Middle Tennessee Division of the
Tennessee Academy of Science
- Collegiate Division -
2002 Meeting
Links
Call for Student Papers - 2002
Schedule of Talks - 2002
Student Presentations - 2002
Table of Colleges/Universities Presenting Papers -
2002
Abstracts of Papers - 2002
Best Paper Awards - 2002
Pictures - 2002
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Meeting
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Date - Saturday, April 20, 2002
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Place - Austin Peay State University (map
site)
Nuevo Science
Complex
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Time - 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (approximate ending time)
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Presentations
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Subjects - Undergraduate research in astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer
science, engineering, geography, geology, history of science, mathematics,
medical sciences, physics, science teaching (either presenter or research
advisor must hold current TAS
membership)
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Length - Individual talks are limited to 10 minutes
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Titles
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Information Required - Title with authors, department, and university
names required, indicate speaker(s) using asterisk (*)
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Submission Deadline - Friday, April 12, 2002
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Submission format - Preferably submit via internet using
TAS Form provided
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Alternate submission formats
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E-mail - matthewsf@apsu.edu
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Mail - Dr. Fred J. Matthews, Dept of Chemistry, APSU, Clarksville TN 37044
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FAX - (931)221-6261
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Phone - (931)221-7622
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Abstracts
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Deadline - Friday, April 19, 2002
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Format - See J. Tenn. Acad. Sci. 1997, 72 (3-4), 73-84
or 2001 Abstracts (2001 Abstracts
at www.apsu.edu/matthewsf/tas2001.htm#abstracts 2001)
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Submission - Preferably submit via internet using TAS
Form provided
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Alternate submission format - e-mail -
matthewsf@apsu.edu (NO
ATTACHMENTS!)
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Schedule of Talks - 2002
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Website Posting - Monday, April 15, 2002
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Mail Date - Hard copies to be mailed Monday, April 15, 2002
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Mail Recipients - All presenters and research directors (others may request
hard copies; request via email, phone, FAX, or mail)
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10:15 - An
Examination of Gender Differences in the Conceptualization of Mental Illness
in College Students. Ursula Bailey* and Peter Millet, Psychology Department,
Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
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10:30 - G1
Stress, Role Conflict, and Social Support Among Multiple Role College
Students. Jacinta Tibbs* and Linda Knieps, Psychology Department, Tennessee
State University, Nashville, TN.
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10:45 - The
Internal Working Model of Adults Interpersonal Relationships. Jewell
Hartwell* and Dorothy Tucker, Psychology Department, Tennessee State
University, Nashville, TN.
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11:00 - Brief
Triphenyltin Exposure Causes Irreversible Inhibition of the Cytotoxic
Function of Human Natural Killer Cells. Sharnise Wilson* and Margaret
Whalen, Chemistry Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
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11:15 - Group Photo Break
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11:30 - Effect
of Tributyltin Exposure on the Expression of Granzyme and Perforin and the
Phosphorylation State of CREB in Human Natural Killer Cells. Tarrah
Williams* and Margaret Whalen, Chemistry Department, Tennessee State
University, Nashville, TN.
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11:45 - The
Effect of Iron (Fe+2) on Lipid Peroxidation in Arachidonic Acid. Omari
Bandele* and William Boadi, Chemistry Department, Tennessee State
University, Nashville, TN.
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12:00 - Toward
Understanding the Effects of Ion Coordination on the Site-Specific Dynamics
of a Low Molecular Weight PEO. John Sears* and John Shibata, Chemistry
Department, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN.
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12:15
- Binding of echinomycin to DNA. Kennita Jobe* and Fu-Ming Chen, Chemistry
Department, Tennessee State
University, Nashville, TN.
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12:30 - Lunch
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1:00 - Closing Session
Back to
Schedule of Talks - 2002
Student Presentations - 2002
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10:15 - Effect
of Agitation on the Production of a-Endotoxin by Bacillus thuringiensis
Isolates. La Tasha D. Taylor*, Sharon Spark, Shartondra Jackson, Anthony O.
Ejiofor, and Terrance L. Johnson, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee
State University, Nashville, TN.
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10:30 - The
Analysis of C-FOS Expression Using Immunohistochemistry of Dopamine D3
Receptor of Methamphetamine-Induced Mice. Mark Owusu* and M. Ann Blackshear,
Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
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10:45 - Genetic
Screening for Regulators of p150Glued-Dynactin and Dynein Function in
Drosophila. Tiffany R. Oliver*, Tonja D. Dandy, A. Monique Johnson, Anne
Ilvarsonn, and John T. Robinson, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee
State University, Nashville, TN.
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11:00 - Examination
of the Effects of Two Species of Hypericum on Cell Line BT549. Alicia
Cleveland*, Timothy Udoji, T. Gary, R. Sauve, S. Bhatti, D. Long, and E.
Lewis Myles, COE, CARP, and Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State
University, Nashville, TN.
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11:15 - Group Photo Break
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11:30 - Regeneration
of H. Topas and Examination of its Anticarcinogenic Capability. Rosalind S.
Johnson*, T. Gary, R. Sauve, and E. Lewis Myles, COE, CARP, and Biological
Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
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11:45 - Geography
Education in Tennessee's Copper Basin. J. Douglas Heffington* and Lisa H.
Mayo, Geosciences Department, Middle Tennessee State University,
Murfreesboro, TN.
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12:00 - Detection of Borrelia lonestari in Amblyomma americanum Ticks of
Sumner County, TN. Eric McLaughlin*, Robert Grammer, Jennifer Thomas, and
Steve Murphree, Biology Department, Belmont University, Nashville, TN.
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12:15 - Break
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12:30 - Lunch
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1:00 - Closing Session
Back to
Schedule of Talks - 2002
Student Presentations - 2002
| Name |
Total |
Biology |
Chemistry |
Geography |
Psychology |
Belmont |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
MTSU |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
Sewanee |
1 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
| TSU |
11 |
5 |
4 |
- |
3 |
| Totals |
15 |
6 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
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An
Examination of Gender Differences in the Conceptualization of Mental Illness
in College Students. Ursula Bailey* and Peter Millet, Psychology Department,
Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. The difference between
genders in the conceptualizations of mental illness was investigated in this
study. Previous research has concluded that conceptualizations of mental
illness occur on 3 levels, identification of the mental illness (including
severity and abnormality), the cause of the mental illness, and the
suggested treatment for the mental illness. The participants of this study
were 93 college students obtained using a subject pool at Tennessee State
University. The sample included African-American and Caucasian-American
students from a sign up sheet with space for 50 males and 50 females to
participate. A consent form, a short demographic questionnaire and the
Mental Illness Vignette Instrument II (MIVI II) were self administered in
survey form. The MIVI II is an instrument consisting of 9 vignettes; with 8
of the 9 vignettes having a DSM IV diagnosed mental illness. Although there
was no significant difference in abnormality and severity in men and women,
men viewed behavior less abnormal and severe than women. This may have an
effect on men being less likely to seek treatment. The results suggested
that while men are less likely than women to seek treatment for mental
illness, when they do go, they find it just as helpful. In this study and a
previous study of a more general sample, moral weakness was found to be the
leading perceived cause of mental illness in men and women. However,
although spiritual reasons were the least likely perceived cause, religious
treatment was the highest suggested treatment for men and women.
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G1
Stress, Role Conflict, and Social Support Among Multiple Role College
Students. Jacinta Tibbs* and Linda Knieps, Psychology Department, Tennessee
State University, Nashville, TN. Nearly 60% of college students today
are non-traditional students. These students are more often characterized as
occupying several roles (including parent, employee, as well as student).
Thus, role conflict is more likely to occur. Role conflict is when 2 or more
roles are partially incompatible, for example, when parenting obligations
interfere with class attendance. Several studies indicate the presence of
role conflict in women with dual roles. While most universities are designed
for students that are only obligated to one role, these studies show that
women who combine a student role with a family role have indicated that
there is an increase in the level of stress and role conflict in their
lives. Stress and role conflict may decrease with an increased level of
social support. African Americans often have closer family ties and friends
often take on the role of ‘fictive kin.’ Thus, non-traditional
African-American students may have additional social support to buffer the
effects of stress and role conflict. The goal of the present study is to
investigate the literature regarding, role conflict, stress, and social
support among college students who are also parenting; with particular
attention to the literature regarding African American students. This
literature review will identify appropriate measures and hypotheses for
research to be conducted with multiple-role students at Tennessee State
University.
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The
Internal Working Model of Adults Interpersonal Relationships. Jewell
Hartwell* and Dorothy Tucker, Psychology Department, Tennessee State
University, Nashville, TN.
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Brief
Triphenyltin Exposure Causes Irreversible Inhibition of the Cytotoxic
Function of Human Natural Killer Cells. Sharnise Wilson* and Margaret
Whalen, Chemistry Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. Phenyltin
(PT) contamination has been reported in water, sediment, and fish. Triphenyltin
(TPT) has been implicated in a wide spectrum of toxic effects in exposed
animals, including increased tumor formation. Human exposure to TPT might come
from occupational exposure as well as consumption of contaminated food. Natural
Killer cells are a primary immune defense against tumor and virally infected
cells. Previously, we reported that exposure to TPT significantly inhibited the
tumor killing capacity of human NK cells. In this study we examine whether the
inhibition of NK-cell cytotoxicity induced by a 1 h exposure to TPT is
reversible, when the cells are allowed to recover in TPT-free media for up to 6
days. The results revealed that exposure to 750 nM TPT for 1h caused an
approximately 57% decrease in NK-cytotoxic function. However, if the cells were
allowed to incubate in TBT-free media for 24 h there was an 84% inhibition of
NK cytotoxicity. There was no significant recovery of NK-cytotoxic function
when the lymphocytes were allowed to incubate in TPT-free media for up to 6
days. The results indicated that short-term exposure to TPT caused persistent
negative effects on NK-cell ability to kill cancer cells.
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Effect
of Tributyltin Exposure on the Expression of Granzyme and Perforin and the
Phosphorylation State of CREB in Human Natural Killer Cells. Tarrah
Williams*, Stephanie
A. Green, and Margaret Whalen, Chemistry Department, Tennessee State
University, Nashville, TN. Tributyltin
(TBT) is found in dairy products, meat, and fish and appears to increase the
risk of cancer and viral infections in exposed individuals.
We have demonstrated that the ability of human natural killer (NK)
cells (our primary immune defense against tumor cells) to kill tumor cells
is greatly diminished after a 1 hour exposure to 300 nM TBT.
We have also shown that a 1h exposure results in dramatic decreases
in NK-cell camp levels.
This decrease in cAMP levels could alter expression of proteins whose
levels are regulated by the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB).
The NK-cell tumorlytic molecules granzyme and perforin both are
regulated by CREB.
The current study looks at levels of granzyme and perforin following
a 1h exposure to 300 nM TBT.
Results show that a 1h exposure of NK cells to 300 nM TBT followed by
24h in BT-free medium causes decreased expression of granzyme and perforin.
Granzyme and perforin levels are measured using specific antibodies.
Antibody binding is visualized using a chemiluminescent detection
system. This study also investigates the effects of TBT exposure on CREB
phosphorylation state utilizing specific antibodies to CREB and
phosphorylated CREB.
CREB and phosphorylated CREB levels are determined by densitometric
analysis of film that was exposed to the chemiluminescent blot.
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The
Effect of Iron (Fe+2) on Lipid Peroxidation in Arachidonic Acid. Omari
Bandele* and William Boadi, Chemistry Department, Tennessee State
University, Nashville, TN. Iron (Fe2+) is a heavy metal and an
environmental contaminant that can cause gene mutations and cancer. Fe2+
induces lipid peroxidation through the Fenton chemistry. The purpose of this
experiment was to investigate how high doses of Fe2+ as iron chloride can
cause peroxidation in lipids especially those of the essential group.
Controls, samples, and blanks were prepared in triplicates. The control
contained buffer solution Tris-HCl buffer containing 0.2% SDS and 0.05 M KCl,
pH 7.4, archidonic acid, and hydrogen peroxide. The samples contained all of
the control ingredients in addition to 5 mM Fe2+. Assaying for the
thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) using the molar extinction
coefficient of thiobarbituric acid of 1.56 M-1CM-1 assessed the extent of
lipid peroxidation. The effect of incubating arachidonic acid for 24hrs with
Fe2+ on lipid peroxidation resulted in a dose-dependent increase of lipid
peroxidation. The results indicate that environmental exposure to Fe2+ can
cause oxidation in the essential fatty acids that could lead to serious
health problems.
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Toward
Understanding the Effects of Ion Coordination on the Site-Specific Dynamics
of a Low Molecular Weight PEO. John Sears* and John Shibata, Chemistry
Department, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN.
Ion-conducting polymers, polymer-salt systems that exhibit increased
conductivity even in the solid state, have been the focus of numerous
studies. Of particular interest have been the properties and transport
mechanisms of systems containing poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as either the
host polymer or, in the case of low MW PEO, as a cross-linking agent and a
non-volatile plasticizer in various host polymers exhibiting improved
mechanical properties. Dynamic bond percolation theory, the proposed
transport mechanism, involves an associative/dissociative process of
transient “crosslinks” between the cation and multiple sites along the
polymer backbone. Tetra(ethylene glycol)dimethyl ether (TEGDME) has been
studied in D2O and CH3OD with added NaI as a model for the high MW systems.
The system has been studied at different polymer concentrations and
different ether oxygen to sodium ratios (EO:Na). 13C-NMR relaxation
measurements of the spin-spin relaxation times (T2), spin-lattice relaxation
times (T1), and the nuclear Overhausser effect (nOe) have been carried out
to investigate the nature of the ether oxygen-sodium bond and its effect on
the segmental motion of the host polymer. Various models have been employed
to rationalize the experimental NMR data with varying degrees of success.
The validity of the model, when combined with the presumptions formed to
create it, can reveal significant amounts of information pertaining to the
local motions in the polymer. Some of the experimental data will be
presented along with explanations of the interpretation process and the
information revealed.
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Binding
of echinomycin to DNA. Kennita Jobe* and Fu-Ming Chen, Chemistry
Department, Tennessee State
University, Nashville, TN. Echinomycin (ECHN) is a cyclic
octadepsipeptide antibiotic that contains a thioacetal cross bridge and two
quinoxaline rings attached to the two D-Ser residues. It has been shown to
bind tightly to duplex DNA as a bisintercalator with a preference to the CpG
sequence. This report describes the absorption titration and melting studies
on ECHN binding to oligonucleotides containing three CpG sites. Specific
sequences studied are d(TCGTCGTCGA)/d(TCGACGACGA) and d(ACGACGACGT)/d(ACGTCGTCGT).
The results indicate that ECHN binds strongly to both duplexes with binding
stoichiometries somewhat higher than 1 drug to 1 strand (or 2 drugs to 1
duplex). The strong binding is further supported by the considerable melting
temperature increases upon drug binding. The melting profiles of the
drug+DNA complexes exhibit some biphasic character. Attempts are made to
interpret these results in terms of the coexistence of complexes with two
and three drugs bound to a duplex DNA in the solution.
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Effect
of Agitation on the Production of a-Endotoxin by Bacillus thuringiensis
Isolates. La Tasha D. Taylor*, Sharon Spark, Shartondra Jackson, Anthony O.
Ejiofor, and Terrance L. Johnson, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee
State University, Nashville, TN. The insecticidal crystal ä-endotoxins
of Bacillus thuringiensis are useful in the control of agricultural insect
pests and vectors of human diseases. Three isolates of this bacterium, BT10,
BT24 and BT25, identified as subspecies kurstaki, aizawai, and kenyae were
grown to stationary phase at three agitation speeds of 100 rpm, 200 rpm and
300 rpm at 30oC for 36 h in a semi synthetic medium containing (w/v)
glucose, 10.0 g; yeast extract, 5.0 g; Na2HPO4, 5.57 g; KH2PO4, 2.4 g;
MgSO4.7H2O, 50.0 mg, MnCl2.4H2O, 4.0 mg; FeSO4.7H2O, 2.8 mg; CaCl2.2H2O, 1.5
mg and agar, 15.0 g. The spore/crystal mixtures were harvested by
centrifugation at 7000 g, 4oC and 10 minutes and washed six times in
ice-cold deionized water. Spores and crystals were separated on a 45%, 67%
and 87% discontinuous sucrose gradient by ultracentrifugation at 80,000 g.
The separation was confirmed by examination of smears by polarized light
microscopy. The crystals at 2mg/ml were solubilized by treatment with 50 mM
Na2CO3.HCL (pH 10.5), incubation at 37oC for 60 min and centrifugation at
10,000 g, 4oC for 10 min. Protein concentration in the crystals was
determined by the method of Lowry et al. The banding patterns of the
solubilized protein crystals were determined by SDS-PAGE according to the
method of Laemmli & Favre. Bipyramidal crystals were obtained from all
three isolates. Changes in protein concentrations showed an increasing
pattern in BT10 but not in the others. The banding patterns showed
significant differences in the isolates.
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The
Analysis of C-FOS Expression Using Immunohistochemistry of Dopamine D3
Receptor of Methamphetamine-Induced Mice. Mark Owusu* and M. Ann Blackshear,
Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. PD128907,
a putative, selective dopamine D3 agonist, has been used to study
the function of brain dopamine D3 receptors. Recent reports have
shown that PD128907 causes both an increase and a decrease in locomotor
activity, presumably mediated by dopamine D3 receptors in the
nucleus accumbens. Also, studies in our laboratory suggest that D3
receptors may play a role in the chronic locomotor effects of
methamphetamine (MAP). The purpose of this study was to determine whether
there are dose-related changes in the locomotor effects of PD128907, and if
so whether these changes modify MAP sensitization. Additionally, since rapid
and transient expression of the immediate early gene, c-fos, occurs
following administration of MAP. Analysis of c-fos expression will be used
to further access the action of PD128907 at the D3 receptors
using immunohistochemistry. Swiss, male mice (26-30 g) were divided into
groups of five depending on the treatments administered including Saline,
MAP, Saline/MAP, 0.25PD/MAP, 0.5PD/MAP. All measurements were done in mg/kg.
All PD128907 treatments were done ten minutes prior to an injection of
methamphetamine (MAP). Locomotor activity was measured immediately after MAP
injection on days 1, 7 and day 18 after a ten-day withdrawal period. All
mice received a challenged dose of one-quarter of the original dose of MAP.
It was observed that differences in c-fos expression occurred for the
different treatments. Most importantly, there was high expression of c-fos
for those animals with the Sal/MAP and MAP treatments, while those
animal with 0.25PD/MAP and 0.5PD/MAP had very low expression of c-fos. This
indicates that the PD128907 caused a decreased in the effect of the MAP at
the D3 receptors at the nucleus accumbens of the mouse brain. (Supported
by NIH Grant # RR11808 and MARC Grant 5 T34 GMO7663).
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Genetic
Screening for Regulators of p150Glued-Dynactin and Dynein Function in
Drosophila. Tiffany R. Oliver*, Tonja D. Dandy, A. Monique Johnson, Anne
Ilvarsonn, and John T. Robinson, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee
State University, Nashville, TN. Microtubules and associated motor
complexes are required for a number of motility functions within eukaryotic
cells. Disruptions in microtubule based transport affect numerous aspects of
cell behavior including mitosis and cell division, differentiation,
viability and morphogenesis of tissues. Cytoplasmic dynein, a 1.2 mD
minus-end directed microtubule mechanochemical complex facilitates a variety
of intracellular transport processes. Moreover, dynactin, (“dynein
activator”) another multisubunit complex co-fractionates with cytoplasmic
dynein and further is required for cytoplasmic dynein-based motility
functions in vivo and in vitro. In Drosophila melanogaster, the Glued gene
encodes the homologue of the largest vertebrate dynactin subunit known as
p150Glued. A dominant mutation in the Glued gene, Glued1 (Gl1) exists
which encodes a truncated p150Glued polypeptide that produces an aberrant
rough eye phenotype in heterozygous adults (Gl1/+). To identify novel
regulators of dynein-dynactin based motility, genetic and molecular
approaches are being used to screen for mutations throughout the Drosophila
genome that modify (suppress or enhance) the Gl1 eye phenotype. From these
screens, we are identifying expected intrinsic and novel extrinsic
regulators of dynein-dynactin function. Results from this work are
aimed at determining the range of function of cytoplasmic dynein based
motility during Drosophila and metazoan development. Supported by
NIGMS Grant # S06GM08092 to J.R. and MARC to T.O.
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Examination
of the Effects of Two Species of Hypericum on Cell Line BT549. Alicia
Cleveland*, Timothy Udoji, T. Gary, R. Sauve, S. Bhatti, D. Long, and E.
Lewis Myles, COE, CARP, and Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State
University, Nashville, TN. St. John's Wort is an herbal plant with a
complex and diverse chemical composition. Hypericin is the most active
constituent in the herb and is nonfunctional unless combined with other plant's
constituents. Hypericin is a unique photosensitizing plant pigment, which is
reported to induce apoptosis in tumor cells. Human diseases such as AIDS,
neurodegenerative disorders and cancer occur because of a failure or apoptosis.
Thus, knowledge about the role of anti-neoplastic drugs will become an
important tool in cancer therapy. The objective of this study is to
show the effect of the herbal extract, Hypericum perforatum cv anthos (HPA) and
Hypericun calycinum (HC) on cultured BT549 cancer cells. The one significant
thing about this plant is its property to act like an anti-cancer agent.
Through aseptic techniques, the examination of the influence of HPA & HC on
BT549 cell line will be accomplished via extract concentration and cell density
analyses. The amount of HPA and HC added to each plate vary inversely with the
number of recovered cells. The data obtained indicate that hypericin may induce
apoptosis BT549 cancer cells.
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Regeneration
of H. Topas and Examination of its Anticarcinogenic Capability. Rosalind S.
Johnson*, T. Gary, R. Sauve, and E. Lewis Myles, COE, CARP, and Biological
Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. Traditional
use of Hypericum (St. John?s Wort) is as an herbal remedy to treat mild
depression. Our lab first published its anti-cancer activity in August
2000. Our lab is investigating H. topas for its regeneration
capability and its potential for as anti-carcinogen. H. topas
was germinated under sterile conditions and maintained under greenhouse
conditions. All plants were grown in pots consisting of peat, perlite,
and pine bark. The regeneration of plants were initiated from seeds.
The seed plants were initiated with seeds. The seeds were surface
sterilized and allowed to germinate on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal
medium. After germination, the hypocotyl sections were removed.
These sections were placed on MS media containing 2 mg/L of 2,4
Dichlorophenyloxy-acetic acid. Once the hypocotyls section formed callus it
was transferred to MS media supplemented with 0.2 mg/l of benzyladenine
(BA). Cultures were maintained in completed darkness at 26 degrees
centigrade. After three weeks, the cultures were place under constant
light which allowed the shoots and leaves to turn green. Extraction of
secondary compounds was prepared using the Soxhlet and an evaporator.
Secondary compounds were extracted from the regenerated shoots with the same
protocol as non-regenerated plants. Tissue sample were first frozen with
liquid nitrogen and dehydrated by lyophilization. Tissue samples were
extracted with acetone and distilled for 16 hours with a soxhlet.
After extraction, the sample was evaporated to dryness and then re-dissolved
into dimethyl sulfoximine (DMSO). This crude extract was applied to
actively growing cancer cells. Both non-regenerated plants and
regenerated plants reduce the growth of cancer cell line BT549. The
non-regenerated plants reduce cell growth more than the regenerated plants.
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Geography
Education in Tennessee's Copper Basin. J. Douglas Heffington* and Lisa H.
Mayo, Geosciences Department, Middle Tennessee State University,
Murfreesboro, TN.
Fieldwork and field observations are at the core of geographic
education, but the sad truth is that many K-12 educators are never afforded
opportunities to get out of the classrooms and into the field. The need for
such experiences is tremendous, and the benefits of the knowledge gleaned
there have direct relationships to the classes, students, communities, and
regions of the teachers involved. We were able to involve K-12 educators,
teachers of science and social studies, in a mentoring exercise with
pre-service teachers, conducting fieldwork and observations in the Copper
Basin of extreme southeast Tennessee. A National Council for the Social
Studies grant for the Enhancement of Geographic Literacy made such an
excursion possible. The short, one-day field experience exposed these
educators to geographic fieldwork, especially the concepts and realities of
physical and cultural landscapes and human-environment relationships.
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Detection of Borrelia lonestari in Amblyomma americanum Ticks of Sumner
County, TN. Eric McLaughlin*, Robert Grammer, Jennifer Thomas, and Steve
Murphree, Biology Department, Belmont University, Nashville, TN.
In recent years, several patients in the American Southeast have exhibited
the clinical symptoms of Lyme disease associated with a tick bite but have
tested negative for Lyme's causative bacterium.
This condition was described as Southern Tick-Associated Rash
Illness, or STARI. Since 1996,
STARI has been linked to a new bacterium, Borrelia lonestari, which
is a close cousin of the traditional Lyme bacterium. Being such a newly
discovered bacterium and a suspected pathogen, any information on the
prevalence of B. lonestari is helpful to our understanding of how to
deal with it and the disease it seems to cause.
Only a handful of studies across the nation have investigated a tick
population to check for the bacterium.
These few studies are the very beginning of a map of B. lonestari's
prevalence. The purpose of this
study was check a specific geographical location for B. lonestari to
see if we should add another point to it's epidemiological map at Sumner
County, Tennessee.
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Section I
- Tarrah Williams
Chemistry Department
Tennessee State University
- Section II
- Alicia Cleveland
Biological Sciences Department
Tennessee State University
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