Saturday Session April 5, 2008
Saturday Session Photo Archive

9:00-9:20 Room 004

Complexomic Gel Electrophoresis Reveals Modulated Protein Expression in 4-Phenylbutyrate Treated Cystic Fibrosis Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Stephen H. Gregory, Om V. Singh, and Pamela L. Zeitlin
Beta Chapter, McKendree College

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common autosomal recessive disorders. It is caused by the mutation of a gene coding for a multifunctional transmembrane protein, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). The most common CFTR mutation, ∆F508, results in retention of the misfolded protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and eventual degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Short chain fatty acid derivatives of butyric acid, including sodium 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA), mediate prolonged association of ∆F508-CFTR, sometimes rescuing the protein from ER-associated degradation (ERAD). We hypothesized that 4-PBA treatment alters chaperones that associate with immature ∆F508-CFTR. 2-D BN-PAGE/SDS electrophoresis was performed in order to facilitate the visualization of the modulated proteins associating with the immature mutant protein. The majority of informative proteins belonged to the heat shock protein (HSP) family. Additionally, this investigation documented the first ever visualization and identification of the CFTR protein on a 2D gel with 50% coverage. From these results, we conclude that 4-PBA mediated rescue of CFTR is associated with the changes in the components of native multi-protein complexes that could assist in rescuing ∆F508-CFTR protein from ERAD by interacting as components of the CFTR multi-protein super complex.

Audio Podcast (mp3)

9:00-9:20 Room 005

Research Assistant for Organic Chemistry Mechanistic Term Papers

Lindsey Fischer and Katherine W. Stickney
University of Indianapolis

University of Indianapolis Organic Chemistry II students are required to write a term paper in order to deepen their understanding of complex organic chemistry reaction mechanisms. In this assignment, they must search the American Chemical Society database to locate a journal article containing a 5-step organic chemistry reaction, research each step to the level of the mechanism, use a chemical structure drawing program and curly arrows to draw the mechanism for each synthetic step, and use correct technical vocabulary to write a paper describing the transformations observed in each elementary step. This assignment has typically been a large time drain on the professor teaching the course due to lack of student preparation for such a complex assignment. In an effort to reduce the load on the professor, and to improve my understanding of organic chemistry mechanisms, I worked this year as a resource for students to aid in their research process. I answered questions on how to use software, how to research mechanisms, and how to technically describe the mechanistic processes. Over the course of the semester, I discovered many pros and cons to my work, which I will address in my presentation. I will also share ways to improve the abilities of a teacher's assistant to help in the term papers of the organic chemistry students. As future work, I will formulate a package outlining the steps to researching reaction mechanisms for future organic chemistry students.

Audio Podcast (mp3)

9:20-9:40 Room 004

The Contractile Effects of Red Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus) extract on Mouse Uterine Smooth Muscle in vitro

Francis Rogosienski
Beta Iota Chapter, Bethel University

The uterus is an essential organ for reproduction in mammals. Despite the importance of the uterus for the fertility and health of women and their offspring, relatively little is known about the effects of natural remedies on this tissue. The intent of this project was to investigate the effects of red raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) extract on isolated uterine tissue of mice suspended in a smooth muscle bath. The isolated tissues were hung under 1g of tension and bathed in DeJalons buffer. The main questions addressed in this project were: (1) Does Rubus extract alone cause a contractile response in isolated mouse uterine tissue? And if so, is it dose-dependent? (2) Does an extract of Rubus potentiate the contractile response a) induced by acetylcholine b) or evoked by electrical field stimulation? Results demonstrated that Rubus alone elicited a contractile response. However, there was no dependency between doses given and responses elicited. The Rubus extract did significantly potentiate contractile responses induced from the acetylcholine and evoked from electrical field stimulation, indicating that Rubus may indeed help to facilitate normal contractile responses in the uterus. These results do substantiate the claims that Rubus, as an herbal remedy, can induce and may modulate uterine smooth muscle contractions involved in the labor process.

Audio Podcast (mp3)

9:20-9:40 Room 005

Elliptic Curves and Factoring Large Integers

Jeff Barnes
Alpha Gamma, Malone College

In this talk, we will investigate how the group law for points on an elliptic curve can be used to factor large integers.

Audio Podcast (mp3)

10:00-10:20 Room 004

Comparison of Crest White Strips Premium and Opalescence as Bleaching Agents on Human and Bovine Teeth

Shellie Steffen
Rho Chapter, University of Indianapolis

In this study a comparison of two teeth whitening products, Premium Crest White Strips and Opalescence, was conducted by applying the bleaching agents as directed to human teeth and bovine teeth. The change in shade after bleaching was measured using two methods: a colorimeter and a Trubyte Bioform Shade Guide. It was found that Opalescence resulted in a greater change in shade although this difference was not significant. It was also determined that bovine teeth have a greater response to bleaching than human teeth.

Audio Podcast (mp3)

10:00-10:20 Room 005

The Effects of the Hormone Leptin on Obesity, Metabolism, Body Temperature, and Feeding Behaviors, Using Normal, ob/ob, and db/db Mutant Mice

Jessica F. Patton
Beta Iota, Bethel University

AWhy is obesity or being overweight such a battle for some people and not others? A way to address this question is to look at how the body utilizes the hormone leptin, which is derived primarily from adipocytes. Leptin, the product of the obese (ob/ob) gene plays a major role in the regulation of food intake, hunger, satiety and metabolism. The purpose of this experiment was to determine if the lack of leptin or the leptin receptor in mutant mice affects basal metabolism, body temperature and feeding behaviors. Eighteen mice were used in this experiment: 6 controls, 6 mutant ob/ob (defective for the expression of leptin), and 6 mutant db/db (defective for the expression of the leptin receptor). The variables tested included basal metabolic rate, food intake, water intake, cage waste, and body temperature. Results demonstrated that normal mice had a statistically higher metabolic rate and body temperature than both the ob/ob and db/db mice. Although the normal mice ate more than the other mice, the increase was not statistically significant. The water intake was statistically higher in the db/db mice compared to the ob/ob and control mice. The cage waste was statistically higher in the db/db mice (from high urine output) and in the control mice (with large amount of food debris) when compared to the ob/ob mice. These results substantiate that mutations in the genetic expression of leptin or the leptin receptor may contribute to interruptions in normal metabolism and may contribute to obesity.

Audio Podcast (mp3)

10:20-10:40 Room 005

Elliptic Curve Cryptography

Saint Wesonga
Alpha Gamma, Malone College

We will demonstrate how elliptic curves over finite fields can be used to securely encrypt and decrypt information.

Audio Podcast (mp3)