Category: Poster Presentation
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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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Character Essentialism in High Fantasy: A Case Study of Dungeons and Dragons
By Garrett Welch Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeff McClurken Abstract The topic I studied for the capstone experience is the issue of racial essentialism implicit in many modern high fantasy worlds and systems, with a particular focus on Dungeons and Dragons as a case study. In Dungeons and Dragons, players create a unique character and act…
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Determination of the Dihydrogen Potential Energy Curve using Computational Chemistry
By Willow Candage, Charlea Kimbleton, Owen White Faculty Mentor: Leanna Giancarlo Abstract The bond length and bond dissociation energy for a molecule play an important role in the thermodynamic properties of that molecule. Both the equilibrium bond length and the bond dissociation energy of a molecule can be determined from its potential energy curve. One…
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Analysis of water samples from drinking fountains from various buildings across the University of Mary Washington on the presence of the trace of metals (Fe, Al, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, Mn)
By Cameron Hyatt, Marina Klein, Iaroslavna Kovalenko, Timothy McCarthy Faculty Mentor: Sarah Smith Abstract Water plays an essential role in everyday life, and different containments in water can affect human health. The water samples from six water fountains across the University of Mary Washington campus will be compared and analyzed on the presence of metals…
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Quantification of Catechin and Vitamin C in Green Tea Using HPLC
By Emily Hart, Taylor Munger, Sasha Murphy Faculty Mentor: Sarah Smith Abstract This experiment aims to determine the concentrations of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) in a variety of commercially available bottled tea brands. EGCG is a potent catechin commonly found in tea leaves that has shown preventative effects against cancer and cardiovascular…
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Quantification of Copper and Zinc from Anti-Fouling Paint
By Alex Bindon, Grayson Camp, Elise Henry, Zie Schimpp Faculty Mentor: Sarah Smith Abstract Anti-fouling paint applied to the hulls of vessels is known to release heavy metals in seawater. The Concentration of copper and zinc released by anti-fouling paint will be determined when subjected to varying temperatures. This variation on anti-fouling paint helps prevent…
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Multi-wavelenght Astronomy
By Ryan Lawrence Faculty Mentor: Matthew Fleenor Abstract Imaging the sky in radio, IR, and visible light.
