Journal of Undergraduate Research

Steven Hallam and Dr. Bradford Berges, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Introduction The human immune system is composed of two main subsets: innate and adaptive immunities. Among the adaptive immune cells, B cells play a vital role in stopping infectious agents through the production of antigen specific antibodies. Human B cells are important targets of infection […]

John Hancock and Dr. Scott Weber, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology Introduction CD4+ helper T-cells play a vital role in the body’s immune response. When infectious agents attack the body, phagocytes engulf these invaders and present a peptide segment of the pathogen on a receptor (called MHCII). These receptors are located on the surface […]

Jacob B. Hatch and Bradford Berges, Ph.D., Microbiology and Molecular Biology Introduction About 20% of humans are carriers of Staphylococcus aureus (SA). There were an estimated 11,000 deaths in the United States in 2005 attributed to SA, with the majority caused by MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) isolates [1]. Many MRSA isolates have developed resistance […]

Todd Jarvis and Julianne Grose, Micro and Molecular Biology Fire Blight, caused by the bacteria Erwinia amylovora, is a highly contagious fruit tree disease that is difficult to treat. This disease causes a tree to whither away, as if it had been burned. It is estimated that Fire Blight causes more than a 100 million […]

Vera Mayhew and Brian Poole, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Introduction Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is one of the viruses found most frequently in the human population. Approximately 95% of the population is infected in the United Sates by the age of 40. When primary infection occurs is young adulthood approximately 50% of cases result in infectious […]

Jeffrey Mella and Brian Poole, MMBIO My mentored research project was a terrific experience. I have been mentored with Dr. Brian Poole for the last three years. As a result of the project that was made possible by the ORCA grant, I was the first author on an abstract submitted and accepted by the International […]

Bryan Merrill and Sandra Burnett, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology Introduction The deadly honey bee disease American Foulbrood (AFB) is caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae. The widespread use of antibiotics to prevent or treat AFB has led to many drug-resistant strains of P. larvae. Bacteriophages can target and destroy specific strains of bacteria […]

Jeffrey Moffat and David Erickson, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Introduction Chemokines are tiny proteins that play a valuable role in defending our bodies against bacteria and other pathogens. Chemokines are best known for their role in attracting immune cells to areas of infection. Some chemokines, however, have demonstrated the ability to not only recognize pathogens […]

Jordon Ritchie and Steven Johnson, Department of Micro and Molecular Biology Introduction Nucleosome positioning plays an important role in gene regulation and expression. Nucleosomes consist of DNA-histone interactions that comprise the first order of DNA compaction into chromatin in the cell. Modifications to the histone in the nucleosome have been hypothesized to influence the location […]

Cameron Sargent and Dr. Eric Wilson, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Introduction Because skin provides an effective physical barrier, most pathogens that invade the body do so at mucosal sites like the nose and mouth. As such, finding methods of improving mucosal immunity is key to providing greater defense against communicable diseases, the cause of approximately […]