Genetic Variation Within and Among Populations of Draba asterophora (Brassicaceae) in Lake Tahoe Nevada

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Danny Nielsen and Dr. Loreen Allphin, Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences The rare endemic Lake Tahoe Draba (Draba asterophora) plant is under threat of extinction due to completed and proposed grating of ski runs on two ski resorts near Lake Tahoe where this species is located. This is of concern to both the US […]

Gene Expression of Down-regulated Estrogen Receptor Target Genes in Human Breast Cancer Cells following Drug Rreatment

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Ben Newman and Dr. Chin-Yo Lin, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Introduction Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer found in women and the majority of such cancers are estrogen receptor (ER) positive. This means the cancer is dependent on estrogen for growth. In such cancers, ER acts as a ligand-dependent transcription factor, changing […]

Understanding Actin to Stop Metastasis

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James Moody and Ben Werner with Dr. Marc Hansen, Physiology and Developmental Biology Background The purpose of this project is to identify the organization and mechanism of the proteins in the Zyxin-VASP actin regulatory system using biochemical analysis and in vitro reconstitution. Cross-bead precipitation A cross-bead precipitation assay is used to determine which proteins will […]

Chemical Analysis of Synthetic Dimerizer AP20187

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Jad Mills and Dr. Sandra Burnett, Molecular Biology and Microbiology The synthetic dimerizer AP20187 initiates targeted dimerization of mutant FK506 binding proteins (FKBP) to study cell functions, cell signaling pathways, and protein functions. In Macrophage Fas-Induced Apoptosis (Mafia) transgenic mice, AP20187 is used to initiate Macrophage apoptosis . To determine the mechanism behind some depletion […]

Identifying the Mechanisms of Estrogen Receptors in Human Breast Cancer Cells through Study of Direct Target Gene Expression

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Megan Lundell and Dr. Chin-Yo Lin, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Estrogens, including estrodial (E2), are known to play a significant role in a number of developmental and physiological processes including the genesis and progression of breast cancer. The action of estrogens is mediated by estrogen receptors (ERs), which function as ligand-dependent transcription factors. Upon ligand […]

Species Composition of a Desert Rock Pool Metacommunity

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Cameron Kmetzsch and Professor Russell B Rader, Integrative Biology Rock pools are one of the most unique and threatened aquatic habitats in the world. Changes in global climate could alter precipitation patterns and disrupt the annual cycle of filling and drying to which this community has evolved. Previous misconceptions assume that all rock pools are temporary habitats. […]

A Study of Genetic Variation in Geographically Separated Populations of Pediomelum pariense

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Asher Jones and Dr. Keith A. Crandall, Integrative Biology Pediomelum pariense, also known as Paria River Indian Breadroot, has been listed by NatureServe as an imperiled organism because of its low population numbers. However, no state or federal agency has made any effort to promote the preservation of this species. Ashley Egan, PhD, designed a […]

Thymidine Kinase 1 Immunostaining for Marking the Progression of Skin Cancer

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Kendal Jensen and Dr. Kim O’Neill, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology Each year in the United States there are over one million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Detection of metastatic skin cancer requires skill and careful consideration of clinical and histologic features. An accurate and specific stain for early, definitive diagnosis of metastatic skin […]

Retinal Detachment in Mice with Disproportionate Micromelia

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Jared R. Jackson and Dr. Robert Seegmiller, Physiology and Developmental Biology Introduction Stickler syndrome, caused by a mutation of the Collagen 2A1 gene, is the most common cause of inherited retinal detachment in children. A mutation of the same gene in mice causes Disproportionate Micromelia (Dmm). “In cases where mouse mutations occur in genes that […]

Cloning Bovine CCL28

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Melissa Hughes and Dr. Eric Wilson, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology Background I have successfully completed my project of cloning CCL28. CCL28 (MEC) is a protein that acts as a chemical signal in the body to attract antibody-secreting IgA cells that expresses a receptor called CCR10 to the mucosal tissue and to the mammary […]