Neurofibromatosis type one (NF1) is one of the most common genetic conditions affecting 1 in 3000 people. 95% of NF1 patients have cutaneous nerve neurofibromas, benign tumors that grow under the skin and appear as bumps. 50% have plexiform neurofibromas, tumors that form in the tissue of NF1 patients. These are typically benign, but some […]
B15: Uncovering the Northern Migration of Lyme Disease in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan
White footed deer mice (Peromyscus leucopus) serve as the primary natural host for the Lyme disease organism, Borrelia burgdorferi. The Lower Peninsula (LP) of Michigan is not yet completely colonized by B. burgdorferi; even though P. leucopus is present in every county of the state, infected mice have only been found in the southern and […]
B16: The Role of Inflammation on Newt Lens Regeneration
Tissue regeneration is a fascinating, scar-free healing response that can be found in varying degrees across the animal kingdom. Previous studies have shown that macrophages play an important role in regeneration, including lens regeneration in the Pleurodeles waltl. We wanted to explore the unique dynamics between inflammation and macrophages during the lens regeneration process.Lens removal […]
B17:Genetic Inheritance of Susceptibility to Borrelia burgdorferi infection among white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus novaboracensis) in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula
The Lower Peninsula of Michigan is inhabited by the white-footed deer mouse Peromyscus leucopus, which has been identified as the reservoir host for the Lyme disease-causing bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, due to its ability to maintain the bacterial infection for long periods of time. The vector for B. burgdorferi transmission between hosts is the deer tick, […]
B18: Regulation of Lysozyme Expression and Lytic Activity by the Fragile X Mental Retardation Gene
Our lab uses the Acheta domesticus cricket to study the Fragile X mental retardation (FMR1) gene. FMR1 is associated with Fragile X syndrome (FXS), a genetic disorder, which is the single leading cause of intellectual disability and the primary cause of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). FXS often presents with developmental delays, learning disabilities, and social […]
B19: Role of the Neurotrophic Factor MANF in Neuroprotection following Cold Stress
Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is a recently discovered protein responsible for the regulation and survival of neurons. Studies have shown MANF to be a protective agent that prevents and repairs damaged nervous system tissue, however, how MANF achieves this effect is still poorly understood. We previously found that exposing A. domesticus crickets to a […]
B20: Effects of Reduced NOS Expression on Cricket Agonistic Behavior
Nitric oxide (NO) is an immune signaling molecule secreted primarily by blood cells of animals and plays a role in the inflammatory response. But NO also functions as a brain neurotransmitter and can regulate behaviors, including aggression, mating, and feeding. In mammals, NO is associated with learning, memory and social behavior; however, its role in […]
B61: Local Scale Use of Remote Sensing to Visually Predict Spatial Distribution of Oyster Mushrooms in Oxford, Ohio
My general research area is conservation ecology and mycology (study of mushrooms). My goal was to see if my predictors could be used in Oxford to estimate where we may have found oyster mushrooms in October of 2023 (genus Pleurotus) by comparing that to recorded observations from citizen science data. I used satellite imagery from […]
B63: Who’s that Gene: Discerning the Identity of Cola-Mutant in Tribolium castaneum
Beetles comprise 400,000 described species and 40% of all insects as well as displaying high levels of noteworthy diversity. Their elytra, a sclerotized non-flight forewing, is a uniquely defining feature that has allowed them to become widely prevalent and ubiquitous worldwide. In an effort to explore this novel trait, we performed a complementation test on […]
B64: Comprehensive Examination of Elytron Mutants in the Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum
As members of the order Coleoptera, a highly diverse group of insects, the red flour beetle has specially modified wings called elytra for protection. While the wing gene network in other model organisms, such as D. melanogaster, is well studied, the genes that make up the wing gene network and relationships between these genes remain […]