Category: Biological Sciences
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Changes of TOB in Response to Chronic Social Stress
By Hannah Stottlemyer Faculty Mentor: Dr. O'Dell Abstract We investigated the expression of TOB2 in the hippocampus. Using female mice as models, we socially isolated them to serve as a chronic social stressor. TOB2 has an anti-proliferative effect and negatively regulates a gene expression signaling pathway. After sacrificing the mice, extracting the hippocampus, and isolating…
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Investigating the Effect of Exercise on Hippocampal BDNF Expression in Mice
By John Conrad Tan Faculty Mentor: Dr. Parrish Waters, Dr. Ginny Morriss Abstract The effect of exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in mice is a topic of interest due to its potential implications for cognitive function. This study aimed to investigate how exercise influences BDNF expression in the hippocampus, a brain region crucial…
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Quercetin Produces Anti-inflammatory Response in Raw 264.7 Macrophages
By Ciara Donnangelo, James Solis, Chris Anderson Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sipe Abstract Chronic inflammation plays a key role in the development and proliferation of several metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as increasing the risk of several types of cancers. It is directly linked to being the cause of cardiovascular disease, which is one of…
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An Analysis of The Eastern Oyster and its Impact on Community Biodiversity
By Aidan Shell Faculty Mentor: Bradley Lamphere Abstract An Analysis of The Eastern Oyster and its Impact on Community Biodiversity The Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) has played a crucial role in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem since the 19th century. The species offers a range of services for both humans and other aquatic organisms from habitat…
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The Impact of Exposure to Blue Light on Anxiety and Cortisol Levels in Mice
By Madison DeWitt Faculty Mentor: Dr. Parrish Waters Abstract Extended exposure to artificial blue light, such as the light from computer screens, can disrupt the sleep cycle, perhaps by disrupting daily cycles of the hormone cortisol; both of these effects can diminish behavioral and somatic health. This experiment investigated how blue light affects cortisol levels,…
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The generational effect of temperature differences on sex differentiation in Danio rerio
By Willa Clore Faculty Mentor: Dianne Baker Abstract This research investigated whether temperature related sex differentiation causes generational differences in the sex ratios in the TU strain of a model organism, Danio rerio. To test this hypothesis, the F1 offspring were collected from adults reared at differing temperatures from 15 days post fertilization (dpf) until…
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The Effect of Oxaliplatin and Methionine Restriction on Immunogenic Cell Death in Cell Lines EO771 and 4T1.
By Mallory Thompson Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laura Sipe Abstract The Effect of Oxaliplatin and Methionine Restriction on Immunogenic Cell Death in Cell Lines EO771 and 4T1. Mallory Thompson Advisor: Laura Sipe, PhD The immune system’s ability to detect cancer is integral to the body’s ability to fight the disease. Some anti-cancer therapies trigger targeted cells…
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In silico Characterization of the Bacillus Bacteriophage Jabberwock Proteome
By Max, Rachel, Adis Faculty Mentor: Dr. Agrawal Abstract Bacillus Bacteriophage Jabberwock, isolated from a soil sample, presents a promising candidate for phage therapy applications against pathogenic members of the species like Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis. We performed a bioinformatic analysis of genes 1-10, 51-60 and 61-70 of the Jabberwock genome to predict encoded…
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Effects of pH and Temperature Change on Calcium Ion Transport Mutants of Toxoplasma gondii
By Ashley Smith, Beliyu Habtemariam, Caitlin Harris, Paul James Solis Faculty Mentor: Professor Swati Agrawal Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that can cause fatal infection in immunocompromised individuals, stillbirth and miscarriage in pregnant women, and congenital birth defects in infants. According to the CDC, around 800,000 individuals are infected by T.…
