Electroporation of E. coli and Agar Gel Electrophoresis of FB5⍺

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Chitin is the second-most abundant polysaccharide after cellulose, and a rich source of nitrogen and reduced carbons which is currently underutilized. Chitinases have the potential to put this sustainable resource to use. In this experiment a plasmid purported to contain the ChiA endochitinase gene was extracted from FB5-alpha E. coli and transformed into BL21(DE3) E. coli. The plasmid was analyzed by agar gel electrophoresis to determine that the gene was not present in the plasmid. To confirm the lack of the gene, protein isolation will be attempted, and samples will be analyzed by SDS-PAGE

Endoparasite Comparison Between Two Herds of Roosevelt Elk

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Research is presented on the comparison of endoparasite abundance and diversity between two herds of Roosevelt Elk; Sinkyone and Gold Bluff Beach. These groups were once part of the same herd and 17 individuals were translocated in 1984 and now are suffering from poor health. Research hypothesis is that the sick herd (Sinkyone) will have a higher diversity or abundance of endoparasite eggs that I have identified from fecal samples. Through this research, we hope to identify the health issue within the sick population and help treat the issue.

Energy Production and Profiling of Arizona, California, New Mexico, & Texas

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The states bordering the US and Mexico are very diverse. California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas each have different factors influencing the way they continue to advance. The past 50 years have experienced a large shift in technology as well as accessibility to renewable energy. In this project, we constructed energy profiles for each state, along with analysis based off of their unique aspects. Based on this analysis, we determined the state with the best quality profile and provided predictions for their energy usage in the years 2025 and 2050.

Engineering Endothelial Cells to Treat Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Heather Jackson-Pease, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Gene editing with CRISPR/Cas9 and AAVs has been a modern technology that has greatly influenced biological sciences. Coupling the editing technology of CRISPR and AAVs could lead to treating the underlying causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH). PAH is a progressive disease in your lungs that causes vasoconstriction and decreased blood flow, which can lead to heart failure. Placing a stent in the pulmonary artery, with endothelial cells engrafted on it, that overexpresses the important regulatory factors eNOS and VEGF, may lead to an increase in reendothelialization and vasodilation of the pulmonary artery.

Engineering the S-Layer Protein RsaA in Caulobacter vibrioides for Heavy Metal Bioremediation

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

One major contemporary environmental issues is the pollution of heavy metals into waterways. However, removal of heavy metal ions via bioremediation may be a possible solution. Using modified C. vibrioides paracrystalline RsaA surface layer proteins (S-layer proteins), our team hopes to bind lead, and other metal ions for decontamination through use of a filtration system. It is known that modified S-layers can be displayed on the microbial surface. Our initial target sequence (TNTLSNN) was chosen for its ability to bind Pb. Our future goals are the observation of heavy metal binding efficiency of each engineered RsaA surface, and the generation of prototype binding cartridges.

Enhanced Learning in Biochemistry Using the Protein Data Bank and 3D Molecular Modeling in ChimeraX

Frank Cappuccio, Chemistry Faculty

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The Protein Data Bank (PDB) is a repository of atomic level resolution biological structures determined by researchers around the world. Protein macromolecular structures have become an essential tool for biotechnology fields. They are used to understand the chemical and biological processes in living systems and disease, and for precise drug design. Here students utilized the molecular modeling software UCSF ChimeraX to visualize 3D PDB protein structures of their choice. Students produced Quad Chart presentations and printed 3D models to allow for deep learning in protein structure.

Environmental Monitoring for Tests of Gravity Below Fifty Microns

Tanner Hooven, Physics & Astronomy Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Reliable measurements of gravitational forces at scales smaller than a centimeter carry significant challenges. The non-gravitational forces that are generally negligible at the scale of everyday objects have a much more substantial effect in the sub-centimeter regime. Due to the nature of precision required in measuring micron-scale gravitational forces and the inherent weakness of gravity, it is important to record, model, and possibly suppress environmental effects in and around the experiment that may affect measurements. Recently, members of the Cal Poly Gravitational Physics Lab have focused on developing these environmental instruments and models to ensure high levels of precision.

Epiphyte Diversity and Distribution in an Old Growth Sitka Spruce Crown

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Various epiphytes such as lichens, mosses, leafy liverworts, and ferns are known to inhabit the crowns and boles of old-growth conifers and hardwoods. This study looks at the diversity and distribution of epiphytes on a single old-growth Sitka spruce tree. Data were analyzed to test for significant relationships between species richness, abundance, height distribution, and substrate type.

Epiphyte Diversity in Sitka Spruce Crowns

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

We inventoried the epiphyte community in one 87 m tall Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) tree in the Redwood Experimental Forest north of Klamath, CA. For our inventory, we sampled approximately 5% of trunk, segment, branch, and branchlet area and found over 50 species of epiphytes. Functional groups of these epiphytes include microlichens, macrolichens, leafy liverworts, mosses, and ferns. For all epiphyte samples we estimated percent cover for spatial analyses of within-crown epiphyte distribution relative to crown height and distance from the bole. In this project we showcase some of the impressive biological diversity and introduce viewers to a variety of lesser-known botanical species.

Establishment patterns of Oregon white oak and California black oak woodlands in northwestern California

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) and California black oak (Q. kelloggii) woodlands are unique ecosystems, yet little is known about their tree establishment patterns, nor the variability of stand structure. Research objectives were: to describe age, stand structure, and tree regeneration in 4 mixed oak-conifer woodlands in northwestern California. Most white and black oaks established from 1850-1910 with rare establishment since 1950 (< 0.05%). Most Douglas-fir trees established since ~ 1950. All sites had high proportions of oak seedling mortality in open stands. These trends likely reflect the effects of altered disturbance regimes enabling the transition to conifer-dominant stands.