Examining the potential interference of Scandium on Iron Uptake Mechanisms in Phytoplankton, through the lens of Nutrient Consumption

Isabel Perez-Zoghbi, Chemistry Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Iron is an essential micronutrient for phytoplankton growth, however oceanic concentrations of iron are very low and little is understood about it's chemical cycling. In this study, we examine how scandium (which is similar to iron in size but has simpler redox chemistry) effects the uptake of macronutrients in hopes to further understand the uptake and usage of iron by marine microorganisms, and eventually better understand iron cycling in the ocean.

Examining the relationship between zooplankton abundance and piscivorous bird richness at the Arcata Mars

Aminah Aryan, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This study examined the relationship between zooplankton abundance and piscivorous bird richness at the Arcata Marsh

Examining the role of the ADCY5 point mutation p.R418W on cellular cAMP levels and how cAMP affects neuronal differentiation of murine stem cells

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

ADCY5-related Dyskinesia is a rare movement disorder, with early onset in childhood and adolescence. Previous studies have linked this disease to various point mutations in the ADCY5 gene. One study has demonstrated two of these mutations cause an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). However, the molecular basis of this disease phenotype has yet to be fully understood. Our study seeks to characterize the effects of one specific point mutation, p.R418W, on cellular cAMP levels using HEK293T cells, and to determine if increased cAMP levels affect neuronal differentiation using mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs).

Exoplanets: Using Photometry and Spectroscopy to Explore Alien Worlds

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Over the last 20 years, thousands of planets outside our solar system have been discovered orbiting other stars. The discovery of these extra-solar planets, or exoplanets as they are commonly known, has been made possible by the gathering of photometric and spectroscopic data of stars. We use public data from the Kepler and Hubble space telescopes to analyze photometric and spectroscopic data respectively on select objects of interest. Through analysis of this data, we are able to determine many properties of these exoplanets such as radius, density, temperature and atmospheric makeup. Our long term goal is to find ways to improve current atmospheric analysis methods.

Exploring the role of JNK/cJun Signaling in Apoptosis in Lgl -/- Tumor Promoting Neuronal Progenitor Cells

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

High grade gliomas are aggressive brain cancers that arise from tumor promoting neuronal progenitor cells. The WD40 protein Lethal Giant Larvae (LGL) may suppress brain tumor formation. Mice without LGL develop brain tumors and have a high level of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, which is a key feature of many cancers. cJun is an oncogene involved in cell division, organismal development and regulation of apoptosis through its role as a transcription factor. Apoptosis is mediated downstream by intracellular proteolytic enzymes called caspases. We aim to measure caspase activity in cells with and without LGL protein through observation of its effects on cJun expression.

Exploring the Ultrastructure of Rust Fungus Calyptospora columnaris

Michaela Regi, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Rust fungi are obligate plant parasites that exhibit multiple life stages with drastically different physical features depending on the host it infects. While studies in the classification of rust fungi are actively debated, the ultrastructure of this particular rust fungus has been vastly understudied. Using SEM and TEM, images were taken of Calyptospora columnaris to elucidate the fine features of these different stages in an attempt to give this fungus a more comprehensive visual representation.

Expression of a diverse set of olfactory receptors in the California slender salamander

Seanamae Adams, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Vertebrates use proteins expressed in the sensory cells of the nasal cavity to detect odors and chemical signals. The study aimed to characterize the olfactory receptors (ORs) in the California Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps attenuatus). We used standard molecular genetics techniques (PCR and cloning) to isolate 15 partial sequences of ORs from salamander olfactory tissue. We used phylogenetic reconstruction to show that the salamander ORs we isolated grouped with the gamma family of ORs found in many other vertebrates. Our preliminary results suggest that this species has a large and diverse OR family, a finding consistent with their ecological reliance on chemical communication.

Expression of Olfactory G-Protein-Coupled Receptors in Axolotls During Development

Josafath Aparicio, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

G-protein-coupled receptors are responsible for binding to odorants and initiating responses in vertebrate olfactory neurons. These receptors are coupled to specific G proteins, whose expression can be used as markers for olfactory neuron maturation during embryonic development. My project focused on developing a quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR assay to investigate the expression of the G-protein Golf in an aquatic caudate amphibian (the Axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum). The developmental expression of other caudates has been thoroughly investigated, but not in Axolotls. I designed an absolute quantification assay and tested it on late stage embryos and larvae.

Expression of Olfactory G-Proteins in Axolotls During Development

Josafath Aparicio, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

G-protein-coupled receptors are responsible for binding to chemosensory cues and initiating responses in vertebrate olfactory neurons. This poster investigated the expression of one particular set of G-protein-coupled receptors in the aquatic caudate amphibian (Axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum). The developmental expression of other caudates has been thoroughly investigated, but not in Axolotls. Using quantitative RT-PCR, we analyzed the expression of G-olf, a G-protein usually expressed in the main olfactory epithelium (MOE) of vertebrates, through the developmental cycle of Axolotls.

Expression of Olfactory G-Proteins in Axolotls During Development

Josafath Aparicio, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

G-protein-coupled receptors are responsible for binding to odorants and initiating responses in vertebrate olfactory neurons. These receptors are coupled to specific G proteins, whose expression can be used as markers for olfactory neuron maturation during embryonic development. My project focused on developing a quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR assay to investigate the expression of the G-protein Golf in an aquatic caudate amphibian (the Axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum). The developmental expression of other caudates has been thoroughly investigated, but not in Axolotls. I designed an absolute quantification assay and tested it on late stage embryos and larvae.