Jamison Walker and Sandra Hope, Microbiology & Molecular Biology My project proposal included the use of Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection to determine if genetic mutations will arise in Bacteriophages that would allow them to infect related strains in a species of bacteria. Bacteriophages naturally have a target host range that they can […]
Determining the Role of CD5 in regulatory T Cell Function
Charles Teames and Scott Weber, Microbiology & Molecular Biology Introduction Regulatory T cells (Tregs) inhibit the immune response and play a key role in preventing autoimmunity. Unfortunately, Tregs also often prevent an effective immunological response against cancer. CD5 is a T cell surface protein known to regulate the threshold for T cell activation. CD5 is […]
Using Remote Video Systems to Measure Effectiveness of Small Scale MPAs in Saipipi, Samoa
Calvin Quigley and Dr. Richard Gill, Biology Introduction- Coral reefs represent an invaluable natural, providing $30 billion dollars of fishing and recreational profits worldwide, and housing nearly a quarter of the oceans species [1, 2]. However, threats such as climate change, ocean acidification, coastal development and overharvesting have destroyed more than a fifth of the […]
Nrf2 in Protecting Against Valproic Acid-‐Induced Oxidative Injury During Cellular Differentiation
Alyssa Palmer and Jason Hansen, Physiology and Developmental Biology Introduction The causes of the majority of birth defects remain largely unknown today. However, many chemicals known to cause defects are also known inducers of oxidative stress, resulting in faulty cellular function. This suggests an important link between oxidative stress and normal and abnormal embryonic development […]
TK1 as a Biomarker of Chemosensitivity and Metastatic Potential in Breast Tumors
Eric Olsen and Kim O’Neill, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Introduction Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, accounting for 23% of total cancer cases and 14% of cancer deaths. Breast carcinoma is not a simple disease. It is comprised of many different biological forms with distinct phenotypes and prognoses. Hormone receptor […]
Effectiveness of Hospital Disinfectants against Clostridium Spores
Bejamin Ogilvie and Richard Robinson Introduction: Clostridium is a genus of anaerobic spore-forming bacteria notable for causing human infections. C. difficile has an especially high impact, affecting roughly 453,000 individuals in the U.S. in 2011 (1). C. tetani and C. perfringens infections occur much less frequently, although they remain clinically important. Disinfecting objects contaminated with […]
The effect of Chenopodium quinoa on salinization levels in soil
Angel Mirae Morris, P. Jeff Maughan, Bryan G. Hopkins and Neil Hansen, Plant & Wildlife Sciences Introduction Chenopodium quinoa is native to the Peruvian Andes and has been an important food crop for more than 5,000 years. C. quinoa can adapt to a wide variety of climates and altitudes, making it a viable food source […]
Regulation of Trophoblast Invasion by Pyruvate Kinase Isozyme M2 (PKM2): Preemptive to PKM2 Activation Decreases IUGR Symptoms in Mice exposed to Second-Hand Smoke
Juan Mejia and Juan Arroyo, PhD, Physiology and Developmental Biology Introduction The placenta is an organ composed of highly vascular tissue. It plays an essential role in healthy fetal development as a mediator of gases and nutrients between the mother and fetus. Many complications can occur in this stage of fetal development, such as intrauterine […]
NF κB as a Mediator in Iron Regulation
Erik D Marchant and Chad Hancock, Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Science Introduction Doxorubicin (DOX) is a commonly used chemotherapy drug. Although it is very effective in treating many different types of cancer, it has also been shown to induce oxidative stress in multiple tissues, partially due to severe iron-dysregulation. The effects of DOX have mostly […]
The Effects of Hyperlipidemia on β-Cells
Andrew Barlow, Trevor Lloyd, Mason Poffenbarger, Austin Ricks, Dr. Jeffery Tessem; Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Introduction Diabetes’ prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate. Normally, insulin-secreting β-cells in the pancreas regulate proper glucose absorption and storage. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are characterized by decreased functional β-cell mass and insulin production (1). Diabetes also results […]