Category: Biological Sciences
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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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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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Wildlife Use of Restored and Unrestored Shorelines in Belle Isle State Park
By Elle Toia, Eren Edwards Faculty Mentor: Dr. Andrew Dolby Abstract This research project, conducted from March 12, 2024, to April 21, 2024, aimed to investigate how wildlife utilize restored and unrestored shorelines at Belle Isle State Park. Eastern Virginia’s rivers face a significant erosion problem, leading to the installation of living shorelines as a…
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The application of DNAzymes on the CTG repeat expansion in Myotonic Dystrophy type 1
By Arshpreet Brar and Delaney Humphrey Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ginny Morriss Abstract Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) has variable symptoms like myotonia, skeletal muscle weakness and wasting, irregular cardiac induction, and cognitive defects. DM1 is caused due to CTG repeat expansion in the 3′ untranslated region of the Dystrophia Myotonica Protein Kinase (DMPK) gene. The…
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Endolysins as Selective Antibacterial Agents: Insights from Genomic and Proteomic Analysis of Bacillus Endolysins
By Andrew Cooper Faculty Mentor: Dr. Swati Agrawal Abstract Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, have the potential to serve as alternatives to antibiotics due to their unique lytic enzymes, known as endolysins. These enzymes can specifically target and rapidly break down bacterial cell walls, making them effective against pathogenic bacteria while reducing harm to beneficial…
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Investigating the Effect of Exercise on BDNF Levels in the Prefrontal Cortex and CRH Levels in the Hypothalamus in Mice
By Nathan Terrell Faculty Mentor: Dr. Waters Abstract Exercise is known to increase memory and elevate mood in both mice and humans. Two important molecules are Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). The prefrontal cortex plays a role in controlling stress. The hypothalamus is the main mediator of CRH in the brain.…
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Time Course for Adult Onset Myotonic Dystrophy in Drosophila melanogaster
By Ashlyn Rauch Faculty Mentor: Ginny Morriss Abstract Myotonic Dystrophy Type One (DM1) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a series of CTG repeats in the dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) gene (Lanni and Pearson 2019). Individuals diagnosed with DM1 may display CTG expansions ranging from 50-4000 repeats, whereas unaffected individuals have between 5-37…
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METHIONINE RESTRICTION IMPROVES CISPLATIN TREATMENT IN TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER
By Abigail Glenn Faculty Mentor: Laura Sipe Abstract Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 10-15% of breast cancer incidences. These patients have a drastically lower survival rate compared to other breast cancers (1). TNBC lacks receptors for estrogen, progesterone, and HER2. This makes targeted therapies ineffective and limits treatment options to chemotherapy and radiation…
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The Effect of Social Isolation on Orexin Production and Hedonic Drive in Female Mice
By Hudson McNerney Faculty Mentor: Dr. Parrish Waters Abstract THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL ISOLATION ON OREXIN PRODUCTION AND HEDONIC DRIVE IN FEMALE MICE. Hudson McNerney, Dr. R. Parrish Waters, Dept. of Biol., University of Mary Washington. Social stress is a primary instigator of psychological disorders in humans. While social stress results from social dominance relationship…
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Understanding Anatomy Creates Better Dancers
By Elizabeth Sullivan Faculty Mentor: Dr. Swati Agrawal Abstract Dancers engage virtually every muscle group within their bodies during movement, a phenomenon observable even in the execution of fundamental steps. Such intense muscular activity inevitably predisposes dancers to injuries. I have been part of the Performing Arts Company (PAC) at the University of Mary Washington…
