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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
B54-P: Perstraction: A Novel Membrane-Assisted Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Perflouryl Compounds (PFAs) From Water
Perfluorooctanic acid or PFOA is a man-made chemical byproduct of the production of Teflon, and does not break down in the environment, leaving water sources contaminated. The health effects this has on humans is largely unknown, but it has been found to be present in low levels in the bloodstream of most people and can […]
B03-T: A Microanalytical and Petrochemical Approach to Investigating Megacrystic Feldspar Crystallization, CA
Crystal-rich, chemically evolved, coarse-grained igneous rocks provide opportunities to investigate the differentiation and solidification of magmas within Earth’s crust. Specifically, by investigating the micro-scale textural, chemical, and chronological record of these crystal populations insights into the processes which operated during magmatic crystallization and intrusion of large magma bodies within Earth’s crust can be evaluated. This […]
B29-P: MBI 475: An Adventure with Antarctic Enrichment Cultures in Extreme Shade
Lake Fryxell is a perennially ice-covered lake located in the McMurdo Dry Valley, Antarctica. Due to harsh conditions such as low temperature and light, its food web is composed entirely of microbes. In this project, the goal was to investigate the composition of Lake Fryxell’s microbial communities when placed under extreme shade as the abiotic […]
A08-P: Outer Membrane Vesicles: Steppingstone to Membrane Proteomics
Looking at organisms in isolation often proves to be useful to study behavior objectively in most cases. However, it may not paint the accurate picture of what really happens. In Dr. Bollmann’s lab we look at AOB (ammonia oxidizing bacteria) and AOA (ammonia oxidizing archaea) not just in isolation but also how they interact with […]
A55-P: Southern Atlantic Open Water Analysis on Dissolved Oxygen Content
The purpose of this research is to contribute to and analyze new data on dissolved oxygen in the South Atlantic Ocean. With climate change and ocean temperatures rising, all oceans are predicted to continue to lose oxygen. This is a major environmental concern as oceans are vital ecosystems and their health is essential for a […]
A10-P: Introduction to Neuroscience Class Project: Exploring Dr. Del Rio-Tsonis’ Regeneration lab
In the Seminar in Neuroscience course taught by Dr. Fernandes, the students split into groups to learn about the topics being researched in labs on Miami’s campus. We chose Katia Del Rio-Tsonis and studied her lab on retinal regeneration. Katia Del Rio-Tsonis’ lab focuses on retinal regeneration using mainly embryonic chicks in order to “understand […]
A20-P: Seminar in Neuroscience: Dr. Ransdell’s Lab
BIO 159 places students in the position to analyze ongoing research at Miami University in an attempt to teach them about neuroscience as well as introduce them to techniques used in the field. The class also pushes students to frame that research within the broader body of published research. Additionally, students learn how to take […]