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 […]
Cancer and the Immune System: A Study of Cytokine Communication with Macrophages
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, […]
Moving Nucleosomes to Regulate and Maintain Gene Function
Benjamin Jorgensen and Dr. Steven Johnson, Mirco and Molecular Biology Main Text Gene therapy is a technique that uses gene insertions or transgenes to alter and correct genetic mutations that cause hereditary diseases. Gene therapy holds hope in curing diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy or any disease caused by a recessive […]
Characterization of Herpes Simplex Clinical Isolate
Daniel Hammond and Dr. Brian Poole, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology My project was focused on the identification and characterization of a clinical isolate of Herpes Simplex, the virus family responsible for cold sores and genital herpes. The virus was collected from a 48 year old female who was otherwise healthy. The patient had […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Determining the effect of Toll-like Receptor-7 on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Development
Douglas Baumann and Dr. Brian Poole, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) is an autoimmune disease that afflicts over 250,000 citizens of the United States. Although much remains to be learned about Lupus, the information gathered so far has proven to be extremely valuable in increasing survival rates and improving the […]