining a precise diagnosis, combined with nonspecific symptoms in early stages (fever, aches, fatigue), many cases are misdiagnosed. Diagnosis methods are generally done through visual examination of peripheral […]
Promoting Healthy Home Environments for Asthma Risk Reduction in Utah County, Utah
Cecilia Fernandez and Dr. Gene Cole, Department of Health Sciences Research Objective To conduct an initial needs assessment relative to the promotion of healthy home environments and asthma risk reduction, with a focus on multi-family dwellings and ethnic minority populations (primarily Hispanic). Background Previous studies have shown that ethnic populations, including Hispanics, are prone to […]
Development of Humanized Mice as a Model for the Study of Neuro-AIDS
German Cuadra and Dr. Bradford Berges, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology Our main goal of this project was to document the existence of human macrophages in the brain of humanized mice. After the accomplishment of this goal, we planned to infect humanized mice with HIV and find out if these human macrophages support infection […]
PhoU Localization In Escherichia Coli
Austin Callison and Dr. William R. McCleary, Department of Molecular/Microbiology Proposed Project Just as simpler systems are studied to better understand more complex systems, E. coli has long been a standard for biological experiments aimed at a more complete comprehension of the mechanisms that propitiate cell life. One of these vital mechanisms in E. coli […]