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Detecting Interactions between Mps3 in LINC Complex and Ndj1 in Nuclear Pore Complex in Mechanically Stressed Yeast
No full textThe mechanisms of how mechanical stress is translated into cellular action and structural reorganization within the nuclear envelope are largely unexplored. The Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton (LINC) complex is a transmembrane protein complex that connects the actin cytoskeleton to the lamin nucleoskeleton, enabling mechanical forces to be translated between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. A better understanding of the translation of physical forces into cell responses can be gained through confirming the existence of interactions between LINC complex proteins and nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), which control the exchange of biochemical signals and macromolecules in and out of the nucleus through mRNA export. An interaction between NPC protein Ndj1 and LINC complex protein Mps3, was determined by transforming sequences for Venus split-green fluorescent protein (GFP) into the genomes of S. cerevisiae models so as to tag the NPC and LINC proteins. Fluorescent microscopy of Venus-tagged cells that were not subjected to any sort of mechanical stress did not fluoresce. Results for Venus-tagged yeast that were centrifuged at 13,000 rpm for one minute, however, showed fluorescence that indicated localizations around the nucleus, confirming the interaction between Ndj1 and Mps3 on the inner nuclear envelope
Cobalt & the DRC: a technological and ethical crisis
No full textOver the last couple of months, young adults have been boycotting the e-cigarette and vaping industry for its role in unethical practices of cobalt mining. Most of the technology we use daily relies on cobalt, a mineral that is commonly used in creating rechargeable batteries for smartphones, computers, and other electronic technologies. While cobalt provides the opportunity for enhanced renewable energy, often this is extracted and used at the cost of the people in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In this hypothetical art installation, the themes of Science and Stories are posed in an interactive way to understand our role in the ethical crisis occurring in the DRC. While imaginary in execution, this project proposal serves to question how we both benefit and are disadvantaged by the cobalt mining industry, hopefully pushing us to expand our minds to think more clearly about ways to ethically source items that we use
“Making the Bed”: Challenging Ideologies of Ownership, Nonlocality, and Romanticism in the Age of the Anthropocene
Get PDFThe current Age of the Anthropocene marks a recent and rapid transition into a period in climate history that is notably defined by human impact. Modern Western sentiments of grief, frustration, and romanticism as a result of the interplay between domestic and corporate spaces seem to culminate in an overall attitude of apathy and acceptance of the Age of the Anthropocene. Various art forms collaborate to create the current conversation of the causatory and reactionary relationship that humans have with the Anthropocene, offering interpretations of how individuals and corporations view ownership of and responsibilities to the environment. There is a gap, however, in existing artwork that marries the individual and corporate experiences of the Age of the Anthropocene to produce a nationally representative work. “Making the Bed” offers a play on the saying “You made your bed, now go lie in it” in the context of a generation of Americans equipped with tools for change but still stricken with hopelessness and an appetite for power. Several sources of visual and ideological inspiration contributed to a final proposal of an exhibit held in none other than The White House–the nation’s token domestic space and the ultimate overlap of the domestic and corporate spheres. These contributing resources were centered around three main themes: “the ethics of entering a garden”, systems and corporations, and the nonlocality created by an idealistic domestic sphere. In the final piece, these themes are concentrated in not just the location but also the materials, scale, and form of the exhibit
Analyzing Mex67 Interaction with the SSA4 Transcript for Selective Export
No full textIn eukaryotic cells, such as the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mRNA export is the essential process in which mature mRNA is transported from its site of production, the nucleus, through the nuclear pore complex (NPC) to the cytoplasm, where it can then be translated into protein. This is accomplished when a transcript interacts with the mRNA export protein Mex67, which shuttles the message across the NPC. When the cell is under conditions of stress, such as heat shock, most mRNA export is prohibited to allow for selective gene expression for cell recovery. However, some transcripts are able to be selectively exported and expressed in these conditions. An example is SSA4, which encodes a protein that assists denatured proteins to refold under stress conditions and is up-regulated in response to heat shock. It is not known how SSA4 is selectively exported from the nucleus. I hypothesize that an unknown adaptor protein binds to the SSA4 transcript to recruit Mex67. To test this hypothesis, we performed a yeast three-hybrid (Y3H) test by constructing a plasmid that contains the SSA4 ORF and 3’ UTR, in addition to MS2 hairpins. This construct was assessed for interaction with Mex67. No interaction was observed, so we are trying to reproduce these results. If no interaction is observed for an additional time, then we will perform a screen for other proteins that are able to interact with the SSA4 transcript
The Effects of Chytridiomycosis on Amphibian Endurance and Behavior
No full textBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is a well-known fungus that has been linked to the spread of the disease Chytridiomycosis (Chytrid) among frog populations all over the world. Chytrid fungus disrupts the ion exchange channels in both epithelial and muscular tissues, leading to lower swimming and climbing abilities. However, the causal agent of Bd that results in the symptoms associated with chytrid is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine if frog endurance would be impaired as a result of n injection with Bd supernatant, suggesting that a neurotoxin is causing the symptoms associated with chytrid in infected frogs. We hypothesized that a neurotoxin is responsible for changes in locomotor performance, and we predict lower velocity, endurance, and nonstereotyped behavior in frogs inoculated with Bd supernatant. As a biological assay, the African Clawed Frog, Xenopus laevis, were inoculated with a Bd supernatant and were compared to a control group. Frogs were placed in a tank and filmed performing an escape response using high speed dorsal and laterally placed cameras. Average maximal velocity and escape angles were measured using a custom script in MATLAB. Endurance was determined as the difference in performance between the initial escape response and the final escape response in each trial. Preliminary data suggests the absence of a neurotoxic effect on Xenopus as there was no difference in velocity, endurance, and escape behavior between our two groups. Future studies will address neurotoxicity in other, more susceptible frog species. Overall, our study provides insight into what mechanisms may or may not be leading to such high mortality rates in frogs when infected with Chytridiomycosis
Pale Predators: Investigating Albinism in Food Foraging of the African Clawed Frog
Get PDFVisual stimulus is one of the primary methods of prey recognition and capture in most vertebrate organisms, including anurans. The African Clawed Frog, Xenopus laevis, is particularly unique in that it can also orient itself to food using a lateral line system. How much of this visual acuity during prey capture is driven by the lateral line system is unknown. Additionally, X. laevis can produce albino morphs characterized by a lack of melanin, which may hinder the ability to locate food. This study compares the foraging efficacy between albino and wild type Xenopus laevis across changes in light exposure. We hypothesized that darkened condition and the presence of albinism in frogs leads to worse foraging in X. laevis. Live infrared cameras were used to monitor foraging behavior in both well-lit and dark environments. Timestamps of captured food were recorded and analyzed through a Paired T-Test and compared to ‘Light’ and ‘Night’ conditions. We fail to reject our hypothesis, suggesting the lateral line system does not play a large role in food capture. Two Independent T-Tests were conducted to compare how frogs with albinism hunt in contrast to normal frogs during ‘Light’ and ‘Night’ conditions. ‘Light’ and ‘Night’ exposures indicated no significant differences between the albino and normal frogs during hunting. We reject our hypothesis, suggesting that albinism does not lead to worse foraging behavior in frogs. Data from this study provides insight into the foraging behavior of Xenopus laevis and how the invasive frog might outcompete other frog species for food
African American Women’s Perceptions of a Group Based, Diabetic Medical Nutritional Therapy Intervention: A Qualitative Study
No full textBackground: African American women demonstrate lower rates of attaining recommended diabetes management goals such as optimal blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure numbers compared to other racial and gender groups. As a result, they bear a disproportionate burden of the adverse outcomes associated with unmanaged type 2 diabetes, including increased complications and mortality rates compared to other demographic groups. Despite favorable quantitative findings regarding group-based interventions for African American women with type 2 diabetes, a notable gap in the literature exists regarding the women’s perceptions of a group-based medical nutritional therapy tailored to this population. Purpose: This scholarly project explored African American women\u27s perceptions of and experiences with the impact of the Sisters Inspiring Sisters To Engage in Relevant Diabetes Self-Care (SISTER) group-based medical nutrition therapy program on their type 2 diabetes management. Methods: Nineteen SISTER study participants completed individual, semi-structured interviews via Zoom. Nine women were interviewed twelve months after starting the SISTER study, and ten women were interviewed three months after starting the SISTER study. Researchers analyzed the interviews using line-by-line open coding, leading to the identification of themes, categories, and properties. Results: Analysis of in-depth interviews revealed two distinct sets of results for the twelve-month cohort and the three-month cohort. The major findings of the twelve-month cohort can be described as (1) Group, (2) Program, and (3) Change. The major themes revealed in the three-month cohort interviews emerged as (1) Group, (2) Motivation, (3) One Size Fits All, and (4) Program. Conclusion: The participants’ experience with the SISTER study highlights the value and impact of peer support and increased access to health education specifically for African American women with type 2 diabetes. The results of this scholarly project emphasize the participants\u27 expressed need and desire for additional research and targeted interventions specifically tailored to this population.
Key Words: Type 2 Diabetes, African American Women, Qualitative, Group Support, SISTER
Predicting Cancer Prognosis
No full textCancer remains a significant contributor to global mortality rates, impacting individuals and communities worldwide. This research explores the need for more personalized and accurate diagnostic tools as well as fast-acting treatment plans for patients. Drawing from clinical data, this study utilizes techniques to improve predictive accuracy, taking into account contributing categories to diagnosis
Child Care Advocacy: Tennessee House Bill 1669
Get PDFHouse Bill 1669 aims to require day child facilities to alert parents or guardians ofenrolled children sixty days prior to the permanent closure of the facility. The main purpose of this bill is to protect hard working parents in Tennessee from beingblindsided by their childcare service by giving them the right to know 60 days in advance before permanent closure of the childcare agency their child or children are currently enrolled in or are currently on the waitlist for (Tennessee General assembly, 2024). This is an important issue because72 percent of working parents said they cannot afford not to work and so they need reliable childcare option (Tennessee for Quality EarlyEducation, 2020