Christopher Keenan Introduction: My research team’s original question seemed simple enough: what sorts of neurons exist in a zebrafish tectum (the site of sensory integration in the zebrafish brain)? But, as with any worthwhile scientific endeavor, our project has not proven to be as easy or straightforward as the question may suggest. Over the past […]
Archives for August 2018
Chemogenic Stimulation of Connexon-36 Expressing VTA GABA Neurons is Rewarding
Derek Clarke, Elizabeth Anderson and Faculty Mentor: Scott Steffensen, Neuroscience Introduction The reward system of the brain is the driving force of human behavior. It incites a motivation to learn, triggers powerful cravings, and drives the destructive behavior of addiction. While general studies about the reward system have led to these conclusions, many of the […]
Characterizing endophyte interactions that enhance tolerance of water stress and disease in economically and culturally important succulent crops, Agave and Yucca
Claire Poore and Faculty Mentor: Ryan Stewart, Plant and Wildlife Sciences Introduction Agave and Yucca species are both cultural and economically important in the south western United States and Mexico. As desert plants, Agave and Yucca have adapted to hot and dry conditions and with increasing global temperatures, have the potential to fill even more […]
Increases in Fresh Weight Yield from Low Tunnels and Nitrogen Fertilization in Opuntia (Cactus Pear, Nopal) Species in Utah
Kennedy Christian, Mena Nicolas and Faculty Mentor: J. Ryan Stewart, Plant and Wildlife Science Introduction With the global human population spiraling upward and the intensity of climate-change-induced drought events increasing, there is a growing need for identifying and developing highly productive, stress-tolerant crops that can be cultivated in marginal lands (Yang et al., 2015). Species […]
Increasing Water Use Efficiency By Nitrogen Management In Turfgrass
Austin Hopkins and Faculty Mentor Dr. Neil C. Hansen, Plant and Wildlife Sciences This project identifies turfgrass practices to conserve water by optimizing nitrogen (N) fertilization and irrigation strategies. Turfgrass is the most irrigated crop by area (163,800 km2), accounting for 1.9% of the continental U.S. This causes negative environmental impacts and puts the future […]
Development of a model for Adult T cell Leukemia/Lymphoma in HTLV-1 infected humanized mice
Kayleigh Ingersoll and Faculty Mentor: Dr. Brad Berges, Department of Molecular and Microbiology Introduction Human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is a virus that is linked to Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), causing cancer in T cells. There are an estimated 10-20 million people worldwide infected with HTLV-1. HTLV-1 is transmitted through contact of bodily fluid and […]
A User Friendly Tool to Allow Easy Access to Big Biological Data
PJ Tatlow and Faculty Mentor Stephen Piccolo, Department of Biology Over the course of the past year I have been able to put a lot of work into creating a tool for scientists, those with computational background and without, that provides a simple web interface for downloading data from large, publically available datasets. It allows […]
Upregulation of humanized HPRT housekeeping gene in malignant tumors hinders use as an endogenous control
Abigail Felsted and Faculty Mentor: Kim O’Neill, Molecular Biology Our lab focuses on developing immunological techniques for diagnosing and treating cancer in a less invasive manner than current methods employ. New unique biomarkers are constantly needed to identify cancer in early stages in order to decrease mortality rates. When researching and publishing such biomarkers, many […]
Prevalence of House Dust Mites in Low-Income Homes in Utah County
Robert Graul and Faculty Mentor: Dr. James Johnston, Public Health – Health Science Introduction Asthma is the leading chronic disease among children in U.S. Low-income populations, minorities, and children living in poor housing experience more emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths due to asthma that the general population. HDM allergens are linked to the exacerbation […]
The Effect of Repeated Heat Stress on Mitochondrial Protein Content in Human Skeletal Muscle
Amy Twitchell and Faculty Mentor: Robert Hyldahl, Exercise Science Introduction: Exercise has been known to improve mitochondrial function and increase its content in muscle. However, those who suffer from certain diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Type II Diabetes often experience concomitant exercise intolerance. In vitro research suggests that the application of […]