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Presenters & Abstracts: College of Natural Resources & Sciences
A Search for Triggered Star Formation in the Compact Group of Galaxies NGC 5851, NGC 5852 and CGCG 077-007
- Charlotte OlsenPhysics & AstronomyUndergraduate Student
Galaxy interactions provide ideal conditions for triggering star formation, and impact galaxy evolution and the structure of the universe. I present analysis of one compact group of interacting galaxies. Areas of increased star formation are classified by the identification of the most UV bright regions within the galaxies. In order to gain deeper insight into how mergers drive galaxy evolution, star formation histories are determined by fitting ultraviolet to mid-infrared photometry to Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) models.
Activity of Novel Cellulases from Cow Rumen
- Annie JensenChemistryUndergraduate Student
- Tessa M. BalkowChemistryUndergraduate Student
- Vincent D. CalderonChemistryUndergraduate Student
- Aaron R. DarlingtonChemistryUndergraduate Student
- Madison E. KishineffChemistryUndergraduate Student
- Jayden J. LoseeChemistryUndergraduate Student
- David A. MoralesChemistryUndergraduate Student
- Dr. Jenny A. CappuccioChemistryFaculty
Utilizing cellulase enzymes can enhance the production of biofuels. In this study, 14 cellulases identified through metagenomic analysis of cow rumen were expressed in E. Coli, purified using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC), and then assessed for enzymatic activity versus a control cellulase isolated from Aspergillus Niger. To do this, we evaluated the breakdown of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) in a plate assay with Congo Red detection. 4 with high activity and 2 with low activity were selected for analyzing the effective pH on the enzymatic activity and expanding the research to kinetic analysis. Our results could inform new cellulase design and enhance biofuel production.
American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos ) abundance in relation to different human-altered environments and levels of disturbance
- Barbara Larrondo-SotoWildlife DepartmentUndergraduate Student
Examining Corvus brachyrhynchos (American crow) habitat selection is valuable in understanding how this generalist species adapts to human-altered environments. Objectives of the study: Are crows utilizing a specific type of anthropogenic environment significantly more than the other? Is human and vehicle presence at the sites is significantly affecting crow abundance? I recorded observations of crow abundance at four sites in Arcata, CA, USA representing two habitat types; urban and agricultural. Analysis of my results showed that crows are significantly selecting urban sites over agricultural.
Amphibians and The Yurok Tribe's Wetland Restoration
- Macy DillenbeckWildlifeUndergraduate Student
My poster is about the Yurok tribe's wetland restorations with a focus on amphibian diversity with regard to the ongoing amphibian extinction.
An Analysis of Resin Flow and Growth Characteristics of Sugar Pine (Pinus lambertiana) in an old-growth fire excluded stand in the Western Sierra Nevada, California.
- Nickolas Zeibig-KichasForestry & Wildland ResourcesUndergraduate Student
Sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) represents a culturally, ecologically, and economically important species that is threatened due to impacts from drought, fire exclusion, and beetle-disease complexes. One of the main defensive strategies of sugar pine to bark beetles and pathogens is the production of resin ducts structures, which secrete oleoresin compounds. In this study we look to analyze resin flow and growth traits, assessed as basal area increment (mm2), of older, larger (> 200 years) sugar pine to determine whether there are relationships between tree growth characteristics and oleoresin flow.
Anabaena Sensory Rhodopsin nanodisc assisted antifungal transport into Brewer's yeast
- Joshua ChapmanChemistryUndergraduate Student
- Parker ChapmanChemistryUndergraduate Student
- Vini ButtinoChemistryUndergraduate Student
Our experiment hopes to answer the question of whether or not nanodiscs make an effective means of transporting medication, specifically in the treatment of fungal infections. We hope this adds to research that is currently examining its effectiveness in the transport of chemotherapy drugs to prevent collateral cell death; there is current evidence to support these assumptions. To do this, we are testing the transport of Terbinafine into Brewer's yeast in the hopes of inducing cell death.
Anabaena Sensory Rhodopsin Nanodiscs to Probe Transcriptional Regulation
- Jenny A CappuccioDepartment of ChemistryFaculty
- Sean De La OBiologyUndergraduate Student
- Edward SandovalChemistryUndergraduate Student
- Alexandra ShigenagaBiologyUndergraduate Student
The membrane protein Anabaena Sensory Rhodopsin (ASR) is a prokaryotic retinal containing photoactive protein, from Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, undergoes a conformational change upon absorption of light. This causes the release of an associated so-called transducer protein ASRT. It has been proposed that this protein complex directly controls transcription of the cpc genes. The goal of this project is to study photo-induced transcriptional regulation properties of ASR and ASRT. To do this we will assemble ASR nanolipoprotein particles or ASR-NLPs. NLPs are unique in that they allow for a membrane protein to be solubilized while still allowing both ends of the membrane protein to be accessed.
Analysis of a G-Protein Coupled Receptor, CB2
David Lopez, Chemistry Undergraduate Student
- AmandaRatcliffChemistryUndergraduate Student
- JennyCappuccioStaff
The CB2 G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) is found in the brainstem & hippocampus and is devoid of psychotropic effects but is less studied than the CB1 receptor. CB2 is inducible in CNS microglia following inflammation or injury, indicating a role in pain response. Here we sought to analyze CB2 using ChimeraX structures and overcome GPCR protein insolubility in extraction. The pET28a-CNR2, plasmid created and transformed into E.coli pLysS, was confirmed by restriction digest. Purification of CB2 micelles was achieved by affinity chromatography with detergent (43 kD). We aim to utilize nanodiscs to stabilize CB2, allowing studies of the molecular underpinnings informing treatment options.
Analysis of Herbicides on Culturally Significant Plants Throughout Yurok Ancestral Territory
- Amanda MartinezChemistryUndergraduate Student
Use of herbicides by public and private entities throughout the Yurok ancestral territory, has raised concern for the health of Native peoples exposed to these organic residues on plant materials due to the plants significant role within the Yurok culture ( such as baskets, ceremonial, and medical purposes). Using organic extraction followed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis, the herbicides 2,4-D and Triclopyr were identified on plant material collected from the Ah-Pah location. Continuation of this research involves computational research on 2,4-D derivatives and more sampling sites added for herbicide analysis throughout the Yurok territory.
Analysis of Herbicides on Culturally Significant Plants Throughout Yurok Ancestral Territory
- Amanda MartinezChemistryUndergraduate Student
- Frank CappuccioChemistryFaculty
- Jenny CappuccioChemistryFaculty
- Robert ZoellnerChemistryFaculty
Use of herbicides by public and private entities throughout the Yurok ancestral territory, has raised concern for the health of Native peoples exposed to these organic residues on plant materials due to the significant roles that plants have within the Yurok culture (such as basket, medicinal and ceremonial purposes). The herbicides 2,4-D and Triclopyr are analyzed by using organic extraction followed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Additional research was also conducted such as computational calculations on 2,4-D and its derivatives along with more sampling sites added to this herbicide research.