College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University
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Denaturation of DNA-labeled Molecular Beacons with Fluorophores and Quenchers, A Project-based Biochemistry Laboratory Promoting the Understanding and Uses of Fluorescence Spectroscopy in the Study of Biomolecular Structures and Interactions
Get PDFThe focus of our research is the denaturation of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) using fluorescence spectroscopy. The dsDNA, which contains 12 base pairs, has one 5’strand labeled with fluorescein (FAM) – 5’-/56-FAM/TCC ACC TTC CCT-3’ – and a complementary 3’strand labeled with Black Hole Quencher I (BHQ I) – 5’-AGG GAA GGT GGA/BHQ1-3’. The dsDNA, if annealed correctly, should emit little fluorescence given the proximity of the quencher to the fluorophore. As the DNA denatures on the addition of urea, a fluorescence emission is recorded. We are attempting to determine the thermodynamic stability of the 12mer and possible derivatives. We used fluorescence spectroscopy to analyze the conditions necessary to denature a 12-mer of DNA as a function of [urea]. These data were then used to calculate the Keq and the ΔG0 for the denaturation of the 12mer. This research could be applied to DNA of differing base pairs, lengths, backbone strength and composition and solvent composition
Texting and its Effect on Memory Retention
Get PDFStudents often use their phones to text in class. I was interested in looking at how this use of texting while learning new material would impair their ability to retain the information that they were learning. This could translate into how texting during a college lecture or seminar would affect the amount of material retained. I wanted to look specifically, how men and women compared. Participants in my study included undergraduate (N=20) students from St. Johns University and the College of Saint Benedict. I created a recording with 15 words on it that all participants were asked to listen to. My experimental group was also participating in a texting conversation with me while they were listening to the words. My control had no distractions while listening to the rewards. Both groups were then given 30 seconds to record on a sheet of paper as many words as they could remember
How are new technologies being used to study children’s heart disease?
No full textThe World Health Organization lists heart disease as the leading cause of death globally, representing 31% of deaths, translating to an estimated 17.7 million lives lost. A common heart disease that can lead to sudden death is arrhythmia, which can be recognized as irregular beating of the heart. When this occurs in the upper chambers it is a specific type of arrhythmia called AF. We are interested in this disease as it can lead to stroke and other heart related complications, including death. AF remains poorly characterized, and genetics are speculated to play a large role in causing this disease. One possible regulator of AF genetics is a class of proteins called nucleoporins (NUP). These proteins make up a structure called the nuclear pore complex (NPC) within the nucleus of the cell. NPCs are a passageway between the nucleus and cytoplasm that controls bidirectional exchange of proteins, RNA, and other macromolecules. NPCs also regulate gene expression and signal transduction. Different studies have shown clinical associations between NUPs and cardiac diseases. For example, a mutation in NUP155 has been linked to incidences of AF and sudden heart failure in the children of a South American family. We seek to understand how NUP155 mutation leads to AF, and will use animal stem cell models together with genome editing and bioinformatics to explore the potential mechanisms that lead to this serious cardiac disease
Building King\u27s World House: Trump, Sanctuary & Benedictine Values
No full textIn a 1967 essay, MLK argued that the diverse groups within the human family “…have inherited a great \u27world house\u27…” in which we must learn to live together in peace. This session will use King\u27s idea of the world house to explore issues of safety, sanctuary, and solidarity on campus as we move into a new era in US politics