Category: Biological Sciences
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The impact of voluntary wheel running on TH expression in the VTA
By Johann Leal Faculty Mentor: Parrish Waters Abstract The impact of voluntary wheel running on TH expression in the VTA The goal of this study was to investigate how exercise impacts dopamine levels in mice. 16 mice were split into wheel running and control groups. Wheel running mice had access to a wheel for 4…
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The Role Of GSK-3 In Alzheimer’s Disease
By Natalie Baca Faculty Mentor: Deborah O'Dell Abstract Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the buildup of Beta Amyloid Plaques in the brain and the hyperphosphorylation of the Tau Protein. GSK-3 is a protein kinase found normally in cells in both active and inactive states. Overactive GSK-3 has been linked to the hyperphosphorylation…
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Deciphering Therapeutic Potential: Functional Annotation of Bacillus Phage Jabberwock Proteins in Biochemistry of Proteins
By Elizabeth Sullivan and Brooke Johnson Faculty Mentor: Swati Agrawal Abstract Nearly eight million individuals succumb to bacterial infections annually, positioning it as the second leading cause of death worldwide. As bacterial resistance to antibiotics continues to rise, research on bacteriophages has emerged as a valuable alternative in mitigating fatalities caused by bacterial pathogens. Characterized…
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Exploring the effect of caffeine on Toxoplasma gondii replication and plaque formation
By Abigail Glenn, Exotica Hall, Elizabeth Sullivan Faculty Mentor: Swati Agrawal Abstract apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii. In immunocompromised individuals, such as those with preexisting illness, toxoplasmosis can be deadly. As an intracellular parasite, T. gondii has mechanisms for motility, invasion, replication, and egress, during which calcium is a key regulator. To signal invasion, the cytosolic concentrations…
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MICROGLIA CHRONICALLY EXPOSED TO EPINEPHRINE PRODUCING IL-1β CORRELATED TO ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
By Kristy A. Bagley, Mikyas G. Telahun Faculty Mentor: Deborah A. O’Dell Abstract More than six million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s, a condition characterized by cognitive decline and the presence of amyloid β plaques and Tau tangles. However, the sustained activation of the brain’s macrophages, microglia, and other neuroinflammatory markers of the Central…
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The Impact of Habitat on Terrestrial Niche Partitioning Between Amphibians
By Ellie Shanahan Faculty Mentor: Bradley Lamphere Abstract Studying how different organisms niche partition within an ecosystem remains an important aspect for the field of ecology. Studying how different species of amphibian ecologically interact remains important due to their importance as bioindicators.. We wanted to determine the presence of significant niche partitioning between different species…
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Temperature and Sex Determination in TU Line Zebrafish
By Ravi Palat Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dianne Baker Abstract The purpose of this project was to investigate the relationship between water temperature and sex determination in the TU line of a commonly used model organism, the zebrafish (Danio rerio). While wild type zebrafish have a distinct sex determining region in their genome, the two most…
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5-Fluorouracil Exerts Cytotoxic Chemotherapy Independently of Oxidative Stress Pathways in Breast Cancer Cells
By Rachel Walker, Evelyn Buehren Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laura Sipe Abstract 5-Fluorouracil Exerts Cytotoxic Chemotherapy Independently of Oxidative Stress Pathways in Breast Cancer Cells Rachel Walker and Evelyn Buehren Faculty Advisor: Dr. Laura Sipe Chemotherapy, the main treatment option for triple-negative breast cancer, targets actively dividing cells resulting in cell death. Many chemotherapies result in…
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Knockdown of Pvr and its Relation to DM1 Muscle Wasting in Drosophila
By Madeline Brunt Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ginny Morriss Abstract Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an inherited multisystem disorder that causes severe muscle wasting. DM1 results from CTG-repeat expansions in the untranslated region of the dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) gene. While the cause of DMl is known, the underlying mechanism behind DM1 muscle wasting…
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Methionine Restriction Decreases Cell Proliferation And aensitizes to chemotherapy
By Loren Delgadillo Llano, Briza Valdes-Llamas, Wagma Zaki Faculty Mentor: Laura Sipe Abstract Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype that is difficult to treat, resulting in a 66% 5-year survival rate for regional invasion to nearby structures or lymph nodes. This creates an importance to researching the various chemotherapy efficacy methods on…
