It is well known that microorganisms can have positive or negative interactions with each other in the natural environment. Our research area is about the relationship between microorganisms with the environment. Specifically, we investigated how Antarctic microorganisms living in ice-covered lakes are affected by nutrient limitation. We used the enrichment cultures collected from an ice-covered, […]
B22-P: Determination of Pinholin S21 TMD1 and TMD2 Helical Tilt Angles using CW EPR
Determining how a protein folds is one of the most difficult problems in biochemistry. One class of proteins are membrane bound proteins. Because a membrane is a difficult environment this class of proteins poses unique challenges to studying their structure. One of the methods that can be used to determine a protein’s folding conformation is […]
B52-P: Minds Made Up: The Intersectionality Between Medical Decision Making and COVID-19
Contact Tracing explores the public health response to COVID-19 and the psychology of the medical decisions that are made as they pertain to communicating with and abiding by contact tracing efforts. This is accomplished through an anthropological approach to critically examine the implications of contact tracing, taking into account several nuances that encompass the spread […]
B17-P: Engineering Sigma Factors for Synthetic Biology
To expand the current synthetic biology toolbox, new mechanisms of genetic control must be discovered and assessed based on specific transcription-altering capabilities. We posit that sigma factors are precisely the tool needed for metabolic engineers to reroute cells to produce molecules of interest while being orthogonal to other transcription factors. Additionally, sigma factors permit various […]
B39-P: Assessing Suicidal Behavior in Bodybuilders and the Military: An Analysis of Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder and Muscle-Enhancing Risk Behaviors on Suicidal Ideation
Introduction: Muscle Dysmorphia (MD) is defined as a consistent preoccupation over one’s own muscularity and body weight. MD is a subtype of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and is associated with a myriad of acute and long-term health outcomes, including suicidal behavior. Research examining the mechanisms through which suicidal behavior is related to MD is limited, […]
A16-T: The Utilization of a MEMS Based Switch for Improved Experimentation in the Laboratory through Fiber Optic Coupling
Fiber optic cables are an integral component to the experimentation conducted in the field of optical spectroscopy. Research in this field depends on the ability to transmit light from a source to the desired medium of interest, requiring the usage of cables which can perform such a task. As a result, opto-mechanical switches become necessary […]
C25-P: A Study on the Influence of Nitrogen on the Folding Tendency of Ortho-Phenylenes
Within the field of organic chemistry, the stability of proteins and other organic molecules has always been factored into consideration for most reactions. Focusing on ortho-phenylenes, in this case ortho-sexiphenyl, we wanted to determine the effect of nitrogen substitution on its folding tendency. Polyphenylenes are well-known materials in chemistry due to their chemical stability, inherent conjugation, […]
A26-P: Community Health Needs Gap Analysis: Patient Survey Study
The purpose of this study was to gather information about the needs of the underserved patients of the Oxford community. This study aimed to learn about the health needs of the permanent residents of Oxford, and the extent to which the Oxford Free Clinic and other healthcare providers currently meet those needs. The findings will […]
B38-P: Engaging Students in Undergraduate Research During the Pandemic
This qualitative study examines how the COVID 19 pandemic impacted undergraduate research at Miami University. For our study, groups of student researchers in a First Year Research Experience [FYRE] class interviewed students at Miami University who participated in undergraduate research during the pandemic. We asked them to discuss their recent research experiences, the methods that […]
A15-P: Impact of Glucocorticoid Synthesis Inhibition During Early Life Stress on Stress-Enhanced Fear Learning
Early life stress alters future stress responses by leading to neuropsychiatric disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders. Following exposure to a stressor, animals release hormones that aim to reinstate homeostasis. Corticosterone (CORT), a stress hormone, is associated with the consolidation of fear memories where CORT can enhance new emotionally arousing memories. When […]