Journal of Undergraduate Research

Jacob C. Ong and Dr. Edwin D. Lephart, Zoology Phytoestrogens are estrogen-like compounds derived from plants such as the soy plant and can mimic the function of the human estrogen hormone by binding to estrogen receptors. Estrogen plays a major role in the prevention of osteoperosis and cardiovascular disease in woman. Evidence also suggests that […]

Dana L. Murphy and Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater, Zoology Collagen fibrils play an important role in proper skeletal development. Defective collagen can cause human skeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis that affects an estimated 20.7 million Americans. A particular mouse line, housed here at BYU, contains a mutation in the Col11a1 gene. This mutation results in […]

Jason D. Merrell and Professor David D. Busath, Zoology After discussion with my faculty mentor, together we decided that my original ORCA proposal would not best suit the needs of the laboratory in which I am allowed to work. Upon reaching this conclusion, a new research plan was organized. The following outlines the progress of this new […]

Ryan D. McAllister and Dr. David Kooyman, Animal Science Round heart disease (RHD) is a spontaneous occurring cardiomyopathy in turkeys. The domestic turkey Meleagris gallopavo is affected by low body weight and premature death due to congestive heart failure from RHD (1). RHD results in decreased profitability for the animal agriculturists and higher prices for […]

Taylor J. Maxwell and Dr. Michael F. Whiting, Zoology The evolution and development of wings and flight has fascinated scientists for decades. From our research we happened upon an exciting discovery concerning flight in the phylogeny of walking sticks. A basic phylogeny was to be reconstructed from molecular data with the purpose of understanding the […]

Jeffrey C. Markham and Professor David D. Busath, Zoology The oligopeptide gramicidin is one of the simplest proteins which can form channels in cell membranes to conduct ions into or out of a cell. The peptide is produced by the bacteria Bacillus brevis. It can also be synthesized by scientists for research purposes. By producing slightly modified […]

Nathan B. Holladay and Professor David D. Busath, Zoology An ion channel is a tunnel that allows ions to cross a barrier. Ion channels are common components of cellular membranes, helping to regulate ionic concentrations in different areas inside or outside cells. Electrical and/or concentration differences between one side of a membrane and the other often drive […]

David Lee and Dr. Dixon Woodbury, Physiology and Developmental Biology A bilayer is a two-layered membrane made of lipids that form around cells. These membranes are formed by hydrophobic tails (water fearing) and hydrophilic heads (water loving) that align such that the tails are isolated from water, while the heads are exposed to water to […]

Trevor Hansen and Dr. Edwin Lephart, Physiology and Developmental Biology Phytoestrogens are estrogen-like molecules derived from soy-based foodstuffs such as soybeans, tofu and even certain cereals. In particular, our study focused on a subclass of phytoestrogens called isoflavones. Of the many isoflavones, daidzene and genistein are thought to exert the most potent estrogenic hormone activity, […]

Brian Wright and Dr. Michael Stark, Physiology & Developmental Biology The ever-increasing knowledge regarding cellular regulation and programming requires important insights into the biochemical pathways that determine a cell’s fate. For example, the ability to take a stem cell and grow it into a neuron will directly depend on our knowledge of the steps used […]