Jason Burton and Professor Marc Hansen, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. This is mostly due to a lack of understanding into the function of cancer and the different mechanisms it uses to spread. The process by which cancer cells detach from the […]
Search Results for: cells
Genomic and Proteomic Analysis of an Erwinia amylovora Phage
Alicia Brighton and Dr. Julianne Grose, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology Introduction Fireblight is a disease, caused by the bacteria Erwinia amylovora, that can infect some fruit trees, including apple and pear trees. When an infection occurs, the effects can be devastating—any infected part of the tree must be removed and destroyed, sometimes resulting […]
Cellular Mechanisms Behind Memory Formation in the Developing Brain
Spencer Bell and Dr. Jeffrey Edwards, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology Carrying out my research project with my mentor’s assistance has provided valuable experiences and important lessons. At the present time, however, my research has not produced the results we had anticipated. We had hoped to demonstrate that a certain receptor in the brain […]
Role of Gap Junctions in Seizures
Samuel Shin and Dr. Scott Steffensen, Department of Psychology Seizures are a disease that inflict millions with no reliable treatment or cure. One of the main difficulties behind treating seizures is the uncertainty behind the cause. In previous studies we performed we found that connexin-36 (Cx36) knockout (KO) mice may respond differently to stimuli that […]
Effects of Nicotine on Plasticity in Glutamate Neurotransmission to Midbrain GABA Neurons
Peter Nielson and Dr. Scott Steffensen, Department of Psychology Purpose In order to further the knowledge of physiological contributions to addiction, this project’s purpose was to elucidate the neuronal processes involved in nicotine (NIC) addiction. We studied its effects on critical neuronal substrates in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), an area of the midbrain implicated […]
Scaffold Design of a Novel Nano-Particle for Single-Target Imaging
Chad Varner and Dr. Brad Bundy, Department of Chemical Engineering The purpose of this project has been to help develop a novel nano-imaging particle. Current methodologies have limitations that preclude them from being used for nanometric (1-500nm) imaging processes in living organisms. These include, but are not limited to, low signal to noise ratios, limited […]
Cell-free Protein Synthesis Extract Preparation Methods
Troy Holland and Dr. Brad Bundy, Department of Chemical Engineering My ORCA project proposed to test and optimize various low capital cost cell lysis methods, while leaving the internal cell machinery intact and viable for cell-free protein synthesis research. Our cells of interest were a strain of the bacterium E. coli, and their cellular machinery […]
Using Photolithographically-Produced Micro-Channels with Controlled Pores to Create a Bacteria Filter for Blood
Sara Ehlert and Dr. Aaron Hawkins, Department of Electrical Engineering The importance of blood to humans cannot be understated. Its important functions include transporting oxygen and nutrients around the body, preventing blood loss, fighting infection, carrying antibodies to fight infection, delivering waste products to the kidneys and liver to be removed from the body, and […]
Measurement of Wing Loads during Flapping Flight
Ryan Anderson and Dr. Mark Colton, Department of Mechanical Engineering Introduction Ongoing research at BYU with the Flapping Flight Research Group (FFRG) is aimed at uncovering the physics behind flapping flight. Discoveries in this field could produce new aircraft designs and technolo- gies, as well as broaden our understanding of natural phenomena. One ambition of […]
Molecular Mechanisms of Lupus Risk Conferred by Allele in the Gene for Interferon Response Factor 5
Dr. Brian Poole, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Biology Evaluation of how well the academic objectives of the proposal were met The academic objectives of this proposal were met. Using the funding provided by the MEG, we generated data that was used to publish four peer-reviewed journal articles and one peer-reviewed book chapter. These are: […]