State of North Carolina
Undergraduate Research & Creativity
Symposium
Science Abstracts
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Amis,
Jackie |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Research |
Moses Okello/Center for
Wildlife Management, School for Field Studies, |
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Title of Presentation: |
The State and Contraction
of Wildlife Corridors in Kimana Group Ranch near |
The purpose of this study
was to assess the amount of land available to wildlife in the Kimana Group
Ranch, part of the corridor between
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Anderson,
Marybeth |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Biology, UNC-Chapel Hill |
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Research |
Elaine Yeh/Biology, |
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Title of Presentation: |
The Dependence of
Kinetochore Complexes on Centromere Binding |
Correct mitotic segregation
of chromosomes relies upon the attachment of the microtubule to the chromosome
at the kinetochore complex. Unlike in other organisms, the attachment of
microtubules to the yeast chromosomes requires only one microtubule per
kinetochore; furthermore, each kinetochore is composed of at least nine protein
complexes. Of these major complexes CBF3, containing the essential protein
Ndc10, is located adjacent to the nucleosome and is important in formation of
the kinetochore. This procedure tested whether known kinetochore proteins Ctf19
and Nuf2 localized to the kinetochore in an Ndc10 dependent manner. By comparing
the intensity of GFP tagged Ctf19 in strains with and without Ndc10 it was
determined that Ctf19, a member of the COMA complex, failed to assemble at the
kinetochore in the absence of Ndc10. Nuf2, a member of the Ndc80 complex, was
visualized as distinct foci along the spindle equator in the absence of Ndc10,
however various abnormalities in the localization of Nuf2 were observed. We are
currently looking at additional kinetochore complexes to determine their
stability in the absence of kinetochore attachment.
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Student
Author(s): |
Anderson,
Trevor |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Physics, NCSU |
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Research |
Keith Weninger/Physics,
NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Exploring Different Pathways of SNARE Protein
Complex Formation |
For many normal biological events in cells, two
membranes must merge into one.
SNARE’s are essential proteins that catalyze membrane fusion by
assembling into a multi-protein
complex in many of these biological cellular
settings. For the past summer I have
been using single molecule fluorescence to characterize complexes formed from a
variety of different SNARE proteins (VAMP2, syntaxin, SNAP-25 and
SNAP-29). One of the complexes is well
studied (VAMP:syntaxin:SNAP-25) and the other (VAMP:syntaxin:SNAP-29) is
not. I have used standard biochemistry
tools (bacterial protein expression and protein purification) to generate the
various proteins that I used to form the SNARE protein complexes. Using electrophoresis and fluorescence
resonant energy transfer, I have begun to compare the characteristics of the
two complexes.
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Arnett,
Kristen A. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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UNC-Pembroke |
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Research |
Paul Flowers/Chemistry and
Physics, UNC-Pembroke |
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Title of Presentation: |
Fluorescence
Spectroelectrochemical Sensing for In-situ Determination of Heavy Metal Ions |
This poster describes
progress to-date on the development of a fiber optic spectroelectrochemical (FOSEC)
fluorescence sensor for the in-situ determination of heavy metal ions. The
sensor was fabricated by simple modification of a commercially available flow
cell, and its electrochemical performance was determined to be satisfactory per
voltammetric measurements using the aqueous ferri/ferrocyanide couple.
Assessment of the sensor's spectral traits indicates a detection limit on the
order of 10 nM for the copper-chelating ligand, calcein, suggesting the planned
FOSEC analysis scheme may be capable of determining copper at ultratrace
levels. The aqueous copper(II)/copper couple was chosen to investigate the
analytical merit of an analysis involving (a) preconcentration of the analyte
via cathodic electrodeposition, followed by (b) anodic stripping in an aqueous
medium containing calcein and (c) subsequent measurement of calcein
fluorescence quenching induced by its complexation with the analyte.
Preliminary results are encouraging, though precision and sensitivity issues
have been encountered and are presently being examined. This work was supported
by funds from the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for
Undergraduates program (CHE- 0353724).
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Barnes,
Charles A. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Chemistry and
Biochemistry, UNC-Greensboro |
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Research |
Norman H. L.
Chiu/Chemistry and Biochemistry, UNC-Greensboro |
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Title of Presentation: |
Structural
Characterization of Modified 2’-Deoxyguanosine Nucleoside |
Many toxic agents and their
electrophilic metabolites readily react with DNA, and form different types of adduct
with DNA. Clinically, DNA adducts have been linked to lung and bladder cancer.
In this study, we have developed a high throughput matrix-assisted laser
desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectroscopic (MS) method for the structural
characterization of two different 2’-deoxyguanosine nucleoside adducts,
namely N-(2’-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenyl-imidazo
[4,5-b] pyridine (dG-C8-PhiP) and
N-(2’-deoxyguanosin-8yl)-4-aminobiphenyl (dG-C8-ABP). In order to
determine the molecular structure of the selected adducts including the
position of adduction, each adduct molecule was dissociated into smaller
chemical groups by using the collision induced dissociation (CID) technique,
which has been incorporated as part of our MALDI mass spectrometer. To avoid
any premature dissociation of the adducts during MALDI MS measurements,
different MALDI matrices, sample preparation methods, and laser intensity were
evaluated. Premature dissociation of the adducts was significantly reduced when
3-hydroxypicolinic acid matrix and layered dried droplets method were used. The
CID experiments of the adducts produced reproducible fragmentation patterns
that allow the identification of guanosine, PhIP or ABP, and the site of
adduction at the C-8 position of guanosine. Depending on the choice of
nucleases uses for breaking down a DNA fragment, the digested mononucleotides
consist of terminal with either a hydroxyl or a phosphate group. Owing to this
reason, the difference between dGMP and dG was investigated. The phosphate
terminal has lowered the efficiency of desorption and/or ionization. Since,
both dG-C8-PhIP and dG-C8-ABP are more soluble in DMF, the effects of DMF on
MALDI MS measurements have also been examined.
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Belton,
Jon-Matthew |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Molecular and Structural
Biochemistry, NCSU |
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Research |
Linda Hanley-Bowdoin/Molecular
and Structural Biochemistry, NCSU Trino
Ascencio-Ibanez/Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Immunolocalization of AL1,
geminivirus Replication Factor, in Arabidopsis Plants Infected with Cabbage Leaf
Curl Virus |
Cabbage Leaf Curl Virus
(CaLCuV) is a member of the Geminiviridae family of plant viruses.
Geminiviruses cause agricultural epidemics world wide, devastating a variety of
crops including cassava, tomato, cotton and maize. Geminiviruses are
characterized by their small, circular, single-stranded DNA genomes with either
one or two chromosomes and by their double icosohedral viral particles. We used
immunolocalization assays to study the viral replication protein, AL1, in wild
type and mutant lines of Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0. Plants were inoculated
with Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying T-DNA constructs with the A and B
genomes of CaLCuV. Microscopic analysis of vibratome-generated sections of
infected plant tissues revealed the relative concentrations of virus in
specific tissues. This information adds to our understanding of the infection
process in the Arabidopsis model system.
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Blackwell,
Valentene P. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Biology, UNC-Greensboro |
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Research |
Dennis LaJeunesse/Biology,
UNC-Greensboro |
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Title of Presentation: |
The Drosophila Messy
Mitochondria: It’s Not All about Mitochondria, or Is It? |
In an F3 genetic screen of
700 late larval/pupal lethal chromosomes, we have identified a new mitochondrial
morphology gene called messy mitochondria. messy mitochondria is an essential
gene with a early pupal lethal period and an extended larval period. Loss of
messy mitochondria results in an altered mitochondrial morphology phenotype in
the Drosophila visceral muscles and other tissues. Interestingly, larvae mutant
for messy mitochondria also express small and abnormal imaginal disc phenotype.
The imaginal discs of messy mitochondria mutant larvae have lost their
apical/basal polarity. The messy mitochondria phenotypes suggest a connection
between intracellular organization of mitochondria and fundamental aspects of
cellular organization.
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Boggess,
Laura |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Biology, |
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Research |
Tom Goforth/Crow Dog
Nursery |
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Title of Presentation: |
The Correlation of pH Indicator
Plant Species with the Geology of a Rich Mountain Cove in the Jocassee Gorges
of Northern Pickens County, South Carolina: Preliminary Results |
A stream cove located in the
Inner Piedmont of South Carolina contains high and low pH indicator plant
species in close association. Our project involves the analysis of all
ecological factors contributing to the unusual mixture of plant species. Thus
far, our research has included mapping the geology of the cove and conducting
intensive surveys of plant species in selected plots. The terrain contains
bedrock made up of the regionally dominant felsic Henderson Gneiss interlayered
locally with a mafic hornblende/biotite gneiss. The preliminary results from
the first three months of the study indicate that geological patterns directly
influence the distribution of pH indicator species. Further study will include
additional floristic surveys, analyses of soil chemistry, hydrology, slope, and
aspect at the site, and graphic and statistical correlations of all ecological
factors. Our results will provide a baseline for future studies of mixed
indicator coves as well as providing components for developing predictive
models that can be employed in both geological mapping and floristic surveys.
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Bond, Lisa M. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Biology, UNC-Chapel Hill |
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Research |
Kerry Bloom/Biology,
UNC-Chapel Hill |
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Title of Presentation: |
Cohesin Is a Stable
Component of Pericentric Chromatin |
The biorientation of joined
sister chromatids at metaphase permits the accurate transfer of genetic
material to daughter cells during cell division. The cohesin complex, composed
of Mcd1p/Scc1p, Scc3p, Smc1p, and Smc3p, facilitates accurate transfer by
holding sister chromatids together until its cleavage at anaphase onset. This
complex forms a cylindrical array around the mitotic spindle in the budding
yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A
paradox is raised by the fact that 3-5 times more cohesin is bound at
pericentric chromatin than along chromosome arms, but sister centromeres are
separated by 600-800 nm prior to cohesin cleavage (Pearson et al, 2001). A recently proposed model accounts for cohesin
enrichment at pericentric chromatin and sister centromere separation by
suggesting that individual chromatids fold back upon themselves at each
centromere to form “c-loops,” and that cohesin is distributed not
only along the pericentric regions of juxtaposed sister chromatid arms (interstrand cohesin), but also along the
overlapping regions of individual, folded chromatids (interstrand cohesin) (Bloom et
al., 2006.). With this model in mind, this study focused on determining the
stability of pericentric cohesin. Fluorescence Recovery after Photobleaching
(FRAP) was used to monitor cohesin stability in cells expressing Smc3p-GFP.
FRAP of histone H2B-GFP served as a positive control. Analysis revealed that
cohesin fluorescence recovered above the background in only 2 of 12 cells,
while histone H2B was dynamic in 5 out of 5 cells analyzed. These results suggest
that cohesin is stably bound to pericentric chromatin. The stability of this
structure may be important for establishing sister chromatid biorientation
and/or contributing to stability of the mitotic spindle. Further use of FRAP
analysis to ascertain the nature of specific forms of cohesin will contribute
to the overall determination of the nature of pericentric cohesin.
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Braden, Amy K. Eshraghi, Sarah |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Biology, |
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Research |
Karthik Aghoram/Biology
& Health Science, |
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Title of Presentation: |
Elucidation of the
Mechanism of Activation of a Protein Kinase |
Soybean Protein Kinase-1
(SPK1) is a 339 amino acid enzyme important to the functionality of drought response
in some plants. When stimulated by osmotic stress (i.e. drought conditions),
the protein is activated. The activation of SPK1 results in the phosphorylation
of the lipid transfer protein Ssh1p which is thought to induce drought
tolerance. The goal of this project is to determine the mechanism of activation
of spk1 without the use of stress. The mechanism of activation is unknown but
since it has been shown that other drought responsive protein kinases are
activated by truncations we have formulated our experiments respectively. We
hypothesize that by truncating amino acids off of the C terminus end of the
protein sequence in four places, we will be able to produce a protein that is
constitutively active. The truncated version of the protein will be used
transform yeast cells. SPK1 activity will be assayed by immunoblotting
experiments that are designed to track Ssh1p phosphorylation. If SPK1 is
constitutively active, Ssh1p will be phosphorylated even in the absence of
stress. I hypothesize that that a moderate truncation will result in
constitutively activate SPK1, but the truncating too much may result in the
complete inactivation of the protein.
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Bradshaw, Chelsea B. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Animal Science, NCSU |
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Research |
Michael J. Yoder/Animal
Science, NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Shackleford Wild Horse
Nutrient Study |
The wild horses living on
Shackleford Island, in Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina, are
exposed to harsh climates; diets that vary in quality, quantity and nutritional
value from season to season; and limited management schemes coordinated by the
National Park Service. This study
examines diet content and nutrient value associated with nutritional
maintenance, growth and reproductive efficiency. Four collection periods, one for each of the
four major seasons, were conducted to identify the types of forages consumed,
and the nutrient value of these forages.
During each collection period, the ponies were observed until the
forages they consumed were identified, a one-quart sample of the forage was
then taken for analysis. Nutrient
analysis included crude protein, acid detergent fiber, calcium, phosphorous,
sulfur, magnesium, sodium, potassium, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, and
digestible energy. The nutrient analysis
results were then compared to daily nutrient requirements for mature weight ponies
and horses, established by the National Research Council. Initial analysis indicate that the diets
consumed by the ponies of Shackleford Island are low in crude protein and
several micronutrients including copper and zinc, yet are adequate in digestible
energy. In addition, calcium –
phosphorus ratios vary between forage types and from one ecosystem to the
next. Knowledge gained from this study
will increase our understanding of wild horse nutrition, will be useful in
determining population limitations of the island, and will enhance management
of the ponies that are removed from the island.
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Britt,
Robin L. |
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Dept & College or University:
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Appalachian |
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Research |
Dale E. Wheeler/Chemistry,
Appalachian |
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Title of Presentation: |
Synthesis and Characterization
of Novel Heterobimetallic Ferrocene Imine Complexes |
Heterobimetallic complexes
containing π-bound metals connected through a conjugated aromatic bridge
have the potential to exhibit nonlinear optical properties. Our research investigated
the synthesis and characterization of several complexes containing ferrocene
CpFe(C5H4) connected by CH=N to Cp*Ru(C6H4X)+
where X = Cl, OH, NO2, N(CH3)2 etc. Initially,
several ferrocene benzylidene complexes were isolated from the reactions of ferrocenecarboxaldehyde
with various aromatic aniline derivatives. Reactions of these products with Cp*Ru+
yielded novel heterobimetallic materials characterized by 1H and 13C
NMR spectrometry and by visible spectrophotometry.
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Burroughs,
James L. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Molecular and Structural Biochemistry,
Plant Pathology, Center for Integrated Fungal Research, NCSU |
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Research |
Gary A. Payne/Plant
Pathology, NCSU D. Ryan
Georgianna/Functional Genomics, NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
The afl-4 Mutation in Nontoxigenic A. flavus Strain 241 Is Caused by an Unknown Regulatory Element
for aflR Transcription |
Aflatoxins are extremely
carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced by the filamentous fungus Aspergillus flavus. Our understanding of
aflatoxin biosynthesis has been aided by the use of strains with mutations in
the biosynthetic pathway for this carcinogen. The objective of the research
reported here was to characterize the afl-4
mutation in strain 241, and determine if this mutation could be the result of a
mutant copy of the global regulator of secondary metabolism, laeA. LaeA was chosen as a target gene because it regulates aflR, and our previous studies had shown
that strain 241 fails to accumulate transcripts of aflR. We sequenced laeA
from strain 241 and compared its sequence to a copy of laeA from an aflatoxin-producing strain of A. flavus. There were no detectable mutations in the copy of laeA in strain 241. We also isolated RNA
transcripts from strain 241 grownunder conditions conducive for aflatoxin
biosynthesis. Transcripts of laeA
were produced in strain 241 under these conditions. We conclude from our
studies that the afl-4 mutation in
strain 241 is not a direct mutation of laeA.
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Cameron,
Catherine M. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Chemistry, UNC-Asheville |
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Research |
Jason
Schmeltzer/Chemistry, UNC-Asheville |
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Title of Presentation: |
Determination of the Growth
Mechanism of Catalytically Grown Carbon Nanotubes |
Carbon nanotubes are
cylindrical carbon networks composed of single sheets of graphite rolled and
capped at the ends. They exhibit extraordinary tensile strength, novel
electrical properties, and efficient thermal conduction. When grown with a
metal catalyst, a mixture of metallic and semiconducting nanotubes is obtained.
Understanding the growth mechanism of carbon nanotubes has great importance; by
attaining this knowledge, nanotubes can be tailored for specific applications
where their physical and chemical properties play a significant role. Our
investigations into nanotube growth are attempting to address the question of
the role of nanoparticulates of gamma-iron mixed with carbon clusters on the
surface of the 200-nm iron carbide (originally alpha-iron), which is the focal
region of the growth of nanotubes. Currently, further studies are taking place
in order to provide additional spatial information about the iron as well as to
verify and reinforce our results. We are preparing a synthesis of ferrocene,
the catalytic precursor, with the spectroscopically active 57Fe. Carbon
nanotubes grown from this sample will improve results overall by producing
reliable and unambiguous spectra. In addition, a thorough examination by TEM is
in progress which would help to confirm the size distribution and location of
alpha- and gamma-iron nanoparticles. We believe that gamma-iron
nanoparticulates are stabilized by carbon nanoclusters, while the gamma-iron particles
are clinging to the nanotube walls.
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Carroll,
Turhan |
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Dept & College or
University:
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NCSU |
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Research |
Noah Finkelstein/Physics, |
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Title of Presentation: |
A Study of the
Effectiveness of using PER-Based Course Transformations in a Summer Session
Setting |
Physics Education Research (PER)
is a sub-discipline of physics that focuses on developing research-based models
and practices of teaching, learning, and student understanding. As a result of physics education research,
many course transformations have been developed in an effort to improve
students’ overall understanding of physics. The success of these transformations has
raised many questions about how and where these transformations can be
replicated. The
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Casserman,
Lauren A. Gapin,
Jennifer Kirk,
Stephanie D. Barella,
Lisa |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Exercise and Sport
Science, |
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Research |
Paul G. Davis/Exercise and
Sport Science, School of Health and Human Performance, UNC-Greensboro Jennifer L.
Etnier/Exercise and Sport Science, School of Health and Human Performance,
UNC-Greensboro |
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Title of Presentation: |
Psychological Status and
Misreporting of the Body Weight in Overweight and Obese Young Women |
Overweight and obese women
often under-report body weight. The purpose of this study was to compare the
extent of mis-reporting of weight and height to measures of psychological
variables. Young overweight and obese women requesting information about an
exercise-training study gave their weight and height during a telephone
interview. They followed this by having their weight and height measured in a
laboratory. During this visit, the participants also completed questionnaires
assessing various components of physical self-perception, as well as
self-esteem and depression. Participants under-reported weight and
over-reported height. The only significant relationships between reporting
discrepancies and psychological variables were between strength self-perception
and mis-reporting of weight (r=0.364, p=0.04) and between sport self-perception
and mis-reporting of height (r=0.492, p=0.004). In addition, a significant
relationship was not found between depression and mis-reporting of body mass
index (calculated from self-reported weight and height), but the relationship
approached significance among White participants (r=-0.526, p=0.10). These
preliminary results suggest that physical self-perception, self-esteem, and depression
do not seem to have a strong influence on the mis-reporting of body weight or
height in overweight and obese young women. However, the relationships between
psychological variables and mis-reporting of body weight and height may depend
partially upon ethnicity.
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Corum,
Daniel G. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Biological Sciences, |
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Research |
R. Michael Roe/Entomology,
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Title of Presentation: |
Identification of Novel
Neuropeptides from the Tick Synganglion |
Ticks are obligate ectoparasites
that vector a wide range of diseases that impact human and animal health
(Sonenshine, 1993). There is a paucity of information on the role of the tick
synganglion compared to insects. Identification of neuropeptides from the tick
brain may lead to novel targets for tick control as well as increase our
knowledge of the role of the CNS in tick endocrinology and molting. The first
neurohormone identified from the CNS of an ixodid tick was identified via
MALDI-TOF/TOF MS (Neupert et al. 2005). The de novo sequenced peptide was
identified as a periviscerokinin, a peptide involved in water balance. Prior to
this study, only two putative salivary secreted neuropeptide-like proteins from
Ixodes pacificus had been identified. Lomas et al. (1997) found that the tick
synganlion is capable of stimulating ecdysteriodogenesis in integumental
tissue. Ecdysteroids initiate the cascade of events leading to vitellogenesis
and egg production in ticks (Thompson et al. 2005). These studies elucidate the
important role of the tick CNS in several key physiological events. In the
current study 100 synganglia were dissected from fully engorged mated female
Dermacentor variabils ticks in order to construct a subtractive cDNA library.
We chose used a suppression subtraction PCR method (whole body cDNA without
synganglian subtracted from synganglian cDNA) to preferentially enrich for
sequences unique to the D. variablis brain. Our overall goal is to sequence
15,000 ESTs, construct EST microarrays, and examine global gene expression in
order to identify candidate genes important in tick blood feeding and
reproduction.
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Daniels,
Ryan L. |
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Dept & College or University:
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BM Performance,
UNC-Greensboro |
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Research |
Patricia Gray/BioMusic,
UNC-Greensboro |
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Title of Presentation: |
Music Perception in
Primates |
The Bonobo, Pan paniscus, is the great ape species
to which humans are most closely related and are an endangered species
indigenous in the environs of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bonobos share
most of our DNA (99.797% of ours) and many of our social propensities, which
make them a prime source for my research. This research project examines
parallels between spoken language and music. Working with a group of a
language-competent bonobos at the Great Ape Trust in
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Das, Riva |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Research |
Goldschmidt,
Pascal/Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Seo, David/Institute of
Genome Sciences and Policy, |
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Title of Presentation: |
Effects of Osteopontin Knockdown
on Atherosclerosis |
Because microarray analyses
of human and mouse aortas have shown that osteopontin has significantly higher
expression in atherosclerotic versus normal vascular tissues, we hypothesize that
osteopontin may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis. Therefore,
we would like to examine the effect of altering osteopontin levels in cells
known to be involved in atherogenesis, vascular smooth muscle cells and
macrophages. We would like to study the effects of osteopontin on the phenotype
of these cells, as well as the molecular effects on other genes. This project
represents the first step of our investigation, which is to develop a system
for gene knockdown in cells using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). siRNAs are
double-stranded RNAs that can silence genes with a high degree of specificity
by harnessing the intracellular RISC pathway. In this project, three siRNAs for
osteopontin were designed and then cloned into a lentiviral vector, which will
be used for future in vivo studies. We tested the siRNAs for efficiency of
osteopontin gene expression knockdown in the HEK293T cell line. Western blot
analysis showed that one of our siRNA constructs reduced osteopontin expression
by 80-90%. Our next step will be to transfect vascular smooth muscle cells and
macrophages with our siRNA construct and study the effects of reduced
osteopontin expression.
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Davis,
Ryan |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Research |
A. Karoui/Natural Science and Mathematics, B. Vlahovic/Physics, NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Characterization of
Electrically Active Defects in Solar Grade Polycrystalline Silicon |
The examination of
impurities in semiconductors is one of the most pertinent studies in optimizing
electronic device performance. In this
study, we test solar grade polycrystalline Schottky diodes, using two highly
sensitive techniques called Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS) and
Capacitance Voltage (CV). These
techniques enable the identification of doping levels, impurity content, and
other device and material related parameters.
This allowed us to compute the defect capture cross section and the
activation energy of deep level traps in our samples. Such properties are essential to understanding
the impact that defects have on the performance of the photovoltaic cells that
are used in sub-micrometer and nanoscale electronic devices.
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Derballa,
Nicole |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Psychology, UNC-Asheville |
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Research |
Mark Harvey/Psychology,
UNC-Asheville |
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Title of Presentation: |
Drama as a Form of Informal
Science Education and Its Effectiveness in Promoting Science Literacy,
Comprehension, and Memory |
The present research study
explored the use of drama to support children’s learning and interest in primary
science. Working closely with the Health Adventure of Asheville as they launch
their new science performance program, the present research sought to determine
the effectiveness of a dramatic performance, revolving around the topic of the
laws of motion, on student interest in science, science literacy, and memory
for scientific facts presented in the play. The present research addressed the
limitations of classroom science education and makes a contribution to the
literature on informal science education. More specifically, the present study
focused on drama as a method of informal science education via an evaluation of
the drama performance as a means of informal science education and its
effectiveness in achieving its goals. Preliminary data analyses show that drama
is indeed an effective means for enhancing science learning.
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Desmarais,
Jamie A. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Zoology, NCSU |
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Research |
Jane Lubischer/Zoology,
NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Changes in Expression of
4E2 after Denervation of Neonatal Rat Soleus Muscle |
The expression of 4E2 in Schwann
cells and in neurons after denervation of the soleus muscle was examined in
neonatal rats at ages where reinnervation rarely occurs. It has been shown that
plasticity at the neuromuscular junction in neonatal rats is limited in
comparison to adults, and that this response is linked to Schwann cell death by
apoptosis that occurs after denervation of muscle (Trachtenburg and Thompson,
1996; Lubischer and Thompson, 1999). Terminal Schwann cell reactivity is key
for reinnervation of denervated muscle in adult rats, and involves a change in
gene expression, including the upregulation of several proteins including the
one of interest to this study, 4E2 (Son and Thompson, 1999). After denervation
and before Schwann cell death (1 day after nerve cut) the soleus muscles were
removed. Immunohistochemical procedures (antibody labeling) were used to
identify the presence of the protein 4E2. Preliminary results showed that after
denervation 4E2 was downregulated postsynaptically (in muscle fibers) and also
decreased in the nerve. Preliminary observations also indicated that an
upregulation of 4E2 in terminal Schwann cells did not occur after the one day
survival time. These results suggest age-related changes in the expression of
4E2 in response to denervation, which may be linked to limited plasticity in
neonates. Further questions remain about other factors preventing
reinnervation, as well as the identification of a developmental time course for
changes in 4E2 expression after denervation. Future studies will confirm these
results and examine 4E2 expression along the nerve and in terminal Schwann
cells at longer survival times after denervation, but before Schwann cell
apoptosis occurs.
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Duggins,
Luke M. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Biology, UNC-Greensboro |
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Research |
Elizabeth P.
Lacey/Biology, UNC-Greensboro |
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Title of Presentation: |
Geographic Variation in
Anthocyanin Deposition in Flowers of Plantago lanceolata |
Flower color in the weedy
perennial, Plantago lanceolata, is phenotypically plastic. Darker flowers are produced
at cooler ambient temperatures, and existing evidence suggests that this is
adaptive. Flowers darken at cooler temperature because of increasing
anthocyanin production. Anthocyanins appear in multiple tissues of a flower:
sepals, petal lobes, and subtending bract. However, anthocyanin deposition is
genetically variable. Our goal was to examine the geographic variation in
pattern of tissue-specific deposition. We grew samples of plants from 19
populations that spanned a range of latitudes and altitudes in
|
Durojaiye,
Modupeoluwa |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Biology, |
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Research |
Sekara Basavaraju,
Biology, |
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Title of Presentation: |
Streptozoticin Induced
Type 1 Diabetes Mediated Reducation in Intrinsic Heart Rate of Murine Model
(Mice) |
Previous research showed a
fall in heart rate of Type 1 induced diabetic mice. The purpose of the research
was to see if the fall in heart rate was due to a decrease in intrinsic heart
rate. The hypothesis of this study is that the fall in heart rate of Type 1
diabetic mice is not mediated by the autonomic nervous system, and thus will be
mediated by a fall in intrinsic heart rate. Mice were surgically implanted with
DSI EKG telemeters that were used to measure the heart rate, activity rate, and
body temperature. Six out of twelve mice were randomly picked for
Streptozoticin (STZ) injection, and the other six served as controls. Blood
samples were drawn for the glucose assay test. Metoprolol and Atropine
injections were used to test intrinsic heart rate. Diabetes was induced in the
mice by injecting them with STZ that was dissolved in dilute sodium citrate
solution. A glucose assay test was conducted on their blood plasma samples. The
injected mice had a higher blood glucose concentration than the controls. We
saw a relatively low heart rate in our diabetic mice as we had expected to see.
We had hoped to see a lower intrinsic heart rate in our diabetic mice. We
compared their intrinsic heart rate before and after they were injected. We did
not notice much difference. Therefore, the fall in heart rate of Type 1
diabetic mice may not be due to decrease in intrinsic heart rate.
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Edathil,
Roshen T. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Biochemistry, NCSU |
|
Research |
William L. Miller/Biochemistry, NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Identification of Transcription Factors that
Partner with Smad3/4 to Induce Transcription of oFSHβ |
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
(FSH) is required for egg and sperm production in mammals. FSH is an α/β heterodimer with
FSHβ controlling overall expression. Because of its importance, FSHβ
is controlled by more than 6 hormones, one of which is activin-A, a
transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) family member. Activin typically activates Smad3, a nuclear
transcription factor, that then binds Smad4 and other transcription factors to
form DNA-enhancesome promoter complexes to induce gene transcription. One Smad binding site in the FSHβ
promoter seems especially important for FSH expression (-166GTTTAGAC-159). My goal this summer has been to isolate the nuclear
transcription complex containing Smad3/4 and all other proteins involved in
inducing FSHβ transcription. I
increased Smad3 concentrations in FSH-producing cells (LβT2) by transient
transfection of a Smad3 expression plasmid, isolated the nuclear proteins and
incubated the nuclear extract with biotinylated DNA known to bind Smad3/4 most
efficiently (GTCTAGAC-biotin). The
DNA-Smad3/4-enhancesome complex was isolated using Streptavidin-coated magnetic
microbeads that were captured on a magnetic column. Western blotting with antibodies was used to
show efficient extraction of Smad3/4 (chemiluminescence). Other proteins in the complex will be
identified using HPLC-Mass Spectral analysis.
Optimization of this technique using Smad3/4 was necessary to ensure
efficient extraction of enhancesome proteins.
Characterization of the Smad-associated transcription factors on the
FSHβ promoter will identify proteins that can partner with Smad3/4 and may
be important in hundreds of other activin induced promoters.
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Emery,
Nathan |
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Dept & College or
University:
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|
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Research |
Art McKee/Forest Ecology, |
|
Title of Presentation: |
Patterns of Plant Species Diversity
in Floodplain Habitats |
Riparian ecosystems are
generally characterized by high levels of biodiversity and environmental
heterogeneity. This study examines plant species diversity on the Nyack
floodplain of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, a free-flowing gravel-bed
river in northwestern