Author(s): Casey M. King, Abilene Morgan, Dr. Joshua T. Cooper, and Dr. Allison Parker
Department(s): Biological Sciences
Chemical and Microbial Evaluation of Fipronil Components and its Effect on Female Culex Mosquito Oviposition
Abstract: Mosquitoes are known carriers for various animal diseases. Since there are no prophylactics available for many of these diseases, reducing the population size of mosquitoes is critical to reducing disease transmission. The goal of this study was to determine the attracting element for female Culex mosquitoes to water treated with Fipronil-Plus-CTM, an insecticide containing fipronil and cellulose. Ultra-Pressurized Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectroscopy were used to determine the breakdown products of Fipronil-Plus-CTM and pure fipronil. In addition, bacterial samples were collected and sent for metagenome sequencing to determine differences in microbial communities. Determining attractive chemicals and microbial communities will allow for the development of lures that can be used to create environmentally-friendly mosquito traps for mosquito control.
Author(s): Brandon Brooks-Patton, Elina Trafali, Shraddha Lall, Benjamin L. de Bivort
Department(s): Biological Sciences
Exploring Individuality Through Variability in Drosophila melanogaster’s Thermal Preference
Abstract: Understanding organismal behavior is essential for developing a comprehensive model of evolutionary biology, yet it is challenging to discern how much behavior is shaped by genetic inheritance versus environmental influences. Drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as the fruit fly, exhibits surprising complexity of behavior, with isogenic flies showing individual preferences even under identical conditions. Understanding the thermal preferences of ectothermic species is of particular interest as global temperatures rise. Our research examined thermal preference variability using automated assays where flies could choose between warm and cool areas within their optimal temperature range. The results revealed significant variation in temperature preference among 21 Drosophila Genetics Research Panel lines. K-means clustering identified three clusters, two of which may support existing evolutionary hypotheses. These findings highlight the beneficial role of individuality in behavior, could inform broader ecological theories, enhance conservation strategies, and strengthen our understanding of ectothermic species’ resilience to climate change.
Author(s): Austin Green, Simon Juelg, and Richard D. Durtsche
Department(s): Biological Sciences
Ethohydraulic Impacts of Barriers on Metabolic Rates in Two Kentucky Stream Fishes
Abstract: Rivers and streams, altered by dams, culverts, and channelization, often hinder fish passage, especially for small species. While large salmonids can handle faster flows, smaller native fish struggle upstream. Fish passage designs prioritize swim velocities for target species, often neglecting weaker swimmers. Our ethohydraulic research was focused on bluntnose minnows (Pimephales notatus) and central stonerollers (Campostoma anomalum) in small lab swim chambers. The bluntnose had a maximum endurance of 28 minutes at 24.08 m/sec, and the central stoneroller at 38 minutes at the same speed. Ethohydraulics measured metabolic rates under barriers up to 26.5 m/sec, including horizontal, cuboidal, and vertical rock configurations, with a control group of unrestricted flow. These barriers reduced bottom-depth flow rates by up to 5.3 times, aiding fish recovery in fish-ways (e.g., culverts) with refuge substrates crucial for successful migration.
Author(s): Jayln Kiser, Zachary Shreves, Dr. Kristy Hopfensperger, and Dr. Denise Robertson
Department(s): Biological Sciences
Best Practices for Restoring Spring Ephemerals In Urban Forests
Abstract: Establishing a diverse plant community is an important step when restoring an urban forest. Spring ephemerals are a plant group that provides resources for pollinators before most plant species flower in the summer. Knowing the best growth conditions and life form of ephemerals is important for restoration success. Our research focused on measuring the growth and survival of three life forms (seed, plug, bare root) for five spring ephemeral species in areas where invasive honeysuckle was recently removed. We studied 30 removal patches with three replicate plots each to determine how biological and environmental factors affect the success of each plant growth stage. Our results tell us that restoring spring ephemeral populations is complex, can take time, and can vary among locations with different environmental conditions. Our collaborative efforts with local land managers will continue to determine best methods for restoration success.
Author(s): William Grube, Josie Timmers, and Dr. Allison Parker
Department(s): Biological Sciences
Arthropod Diversity Across Microhabitats of ºÃÉ«TV’s Research Education and Field Station
Abstract: The goal of the study is to measure the diversity of arthropod orders in neighboring microhabitats. Specimens were collected from a forest, wetland, and disturbed habitat transect at ºÃÉ«TV’s Research Education and Field Station. Primary collection took place over 12 weeks from June to August 2024. Arthropods were identified to order and used to measure diversity correlations between microhabitats. Currently 1277 arthropods have been collected. So far, 473 specimens have been identified in the disturbed habitat, 370 in the forest habitat, and 540 in the wetland habitat. Diptera is the most common order collected and has the most individuals identified from the forest transect. Arthropod identification is ongoing. These results will change as more samples are processed and identified. Forest has the least number of samples processed thus far.
Author(s): Nadia Cline, Kel Daniels, Hannah Begley, and Dr. Allison Parker
Department(s): Biological Sciences
Evaluating the Attractiveness of Various Fipronil Mixtures on Female Culex Mosquito Oviposition Choice
Abstract: Fipronil is a broad-spectrum neurotoxic insecticide that leads to death in insects. Previous experiments suggest that female mosquitos prefer to oviposit (lay eggs) in standing-water habitats containing Fipronil-C-Plus. Two semi-controlled field assays were conducted. Treatments in the first field assay were a grass infusion control, pure fipronil in grass infusion, and Fipronil-Plus-C in grass infusion. Treatments in the second field assay were a grass infusion control, Fipronil-Plus-C in water, and Fipronil-Plus-C in grass infusion. Egg rafts are collected from each bucket daily for ten weeks. Results show that Culex females prefer to oviposit in containers with Fipronil-Plus-C in grass infusion over all other treatments. This means that Fipronil-Plus-C could have something that makes it seem more attractive for Culex females to lay their eggs in compared to other treatments.
Author(s): Ethan Waddle, Leticia Diaz-Perez, Isaiah Voet, Hunter Weber, and Dr. Allison Parker
Department(s): Biological Sciences
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Ovillanta Tire Traps for Controlling Mosquitoes in the Northern Kentucky Region
Abstract: Container-breeding mosquitoes lay eggs in containers holding standing water, including discarded tires that fill with water. Ovillanta traps are mosquito traps designed with tires cut in half and placed on top of the other half with a well of water and grass in the bottom half. The goal of this study was to determine if mosquitoes prefer to oviposit in Ovillanta traps compared to discarded tires to determine if Ovillanta traps can be used in mosquito control in the northern Kentucky region. Mosquito larvae and pupae were collected from the Ovillanta traps and discarded tires across five sites in Boone County, KY weekly for 10 weeks from May to August in both 2023 and 2024. Collected larvae and pupae were identified to species. Preliminary data suggest that Ovillanta traps are effective in attracting egg-laying mosquitoes and can potentially be used in mosquito control.
Author(s): Trey Zinsmeister, Dr. Allison Parker
Department(s): Biological Sciences
Tick Species Distribution and Seasonality in the Northern Kentucky Region
Abstract: This study aims to examine the distribution and seasonality of ticks in the Northern Kentucky region. Starting in June 2022, ticks were sampled by dragging a drag cloth over a 500-meter transect. A total of 401 ticks across 4 species have been collected including 247 American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) found April through August, 150 black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) found October through June, 3 Lone-star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) found February through July, and 1 Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) found in June 2024. Sampling is ongoing and allows for continued surveillance of new species in the region including the Gulf Coast tick. Understanding tick species distribution and seasonality will allow for effective control strategies and prevent and reduce the spread of ticks and tick-borne illnesses in the region.
Author(s): Christina Gogzheyan, Leah Bishop, Deaysha Fox, Taylor Easybuck, Allie Easton, Kalyani Abbaraju, Joseph Ashley, Duong Pham, Mackenzie Feltner, and Christine Perdan Curran
Department(s): Biological Sciences
How does benzo[a]pyrene affect learning and memory in Cyp1a2(-/-) knockout and wild type mice?
Abstract: Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a carcinogen and neurotoxicant found in grilled foods, cigarette smoke, vehicle exhaust, and other sources of air pollution. Evidence is accumulating that exposure to BaP and related chemicals have adverse effects on children exposed during pregnancy and early life, so we designed experiments to determine if exercise could mitigate those adverse effects. We examined the effect of both genotype and exercise in treated mice to test how their learning and memory was affected compared to a control group. We compared mice with and without a functioning CYP1A2 enzyme which can metabolize BaP. Pregnant mice were treated with BaP from gestational day 10 through weaning. We used the Morris water maze to test learning and memory. The test measures the ability of the mouse to remember visual cues to find an escape platform in a pool of water.
Author(s): Leah Bishop, Mackenzie Feltner, Kalyani Abbaraju, Joseph Ashley, Taylor Easybuck, Alexandria Easton, Deaysha Fox, Christina Gogzheyan, LeaAnn King, Mina Pham, Annika White, and Christine Perdan Curran
Department(s): Biological Sciences
The effect of maternal and offspring exercise in mitigating motor deficits following exposure to developmental neurotoxicants
Abstract: Exercise is known to improve brain function, but little is known about how exercise during pregnancy and early life can affect the developing brain. In this study, we wanted to find out if exercise could protect against exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Pregnant women can be exposed through air pollution and by eating food cooked at high temperatures. Pregnant mice (dams) were randomly assigned to either benzo[a]pyrene or the corn oil vehicle. We compared two different genotypes of mice and used four different exercise regimens: dams exercised, pups exercised, both exercised and neither exercised. We tested their offspring when they were young adults using the Rotarod test of balance and coordination.
Author(s): Deaysha Fox, Kaya Abbaraju, Joseph Ashley, Leah Bishop, Allie Easton, Taylor Easybuck, Kenzie Feltner, Christina Gogzheyan, LeaAnn King, Annika White, Mina Pham, and Christine Perdan Curran
Department(s): Biological Sciences
The effects of maternal exercise and benzo[a]pyrene exposure on motor functions in neonatal mice
Abstract: Benzo[a]pyrene or BaP is a carcinogen found in cigarette smoke, grilled foods, car exhaust and more. Recent studies that monitored pregnant women and their children with high exposure to air pollutants such as BaP found adverse effects in brain development from infancy to adolescence. To determine if exercise could mitigate the adverse effects, we compared offspring of mice that either exercised daily on running wheels or did not receive supplemental exercise. We dosed pregnant mice with either corn oil or BaP on cereal from gestational day 10 until pup weaning on postnatal day 25 (P25). We tested the pup’s righting reflexes on P5, P7 and P10. We also tested negative geotaxis on P7, P10 and P14.
Author(s): Jada McGill, Ashlynn Stacy, Gabrielle Williams, Catherine Branch, and Emily Shifley
Department(s): Biological Sciences
Expression of pck1 and pck2 in Xenopus laevis embryonic tissues and organs
Abstract: The formation of three embryonic tissue layers—endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm—occurs in the early stages of development of all vertebrate animals. These tissue layers differentiate and eventually form all the specialized organ systems of the adult body. This study aimed to map the expression of pck1 and pck2 genes in Xenopus laevis embryos to elucidate their roles in development. We constructed in-situ hybridization probes for pck1 and pck2, which allowed us to localize and assess their expression patterns. Our results show that pck2 is broadly expressed in the ectoderm, with additional endodermal expression in developing embryos, while pck1 is limited to specific ectodermal cells. During organogenesis, both pck1 and pck2 are expressed in the liver, intestine, stomach, and lung buds. Establishing when and where different genes are expressed during embryonic development will help us start to understand their roles and possible links to diseases such as birth defects.
Author(s): Ashlynn Stacy, Jada McGill, Catherine Branch, Gabrielle Williams, Dr. Emily Shifley
Department(s): Biological Sciences
Examining the role of the FGF Signaling pathway in pharyngeal development of Xenopus laevis
Abstract: The pharynx of vertebrate embryos develops into vital parts of the head and neck. The development of the pharynx is guided in part by the Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) genetic signaling pathway. By inhibiting the FGF pathway during different, early stages of vertebrate development, using Xenopus laevis as a model organism, we hypothesized we could identify at which stages the FGF pathway influences pharyngeal development. We looked at specific pharyngeal genes (Spry1a, Pax1, Sox9, Cyp26a1, and Twist) and documented whether their expression levels in the pharynx were reduced or missing with FGF inhibition. We found that some genes require the FGF pathway throughout all periods of pharyngeal development, while other genes only require it during certain stages. Identifying how different genes and pathways interact during the development of the pharynx helps give information that could be used in the research of birth defects involving the pharynx.
Author(s): Yara Abdou and Erin D. Strome, PhD
Department(s): Biological Sciences
Exploring the Roles of the bZIP Transcription Factors Met28 and Gcn4 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Abstract: In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the genes SAM1 and SAM2 regulate AdoMet synthesis. Losses of these genes impact genome stability and AdoMet levels. AdoMet regulates methionine and sulfur networks, within which bZIP transcription factors (TFs) play a role. The bZIP family of TF are basic leucine zippers that regulate gene expression by binding to DNA and can regulate stress responses such as to oxidative stress. The SAM1 and SAM2 genes have a common bZIP TF binding site in their promotor, most strongly recognized by the bZIP TF Met28. This common region indicates that bZIP TFs play a specific role in regulating the SAM genes. To investigate this role, we created gene knockout (KO) strains for two bZIP TFs of interest: Met28 and Gcn4. We then tested these strains for reactive oxygen species (ROS), genome instability, and growth to understand the impact of bZIP TFs on the oxidative stress response and cell health.
Author(s): Eve Tittel, Chloe Routt, and Lauren L. Williamson, PhD
Department(s): Biological Sciences
Effects of chronic mild stress on fluoxetine response in adolescent rats
Abstract: Fluoxetine is an antidepressant that is effective against major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults, but can cause suicidality and aggression in adolescents. This study assessed the connection between adolescent responses to fluoxetine and neuroinflammation. Adolescent rats were exposed to chronic stress before treatment with fluoxetine. Forced swim test (FST) and elevated zero maze (EZM) tests were run to determine anxiety-like and depressive-like symptoms post-stress and post-drug treatment. Serum was taken to determine inflammation levels. Brains were removed and half micro-dissected for hippocampal analysis or sectioned for immunohistochemistry staining. Fluoxetine lowered anxiety in the stressed group for the EZM test. This finding suggests that adolescents who have experienced chronic stress may be better candidates for antidepressant treatment and provides a possible explanation for the response differences to fluoxetine. In addition to behavioral data, we will present analyses of microglia, immune cells of the brain.
Author(s): Macy Stewart, Bree Sweeney, Teah L Hagan, and Lauren L. Williamson, PhD
Department(s): Biological Sciences
Effects of Sex, Hormones, and Peripheral Inflammation on Learning and Neuroinflammation in Rats
Abstract: Inflammation can affect learning and memory processes in the brain. With the context-object discrimination (COD) task, we examined how inflammation and sex can affect learning and memory. The COD task requires the rat to become familiar setting and object combinations. Inflammation affected the male and female brains differently, with increased inflammatory signaling in males that is not present in females, which disrupted males’ memories. With a cohort of females, we tested rats’ memory on the COD task after treating the rats with LPS or saline and combinations of estradiol and progesterone to alter hormone concentrations. Aside from testing the memory we also tested the estrous cycles of the female rats. For analysis, plasma levels of gonadal hormones and inflammatory molecules will be evaluated for hormonal mechanisms for the sex differences in behavior.
Author(s): Ben Coburn and Lauren L. Williamson, PhD.
Department(s): Biological Sciences
Maternal Helminth TREATMENT in Rats Alters Microglia Gene Expression: A NextGen RNA Sequencing Approach
Abstract: Inflammation-related disorders have been on the rise. Previous studies have shown that therapy with Hymenolepsis diminuta (rat tapeworm) in both mother and weanling Sprague-Dawley rats can prevent memory deficits and the associated neuroinflammation caused by a neonatal Escherichia coli infection. However, the effects of maternal helminth colonization alone are unknown. Previously, RNA Sequencing on hippocampal cells was used to sequence and identify differences in genes altered or regulated by maternal helminth inoculation and neonatal E. coli infection within 24 hours of infection on postnatal day (P)5. However, all gene expression from the previous work had high expression variation between individuals. For our current work, we will assess the genes altered by maternal helminth treatment and neonatal E. coli in the microglial cell population of the hippocampus rather than whole hippocampus. Our goal is to determine whether maternal helminth colonization alters pup microglia development and gene expression.
Author(s): Dr. Yingying Xie and Becky Stewart
Department(s): Biological Sciences
Climate change impacts on the phenology of spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) across ecoregions
Abstract: The spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, is a pond-breeding amphibian that is under environmental threats globally. Altered temperature patterns associated with climate change causes shifts in the timing of amphibians’ phenology (i.e., timing of life cycle events) which can affect their survival and reproduction and may reduce their fitness to the environment. Declines of amphibians have profound effects on ecosystems, including disruption of food chains and nutrient cycling. We integrated large amounts of observations from community science networks (iNaturalist and natural history collections) and annotated each image to determine life stages. ClimateNA was used to access climate records for these images. This allows us to comprehensively assess climate change impacts on the breeding phenology across ecoregions. Statistical models and analysis show the timing of phenology has changed from 2008 to 2023 and varies across ecoregions. This project suggests that further conservation efforts should be considered for spotted salamanders.
Author(s): Angel Adams, Becky Stewart, Alex Walsh, Chase Yunker, Yingying Xie
Department(s): Biological Sciences
The ecological synchrony of phenology between pond-breeding amphibians and woody plants at forested wetland
Abstract: Changes in the environment, such as climate change and changes in weather patterns, can have substantial effects on the phenology (i.e., timing of life cycle events) of living organisms in that environment, such as woody plants and pond-breeding amphibians at forested wetlands. However, it is not known how woody plants and amphibians synchronize in their phenology and how the indirect connections affect them under anthropogenic climate change. Monitoring of woody plants and amphibian phenology was conducted in seven sites of ephemeral ponds at the Research and Education Field Station in spring 2023 and 2024. Daily temperature and rainfall were measured as well as the water depths of the vernal pools. The results show the early activities of woody plants in spring match the breeding phenology of the amphibians that are active in early spring. Further investigation will examine the mechanisms of their indirect connections through plant transpiration and pond hydrology.
Author(s): Jayme Burks, Yingying Xie
Department(s): Biological Sciences
The temporal synchrony of female and male flowering time of Northern spicebush and the impacts from climate change
Abstract: Climate change affects the timing of seasonal life events of plants, such as flowering time. However, it is still unknow how the synchrony between female and male flowers of plants is affected by warming. We focus on a native shrub in the United States, Northern spicebush. We observe the flowering time for 10 female and 10 male individuals in the field, and annotate photos from iNaturalist records. We expect the male flowers open earlier and are more sensitive to warming than female flowers. This project will help assess climate change impacts and predict the temporal mismatch in the future.
Author(s): Raymond A. Wright II
Department(s): Biological Sciences
The Migration of an Active Directory Domain Environment to Intune Mobile Device Management
Abstract: This TRUE ACCCESS sponsored research project allowed for me to research, plan, and implement a process for the migration from an Active Directory (AD) managed computer system environment to a more modern, cloud-based, Microsoft Intune mobile device management environment in a local Kentucky public school. As enterprises and businesses are increasingly adopting cloud-based solutions for ease of management as well as for security, Intune was created as a prominent alternative to traditional AD environments. This research will follow the recommended steps of migration officially from Microsoft, including determining objectives, inventorying devices, investigating any costs/licensing, reviewing and migrating existing policies/infrastructure, creating and overseeing a rollout plan, communicating changes to those necessary, and setting up support for end users at the end of the project. With the collaboration of other system administrators in the state, I will be able to utilize best practices for security and user experience while avoiding common pitfalls to minimize disruption of the rollout. While working alongside the Campbell County Schools technology department, our goal was to utilize a team in converting several computer labs at the High School over to this newest management format for the upcoming school year as a stepping stone towards the overall goal of moving the whole district to this platform over the next few years. We were able to successfully complete this phase of the project (converting the High School labs) and will evaluate the performance of these devices over the course of the first semester as we move forward with our ultimate goal of migrating more of the district over to the Intune platform.
Author(s): Darcy Grence, Cecelia Harner, Nisha Pandey, and Richard Boyce
Department(s): Biological Sciences
The effect of deer browsing and leaf blight (Insolibasidium deformans) on Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) resprouts
Abstract: Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) is an invasive shrub introduced in the late 1800s. Clipping has been ineffective. Recently, there have been extensive outbreaks of the native leaf fungal pathogen, honeysuckle leaf blight (Insolibasidium deformans). Previous work showed that resprouts from clipped shrubs are heavily infected with blight, causing some stem and shrub death. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) also browse on resprouts. Our study aimed to quantify the amount of resprouting removed by deer. Half of the clipped shrubs were protected with deer exclosures at two sites in Northern Kentucky. Every two weeks, beginning in May, we measured the total shoot length, number of shoots, leaves, blighted leaves, and presence of deer browsing on each shrub. While unprotected shrubs showed better growth early, later growth was less than or similar to protected shrubs. Thus, honeysuckle may initially compensate for browsing with more growth, but browsing eventually reduces regrowth.
Author(s): Abhishek Singh, Dr. Warunya Panmanee, and Dr. Erin Strome
Department(s): Biological Sciences
Constructing RNR1 and RNR2 strains to investigate dNTP Regulation in sam2Δ/sam2Δ cells
Abstract: Ribonucleotide Reductase (RNR) converts ribonucleoside diphosphates to deoxyribonucleoside diphosphates, crucial forand is therefore the key regulator of dNTP production. Dr. Strome’sOur lab previously discovered determined that sam2-deficient strains have higher dNTP levels than wildtype strains. Further, our group found that gene expression differences in RNR1, RNR2, RNR3 and RNR4 are not found in these cells. However, the RNR complex is regulated by several mechanism, including localization. We therefore aim tTo investigate if RNR localization affects is contributing to this the observed dNTP increase. To do this, we have to, we aim to create strains with tagged RNR1 and RNR2 genes (3HA-RNR1 and 3Myc-RNR2) and while also delettinge their wildtype non-tagged gene versionss. These modifiedcations strains will be integrated into wildtype, sam1Δ/sam1Δ, and sam2Δ/sam2Δ cells. This approach will help determine if altered RNR localization in sam2-deficient cells leads to increased RNR activity and higher dNTP levels. As a first step, we have attempted to constructed strains with knocked-out wildtype RNR1 and RNR2 integrated intoin wildtype, sam1Δ/sam1Δ, and sam2Δ/sam2Δ backgrounds. We continue to work on construction of the tagged constructs which will then be integrated into these same strains cells.
Author(s): Catherine Murphy, Sarah Bois, Yingying Xie
Department(s): Biological Sciences; Linda Loring Nature Foundation
Phenological strategies of invasive plants captured by time-lapse cameras on Nantucket Island
Abstract: Invasive plant species have developed different strategies to outcompete native species in response to changing environmental conditions. Previous studies suggested that native and invasive species may have distinct timing of life cycle events (i.e., phenology) and responses to climate change, which is likely to facilitate species invasion and increase the threats on native biodiversity in the future. These strategies may contribute to the biodiversity loss of native plant communities on Nantucket Island, MA indicating particular vulnerability under invasion. Using time-lapse cameras monitoring the seasonal changes of native and invasive plants across nine sites in 2023 in Nantucket MA, we found significant differences in leaf phenology between native and invasive species. Invasives generally had earlier green-up in spring than natives supporting the priority effect and wider niche hypotheses. This knowledge can inform biodiversity conservation and land management efforts for the island costal plant communities.
Author(s): Khuyen Ho, Son Do, and Kebede Gemene
Department(s): Chemistry and Biochemistry
Designing Antidotes for Anticoagulant Low Molecular Weight Heparins (LMWHs) for Biomedical Applications
Abstract: Heparin is an anticoagulant that is often used in surgical procedures to prevent blood clotting. However, it has major limitations including side effects such as excessive bleeding and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Low Molecular Weight Heparins (LMWHs) have been good substitutes for Heparins as anticoagulants due to their multiple advantages including simplified dosing and hence reduced risk of excessive bleeding. Protamine is an antidote that is often used as antidote to reverse the effects of heparin after surgical procedures. However, it cannot completely neutralize the effects of LMWHs. We predict that Low Molecular Weight Peptides (LMWPs) which are chemically similar to protamine can be more efficient antidotes for LMWHs. To this end, we designed a peptide with the F-R-R-R-F-R-R-F-V-R-R-F-NH2 aminoacid sequence and studied its binding affinities and binding ratios with the commonly used LMWHs, enoxaparin and dalteparin. Our preliminary data shows that our proposed peptide binds both enoxaparin and dalteparin effectively.
Author(s): Anabel Lillie, Ashton Davey, Holly Funk, and Michael Guy
Department(s): Chemistry and Biochemistry
Determining the role of Trm7, Trm732, and Trm734 in tRNA binding
Abstract: Modifications of the tRNA anticodon loop are important to translation. Proteins Trm7, Trm732, and Trm734 modify the anticodon loop of tRNAPhe. Trm7 plays a catalytic role in methylation activity, and Trm732 and Trm734 are predicted to bind and position tRNAPhe for methylation at nucleotides C32 and G34 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Defects in Trm7 cause a sick phenotype in S.cerevisiae. Defects in the Trm7 human ortholog, FTSJI, causes intellectual disability. An experimental approach is being developed in yeast to determine whether individual Trm7, Trm732, and Trm734 can bind to tRNAPhe. From this approach, the determination of whether tRNA can bind to Trm7 without Trm732 or Trm734 could be determined. Tagged proteins of interest are pulled down and the RNA bound to the proteins are analyzed using a Northern Blot. This approach also includes determining if non-functional mutated variants of tagged proteins are still able to bind to tRNAPhe.
