Population Genetic Analysis of Astacopsis gouldi.

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Aaron Madsen and Dr. Keith Crandall, Integrative Biology Astacopsis gouldi has been known to weigh up to 6 kg, and live for as long as 60 years (Horwitz and Hamr, 1988). However, fishing pressure, as well as habitat destruction and pollution have had detrimental effects on A. gouldi populations. The populations of the species in […]

Evolution of Cytochrome b in Elapidae (Squamata: Serpentes)

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Dean H Leavitt and Dr. David A McClellan, Integrative Biology DNA sequences provide a wealth of information that allows systematists to better understand the phylogenetic history of the earth’s current biota. Some genes are better suited for phylogenetic studies than others, and one that has been commonly used is the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b. Cytochrome […]

Common Variable Immunodeficiency: Literature and Reality

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Heather Janene Kearl and Dr. Richard R Tolman, Zoology Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is one of the least understood primary immunodeficiencies. It is a disease where the body attacks its own antibodies, destroying all or most of them. Patients with CVID suffer from recurrent illnesses such as pneumonia, hepatitis, and other infections. While scientists know […]

Analysis of Unique Genome Segments of Burkholderia mallei Obtained from Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism

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Benjamin Nelson Kartchner and Dr. Richard A Robison, Microbiology Burkholderia mallei the etiological agent of the disease glanders, has the capability to cause disease in both animals and humans. Infection is usually caused through inhalation of organisms present in aerosols which results in serious pulmonary and systemic conditions that results in 40% mortality even with […]

Concomitant Treatment of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Chemotherapeutics on Human Acute T Lymphocytes.

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Janet L Hart and Dr. Kim L O’Neill, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as sulindac and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) are frequently used to relieve pain, clotting, fever and inflammation. Recently, NSAIDs have been shown to decrease the occurrence of colorectal cancer and inhibit mammary cancer in rats. To elucidate this mechanism, […]

Sequence Analysis of HIV Quasi Species in vivo

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Eryn Barber Hadley and Dr. Greg Burton, Microbiology Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the causative agent of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). There is currently no cure for HIV infection, and AIDS has been reported as the fourth highest killer in the world [1]. The initial success of the drug cocktail used in Highly Active Anti-Retroviral […]

Determination of the Proteins that Bind to the FG Enhancer Region of the Col11a2 Gene

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Eric Freeman and Dr. Laura Bridgewater, Microbiology Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the human body and is responsible for the development of bone and cartilage. The Col11a2 gene is one of the many genes that participate in the formation of collagen. Mutations in this gene can cause a variety of cartilage diseases […]

Sub Cellular Localization of a Putative Single Stranded DNA Binding Protein from Arabidopsis thaliana

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Andrew C Edmondson and Dr. Brent L Nielsen, Microbiology and Molecular Biology DNA recombination is the exchange of segments between homologous pieces of DNA, resulting in variations in genetic diversity. Recombination provides essential genetic variation, but can also cause harmful rearrangements, resulting in genetic disorders in mammals, plants and yeast. DNA recombination in plant mitochondria […]

Locating the High Adherence Genes on pHA-28

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Jonathan Walter Dukes and Dr. Ronald Leavitt, Department of Microbiology Bacterial high adherence is an important of research because of its effect on bacterial pathogenesis and intestinal colonization. In the laboratory of Dr. Ronald Leavitt, we have been studying the ability of certain bacteria to prevent the colonization of intestinal epithelial cells by other bacteria. […]