Theodore L. Oliphant and Dr. Keith A. Crandall, Microbiology Introduction This project’s purpose is to determine sites of positive selection in the gp120 envelope protein of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Positive selection is defined as the fixation of changes in amino acid composition in a population. A data set containing the envelope sequence from […]
Sequencing the Mammoth Cytochrome b gene: A Genetic Look Into the History of Prehistoric Columbian Mammoths
Shaun Odell and Dr. Scott Woodward, Department of Micro and Molecular Biology During the excavation process associated with the reconstruction of Cleveland reservoir dam near the Huntington Canyon area of UT, the massive skeleton of a Columbian mammoth was unearthed. Excavation of the remains ensued, and bone samples from this prehistoric mammal were sent to […]
Phylogeny and Conservation of the Utah Land Snail Oreohelix peripherica (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Camaenidae)
Ashley Nelson and Dr. Keith A. Crandall, Integrative Biology Introduction This study of the Oreohelix peripherica land snail is a continuation of a study sponsored last year by ORCA. In 1993, Ecosearch, Inc. suggested that O. p. wasatchensis, located at Rainbow Gardens near Ogden, deserved being upgraded to having an endangered status according to the […]
Does CaMKII Regulate Exocytosis Through Its Binding To Syntaxin?
Stephen M. Merino and Dr. Dixon Woodbury, Physiology and Developmental Biology Background Neurons use chemical messengers called neurotransmitters to communicate with muscles and other neurons. In the axon terminal of a neuron, neurotransmitters are stored in synaptic vesicles. Neurotransmitter is released from the neuron through a process called exocytosis. In exocytosis, synaptic vesicles fuse with […]
The Use of Stable Isotopes to Determine the Physiology and Ecology of Reptiles
Jessica Makin and Professor Kent Hatch, Integrative Biology Introduction Stable isotope research is becoming more widely used in physiological ecology. Atoms of the same atomic number but different atomic weights are called isotopes. Nitrogen (N) has two isotopes, 14N and 15N, with the latter being the heavier isotope. The assumption is that 14N is excreted at […]
Selenium Moderation of Estrogen Receptor-Beta (ER-b) Activation: A Mechanism for Prostate Cancer Chemoprevention
Josie Johnson and Dr. Merrill J. Christensen, Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Introduction Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men (1). Results from a prospective cancer prevention trial showed that Se supplementation reduced prostate cancer incidence by 63% (2). One molecular mechanism by which Se may protect against prostate cancer […]
The Possible Role of Brain Angiotensin II in the Reduced Growth of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Daniel R. Jensen and Dr. James P. Porter, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology The “Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat” strain (SHR) was bred to be innately hypertensive. This hypertension arises in part from over-activity of the brain Renin-Angiotensin system.1 Interestingly, the mean body weight of SHR is significantly reduced compared with the normotensive Wistar-Kyoto strain from […]
Bioassays on Ethnobotanical Plants With Potential Activity Against E. coli, Staphlococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Hela Cancer Cells
Ryan David Huish and Dr. Rex G. Cates, Integrative Biology During a three month period, ethnobotanical interviews were conducted to identify and collect plants traditionally used to treat skin and mouth infections. Plant parts (i.e. inner bark, young or mature leaves, fruit, etc.) specific to the native informants’ knowledge were collected and preserved in 100% […]
A Comparison of the Phylogeny and Drumming Characteristics in Isogenoides
Christian James Hoybjerg and Dr. Michael F. Whiting, Integrative Biology Introduction Isogenoides is a genus of Plecoptera (stoneflies) from the family Perlodidae. The genus is composed of seven separate species and is endemic to North America. Each species has a limited distribution and a distinct system of courtship behavior. The male taps his abdomen on […]
TNF: Structure and Function
Raymond W. Grams II and Dr. David A. McClellan, Integrative Biology TNF-á is a cytokine released from activated macrophages and mast cells. It was identified a little over three decades ago as a protein responsible for lysis of certain types of cells, with specificity for tumor cells. Despite hopes as an anti-tumor agent, significant cytotoxic […]