1. health and fitness
2. disease

The 13th Annual
K-INBRE Symposium
January 17-18, 2015
Capitol Plaza Hotel
Topeka, KS
This program was made possible by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences
(NIGMS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under grant number P20 GM103418. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the
authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.
K-INBRE 2015 Symposium
Program Table of Contents
Program Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 2
Platform Presentation Abstracts . . . . . . . . . .
Page 5
Poster Presentations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 9
Poster Presentation Abstracts. . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 19
2015 K-INBRE Symposium Participants. . . . . . . .
Page 77
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 87
IMPORTANT:
Please ensure that all publications resulting from INBRE funds are in compliance with the
NIH Public Access Policy. Future awards from NIH will be delayed until evidence of
compliance has been demonstrated. For more information on the Public Access Policy,
please visit this link: http://publicaccess.nih.gov/policy.htm
When K-INBRE funds have supported your research, please remember to acknowledge
this support by including the grant number P20 GM103418, regardless of the time period
between receipt of funding and the publication or presentation.
Poster Presentations
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Poster Session A (4:10-5:10 PM) Odd Numbered Abstracts-Author Present
Poster Session B (5:10-6:10 PM) Even Numbered Abstracts-Author Present
See alphabetical list for board assignment.
Abstract # = Board #
Please be near your board during your assigned session until the judges have visited.
Feel free to visit other boards during the alternate session.
K-INBRE 2015 Symposium
Program Schedule
Capitol Plaza Hotel
Topeka, Kansas
Friday, January 16, 2015
3:00 PM
Early Registration/Social Event Begins
Poster Set-up Opens
6:00 PM
Early Registration
Poster Set-up Closes
6:00 PM
Reception
Social Event Begins
8:00 PM
Reception/Social Event Closes
Sunflower Ballroom & Foyer
Shawnee Room & Foyer
Saturday, January 17, 2015
7:30 AM
8:30 AM
Breakfast Buffet
Shawnee/Pioneer Rooms
Registration
Emerald Foyer
Poster Set-up
Sunflower Ballroom
General Session
Emerald Ballroom
Doug Wright, Ph.D., K-INBRE Principal Investigator, University of Kansas Medical Center
Opening Remarks and Welcome
8:40 AM
Randy Pembrook, Ph.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs, Washburn University
Welcome from Washburn University
8:50 AM
Robert D. Simari, M.D., Executive Dean, University of Kansas Medical Center
Welcome from University of Kansas Medical Center
9:00 AM
Dale Abrahamson, Ph.D., University Distinguished Professor and Chair, University of Kansas Medical Center
Introduction of Speaker
9:05 AM
Robert P. Mecham, Ph.D., Alumni Endowed Professor and Interim, Head, Cell Biology & Physiology, Professor
of Medicine, Pediatrics and Bioengineering, Washington University in St. Louis
Title: Surprises in Science: The good, the bad, and the unexpected
9:40 AM
Dale Abrahamson, Ph.D., University Distinguished Professor and Chair, University of Kansas Medical Center
Introduction of Speaker
9:45 AM
Charles Little, Jr. Ph.D., Professor, University of Kansas Medical Center
Title: Tissue-Scale motion and emergent patterns drive organ formation
10:15 AM
Break
Emerald Foyer
University Photos
Washburn University Photo
Haskell Indian Nations University Photo
Pittsburg State University Photo
Fort Hays State University Photo
University of Kansas, Lawrence Photo
Hotel Lobby
10:20 AM
10:25 AM
10:30 AM
10:35 AM
10:40 AM
2
10:45 AM
General Session
Emerald Ballroom
Sam Leung, Ph.D., K-INBRE Campus Coordinator, Washburn University
Moderator: Trainee Presentations
10:50 AM
Meng Sun, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS Trainee
Title: Measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in transgenic mice modeled Huntington’s disease (HD) on craft
paper-based analytical devices (cPADs)
11:10 AM
Taylor Dismuke, Langston University, Langston, OK Trainee
Title: The investigation of proteasome degradation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
11:30 AM
Hunter Scheib, Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS Trainee
Title: The incidence rate of the magic-angle effect in the oblique coronal T1-weighted images of the
supraspinatus tendon
11:50 AM
Lunch
Shawnee/Pioneer Rooms
12:50 PM
General Session
Emerald Ballroom
Susan Brown, PhD, K-INBRE Bioinformatics Director, Kansas State University
Moderator: Regional Scientists and Trainee Presentation
12:55 PM
Brooke Fridley, Ph.D., K-INBRE Bioinformatics Satellite Director, University of Kansas Medical Center
Title: Pharmacogenomics and precision medicine: Past, present, and future
1:25 PM
Everett Hall, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS Trainee
Title: Compound mouse mutants of Specc1l hypomorphic alleles model human palate and neural tube closure
defects
1:45 PM
Bradley J.S.C. Olson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Kansas State University
Title: Peering into the pond for clues to multicellularity
2:15 PM
Break
Emerald Foyer
University Photos
Hotel Lobby
2:20 PM
2:25 PM
2:30 PM
2:35 PM
2:40 PM
Kansas State University Photo
Emporia State University Photo
Langston University Photo
Wichita State University Photo
University of Kansas Medical Center Photo
2:45 PM
General Session
Emerald Ballroom
Bridgett Chapin, Ph.D., K-INBRE Campus Coordinator, Haskell Indian Nations University
Moderator: Regional Scientist and Trainee Presentations
2:50 PM
John Karanicolas, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Kansas, Lawrence
Title: Designing inhibitors of non-traditional drug targets: protein-RNA interactions
3:20 PM
Ryan A. Limbocker, University of Kansas Lawrence, KS Trainee
Title: Analysis of neurochemistry in chemotherapy-treated rats to understand the mechanism of
neurodegeneration in Post-Chemotherapy Cognitive Impairment
3:40 PM
Yongchao Li, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS Trainee
Title: ARP2/3 complex mediates EFs-directed migration of neural stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte precursors
4:00 PM
General Session Concludes
3
4:05 PM
Poster Judge Meeting
Sunflower Foyer
4:10 PM
Reception/Poster Session A
Sunflower Ballroom
5:10 PM
Reception/Poster Session B
Sunflower Ballroom
6:10 PM
Poster Session Ends
6:30 PM
Dinner
Emerald Ballroom
7:00 PM
Award Presentations
Emerald Ballroom
Doug Wright, Ph.D., K-INBRE Principal Investigator, University of Kansas Medical Center
Sunday, January 18, 2015
7:30 AM
Breakfast Buffet
Shawnee/Pioneer & Foyer
9:00 AM
General Session
Emerald Ballroom
John Stanford, Ph.D., Associate Director, University of Kansas Medical Center
Opening Remarks
KJ Abraham, Ph.D., K-INBRE Campus Coordinator, Langston University
Moderator: Regional Scientist and Trainee Presentations
9:05 AM
Dale Abrahamson, Ph.D., University Distinguished Professor and Chair, University of Kansas Medical Center
Title: Transfer of maternal alloantibody to transgenic progeny
9:35 AM
Rachel Miller, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS Trainee
Title: Determining public awareness about the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, H5N1, in the United
States
9:55 AM
Heather M. Wilkins, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS Trainee
Title: Bioenergetic influence of amyloid beta generation
10:15 AM
Break
Emerald Ballroom Foyer
10:35 AM
General Session
Emerald Ballroom
Gustavo Blanco, Ph.D., K-INBRE Developmental Research Project Core Director, University of Kansas Medical
Center
Introduction of Speaker
10:40 AM
J. Christian J. Ray, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Kansas, Lawrence
Title: The outsized effects of enzyme saturation on cellular physiology
11:10 AM
John Stanford, Ph.D., Associate Director, University of Kansas Medical Center
Oral Presentation Awards
11:40 AM
Doug Wright, Ph.D., K-INBRE Principal Investigator, University of Kansas Medical Center
Closing Remarks
11:45 AM
Boxed lunches available for pickup
1:00 PM
Hotel Checkout
Emerald Ballroom Foyer
4
PLATFORM PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Saturday, January 17, 2015
MEASURING TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY (TAC) IN TRANSGENIC MICE MODELED
HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE (HD) ON CRAFT PAPER-BASED ANALYTICAL DEVICES (cPADS)
Sun, Meng and Michael A. Johnson*
Department of Chemistry and R. N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry,
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, United States
ABSTRACT: Antioxidants play a role in counteracting free radicals and reactive oxygen species and are
thought to help prevent or slow the progression of many chronic, age-related diseases, such as cancer,
diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Adverse effects and the potential
health hazards, however, may come about when antioxidant functional supplements are overdosed. Herein
we report a simple way to make a colorimetric assay on craft paper-based analytical devices (cPADs) to
measure total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in sub-µL volume of blood samples. We incorporated a microfluidic
separation mechanism for isolation of plasma from interfering blood cells. The whole diagnostic process,
including cPAD construction, blood sampling, plasma separation, and assay with final readout, can be
completed in 15 minutes. We applied our approach toward the measurement of TAC in mice that model
Huntington’s disease (HD), a fatal, neurodegenerative movement disorder. The limit of detection and limit of
quantitation of TAC in uric acid equivalents were 0.028 mM and 0.094 mM, respectively. Results also
revealed that TAC was significantly elevated in R6/2 HD model mice compared to their age-matched wild-type
controls. This measurement was consistent with an ability of R6/2 mice to produce an enhanced capacity to
deal with increased oxidative stress. We expect that this method, carrying a simple, fast, and sensitive assay
on low-cost and disposable papers, will meet the potential needs for point-of-care (POC) testing of TAC, as
well as other disease biomarkers in blood and other types of bodily fluids where limited volumes of samples
are obtainable.
THE INVESTIGATION OF PROTEASOME DEGRADATION IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
Dismuke, Taylor1, 2, Jeroen Roelofs1, Alina De La Mota-Peynado1
1
Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Development Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas,
2
Department of Biology, Langston University, Langston, Oklahoma
The effectiveness and unique process of degrading proteins is essential to maintain protein homeostasis to
sustain a healthy life. The total disregard to the breakdown of proteins leads to the loss of lives every day.
Protein aggregation is the buildup of misfolded protein and is responsible for several diseases such as
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, and cancer. Eukaryotic cells have two instruments that are important for
degradation of proteins, one of them being the proteasome. The proteasome serves as a “protein recycler” in a
sense by carrying out proteolysis, which is the degradation of proteins for the provision of fresh amino acids.
Past research has identified proteasome-associated proteins that inhibit proteasome activity. If the proteasome
is not functional what happens to the proteasomes in the cell? We focused our studies on the future of
proteasomes that can no longer be used within in the cell through autophagy. Autophagy is a catabolic
mechanism where the cell degrades unnecessary or dysfunctional components by lysosome degradation.
Through in vitro starvation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae we saw the green fluorescent protein, or GFP, tagged
proteasomes moved from the nucleus to the cytosol for degradation. We propose that the cell has a selfmaintenance mechanism of controlling dysfunctional proteasomes that can no longer carry out protein
degradation by the process of autophagy. Understanding the reason why proteolysis is not occurring in the cell
will provide more medical guidance in search for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes,
and even cancer.
5
PLATFORM PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
THE INCIDENCE RATE OF THE MAGIC-ANGLE EFFECT IN THE OBLIQUE CORONAL T1-WEIGHTED
IMAGES OF THE SUPRASPINATUS TENDON
Scheib, Hunter and Michael Madden, Ph.D
Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS 67601, Tel: (785)628-5677
Purpose Rotator cuff injuries are commonly found within the distal portion of the supraspinatus tendon.
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging shows the injury as a high signal region within the distal tendon. Similarly, a
magic-angle effect also appears within healthy patients in this same region with T1 or proton density (PD)weighted images. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of the magic-angle effect found within
oblique coronal T1-weighted images through the supraspinatus tendon in patients without any injury. Methods
In this study, 500 consecutive patients were selected from those symptomatic patients referred for MR
evaluation of the shoulder with a 1.5-T unit using both T1 and T2-weighted sequences. To eliminate patients
with a real injury, the written reports were reviewed; those with positive findings for injury to the supraspinatus
tendon were eliminated from the sample group, leaving 254 patients. Images found to have a higher signal with
the T1 sequence were classified as having the magic-angle effect since a real injury would have a stronger
signal on T2-weighted images. Results In the 254 patients evaluated, both reviewers found the same 17
patients to have the magic-angle effect. Conclusion The artifact will appear in 7% of healthy patients and may
lead to false positives. By comparison with previous studies have shown a much greater incidence rate, our
findings also suggest that external rotation of the arm will greatly reduce the incidence of the magic-angle
effect. Acknowledgement This research was supported by NIH grant P20 GM103418.
COMPOUND MOUSE MUTANTS OF Specc1l HYPOMORPHIC ALLELES MODEL HUMAN PALATE AND
NEURAL TUBE CLOSURE DEFECTS
Hall, Everett, Wilson, Nathan, Acevedo, Diana, and Saadi, Irfan
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS.
De novo heterozygous mutations in SPECC1L have been identified in patients with atypical and syndromic
orofacial clefts, a common birth defect. However in mouse, Specc1l heterozygotes are viable while Specc1l
mutant embryos show early embryonic lethality with failure of neural fold (anencephaly) closure and of cranial
neural crest cell delamination. We hypothesized that moderate reduction in Specc1l dosage or function below
heterozygosity would result in more perinatal phenotypes. Fortuitously, Zinc Finger Nuclease-based genomic
deletion generated two hypomorphic Specc1l alleles - termed ∆300 and ∆200. Both deletions ablate the
normal intron 5 splice donor (SD) site, resulting in use of cryptic SD sites. The ∆300 allele uses a cryptic SD
resulting in a 57aa in-frame deletion, and Specc1l∆300 mutants appear viable and fertile. The ∆200 allele can
use the same cryptic SD as above, or a stronger cryptic SD that results in a frameshift and early truncation of
the protein. Thus, Specc1l∆200 mutant embryos show variable embryonic to perinatal lethality. We intercrossed
these alleles to generate a moderate reduction in Specc1l dosage and function. The compound Specc1l∆200/300
mutants show an “open brain” phenotype (exencephaly) with 20% penetrance. We also note a delay in palate
closure even in Specc1l∆300 mutant embryos that survive. Such a delay would predispose these mice to cleft
palate upon further perturbation, consistent with the human condition. Specc1l∆200/300 mutants confirm that
moderate reduction in human SPECC1L gene dosage and function is sufficient to result in perinatal
craniofacial malformation, and provide a model to study the underlying pathogenetic mechanism.
6
PLATFORM PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
ANALYSIS OF NEUROCHEMISTRY IN CHEMOTHERAPY-TREATED RATS TO UNDERSTAND THE
MECHANISM OF NEURODEGENERATION IN POST-CHEMOTHERAPY COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
Limbocker, Ryan A.1, Sam V. Kaplan1, and Michael A. Johnson1,2
1
Department of Chemistry and R.N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry,
2
Neuroscience Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence KS 66045
Post-Chemotherapy Cognitive Impairment (PCCI) occurs after pharmacological chemoagents are administered
to fight carcinomas. PCCI entails a general decline in complex problem solving, learning, memory, and motor
function in up to 30% of patients who receive chemotherapy treatment. Previous studies in our group have
found dopaminergic neurons are unable to release proper amounts of the neurotransmitter dopamine upon
stimulus after treatment with certain chemoagents. Furthermore, the dopamine transporter experienced a
similar attenuation. Here, oxidative free radical activity was investigated by probing for spontaneous hydrogen
peroxide release in chemotherapy treated rats using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Neurochemical analyses
were performed after rats underwent chemotherapy treatment with 20 mg/kg injections of Carboplatin for four
weeks. Mercaptosuccinic acid, a glutathione peroxidase inhibitor, was applied to brain slices of saline and
chemotherapy treated rats to induce an increase in oxidative activity. Spontaneous hydrogen peroxide release
appears to increase in chemotherapy rats up to three fold, thus indicating a potential source of the
neurocognitive symptoms of PCCI.
ARP2/3 COMPLEX MEDIATES EFs-DIRECTED MIGRATION OF NEURAL STEM CELL-DERIVED
OLIGODENDROCYTE PRECURSORS
Li, Yongchao,1 Pei-Shan Wang,2 George Lucas,3 Rong Li2 and Li Yao1*
1
Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, 67260
2
Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, 64110
3
Department of Orthopaedics, Via Christi Hospital, Wichita, KS, 67214
Abstract
The loss of oligodendrocytes in a lesion of the central nervous system causes demyelination and therefore
impairs axon function and survival. Transplantation of neural stem cell (NSC)-derived oligodendrocyte
precursor cells (OPCs) (NSC-OPCs) results in increased oligodendrocyte formation and enhanced
remyelination. The directional migration of grafted cells to the target can promote the establishment of
functional reconnection and myelination in the process of neural regeneration. Endogenous electric fields (EFs)
that were detected in the development of the central nervous system can regulate cell migration. NSCs were
isolated from the brains of ARPC2+/+ and ARPC2-/- mouse embryo and differentiated into OPCs. After
differentiation, the cultured oligospheres were stimulated with EFs (50mV/mm, 100mV/mm or 200mV/mm).
The migration of OPCs from oligospheres were recorded using time-lapse microscopy. We found that NSCOPCs migrated toward the cathode pole in EFs. The directedness and displacement of cathodal migration
increased significantly when the EF strength increased from 50 to 200 mV/mm. However, the EF did not
significantly change the cell migration speed. We also showed that the migration speed of ARPC2−/− OPCs,
deficient in the actin-related proteins 2 and 3 (ARP2/3) complex, was significantly lower than that of wild type of
OPCs. ARPC2−/− OPCs migrated randomly in EFs. The migration direction of NSC-OPCs can be controlled by
EFs. The function of ARP complex is required for the cathodal migration of NSC-OPCs in EFs. EF-guided cell
migration is an effective model to understanding the intracellular signaling pathway in the regulation of cell
migration directness and motility.
7
PLATFORM PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Sunday, January 18, 2015
DETERMINING PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS,
H5N1, IN THE UNITED STATES
Miller, Rachel and Xiaolu Wu
Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University
The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, H5N1, also known as bird flu, has been infecting humans and
poultry since 1996. According to WHO, the virus has spread to sixty-six countries and killed 393 out of 667
people infected, making the mortality rate 59.3%. Due to the H5N1 virus’s high mutation rate, researchers
believe that a future H5N1 pandemic is just a matter of time. The goal of our research was to determine public
awareness within the United States about H5N1. We addressed this question from two angles. First, we
contacted airlines, a chicken processing plant, and various health professionals by phone and e-mail to see
what their knowledge about H5N1 was and also their concern about the potential pandemic. Secondly, we
created a questionnaire to determine what the average United States citizen knows about H5N1, such as virus
transmission, mortality rate, and the difference between H5N1 and the seasonal flu. Collected data indicated
that health professionals, airlines, and the chicken processing plant were informed about H5N1. However,
many of them gave the impression that preparing for the future H5N1 pandemic is not really a concern.
Furthermore, data from the questionnaire suggested that most of the public have heard about H5N1, but
severely lack knowledge about basic information regarding the virus. In conclusion, we believe that more public
education about the H5N1 virus is needed in order to prepare for the potential pandemic predicted by
researchers.
BIOENERGETIC INFLUENCE OF AMYLOID BETA GENERATION
Wilkins, Heather M.1,2, Steven M Carl2, Suruchi A Ramanujan2, Sam G Weber2 and Russell H Swerdlow1-4
1
Department of Neurology, 2University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Center, 3Department of Molecular and
Integrative Physiology, 4Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical
Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
Amyloid beta (Aβ) associates with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is believed by many to cause it, and is central to
major therapeutic initiatives. How Aβ is processed from the parent amyloid precursor protein (APP) is
understood, although Aβ and APP function, as well as what regulates APP processing, is incompletely
understood. Two potentially intersecting AD pathologies include mitochondrial dysfunction and Aβ production.
We therefore directly tested the relationship between APP processing and mitochondrial function. Enhancing
mitochondrial respiration in SH-SY5Y cells led to a decrease in excreted soluble APPα (sAPPα), no change in
APP messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, decrease in APP protein, and a decrease in soluble excreted Aβ-42.
Similar results were observed in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. The use of a proteasome inhibitor did not
prevent the reduction in APP protein. Thus, suggesting these results are not a result of APP protein
proteasome degradation. A respiratory incompetent SH-SY5Y cell line, displayed an increase in sAPPα, no
change in APP mRNA or protein, and a decrease in soluble excreted Aβ1-42. Current experiments are
underway to determine the levels of insoluble APP and Aβ1-42. Determining the “upstream” event or events that
initiate and drive AD is critical to the development of future therapeutic interventions.
8
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
1. Bowman, Connor, L. Lan, and X. Xu
Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas: MOLECULAR CANCER THERAPY THAT
INDUCES AUTOPHAGY
2. Candler, J.1, R.K. Gupta1, and L. Dong2
1
2
Department of Chemistry, Pittsburg State University, 1701 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 66762, Physics,
Astronomy, and Materials Science, Missouri State University, 901 S. National Avenue, Springfield, MO 65897:
EFFECT OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES ON ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF POLYLACTIC ACID
NANOFIBERS*
3. Caywood, M., R.l Ortega, H. Wang, T. N. Samarakoon, D. L. Troyer and S. H. Bossmann,
Departments of Chemistry and Anatomy & Physiology, Kansas State University: A NEW APPROACH
TOWARDS PREDICTING THE OUTCOME OF TREATING TRIPLE-NEGATIVE CANCER
4. Elmore, T.1, R.K. Gupta1 and S-Y. Yang2
1
Department of Chemistry, Pittsburg State University, 1701 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 66762
Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount St., Wichita, KS 67260:
POLYLACTIC ACID-HYDROXYAPATITE NANOFIBERS FOR BIODEGRADABLE METALLIC IMPLANTS*
2
5. Heckert, B., D. Thompson, K. Woody and S. Santra
Department of Chemistry, Biology and Kansas Polymer Research Center, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg,
KS 66762: INHIBITOR-INDUCED COMBINATION THERAPY OF K-RAS DRIVEN NSCLC
6. Maaty, W. S.1 and D. D. Weis1,2
1
2
Department of Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
66045: DEVELOPMENT OF A MASS SPECTROMETRY ASSAY TO SCREEN PROTEOME-DERIVED
PEPTIDE LIBRARIES FOR BINDING TO PROTEIN TARGETS
7. Meneely, S. and Dr. V. Rider
Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University: CHANGES IN ESTROGEN RECEPTOR ALPHA (ERα)
PHOSPHORYLATION IN HUMAN T CELLS
8. Steffensen, E.1, H. Elsarraj2 and F. Behbod2
1
2
Rockhurst University, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical
Center: ASSESS THE EFFICACY OF A NATURAL COMPOUND, CARNOSIC ACID (CA) IN PREVENTION
OF HUMAN DUCTAL CARCINOMA IN SITU (DCIS) PROGRESSION TO INVASIVE DUCTAL CARCINOMA
(IDC).
9. Winkley, K., V. L. M. Davidson and K. Michel
Kansas State University, Division of Biology: SURVIVAL EFFECTS OF SRPN2 KNOCKDOWN AFTER
BEAUVERIA BASSIANA
10. Wu, X.1, L. Lan1, A. Smith1, R. Marquez1, D. Wilson2, S. Rogers3, P. Gao4, S. Lovell 5, J. Karanicolas1,6, D.
7
8
1 1
2
Dixon , J. Aubé , and L. Xu , Department of Molecular Biosciences, Laboratory for Early Stage Translational
3
4
COBRE-PSF Protein
Research, Center of Biomedical Research Excellence Medicinal Chemistry Core,
5
6
8
Purification Group, COBRE-PSF Protein Structure Core, Center for Bioinformatics, Department of Medicinal
7
Chemistry, The University of Kansas; Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Kansas Medical Center:
SMALL MOLECULE DISRUPTORS OF HuR-mRNA INTERACTION AS NOVEL CANCER THERAPY
11. Brokesh, A. M.1, C. C. Hunter1, D. J. Downes1, M. A. Davis2, and R. B. Todd1
1
2
Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Department of Genetics, The University of
Melbourne: A NEW MEDIATOR OF TRANSCRIPTIONAL REPRESSION OF A GATA TRANSCRIPTION
FACTOR
12. Carlson, M., W. Reeves and M. Veeman
Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS, 66506: LARGE-SCALE GENETIC FATE
MAPPING OF MEDIOLATERAL INTERCALATION IN THE CIONA NOTOCHORD
9
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
13. Curl, L. and T. Mueller
Kansas State University, Division of Biology: IMMOHISTOLOGICAL FLUORESCENCE DETECTION OF
SUBSTANCE P IN THE BRAIN OF ZEBRAFISH TO DELINEATE BRAIN REGIONS REGULATING EMOTION
14. De Silva, B. 1, 2, S. H. Peck3, A. Allen3 and S. Y. Lee2, 3, 4
1
2
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate
3
4
Group, Division of Biology, Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology Program, Kansas State University:
IDENTIFYING INTERACTING PROTEINS AND THE FUNCTIONAL ROLE OF CLN8, A
NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDER RELATED PROTEIN
15. Hustak, S., B. Thompson, A. Beeser and K. Asano
Kansas State University, Biology Department: POSSIBLE ROLE OF eIF5-MIMIC PROTEIN (5MP) IN
FIBROSARCOMA GROWTH
16. Kimball, A.-C.1,4, Dr. S. S. Yan2,4, Dr. Y. Wang3,4 and Dr. S. Yan3,4
1
2
3
4
Haskell Indian Nations University, Pharmacology and Toxicology and Higuchi Biosciences Center, University
of Kansas: LONG-TERM POTENTIATION AND ITS APPLICATIONS IN NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES
INVOLVING MEMORY LOSS OR DYSFUNCTION
17. Nider, J., J. Shelton and S. Brown
KSU Bioinformatics Center, Division of Biology, Ackert Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506:
EXPLORING THE LIMITS OF COMPARATIVE GENOMICS USING OPTICAL GENOME MAPS
18. Raghavan, R.1, J. (E.) Dai1, E. Goode2 and B. Fridley1
1
2
University of Kansas Medical Center; Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN: RECURRENT FUSION DETECTED
INVOLVING EEF1DP3 AND FRY GENES IN OVARIAN CANCER
19. Sensenich, K., S. Haller, C. Peng and S. Rothenburg
Division of Biology, Kansas State University: IDENTIFICATION AND FUNCTIONAL TESTING OF NATURAL
VARIANTS OF MYXOMA VIRUS INHIBITORS OF THE ANTIVIRAL PROTEIN KINASE R
20. Stadler, A. and Dr. S. Schmidt
Department of Chemistry, Washburn University: DETOSYLATION OF CYCLIC TOSYLAMIDES USING
SODIUM AMALGAM TO FORM AZAMACROCYCLES
21. Carter, J. J., G. H. Farley and E. T. Gillock
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University: CIPROFLOXACIN-RESISTANT BACTERIA
ISOLATED FROM MIGRATORY BIRDS MAY PROVIDE EVIDENCE FOR AVIAN SPECIES AS VECTORS OF
RESISTANT BACTERIA.
22. Farahbakhsh, M.1, 2, F. Koohestani1, 2 and V. Chennathukuzhi 1, 2
1
2
The Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of
Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS: REGULATION OF REST TARGET GENES IN UTERINE FIBROIDS
23. Jacobs, D. T.1, M. P Schonfeld1, L. M. Silva1, A. Chatterjee1, B. A. Allard1, G. C. Talbott2, D. R. Beier2,3 and P.
1
1
V. Tran , Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Kidney Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center,
2
Kansas City, KS , Genetics Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA ,
3
Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle,
WA: HYPOTHALAMIC LOSS OF CILIARY GENE, Thm1, PERTURBS THE NEURONAL CIRCUITRY
REGULATING APPETITE AND NUTRIENT PARTITIONING, CAUSING HYPERPHAGIA, OBESITY AND
METABOLIC SYNDROME
24. Kaplan, S., M. Newby, R. Limbocker, M. Sun, and M. A. Johnson
Department of Chemistry and R. N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas:
DOPAMINE RELEASE AND UPTAKE MEASUREMENTS IN CHEMOTHERAPY-TREATED RATS
10
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
25. Li, Y.,1 P.-S. Wang,2 G. Lucas,3 R. Li,2 and L. Yao1*
1
2
Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, 67260, Stowers Institute for
3
Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, 64110, Department of Orthopaedics, Via Christi Hospital, Wichita, KS,
67214: ARP2/3 COMPLEX MEDIATES EFs-DIRECTED MIGRATION OF NEURAL STEM CELL-DERIVED
OLIGODENDROCYTE PRECURSORS
26. Li, Y.,1 J. Knapp,2 P. Smith,2 and L. Yao1
1
2
Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, 67260, Bioinformatics Facility,
Kansas Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, University of Kansas Medical Center,
Kansas City, KS 66160: EXPLORATION OF MOLECULAR PATHWAYS MEDIATING ELECTRIC FIELDDIRECTED SCHWANN CELL MIGRATION BY RNA-Seq
27. Limpiado, MarcArthur1, Almqvist, F.2 and Bann, J.1
1
2
Chemistry Department, Wichita State University, Department of Chemistry, Umea University: CHAPERONEUSHER INTERACTIONS AS A THERAPEUTIC TARGET FOR INHIBITION OF CS1 PILUS ASSEMBLY
28. Noonan, J.1, B. Chapin1, K. Tabanor², M. Behymer² and T. J. Siahaan2
1
2
Environmental Science Department, Haskell Indian Nations University, Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, University of Kansas: SOLUTION PHASE PEPTIDE SYNTHESIS OF CYCLIC-ADTPPV USING
Fmoc/OtBu AND Boc/OBzl PROTECTIVE GROUPS
29. Ruggles, P.,1,2 and M. A. Johnson1,2,3
1
2
Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Ralph. N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry,
Department of Neuroscience, University of Kansas: DEVELOPMENT OF A MICRO-OPTRODE FOR PHOTOSTIMULATION AND ELECTROCHEMICAL DETECTION.
3
30. Zhao, Z. and M. He*
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Kansas State University, USA, meih@ksu.edu: RAPID
MICROFLUIDIC ExoSearch FOR EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF OVARIAN CANCER
31. Adams, J.1, T. Budden1,2 and S. Lee1,2
1
2
Division of Biology, Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology Program: CLN5 DEFICIENCY RESULTS IN
ALTERATIONS IN AUTOPHAGY AND THE mTOR PATHWAY
32. Kumar, A.1, D. Ma1, J. M. Shuler1, S. Tungtur2, T. Numata2, H. Nishimune2 and J. Stanford1
1
2
Departments of Molecular & Integrative Physiology and Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical
Center, Kansas City, KS 66160: EFFECTS OF TONGUE FORCE TRAINING ON BULBAR MOTOR
FUNCTION IN SOD1-G93A RATS
33. Limbocker, R. A.1, S. V. Kaplan1, and M. A. Johnson1,2
1
2
Department of Chemistry and R.N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, Neuroscience Program,
University of Kansas, Lawrence KS 66045: ANALYSIS OF NEUROCHEMISTRY IN CHEMOTHERAPYTREATED RATS TO UNDERSTAND THE MECHANISM OF NEURODEGENERATION IN POSTCHEMOTHERAPY COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
34. Lupe, C., B. Clarkson, and B. Chapin
Haskell Indian Nations University, FWS, Haskell Indian Nations University Professor: COMMUNITY BASED
RESEARCH: WATER CHEMISTRY ANALYSES OF WILLIAMS CREEK HATCHERY AND THREE LAKES
ON THE WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE RESERVATION WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ENDANGERED
APACHE TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS APACHE)
35. Marriage, T. N., and B. JSC Olson
Kansas State University, Division of Biology: THE GENETIC BASIS OF MULTICELLULARITY BY
EVOLUTIONARY TRANSCRIPTOMICS
36. Miller, M. A., M. Zeineldin and K. L. Neufeld
Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045: DEMONSTRATING A ROLE
FOR NUCLEAR APC IN INTESTINAL CELLULAR DIFFERENTIATION
11
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
37. Murray, M. J. 1, M. T. Basel2 and D. L. Troyer2
1
2
Department of Biology; Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, Department of Anatomy and
Physiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506: ANALYZING FETAL LIVER EXTRACT FOR
ANTI-TUMOR PROPERTIES
38. Pollard, K.1 and Dr. S. Lewis2
1
2
Biology Department and
Chemistry Department, Langston University, Langston, OK, United States:
BIOINFORMATICS OF AMYLOID PRKECURSOR PROTEIN (APP) IN DEMENTIA
39. Suderman, E., A. Matlock, C. Clay and R. Ward
Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas: GENETIC CONTROL OF TISSUE SPECIFIC
GROWTH IN THE LARVAL TRACHEA OF DROSOPHILA
40. Walker, S. and L. S. Elles
Washburn University, Department of Chemistry: THE ROLE OF DbpA IN E. coli RIBOSOME ASSEMBLY
41. Ball, J. D., J. L. Fay, W. N. Mulder, D. Zimmerman, and S. Zimmerman
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University BIOPROSPECTING FOR ANTIMICROBIAL
PRODUCING ORGANISMS IN SOIL
42. Claridge, S. and Dr. D. Nutbrown
Department of Physical Sciences, Emporia State University: COMPUTATIONAL MODELING
FLUORESCENT PROBES TO UNDERSTAND HOW LITHIUM TREATS MANIC DEPRESSION
OF
43. DeLoach, E., D. Crawford, Z. Burrow and C. Dionne
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center: COMPARISON OF
WORK PERFORMANCE IN MEN WITH TRAUMATIC TRANSTIBIAL AMPUTATION AND ONE MALE AT
RISK FOR RESIDUUM INJURY
44. Evans, P., M. Vides and Y. Kobayashi
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University: IDENTIFICATION OF BETA AND ALPHA
ADRENERGIC RECEPTOR mRNA AND THEIR TISSUE DISTRIBUTION IN CHANNEL CATFISH
45. Kicklighter, L., L. A. Feuerbacher, and A. Nguyen
Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine: TARGETING GAP
JUNCTION INTERCELLULAR COMMUNICATION FOR TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER
TREATMENT
46. Mahoney, J. M. and T. J. Wiese
Department of Chemistry, Fort Hays State University: RT qPCR QUANTIFICATION OF FUCOSE
METABOLISM ENZYMES
47. Newton, M. D.1,2 and C. E. Lunte1,2
1
2
Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Research, Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas,
Lawrence, KS 66045: UTILIZING MICRODIALYSIS AND ELECTROCORTIOGRAPHY TO UNDERSTAND
BRAIN SEIZURE ACTIVITY
48. Steffey, D. and A. F. Herbig
Department of Biology, Washburn University, Topeka, KS: THE BACILLUS SUBTILIS YhdP PROTEIN AND
ITS ROLE IN CELLULAR MAGNESIUM HOMEOSTASIS
49. Thacker, C., A. Alliband, Z. Wang, D. English* and D. Burns*
Wichita State University: DEVELOPING A TARGETING SYSTEM FOR BACTERIAL MEMBRANES
50. Vediyappan, G. 1 *, S. Gunewardena2, and B. Yoo2
1
2
Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506; KIDDRC, University of Kansas Medical
Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160: GENOME-WIDE TRANSCRIPTIONAL ANALYSES OF CANDIDA
ALBICANS YEAST-TO-HYPHA TRANSITION AND HYPHAL GROWTH INHIBITION BY GYMNEMIC ACIDS.
12
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
51. Alhadyian, H. and R. Ward
Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas: THE ROLE OF SEPTATE JUNCTION GENES IN
DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER OOGENESIS
52. Biswell, R., M. Coleman, and S. Brown
Division of Biology, Ackert Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS 66506: OPTIMIZING THE ISOLATION
OF HMW DNA FOR OPTICAL MAPPING
53. Grigsby, R.1 and S. M. Lunte1,2,3
1
2
The Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry,
Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas: EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES OF THE RALPH N. ADAMS
INSTITUTE COBRE CORE MICROFABRICATION FACILITY
3
54. Guo, Y., R. Marquez, X. Wu, A. Smith, L. Lan, and X. Liang
Departments of Molecular Biosciences and Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, KU
Lawrence, KS.: LONG NON-CODING RNA lincRNA-p21 AND RADIATION RESPONSE OF CANCER
55. Lundin, H.,1 and A. Mahapatro*1,2
1
2
Bioengineering Program & Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering,
Wichita State University, Wichita, KS-67260: BIO-CORROSION EVALUATIONS IN ACCELERATED
DYNAMIC ELECTROCHEMICAL CONDITIONS
56. Marquez, R. T., E. Binshtok, G. Pretz, M. Mackiewicz, and L. Xu
Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045: ENHANCING
THERAPEUTIC DELIVERY OF TUMOR SUPPRESSOR microRNAs INTO PANCREATIC CANCER CELLS
57. Parker, J. E., J. F. Regal, Ph.D., and S. Fleming, Ph.D.
Department of Biology: Kansas State University, Department of Biomedical Sciences: University of Minnesota
Duluth: COMPLEMENT C3 AND IgM DEPOSITION IN PLACENTAL ISCHEMIA-INDUCED HYPERTENSION
IN RAT
58. Sabbagh, A.1, Y. Hong2, H. Elsarraj2, C. Hodge2, J. Fontes3, and F. Behbod2
1
2
College of William and Mary, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Kansas
3
Medical Center, Department of Biochemistry, The University of Kansas Medical Center: IDENTIFICATION OF
THE ROLE OF NUCLEAR BCL9 IN DCIS INVASIVE PROGRESSION TO IDC
59. Urban, A. D., Y. Kobayashi, and B. R. Maricle
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University: EFFECTS OF LACTIC ACID ON ANAEROBIC
RESPIRATION IN CHANNEL CATFISH (ICTALURUS PUNCTATUS) LIVER
60. Westby, R,. B. *and C. J. Neef
Department of Chemistry, Pittsburg State University: ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF COPOLYMERS
FROM VINYLFERROCENE AND 4-VINYLPYRIDINE
61. DeVries, H., T. Dugan, and P. Harries
Pittsburg State University, Department of Biology: ASSESSING THE ROLE OF A Lim5 HOMOLOGUE ON
ACTIN FILAMENT STRUCTURE IN PHYSCOMITRELLA PATENS.
62. Hall, R.1, D.Jones2, J. Chesnut2 and S. Anderson3
University of Scholar: Langston University, Location of Research: University of California-Davis, Davis,
California, US, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, US, Funding: NSF, Mentors: Dr. Scott Russell,
Oklahoma University, and Dr. Venkatesan Sundaresan, University of California-Davis: ISOLATION OF
ANTIPODAL CELLS AND GENE EXPRESSION ANALSYSIS IN RICE
63. Jimenez, A.1, R.K. Gupta1, and S-Y. Yang2,
1
2
Department of Chemistry, Pittsburg State University, 1701 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 66762, Department of
Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount St., Wichita, KS 67260: NANO-FIBERS OF
POLYCAPROLACTONE- HYDROXYAPATITE FOR BONE-REGENERATION*
13
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
64. Martin, N. M., Y. Kobayashi, and B. R. Maricle
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University: SPECIES-SPECIFIC ENZYMATIC
TOLERANCE OF SULFIDE TOXICITY IN PLANT ROOTS AND COMPARATIVE SUSCEPTIBILITY
BETWEEN PLANT AND CATFISH TISSUE
65. Mohamed, J. R., G. R. Bousfield, V. Y. Butnev, and V.Y. Butnev
Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University: DOES HYPO-GLYCOSYLATED FOLLICLESTIMULATING HORMONE EXIST IN OVINE, BOVINE, AND PORCINE PITUITARY GLANDS?
66. Nash, C., P. Evans, and Y. Kobayashi
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University: Stearoyl-CoA DESATURASE mRNA IN
CHANNEL CATFISH: A POTENTIAL MOLECULAR MARKER TO INVESTIGATE DEVELOPMENT OF
OBESITY USING NON-MODEL FISH SPECIES
67. Schieferecke, A. J., C. Peng, S. L. Haller, and S. Rothenburg
Division of Biology, Kansas State University: GENERATION OF IMPROVED ONCOLYTIC MYXOMA VIRUS
68. Smith, A.r1, R. Marquez1, B. Tsao1, S. Pathak3, A. Roy1, J. Ping3, B. Wilkerson1, L. Lan1, K. Neufeld1, X-F. Sun3,
1,21
2
and L. Xu Department of Molecular Biosciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas
3
Cancer Center, USA, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Sweden: A
NEW TALE OF DAVID & GOLIATH; miR-137 TARGETS THE SAMURAI WARRIOR OF CANCER, Musashi-1
69. van Loben Sels, J., M. Perusina-Lanfranca and D. J. Davido
Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA: ROLES OF HSV-1
INFECTED CELL PROTEIN 0 IN THE IMPAIRMENT OF THE INTERFERON-β RESPONSE
70. Wilkins, H. M.1,2, S. M. Carl2, S. A. Ramanujan2, S. G. Weber2,and R. H. Swerdlow1-4
1
2
3
Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Department of Molecular and
4
Integrative Physiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical
Center, Kansas City, KS, USA: BIOENERGETIC INFLUENCE OF AMYLOID BETA GENERATION
71. Bender, A. M., C. Perera, and B. R. Peterson
The KU Center for Molecular Analysis of Disease Pathways, and The Department of Medicinal Chemistry, The
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS: THE KANSAS UNIVERSITY MOLECULAR PROBES CORE FACILITY:
YOUR SOURCE FOR CHEMICAL BIOLOGY ASSAY DEVELOPMENT AND CUSTOM-SYNTHESIZED
MOLECULAR PROBES
72. Burdiek, W. and T. Burnett
Department of Biological Sciences, Emporia State University: PRODUCTION AND PURIFICATION OF A
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TO BLOCK IL-2 SIGNALING IN MICE
73. Field, T.1,2, R. Givens1, and M. A. Johnson1,2,3
1
2
3
Department of Chemistry, R. N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, Neuroscience Program,
University of Kansas: SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PHOTOCAGED SULFHYDRYLS
74. Hipp, L., N. Wilson, D. Acevedo, and I.Saadi
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS: WNT/β CATENIN SIGNALING IS MISREGULATED UPON SPECC1L DEFICIENCY
75. Lan, L.1, C. Appelman1, A. Smith1, S. Larsen1, J. Yu1, R. Marquez1, X. Wu1, H. Liu1, A. Roy2, A. Anbanandam3,
1,4
1,4
5
5
1
1
1 1
R. Gowthaman , J. Karanicolas , S. Rogers , J. Aubé , R. De Guzman , K. Neufeld , and L. Xu , Department
2
3
4
of Molecular Biosciences, High Throughput Screening Laboratory, Bio-NMR Core Facility, Center for
5
Bioinformatics, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas: SMALL
MOLECULE INHIBITORS OF MUSASHI FAMILY OF RNA-BINDING PROTEINS
76. Mehraein, H. and K. Cluff
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wichita State University: ANALYSIS OF MUSCLE CELL PATHOLOGY
WITH SPECTRAL BIOMARKERS
14
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
77. Nelson, J. and T. Sadikot
Biology Department, Washburn University: IDENTIFICATION AND ANNOTATION OF GENE FEATURES IN
DROSOPHILA BIARMPIES Contig59 USING A COMPUTATIONAL-GENOMICS APPROACH
78. Sun, M. and M. A. Johnson*
Department of Chemistry and R. N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas,
Lawrence, KS 66045, United States: MEASURING TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY (TAC) IN
TRANSGENIC MICE MODELED HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE (HD) ON CRAFT PAPER-BASED ANALYTICAL
DEVICES(cPADS)
79. Wells, C. B.1, M. E. Carney1, X. T. Lam1, D. E. Kepko1, M. L. Mueller1, B. M. Miller1, R. E. Peterson2, and M. M.
1
1
2
Bailey , Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Psychology, Emporia State University: THE
EFFECTS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS ON CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE TERATOGENESIS
80. Zhang, Q. and M. Gong
Department of Chemistry, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas, 67260: PDMS-INTERCONNECTED
MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS FOR RAPID SEPARATIONS OF NEUROTRANSMITTERS
81. Abudu, T. , K. Creech and M. Peak
Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS: RAG-1 AND RSS INTERACTIONS IN
LYMPHOID TISSUE DURING V(D)J RECOMBINATION
82. Chien, J.1, X. Zhang,1 L. Cheng,1 K. Minn,1 J. Madden,1 R. Madan,2 A. K. Godwin,2 and V.Shridhar3
1
Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.A.,
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas,
3
U.S.A., Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota,
U.S.A.:TARGETING p53-FoxM1 AXIS IN CANCER
2
83. Davis, L.,1 N.V. Seetala2 and U. Siriwardane3
1
2
3
Langston University, Grambling State University and Louisiana Tech University: CHARACTERIZATION OF
ALUMINA SUPPORTED SYN-GAS CONVERSION BIMETALLIC NANOCATALYSTS
84. Dickson, J. and S. Angel
Washburn University Department of Chemistry: SOLVENT-FREE SYNTHESIS OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE
STILBENOID DERIVATIVES
85. German, A. and Dr. S. Lewis
Biology and Chemistry Department, Langston University: BIOINFORMATICS OF DIHYDROPYRIMIDINASERELATED PROTEIN 2 IN SCHIZOPHRENIA
86. Koohestani, F.1, M. McWilliams1, K. Shivashankar2, S. Ganeshkumar1, M. Farahbakhsh1 and V.
1
1
Chennathukuzhi , Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center,
2
Kansas City, KS, Columbia University, New York City, NY: HUMAN UTERINE LEIOMYOMAS: UNIQUE
REGULATION OF WNT PATHWAYS
87. Leiker, A., C. Nash, and Y. Kobayashi
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University: INSULIN RECEPTOR mRNA IN CHANNEL
CATFISH: A POTENTIAL MOLECULAR MARKER TO INVESTIGATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF OBESITY IN
NON-MODEL FISH SPECIES
88. Vides, M., P. Evans, and Y. Kobayashi
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University: USE OF AMP PROTEIN KINASE AS A
POTENTIAL MOLECULAR MARKER TO INVESTIGATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF OBESITY IN NONMODEL FISH SPECIES
89. Vides, M., Watkins, B., S. Suppes, and Y. Kobayashi
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University: IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION
OF TRAPPC 11 mRNA IN CHANNEL CATFISH: A POTENTIAL GENETIC MARKER TO INVESTIGATE
OBESITY-RELATED METABOLIC DISORDERS USING NON-MODEL FISH SPECIES
15
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
90. Wang, X.1,2,3, J. Hackett1,2, E. Lundquist1,2,4, and S. Lunte1,4,5
1
2
3
Center for Molecular Analysis of Disease Pathways, Genome Sequencing Core, Higuchi Biosciences Center,
4
5
Department of Molecular Biosciences, Department of Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry,
University of Kansas: GENOME SEQUENCING CORE LAB AT KU-LAWRENCE
3
91. Ambrose, J.1, A. Bansal 2, and L.K. Christenson3
1
2
Benedictine College ; Department of Gastroenterology, Kansas City VA Medical Center ; Department of
3
Integrative and Molecular Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center : DEVELOPMENT OF
METHODOLOGY FOR CULTURE OF HUMAN SQUAMOUS, BARRETT'S, AND ESOPHAGEAL
ADENOCARCINOMA
CELL LINES
TO
ALLOW
ISOLATION
OF
SECRETED
EXOSOMES
92. Bowen, J., G. Anderson, and D. Zurek
Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University: CHARCOAL ROT RESISTANCE IN TRANSGENIC
SOYBEANS
93. Gordon, D. M.1, A.A. Hroobi 1, and R. K. Raghavan 2
1
2
Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University, Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Parasitology,
College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University: A NEW METHOD TRAPPING TICKS WITH CO2
ATTRACTANT GENERATES SAMPLE SIZES LARGE ENOUGH FOR COMPARING TICK ABUNDANCE IN
DIFFERENT VEGETATION TYPES.
94. Harvey, R. and L. Sharpe Elles.
Chemistry Department, Washburn University: E. coli DbpA ACTIVITY AND ROLE IN RIBOSOME ASSEMBLY
95. McWilliams, M.1, F. Koohestani1, C. Williams2, S. Gunewardena1, T. R. Kumar1, and V. Chennathukuzhi1
1
2
Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Reproductive
Medicine Group, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences: ESTROGEN RECEPTOR-ALPHA AND EZH2 MEDIATED SUPPRESSION OF THE
PRICKLE1 - REST PATHWAY IN UTERINE LEIOMYOMA.
96. Moore, C., J. Morris, I. Harmon, M. Rork, B. Thompson, M. Flax, J. Rogers, H. Hiraishi, and K. Asano
Division of Biology, Kansas State University: eIF1 INTERACTIONS WITH eIF3c AND eIF5 WITHIN THE
TRANSLATION INITIATION MULTIFACTOR COMPLEX PLAY OPPOSITE ROLES IN ACCURATE
TRANSLATION INITIATION
97. Newmaster, M. N. and P. A. Chung
Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University: ANALYSIS OF POSSIBLE GENES INVOLVED IN
TUMORIGENESIS
98. Peel, E. and K. Michel
Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS: THE EXTRACELLULAR PROTEASE NETWORK
THAT REGULATES MOSQUITO MELANIZATION
99. Peters, E., A. Khosla, and K. Schrick
Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS: CHARACTERIZATION OF START DOMAINS
AND CO-REGULATORS LINKING METABOLISM TO DEVELOPMENT
100. Scheib, Hu. and M.Madden, Ph.D
Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS 67601, Tel: (785)628-5677: THE INCIDENCE RATE OF THE MAGICANGLE EFFECT IN THE OBLIQUE CORONAL T1-WEIGHTED IMAGES OF THE SUPRASPINATUS
TENDON
101. Bhusri, A., and V. Rider
Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University: DEAD END HOMOLOGUE (DND1) PROTEIN IS
INFLUENCED BY AGE AND ESTRADIOL IN NORMAL T CELLS.
16
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
102. Castro Munoz, M. and T. Burnett
Department of Biological Sciences, Emporia State University: PATTERN RECOGNITION AND RESPONSE
ARE NOT INFLUENCED BY BACTERIA OR HYPOXIA IN A CELL CULTURE MODEL OF INTESTINAL
EPITHELIUM
103. Dismuke, T.1, 2, J. Roelofs1, and A.De La Mota-Peynado1
1
Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Development Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas,
Department of Biology, Langston University, Langston, Oklahoma: THE INVESTIGATION OF PROTEASOME
DEGRADATION IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
2
104. Forsythe, C. J., X. Zhang and Dr. D. L. Nutbrown
Emporia State University- Department of Physical Sciences: SYNTHESIS OF A 1-AZA-9-CROWN-3SUBSTITUTED COUMARIN FOR FLUORESCENCE SENSING OF METAL IONS
105. Gehringer, R.C.1, S. M. Fantin1, and M. A. Johnson1,2
1
2
Department of Chemistry and Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, Neuroscience Program,
The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas: FAST-SCAN CYCLIC VOLTAMMETRY MEASUREMENTS OF
SEROTONIN RELEASE IN CHEMOTHERAPY-TREATED RATS
106. Hroobi, A.1, D. Gordon1 and R. Raghavan2
1
2
Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS and Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS: SPECIES DIVERSITY,
SEASONAL PHENOLOGY OF TICKS (ACARINA) IN SOUTHEAST KANSAS
107. Morris, J.1, L. Tang1, J. Nanda2, H. Hiraishi1, C. Moore1, I. Harmon1, J. Lorsch2, C. Ranjit Singh1, and K. Asano1,
1
2
Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS-66506, National Institute of Health, Bethesda,
MD: EFFECT OF HUMAN EIF5-MIMIC PROTEIN (5MP) ON TRANSLATION INITIATION STRINGENCY IN
YEAST.
108. Shin, M. 1,2 M. Sun,1,2 and M. Johnson ‡1,2,3
1
2
3
Department of Chemistry,
Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry,
Department of Neuroscience,
University of Kansas: DEVELOPMENT OF A MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE FOR MEASURING
NEUROTRANSMITTER RELEASE BY FAST-SCAN CYCLIC VOLTAMMETRY
109. Strathman, H., S. Godar, L. Mosher, and M. Bortolato
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas: DO ANDROGENS
PLAY A CRITICAL DEVELOPMENTAL ROLE IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF TOURETTE SYNDROME?
110. Woody, K., S. Sulthana, J. Kallu and S. Santra
Department of Chemistry, Biology, KPRC, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS 66762: PSMA-RECEPTOR
TARGETING MAGNETIC NANOPROBES: NOVEL NANOTHERANOSTICS FOR THE TREATMENT OF
PROSTATE CARCINOMAS
111. Bradley, A. M.1, D. L. Boyle1, E. S. Mays1, J. M. Paper1, and K. Schrick1,2,3
1
2
3
Division of Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Molecular, Cellular and
Developmental Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-4901: ROLE OF
GLUCOSYLCERAMIDE SYNTHASE IN CELL-TYPE DIFFERENTIATION OF PLANTS
112. Cui, W. and J. L. Staudinger
Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas: DETECTION OF NOVEL INFLAMMATION-INDUCED
CELLULAR SUMO-TARGET PROTEINS IN HEPATOCYTE-DERIVED MODELS OF INFLAMMATORY LIVER
DISEASE.
113. Fields, J-M.1, T. Marriage2 and B. JSC Olson2
1
2
Langston University Biology Department, 701 Sammy Davis Jr. Drive Langston, OK 73050, Kansas State
University Biology Department, 119 Anderson Hall Manhattan, KS 66506: ALGAE: THE KEY TO UNLOCKING
MULTICELLULARITY ABSTRACT
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POSTER PRESENTATIONS
114. Hamid, N. and Dr. J. Krise
University of Kansas Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry: EXPLORING THE ROLE OF LYSOSOMAL
TRAPPING IN DEFINING THE DURATION OF ACTION OF β2-AGONISTS USED THE TREATMENT OF
COPD AND ASTHMA
115. May, J. and T. Sadikot
Washburn University, Biology Department: IDENTIFICATION AND ANNOTATION OF GENE FEATURES IN
DROSOPHILA BIARMPIES Contig54 USING A COMPUTATIONAL-GENOMICS APPROACH
116. Miller, R. and X. Wu
Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University: DETERMINING PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE
HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS, H5N1, IN THE UNITED STATES
117. Saiz Jr., S. , T. Dille, R. Yadav, and M. Beck
Chemistry Department, Wichita State University: THE INVESTIGATION AND PURIFICATION OF Ig4Patu2: A
MUTATION INVOLVED IN PANCREATIC CANCER
118. Smith, S. J. and E. T. Gillock
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University: ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF
BACTERIOPHAGE INFECTIOUS IN ENTEROBACTER CLOACAE
119. Supple, Rachel, Isabella Fuentes, Angela N. Pierce, Ruipeng Wang and Julie A. Christianson
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA: THE
IMPACT OF EARLY LIFE STRESS AND VOLUNTARY EXERCISE INTERVENTION ON COMORBID MOOD
AND UROGENITAL PAIN DISORDERS IN MALE MICE
18
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
1. MOLECULAR CANCER THERAPY THAT INDUCES AUTOPHAGY
Bowman, Connor, Lan Lan, and Xiang Xu
Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer that affects men and the second leading cause of cancer
death. Prostate and many other types of cancer overexpress the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2/Bcl-xL proteins,
which contribute to cancer’s initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance. Small molecule
inhibitors of Bcl-2/Bcl-xL can induce cell death by inhibiting pro-death molecules at the endoplasmic
reticulum and mitochondria. The Xu lab has previously identified four lead compounds from high
throughput screening as potent inhibitors of Bcl-2/Bcl-xL. The acridine series was synthesized based
on the lead structures. The ability of these compounds to induce cell death through autophagy was
tested in prostate cancer cell lines.
2. EFFECT OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES ON ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF POLYLACTIC ACID
NANOFIBERS*
Candler, John1, R.K. Gupta1, and L. Dong2
1
Department of Chemistry, Pittsburg State University, 1701 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 66762,
2
Physics, Astronomy, and Materials Science, Missouri State University, 901 S. National Avenue,
Springfield, MO 65897
Nanostructured materials particularly silver nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention due to
their potential applications in biomedical research, nanotechnology, catalysis and energy. Silver
nanoparticles as opposed to bulk silver have an increased inhibitory effect on microorganisms mainly
due to higher specific surface area. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a bioactive polymer which is compatible
with, and easily degraded by the human body. We have fabricated silver nanoparticles embedded
PLA using an electrospinning method. A PLA solution containing different concentrations of silver
nitrate was prepared by dissolving silver nitrate in dimethyl formamide (DMF), then adding
dichloromethane (DCM) to the solution, and finally dissolving PLA into the solution. After fabrication of
nanofibers, the silver ions were converted to silver nanoparticles via photo-reduction using UV
radiation. The morphology and structure of silver nanoparticle embedded PLA fibers were
characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM study indicated an average
diameter of the PLA fibers being 350 nm and silver particle size ranging from 150 – 180 nm. The
thermogravimetric analysis shows that the addition of silver and exposure to UV radiation does not
have detrimental effect on the properties of PLA nanofibers. Biological studies using E. coli and S.
aureus show that the antibacterial capacity is directly proportional to the concentration of the silver
nanoparticles within the fibers. Our study indicates that silver nanoparticles embedded PLA inhibit
bacterial growth and could be used for antibacterial bandages and water purifiers.
*This project was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute
of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under grant number P20 GM103418.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
3. A NEW APPROACH TOWARDS PREDICTING THE OUTCOME OF TREATING TRIPLENEGATIVE CANCER
Caywood, Madison, Raquel Ortega, Hongwang Wang, Thilani N. Samarakoon, Deryl L. Troyer and
Stefan H. Bossmann
Departments of Chemistry and Anatomy & Physiology, Kansas State University
Numerous proteases are known to be necessary for cancer development and progression including
MMPs, Tissue Serine Proteases, and Cathepsins. Based on the expression of these, we have
designed a protease assay, with the potential to detect early cancer. This assay consists of
fluorescent cyanine dyes and porphyrins attached to Fe/Fe3O4 nanoparticles via consensus
sequences. The sequences can be cleaved in the presence of the correct protease, thus releasing a
fluorescent dye from the nanoparticle, which can be detected using fluorescence spectroscopy. To
demonstrate the potential of this, we have analyzed blood, tissue, and serum samples from human
cancer patients and healthy volunteers. We were able to establish several proteases with diagnostic
potential. There is emerging evidence that different tumors will feature different "protease signatures"
depending on the origin and stage of the cancer. This permits diagnosis of various solid tumors at
different stages. The results obtained to date are promising and may lead to a simple, fast, and
inexpensive assay for the early diagnosis of tumors by means of a simple blood test.
Triple-negative breast cancer includes any breast cancer not characterized by expression of the
estrogen or progesterone receptors, or Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2. Although 50%75% of all basal-type breast cancers are triple-negative, there is no standard protocol to identify them
yet. Differences in response to treatment and relapse pattern are observed, with respect to the ER-,
PR-, and Her2/neu-expressing cancers. Therefore, it would be highly advantageous to develop
methods to distinguish subgroups of TNBCs.
4. POLYLACTIC ACID-HYDROXYAPATITE NANOFIBERS FOR BIODEGRADABLE METALLIC
IMPLANTS*
Elmore, Tyler1, R.K. Gupta1 and Shang-You Yang2
1
Department of Chemistry, Pittsburg State University, 1701 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 66762
2
Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount St., Wichita, KS 67260
Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have attracted considerable research interest for biomedical
applications because of their promising properties such as biocompatibility, low density and high
specific strength. However, the high corrosion rate of Mg severely limits its usage for these
applications. Therefore, in order to utilize Mg in these applications, the corrosion rate of Mg needs to
be slowed down. An effective way to reduce the corrosion rate of Mg and its alloys is surface
modification. Nanofibers of biocompatible polymers such as polylactic acid are very suitable for such
applications due to their biocompatibility, high surface area and porosity. We have fabricated
nanofibers of polylactic acid embedded with nanoparticles of hydroxyapatite using electrospinning
method. The morphology and diameter of the nanofibers were studied using scanning electron
microscopy. It was observed that the diameter of the nanofibers increases with increasing
hydroxyapatite content. The degradation rate of the uncoated and coated magnesium substrate was
studied using electrochemical technique in the phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution. It was
observed that the coating decreases the corrosion rate of magnesium significantly. Cytotoxicity and
cell growth using MC3T3-E-1 osteoblastic indicated no toxic effect of the coatings. The present study
suggests that nanofibers of polylactic acid-hydroxyapatite could be used as biocompatible coating for
biodegradable metallic implants.
* This project was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute
of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under grant number P20 GM103418.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
5. INHIBITOR-INDUCED COMBINATION THERAPY OF K-RAS DRIVEN NSCLC
Heckert, Blaze, Deaven Thompson, Kalee Woody and Santimukul Santra
Department of Chemistry, Biology and Kansas Polymer Research Center
Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS 66762
Star Trainee Award Presentation
Mutations in K-RAS are prevalent in 25% of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and so far is
considered to be undruggable. K-RAS is known to be the primary oncogenic driver in NSCLC and
more common in smokers. For the enhanced effectiveness of K-RAS inhibition, Hsp90 inhibitor has
been used. The Hsp90, a molecular chaperone known to affect multiple signaling cascades,
facilitates aberrant cancer cell survival by protecting mutated oncoproteins from targeted
degradation.
In this presentation, a new combination therapy will be discussed for the treatment of K-RAS driven
NSCLC to using Hsp90 inhibitor, Ganetespib and therapeutic drug taxol. Towards this end, a new
biocompatible hyperbranched polyester was developed, capable of formulating cancer targeting
theranostic nanoplatform. The projected aliphatic dendritic polyester is spherical in shape, indicating
the presence of enough polymeric cavities for the effective encapsulations of therapeutic drugs,
Hsp90 inhibitor and other cargos. The formulated nanomedicine was labelled with near infra-red
optical dye (DiI) for optical imaging, whereas encapsulation of Bi-DOTA complex added X-ray
imaging modality to monitor drugs (Ganetesib and taxol) homing. Nanotechnology-based modern
techniques was used to facilitate such molecular encapsulation processes. The surface of the
polymeric nanoparticles was decorated with small molecule folic acid using “click” chemistry. Results
showed that the formulated nanoplatforms are non-toxic (without the drug) and able to cross the
A549 cell membrane by the folate receptor-mediated internalizations (Figure). Further results with
the combination therapy of NSCLC will be discussed in this presentation.
6. DEVELOPMENT OF A MASS SPECTROMETRY ASSAY TO SCREEN PROTEOME-DERIVED
PEPTIDE LIBRARIES FOR BINDING TO PROTEIN TARGETS
Maaty, Walid S.1 and David D. Weis1,2
1
Department of Chemistry, 2Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas,
Lawrence, KS 66045
Cancer therapeutic development is a growing field. One of the avenues is the discovery and
development of protein-protein interaction inhibitors of key cellular proteins involved in cancer
metastasis. One approach to inhibiting protein interaction is to block the binding interface with a linear
peptide. We propose to use proteomes as the sources of inhibitors. The proteome approach would
enable us to screen evolved sequences as opposed to random peptides. In addition, post-translation
modifications would be preserved. In this study, we tested the feasibility of screening a complex
library for binding against a protein target using hydrogen exchange and mass spectrometry. We
used the specific binding of the model system of the human endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)
peptide and its target protein calmodulin. We created a rich peptide library from proteolytically
digested E.coli proteome and spiked this library with eNOS. We screened the library for binding to
recombinant calmodulin using hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry. The hydrogen exchange
analysis confirmed the expected specific binding between eNOS peptide and calmodulin. No binding
was detected between E. coli-derived peptides and calmodulin. This is not a surprise because
calmodulin is a eukaryotic protein and has no homologue in prokaryotic cells. This successful
feasibility study represents the first step in the proof-of-concept required to discover an inhibitor of a
protein-protein interaction.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
7. CHANGES IN ESTROGEN RECEPTOR ALPHA (ERα) PHOSPHORYLATION IN HUMAN T CELLS
Meneely, Samantha and Dr. Virginia Rider
Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University
Abstract
In breast cancer cell lines, certain sites of ERα are differentially phosphorylated (ser104/106, ser 118,
and ser167) resulting in altered ERα action. The purpose of the present study was to compare the
amount of ERα phosphorylation at these sites between resting and activated human T cell samples. T
cells were purified from normal blood samples (n = 8) by negative selection and proteins were
extracted. Some T cells were cultured in T cell activation medium containing PMA (10 ng/ml) and
ionomycin (0.5 µg/ml) for 4 h. Proteins were immunoprecipitated with ERα for 1 h and protein A/G
PLUS slurry overnight. It was then washed with PBS-0.1 M NaCl. Proteins were size fractionated by
SDS-PAGE and transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. The blots were sequentially reacted with
ERα and three phospho-specific antibodies ERα 118, 167, 104/106 that recognize ER-α only when
the specific site is phosphorylated. The amount of phosphorylation was compared by
chemiluminesence detection and the relative intensity was adjusted to total ERα (100%) for each
sample. Phosphorylation at Ser104/106 increased slightly in activated T cell samples (79.03% versus
82.49%) while phosphorylation at Ser118 and Ser167 decreased in response to activation (82.13%
versus 63.24% and 83.61% versus 66.75%, respectively). These results indicate that T cell activation
changes ERα phosphorylation and suggest altered phosphorylation could underlie differential
estradiol action in systemic lupus T cells.
8. ASSESS THE EFFICACY OF A NATURAL COMPOUND, CARNOSIC ACID (CA) IN PREVENTION
OF HUMAN DUCTAL CARCINOMA IN SITU (DCIS) PROGRESSION TO INVASIVE DUCTAL
CARCINOMA (IDC).
Steffensen, Emily1, Hanan Elsarraj2 and Fariba Behbod2
1
Rockhurst University
2
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the most common type of non-invasive breast cancers. The fiveyear survival rate for women diagnosed with non-invasive DCIS and locally invasive breast cancers
are 98% and 83.3% respectively, while, the five-year survival plummets to 27.1% for cancers that
have spread to distant sites. Molecular profiling of DCIS at distinct stages of in situ to IDC using our in
vivo DCIS MIND models led to the identification of BCL9 (B cell lymphoma-9). BCL9 is a nuclear cofactor that enhances Wnt-stimulated, β-catenin-mediated transcription. De la Roche and colleagues
screened for small molecular inhibitors of β-catenin binding to BCL9. Their screen identified carnosic
acid (CA), a compound found in rosemary. The hypothesis is that BCL9 promotes DCIS progression
to invasion and thus pharmacologic inhibition of BCL9/β-catenin may be a viable therapeutic strategy
for prevention of IDC. Methods: Performed MTS assays to assess cell proliferation; also performed
migration and invasion assays using matrigel and fibronectin in transwell plates. Results: We
demonstrated that CA significantly reduced cell proliferation in DCIS.com cells after 24 hours at the
50% inhibitory concentration of 25 uM. We were also able to significantly reduce DCIS.com invasion
through matrigel and migration through fibronectin transwells at 40, 50, and 60uM. Future direction:
To assess the safety and efficacy of CA in prevention of DCIS invasive progression using our in vivo
DCIS cell line MIND models. If our studies demonstrate efficacy for prevention of DCIS-IDC transition,
CA may serve as a future therapeutic strategy for prevention of IDC.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
9. SURVIVAL EFFECTS OF SRPN2 KNOCKDOWN AFTER BEAUVERIA BASSIANA
Winkley, Konner, Victoria L. M. Davidson and Kristin Michel
Kansas State University, Division of Biology
The African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae employs a multi-branched innate immune system in
response to pathogens. These branches are regulated, in part, by the serine protease inhibitor
(SRPN) family of proteins. To test the hypothesis of significant cross talk between these immune
system branches, we investigated the potential role of An. gambiae SRPN2, an inhibitor of
melanization in the African malaria mosquito, in the regulation of the Toll pathway. Specifically, we
determined the effect of SRPN2 knockdown on the survival of mosquitoes after infection with the
entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana. Using this experimental model, we determined that
injection of double-stranded (ds)RNA targeting SRPN2 (dsSRPN2) and subsequent infection with B.
bassiana drastically reduced average longevity of female mosquitoes when compared to controltreated mosquitoes. Knockdown of SRPN2 in the respective treatment groups was confirmed by
Western blot analysis of mosquito hemolymph using a SRPN2-specific antibody. Based on these
results, we conclude that the presence of SRPN2 is important for survival of A. gambiae after B.
bassiana infection, suggesting a more complex interplay between melanization and Toll pathway
activation than previously assumed. In addition, our findings can inform novel strategies to combat
malaria. B. bassiana is currently discussed as a bio-control agent to kill adult female mosquitoes as
an alternative to currently employed insecticides. Our data provide the first evidence that SRPN2
inhibition may be used to improve efficacy of such control efforts.
10. SMALL MOLECULE DISRUPTORS OF HuR-mRNA INTERACTION AS NOVEL CANCER
THERAPY
Wu, Xiaoqing1, Lan Lan1, Amber Smith1, Rebecca Marquez1, David Wilson2, Steven Rogers3, Philip
Gao4, Scott Lovell 5, John Karanicolas1,6, Dan Dixon7, Jeffrey Aubé8, and Liang Xu1
1
Department of Molecular Biosciences, 2Laboratory for Early Stage Translational Research, 3Center of
Biomedical Research Excellence Medicinal Chemistry Core, 4COBRE-PSF Protein Purification
Group, 5COBRE-PSF Protein Structure Core, 6Center for Bioinformatics, 8Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, The University of Kansas; 7Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Kansas
Medical Center.
The RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are critical trans factors that associate with specific cis elements
present in mRNAs, thereby regulating the fate of target mRNAs. The RBP Hu antigen R (HuR) is
overexpressed in many types of cancer and elevated cytoplasmic HuR level correlates with advanced
stage, high-grade, and poor outcomes of those cancer. HuR promotes tumorigenesis by interacting
with cancer-associated mRNAs, which encode proteins that are implicated in cell proliferation, cell
survival, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis and resistance to therapy. Our hypothesis is that small
molecule compounds that disrupt the HuR-mRNA interaction will block HuR function, leading to decay
and reduced translation of mRNAs of the target genes critical for cancer cell growth and progression.
High throughput screening (HTS) was carried out in several chemical libraries (~23,000 compounds)
using fluorescence polarization (FP) assay and identified a series of initial hits with sub-micromolar
inhibitory constants (Ki). Those potential disruptors were then validated by ALPHA assay (Amplified
Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay), confirmed by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). In
cell-based assays, top hit ST-3 and its optimized analogs, specifically shortened HuR target mRNAs’
half-life and decreased the level of the encoded proteins (Bcl-2, XIAP and Msi1/2). Moreover, those
compounds selectively inhibited cancer cell proliferation but not normal cells. Knocking down HuR in
cancer cells attenuated the activity of those HuR-mRNA disruptors. More cell-based assays are
carrying out to delineate the mechanism of action. In conclusion, we identified potential small
molecule disrupters of HuR-mRNA interaction as novel cancer therapy that inhibited cancer with HuR
overexpression.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
11. A NEW MEDIATOR OF TRANSCRIPTIONAL REPRESSION OF A GATA TRANSCRIPTION
FACTOR
Brokesh, Anna M.1, Cameron C. Hunter1, Damien J. Downes1, Meryl A. Davis2, and Richard B. Todd1
1
Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, 2Department of Genetics, The University of
Melbourne.
GATA transcription factors are important regulators of blood cell and cardiovascular development. In
the model eukaryote Aspergillus nidulans, the GATA transcription factor AreA coordinates the cellular
response to nitrogen nutrient availability and activates genes required for growth on poor nitrogen
nutrients. AreA function is regulated in response to the preferred nitrogen source ammonium by the
co-repressor NmrA, but the molecular mechanism of repression is poorly understood. Overexpression
of NmrA when poor nitrogen nutrients are available represses AreA activity and confers growth
inhibition. A spontaneous mutant was selected for suppression of the NmrA overexpression
phenotype. This extragenic suppressor represents a new factor required for NmrA function. Genome
sequencing of this mutant showed two sequence differences compared with wild type in the genes
AN4210 and AN4102. The mutation in AN4210 causes truncation of a Mediator complex component
involved in transcription regulation, whereas the mutation in AN4102 is a missense substitution in a
putative beta-glucosidase enzyme. These two genes were tested to determine which was required for
the NmrA overexpression phenotype. Homologous gene replacement was used to knock out each
gene. The AN4210∆ and AN4102∆ mutants were crossed to the NmrA overexpression strain to
determine which gene is required for the NmrA overexpression phenotype. AN4210∆ but not
AN4102∆ suppresses NmrA overexpression-mediated repression of growth on alternative nitrogen
nutrients. Future experiments will include mutant phenotype complementation and characterization of
the effect of AN4210∆ on AreA-dependent gene expression.
12. LARGE-SCALE GENETIC FATE MAPPING OF MEDIOLATERAL INTERCALATION IN THE
CIONA NOTOCHORD
Carlson, Maia, Wendy Reeves and Michael Veeman
Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS, 66506
The small size and morphological simplicity of the Ciona embryo make it ideal for studying the
formation of the notochord, a transient but essential organ in all chordates. The Ciona notochord
intercalates from a round plate of 40 cells into a tapered, single-file 40-cell column. This tapering is
thought to involve asymmetric division in the notochord lineage that makes cells at the front and back
of the primordium smaller than cells in the middle, but previous research had suggested that
notochord cell intercalation is sufficiently random that these spatial relationships might not be
preserved. We hypothesized that the intercalation movements of notochord cells were stereotyped
enough that the ultimate location of certain cell lineages could be predicted with reasonable certainty.
To test this, we developed a new fate mapping strategy based on mosaic expression of an
electroporated notochord-specific transgene. By imaging large numbers of mosaic embryos and
quantifying the spatial patterns of clonal groups of cells, it becomes possible to recognize different
lineages, as well as patterns regarding their ultimate fate in the fully developed notochord. These
patterns were most highly stereotyped in the secondary notochord cells at the posterior tip of the tail,
but the primary lineages also followed non-random patterns of intercalation. Our results are consistent
with early asymmetric division being a key mechanism of Ciona notochord tapering. We are now
using this genetic fate mapping strategy to quantify asymmetric division throughout the notochord and
test candidate mechanisms of asymmetry.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
13. IMMOHISTOLOGICAL FLUORESCENCE DETECTION OF SUBSTANCE P IN THE BRAIN OF
ZEBRAFISH TO DELINEATE BRAIN REGIONS REGULATING EMOTION
Curl, Lindsay and Thomas Mueller
Kansas State University: Division of Biology
To use zebrafish as a model to study neural mechanisms mediating emotion, we want to determine
homologies and structural synonymies to the mammalian limbic system. In this project, we analyze
the distribution of Substance P using fluorescence immunohistochemistry on brain sections of adult
zebrafish. Substance P is an evolutionarily conserved, small neuropeptide composed of 11 amino
acid residues. This neuropeptide is important for the modulation of pain signaling and the regulation of
stress and anxiety. In the brain of mammals and other tetrapods, substance P is differentially
expressed in forebrain regions such as the amygdala, basal ganglia, hippocampus, and
hypothalamus, all of which are crucial for emotion regulation. Our preliminary results indicate that
substance P is similarly expressed in forebrain regions of adult zebrafish. For example, we’ve found
the presence of substance P-positive fibers in the ventral telencephalic (subpallial) regions, which
correspond to the septum, striatum, and subpallial amygdaloid nuclei as well as in pallial regions such
as the zebrafish hippocampus and olfactory amygdaloid nuclei. While overall distribution of
substance P-positive fibers corresponds to those found in tetrapods, we failed to detect any
substance P-positive cells. Currently, we are enhancing the detection methods through experimenting
with different concentrations of the detergent Triton-X100 and shortening the time between sectioning
and immunohistochemistry. We hypothesize, that the detection of these currently missing
substance P-positive cells will enable us to better delineate the zebrafish brain region in question.
14. IDENTIFYING INTERACTING PROTEINS AND THE FUNCTIONAL ROLE OF CLN8, A
NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDER RELATED PROTEIN
De Silva, Bhagya 1, 2, Sun H. Peck3, Ashton Allen3 and Stella Y. Lee2, 3, 4
1
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, 2Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Graduate Group, 3Division of Biology, 4Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology Program, Kansas
State University
CLN8 is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident membrane protein with unknown function. Mutations
in CLN8 lead to neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), a group of inherited neurodegenerative
disorders that mainly onset during childhood. CLN8 is a 286 amino acid protein consisting of several
transmembrane domains and a cytoplasmic C-terminus that contains an ER retrieval signal KKXX.
Consistent with this CLN8 has been shown to localize mainly in the ER and travel between ER and
ER-Golgi intermediate compartment. In an attempt to identify proteins that could be potentially
interacting with CLN8 we made constructs for soluble portions of CLN8. CLN8 (246-286) cytoplasmic
region was used in a Glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull down experiment. In repeated GST pull
down and respective Mass spectrometry analysis experiments we were able to identify several
potential target proteins including Serine carboxypeptidase (CPVL), Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)
subunits A and B, protein SET which is an inhibitor of PP2A, Protein phosphatase 1G, and alpha and
beta subunits of Coatomer protein complex which are coat components of Golgi-ER retrograde
transport vesicles. Western blot analysis confirmed GST-Cln8 (246-286) pull down CPVL with high
affinity. Potential functions of CLN8 will be discussed based on these interactions.
25
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
15. POSSIBLE ROLE OF eIF5-MIMIC PROTEIN (5MP) IN FIBROSARCOMA GROWTH
Hustak, Samantha, Bryttney Thompson, Alexander Beeser and Katsura Asano
Kansas State University Biology Department
Eukaryotes initiate mRNA translation by ribosomes with the help of 12 eukaryotic initiation factors
(eIF). eIF5-mimic protein (5MP) controls translation by competing with eIF2 and eIF3. A high level of
5MP is observed in in certain types of cancer and the knockdown of 5MP2, one of the two human
copies, is reported to reduce tumor growth. Our objective is to understand the relationship of 5MP and
tumor growth. Specifically, we hypothesize that 5MP promotes tumor growth through activating
translation of ATF4 transcription factor. Because ATF4 mRNA leader possesses upstream open
reading frames (uORFs) that allow ATF4 translation in response to eIF2 inhibition, 5MP may be used
to induce ATF4 through eIF2 inhibition independent of eIF2 phosphorylation – another, well
established eIF2-inhibiting signal. Here we utilized previously established knockdown cell lines
derived from HT1080 (fibrosarcoma) to examine if the knockdown of 5MP1 or 5MP2 through short
hairpin RNA decreases ATF4-luciferase reporter expression. We tested four different media
conditions – minimal media supplemented with or without glutamine and with or without thapisgargin
(Tg). HT1080 grows slowly in the absence of glutamine, suggesting different cellular metabolism
regulation. Tg induces eIF2 phosphorylation – positive control for ATF4 induction. We find that ATF4
expression is induced in the absence of glutamine in HT1080 control lines. Furthermore, 5MP2
knockdown significantly reduced ATF4 expression that was elevated by the absence of glutamine, but
not one induced by Tg. We discuss our results in reference to 5MP abundance levels in different
media conditions, which are examined by our lab colleagues.
16. LONG-TERM POTENTIATION AND ITS APPLICATIONS IN NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES
INVOLVING MEMORY LOSS OR DYSFUNCTION
Kimball, Alexandria-Capri1,4, Dr. Shidu Shirley Yan2,4, Dr. Yongfu Wang3,4 and Dr. Shijun Yan3,4
1
Haskell Indian Nations University, 2Pharmacology and Toxicology and 3Higuchi Biosciences Center,
4
University of Kansas
We are studying NMDA receptor-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal CA3CA1 region of the mammalian brain, a process that is fundamental in how mammalian species learn
and store memories. Recollection and familiarity are a result of the strengthening of synaptic
pathways and connections between pathways. These are the first abilities to become impaired in
persons experiencing degenerative diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s
Disease, ischemia/stroke and diabetes. Synaptic pathways among the CA3-CA1 neurons can be
assessed by use of an electrophysiology lab. Basic testing is performed to better understand the
nature of these diseases and potential drug treatments are tested as well. Ischemia/stroke and
diabetes are conditions involving injuries to the brain via lack of oxygen and/or glucose. For these
conditions, we use electrophysiology methods to examine the brain during altered glucose, oxygen
and drug administration.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
17. EXPLORING THE LIMITS OF COMPARATIVE GENOMICS USING OPTICAL GENOME MAPS
Nider, Joshua, Jennifer Shelton and Susan Brown
KSU Bioinformatics Center, Division of Biology, Ackert Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
66506
Genomes sequences are compared to study the evolution of gene families, transposable elements
and their overall organization. Sequence similarity decreases as phylogenetic distance increases and
truly informative studies often include several representative species in a single clade, such as the 12
Drosophila genome or the 16 mosquito genome projects. To complement and extend genome
sequencing data, we are developing whole genome physical maps based on the optical analysis of
ultralong DNA molecules. In addition to validating and improving the genome sequence assembly
prior to comparison, we are curious to learn the extent to which the genomic physical maps can be
directly compared. We will present the comparison of physical maps for three closely related
Drosophila species.
18. RECURRENT FUSION DETECTED INVOLVING EEF1DP3 AND FRY GENES IN OVARIAN
CANCER
Raghavan, Rama1, Junqiang (Eric) Dai1, Ellen Goode2 and Brooke Fridley1
1
University of Kansas Medical Center; 2Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2014, approximately 14,000 women will die of
epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in the United States. Since early ovarian cancer produces no
symptoms, the vast majority of patients continue to be diagnosed with advanced stage disease where
the prognosis is poor. Most research to date has been limited to serous EOC, with little research
completed to assess the transcriptomic differences between EOC histological subtypes. In this
research, we set out to detect novel genes fusions for EOC that could pave way for advancements in
the diagnosis and treatment of EOC.
Through an on-going collaboration with Dr. Ellen Goode at the Mayo Clinic, we have successfully
sequenced the transcriptome for EOC high grade serous(55), endometrioid(42), clear cell(14) and
mucinous(3) histologies. For fusion detection, we used two commonly used bioinformatics tools:
FusionMap and SOAPFuse. FusionMap gives best compromise between specificity and sensitivity,
while SOAPFuse achieves high detection efficiency. In calling fusion events, we required a minimum
of 10 reads that spanned the fusion.
We detected the gene fusion EEF1DP3->FRY in 2 endometriod, 3 high grade serous and 1 mucinous
tumors with both methods. In total, we detected 6 gene fusions in the endometriod tumors and 24
gene fusions in high-grade serous tumors, with one tumor having 3 detected fusions. Further analyses
are on-going to characteristize the fusions in the other EOC tumors, followed by valiation of the
detected fusions with another technology. This research may provide additional ovarian cancerspecific molecular alterations for targeting and screening.
27
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
19. IDENTIFICATION AND FUNCTIONAL TESTING OF NATURAL VARIANTS OF MYXOMA VIRUS
INHIBITORS OF THE ANTIVIRAL PROTEIN KINASE R
Sensenich, Katherine, Sherry Haller, Chen Peng and Stefan Rothenburg
Division of Biology, Kansas State University
Myxoma virus belongs to the family of poxviruses and is highly pathogenic in European rabbits with
lethality rates approaching 100%. The deliberate introduction of myxoma viruses into Australia and
Europe led to dramatic declines in European rabbit populations there and offered fascinating insights
into the complex mechanisms of host-pathogen evolution on the population level. Over time, myxoma
virus became attenuated and concomitantly, wild European rabbit populations became more resistant
to myxoma virus infection. However, the molecular mechanisms for these phenomena remain
unknown. We are studying the interactions of myxoma virus proteins M029 and M156 with the
antiviral protein kinase PKR. We found that M156 is a specific inhibitor of rabbit PKR. Interestingly, a
natural variant of M156 that was isolated from infected rabbits in Australia showed complete loss of
PKR inhibition. We are sequencing the two PKR inhibitors from 97 myxoma viruses that were isolated
from infected European rabbits in Spain, and are screening for mutations and copy number variations
in PKR inhibitors. We identified a natural variant of myxoma virus protein M029 (A18P) in 63% of the
sequenced isolates. We are currently characterizing M029-A18P in PKR inhibition and cell culture
infection assays. We also found that in 4.1% of myxoma virus isolates the M156 locus could not be
PCR amplified, which indicates the potential deletion of this locus. Our data indicate that mutations in
myxoma virus PKR inhibitors might contribute to the attenuation of myxoma viruses in the field.
20. DETOSYLATION OF CYCLIC TOSYLAMIDES USING SODIUM AMALGAM TO FORM
AZAMACROCYCLES
Stadler, Aaron and Dr. Shaun Schmidt
Department of Chemistry, Washburn University
The goal of this research was to detosylate a library of azamacrocycles with complete characterization
of the products. Tosylated amine, a precursor to the detosylation, was synthesized through tosylation
of the amine, allylation, and ring closing metathesis. The initial detosylation method used was
reduction using sodium amalgam. Detosylation was unsuccessful using this method and it was
suspected that the sodium amalgam was either too strong and that the amalgam was forming a
sodium alkoxide with methanol. Reaction solvent was changed to tetrahydrofuran. No reaction was
observed after allowing stirring at reflux for one week. While the detosylation reaction conditions were
varied, side reactions were made in order to synthesize a new cyclic tosylamide to add to the library.
Detosylation was successfully completed on one library structure by switching the methodology from
reduction to sulfuric acid hydrolysis. The 1H-NMR spectrum showed that the detosylation was
complete with slight impurities. Future research on this subject would include an optimization of the
sulfuric acid method in order to proceed to hydrogenation of C=C bonds.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
21. CIPROFLOXACIN-RESISTANT BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM MIGRATORY BIRDS MAY
PROVIDE EVIDENCE FOR AVIAN SPECIES AS VECTORS OF RESISTANT BACTERIA.
Carter, Jeffrey J., Greg H. Farley and Eric T. Gillock
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University
The emergence of bacteria resistant to prescribed antibiotics presents a difficult challenge for
treatment of human disease. Over time many antibiotic compounds have become ineffective due to
spread of resistant genes, which has greatly decreased the number of viable treatment options for
bacterial infections. This study focused on the bacterial flora assayed from avian species to assess
the potential spread of antibiotic-resistant genes through the environment. We tested for bacteria
resistant to ciprofloxacin in nestlings of common avian species located in three study sites in western
Kansas. Study sites were selected to reflect a gradient of human disturbance where antibiotics were
introduced into the environment. A total of 194 individual nestlings were sampled during two field
seasons, with 12 individuals housing bacteria resistant to ciprofloxacin. All three study sites were
represented in these positive results, which may indicate antibiotic resistant genes are more
widespread in the environment than previously hypothesized. Several of the species assayed are
long-distance migrants, suggesting potential for widespread movement of these genes through
environmental vectors.
22. REGULATION OF REST TARGET GENES IN UTERINE FIBROIDS
Farahbakhsh, Mina1, 2, Faezeh Koohestani1, 2 and Vargheese Chennathukuzhi 1, 2
1
The Center for Reproductive Sciences, 2Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology,
University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS.
Uterine leiomyomas (ULs) are benign tumors of the myometrium. ULs are the most common pelvic
tumors in women with symptoms ranging from abnormal uterine bleeding to recurrent pregnancy loss.
Currently there are no long-term treatments that will leave fertility intact. Therefore, there is an urgent
need to understand the mechanism of tumor growth in order to develop safe and effective
therapeutics for ULs.
Dysregulation of growth factor-mediated signaling, leading to PI3K/AKT-mTOR activation is thought to
play a role in UL development. However, the mechanism of activation of such pathways in ULs is
currently unknown. Our lab has recently shown the expression of RE1 suppressing transcription factor
(REST), a known tumor suppressor, is lost in ULs. REST is involved in long term silencing of many
genes in the periphery. Analysis of gene expression datasets indicates that many of the most
atypically expressed genes in ULs are known targets of REST. Using human leiomyoma tumor
specimen, we investigated the expression level of REST-target genes and found that compared to
matched normal myometrium, these genes are overexpressed in ULs. To analyze the role of REST in
this upregulation, we silenced REST in primary myometrial cells and saw a significant increase in the
expression of the REST-target genes. Remarkably, ADAM12, one of REST-target genes upregulated
in ULs is known to promote tumor growth by activating IGF1R and EGFR pathways. We hypothesize
that the loss of REST leads to altered gene expression and improper activation of cell signaling
pathways, resulting in the pathogenesis of ULs.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
23. HYPOTHALAMIC LOSS OF CILIARY GENE, Thm1, PERTURBS THE NEURONAL CIRCUITRY
REGULATING APPETITE AND NUTRIENT PARTITIONING, CAUSING HYPERPHAGIA, OBESITY
AND METABOLIC SYNDROME
Jacobs, Damon T.1, Michael P Schonfeld1, Luciane M. Silva1, Anindita Chatterjee1, Bailey A. Allard1,
George C. Talbott2, David R. Beier2,3 and Pamela V. Tran1, 1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology,
Kidney Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS , 2Genetics Division, Brigham
and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA , 3Center for Developmental Biology
and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
Primary cilia extend from the plasma membrane of most vertebrate cells and mediate signaling
pathways. Ciliary dysfunction underlies ciliopathies, which are genetic syndromes that manifest
multiple clinical features, including renal cystic disease and obesity. Thm1 is required for retrograde
intraflagellar transport in cilia and deletion of murine Thm1 during late embryogenesis results in cystic
kidney disease. We report that global deletion of murine Thm1 during adulthood causes hyperphagia,
obesity, hyperleptinemia and hyperinsulinemia, with gender differences in severity of obesity and
susceptibility to diabetes. In the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (Arc), an integrative center that
regulates feeding and energy homeostasis, pre-obese Thm1 conditional knock-out (cko) mice showed
shortened neuronal primary cilia and altered expression of Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and Agoutirelated Peptide (AgRP), which encode neuropeptides that regulate appetite. These data indicate that
the Thm1 ciliary defect perturbs neuronal feeding circuits at the level of the Arc. To identify neuronal
populations of the Arc responsible for Thm1-deficient obesity, we are deleting Thm1 in neurons
expressing either POMC or AgRP, or are targeted by the rat insulin promoter (RIP)-Cre recombinase
and control energy expenditure. Preliminary data show elevated weight gain in all neuronal-specific
Thm1 cko females, and in Thm1 cko; POMC-Cre and Thm1 cko; RIP-Cre males. In contrast, body
weights of Thm1 cko; AgRP-Cre males are normal, yet adipose depots are 3x heavier, suggesting a
role for Thm1 in AgRP-neuronal control of nutrient partitioning. Thus, loss of hypothalamic Thm1
ciliary function disrupts energy homeostasis and nutrient partitioning, resulting in hyperphagia, obesity
and metabolic disease.
24. DOPAMINE RELEASE AND UPTAKE MEASUREMENTS IN CHEMOTHERAPY-TREATED RATS
Kaplan, Sam, Max Newby, Ryan Limbocker, Meng Sun, and Michael A. Johnson
Department of Chemistry and R. N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas
Post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment, also known as chemobrain, is a medical complication of
cancer treatment that is characterized by a general decline in cognition affecting visual and verbal
memory, attention, complex problem solving skills, and motor function. Recent studies comparing
cognitive function before and after chemotherapy suggest that approximately one third of cancer
patients will exhibit lower cognitive performance after chemotherapy than would be expected.
Moreover, developing an understanding of chemobrain is becoming more important as the survival
rates of cancers continue to increase. We have previously reported alterations in the release of
dopamine, a central nervous system transmitter, in chemotherapy treated rats. To further elucidate
the how chemotherapy alters the dopaminergic pathways, we used fast-scan cyclic voltammetry at
carbon-fiber microelectrodes to measure the stimulated release and uptake of dopamine. Male Wistar
rats received iv injections of saline vehicle and Carboplatin, a chemotherapeutic agent known to be
implicated in post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment. Brain slices were acutely harvested from
these rats and dopamine release and uptake was measured in the striatum. Reserve pool DA was
measured by pretreatment with alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (50 μM), which inhibits dopamine
synthesis, followed by treatment with amphetamine (20 μM), which induces dopamine efflux from
terminals. It was determined that carboplatin treatment resulted in a dose-dependent attenuation in
stimulated DA release. Reserve pool DA stores were unaffected.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
25. ARP2/3 COMPLEX MEDIATES EFs-DIRECTED MIGRATION OF NEURAL STEM CELL-DERIVED
OLIGODENDROCYTE PRECURSORS
Li, Yongchao,1 Pei-Shan Wang,2 George Lucas,3 Rong Li,2 and Li Yao1*
1
Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, 67260
2
Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, 64110
3
Department of Orthopaedics, Via Christi Hospital, Wichita, KS, 67214
Abstract
The loss of oligodendrocytes in a lesion of the central nervous system causes demyelination and
therefore impairs axon function and survival. Transplantation of neural stem cell (NSC)-derived
oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) (NSC-OPCs) results in increased oligodendrocyte formation
and enhanced remyelination. The directional migration of grafted cells to the target can promote the
establishment of functional reconnection and myelination in the process of neural regeneration.
Endogenous electric fields (EFs) that were detected in the development of the central nervous system
can regulate cell migration. NSCs were isolated from the brains of ARPC2+/+ and ARPC2-/- mouse
embryo and differentiated into OPCs. After differentiation, the cultured oligospheres were stimulated
with EFs (50mV/mm, 100mV/mm or 200mV/mm). The migration of OPCs from oligospheres were
recorded using time-lapse microscopy. We found that NSC-OPCs migrated toward the cathode pole
in EFs. The directedness and displacement of cathodal migration increased significantly when the EF
strength increased from 50 to 200 mV/mm. However, the EF did not significantly change the cell
migration speed. We also showed that the migration speed of ARPC2−/− OPCs, deficient in the actinrelated proteins 2 and 3 (ARP2/3) complex, was significantly lower than that of wild type of OPCs.
ARPC2−/− OPCs migrated randomly in EFs. The migration direction of NSC-OPCs can be controlled
by EFs. The function of ARP complex is required for the cathodal migration of NSC-OPCs in EFs. EFguided cell migration is an effective model to understanding the intracellular signaling pathway in the
regulation of cell migration directness and motility.
26. EXPLORATION OF MOLECULAR PATHWAYS MEDIATING ELECTRIC FIELD-DIRECTED
SCHWANN CELL MIGRATION BY RNA-Seq
Li, Yongchao,1 Jennifer Knapp,2 Peter Smith,2 and Li Yao1
1
Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, 67260
2
Bioinformatics Facility, Kansas Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center,
University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
In peripheral nervous systems, Schwann cells wrap around axons of motor and sensory neurons to
form the myelin sheath. Following spinal cord injury, Schwann cells regenerate and migrate to the
lesion and are involved in the spinal cord regeneration process. Transplantation of Schwann cells into
injured neural tissue results in enhanced spinal axonal regeneration. Effective directional migration of
Schwann cells is critical in the neural regeneration process. In this study, we report that Schwann
cells migrate anodally in an applied electric field (EF). The directedness and displacement of cathodal
migration increased significantly when the strength of the EF increased from 50 mV/mm to 200
mV/mm. The EF did not significantly affect the cell migration speed. To explore the genes and
signaling pathways that regulate cell migration in EFs, we performed a comparative analysis of
differential gene expression between cells stimulated with an EF (100 mV/mm) and those without
using next-generation RNA sequencing, verified by RT-qPCR. Based on the cut-off criteria (FC > 1.2,
q < 0.05), we identified 1,045 up-regulated and 1,636 down-regulated genes in control cells versus
EF-stimulated cells. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis found
that compared to the control group, 21 pathways are down-regulated, while 10 pathways are upregulated. Differentially expressed genes participate in multiple cellular signaling pathways involved in
the regulation of cell migration, including pathways of regulation of actin cytoskeleton, focal adhesion,
and PI3K-Akt.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
27. CHAPERONE-USHER INTERACTIONS AS A THERAPEUTIC TARGET FOR INHIBITION OF CS1
PILUS ASSEMBLY
Limpiado, MarcArthur1, Almqvist, F.2 and Bann, J.1
1
Chemistry Department, Wichita State University, 2Department of Chemistry, Umea University
Gut flora such as Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) utilize cellular appendages called pili to aid
in host attachment and colonization. ETEC remains as one of the leading causes of diarrhea which
can be lethal especially in third world countries. ETEC produces CS1 pili which are assembled
through the alternate chaperone-usher pathway. There is interest in a new class of compounds called
Pilicides as inhibitors for pilus assembly. Pilicides are bicyclic 2-pyridones that are believed to
interfere with the formation of the usher-chaperone complexes necessary for pilus initiation and
elongation. Effect of pilicides have previously been studied on P-pili and type 1 pili, but not on CS1 pili
found on ETEC. We designed a simple binding assay that aims to understand the binding interaction
between CooB and CooC, the chaperone protein and the usher protein, respectively, for CS1 pili. We
have been able to isolate pure CooB chaperone protein, and in the future we plan to isolate CooC. As
such, we aim to further develop our methods for isolating and purifying CooC, and ultimately form
CooB-C complexes for testing the effect of pilicides on this interaction.
28. SOLUTION PHASE PEPTIDE SYNTHESIS OF CYCLIC-ADTPPV USING Fmoc/OtBu AND
Boc/OBzl PROTECTIVE GROUPS
Noonan, James1, Bridget Chapin1, Kayann Tabanor², Matt Behymer² and Teruna J. Siahaan2
1
Environmental Science Department, Haskell Indian Nations University, 2Department of
Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas
Abstract: A major problem of treating brain diseases has been in delivering drugs to the brain due
to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Our long-term objective is to improve drug
permeation through the BBB. My Goal is to synthesize cyclic ADTPPV (cADT) peptide using solution
phase method. Several obstacles were encountered and methods were established to overcome
these obsticles. The hypothesis is that the cADT peptide modulates the E-cadherin interactions in the
intercellular junction to increase the permeation of drug molecule across the BBB. The synthesis was
done using a combination of Boc and Fmoc methods. The synthesis of linear peptide precursor
(H)Ala-Asp(OtBu)-Thr(OtBu)-Pro-Pro-Val-OH has been completed. At this time, the cyclization
reaction is being carried out.
29. DEVELOPMENT
OF
A
MICRO-OPTRODE
ELECTROCHEMICAL DETECTION.
FOR
PHOTO-STIMULATION
AND
Ruggles, Peter,1,2 and Michael A. Johnson1,2,3
1
Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, 2Ralph. N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical
Chemistry, 3Department of Neuroscience, University of Kansas
A micro-optrode is an analytical probe combining a microelectrode for electrochemical detection and
an optical fiber for photo-stimulation. A micro-optrode allows for subsecond temporal resolution with
the use of fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) and high spatial resolution due to the micron scale.
The integration of an optical fiber into a microelectrode allows for a substantially decreased radius of
photochemical effect as well as a closer proximity to the site of detection. This allows for a more
accurate and immediate measurement of the localized effects. Typically, optrodes are used in
electrophysiological studies and are in the hundred micron scale. Optrodes are largely untested in
electrochemical detection and the small size of this micro-optrode allows for minimal damage to the
surrounding tissues during insertion as well as during photo-stimulation.
The micro-optrodes were fabricated using a pulled quartz capillary coupled to a fiber optic wave-guide
for photo-stimulation and a carbon fiber for electrochemical detection.
32
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
30. RAPID MICROFLUIDIC ExoSearch FOR EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF OVARIAN CANCER
Zhao, Zheng and Mei He*
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Kansas State University, USA
meih@ksu.edu
While screening has been shown to reduce the incidence and mortality of many cancers, ovarian
cancer (OvCa) presents unique challenges. The 85% of patients tend to present at late clinical stage
due to the lack of early symptoms. Conventional tissue biopsy for pathological or cytological diagnosis
requires centralized facilities and experienced operator, and is extremely invasive and costly.
Especially for OvCa patients, biopsy is a difficult surgery, and not even an option for early diagnosis.
Developing non-invasive blood-based biomarker detection is particularly appealing for early diagnosis
and personalized treatment of OvCa. Exosomes enriched with a group of tumor markers has been
found in OvCa patient blood and shown to correlate with tumor progression. Exosomal protein
markers may constitute a “cancer signature” for improving the early detection of OvCa. However,
isolation and biomarker analysis of tumor-derived exosomes from bodily fluids, such as plasma,
currently presents serious technical barrier. The conventional protocols involving multiple
ultracentrifugation steps are tedious, time-consuming (>5 mL blood, > 10 h) and inefficient; and not
applicable in the clinical setting. To overcome this technical barrier and accelerate clinical utility of
circulating exosomes in personalized cancer medicine, we developed a microfluidic based ExoSearch
platform for specific, rapid isolation of exosomes (~30 min) directly from OvCa plasma, and downstream examination of a panel of circulating exosomal markers in OvCa (CA-125, HE4, EpCAM).
Ultimately, our microfluidic ExoSearch technique will provide an effective platform for reliable, noninvasive, blood-based, multi-marker assay that used in conjunction with imaging for improving the
sensitivity and specificity of early detection of OvCa.
31. CLN5 DEFICIENCY RESULTS IN ALTERATIONS IN AUTOPHAGY AND THE mTOR PATHWAY
Adams, Jessie 1, Theodore Budden1,2 and Stella Lee1,2
1
Division of Biology, 2Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology Program
CLN5 is one of several proteins that when mutated result in the lysosomal storage disorder Neuronal
Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL). CLN5 is a soluble lysosomal protein that has no known function at this
time. We have identified a link between the activation of autophagy and CLN5 deficiency. The
autophagy-lysosomal protein degradation system is a major pathway the cell uses to degrade
intracellular material and recycle cellular building blocks. It was recently shown that several other
CLN proteins affect the relative level of autophagy, indicating a potential link between the autophagy
pathway and the NCLs. By inducing various types of stress on fibroblast patient and control cells we
observed an increase in autophagy in patients that are CLN5 deficient. Consistent with this, there is a
higher level of the autophagy marker protein LC3-II in CLN5 patient cells versus control. Induction of
autophagy through different means also showed higher LC3-II levels compared to the control. The
mTOR pathway is known to play a role in autophagy. It is through the inactivation of mTOR complex
that autophagy is induced. Furthermore, mTORC1 complex is associated with lysosomes. Therefore
we started exploring the potential link between CLN5 and the mTOR pathway. S6K is a protein
directly downstream of mTOR. We found inhibiting mTOR lead to an increase in total S6K in control
cells, but not in CLN5 deficient cells. In summary, we discovered that the autophagy pathway is
altered in CLN5 deficient cells. These data suggest CLN5 plays a role in autophagy, potentially
through mTOR pathway.
33
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
32. EFFECTS OF TONGUE FORCE TRAINING ON BULBAR MOTOR FUNCTION IN SOD1-G93A
RATS
Kumar, Aishwarya1, Delin Ma1, Jeffrey M. Shuler1, Sudheer Tungtur2, Tomohiro Numata2, Hiroshi
Nishimune2 and John Stanford1
Departments of 1Molecular & Integrative Physiology and 2Anatomy & Cell Biology,
University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) affects motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem, and the
corticospinal and corticobulbar neurons that innervate them. ALS is more common in males than
females, but bulbar symptoms are more prevalent in females. We reported bulbar deficits in the
SOD1-G93A mouse and rat models of ALS, mostly in females. The goal of this study was to
determine whether tongue force training could preserve bulbar motor function in female SOD1-G93A
rats. We used a specific method in order to test this hypothesis using SOD1-G93A rats and wild type
(healthy) littermates. All rats underwent daily orolingual motor testing in the morning, while half of the
rats in each group underwent daily tongue force training in the afternoon. Testing began during the
pre-symptomatic phase and continued until each rat showed signs of paralysis. We found that tongue
force training accelerated tongue motility and task engagement deficits in SOD1-G93A rats. Tongue
force training did not affect tongue force, loss of body weight, grip force, neuromuscular junction
innervation, or survival in SOD1-G93A rats. Results are discussed in the context of resistance
training for bulbar motor function in ALS.
33. ANALYSIS OF NEUROCHEMISTRY IN CHEMOTHERAPY-TREATED RATS TO UNDERSTAND
THE MECHANISM OF NEURODEGENERATION IN POST-CHEMOTHERAPY COGNITIVE
IMPAIRMENT
Limbocker, Ryan A.1, Sam V. Kaplan1, and Michael A. Johnson1,2
1
Department of Chemistry and R.N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry,
2
Neuroscience Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence KS 66045
Post-Chemotherapy Cognitive Impairment (PCCI) occurs after pharmacological chemoagents are
administered to fight carcinomas. PCCI entails a general decline in complex problem solving,
learning, memory, and motor function in up to 30% of patients who receive chemotherapy treatment.
Previous studies in our group have found dopaminergic neurons are unable to release proper
amounts of the neurotransmitter dopamine upon stimulus after treatment with certain chemoagents.
Furthermore, the dopamine transporter experienced a similar attenuation. Here, oxidative free radical
activity was investigated by probing for spontaneous hydrogen peroxide release in chemotherapy
treated rats using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Neurochemical analyses were performed after rats
underwent chemotherapy treatment with 20 mg/kg injections of Carboplatin for four weeks.
Mercaptosuccinic acid, a glutathione peroxidase inhibitor, was applied to brain slices of saline and
chemotherapy treated rats to induce an increase in oxidative activity. Spontaneous hydrogen
peroxide release appears to increase in chemotherapy rats up to three fold, thus indicating a potential
source of the neurocognitive symptoms of PCCI.
34
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
34. COMMUNITY BASED RESEARCH: WATER CHEMISTRY ANALYSES OF WILLIAMS CREEK
HATCHERY AND THREE LAKES ON THE WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE RESERVATION WITH
IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ENDANGERED APACHE TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS APACHE)
Lupe, Clayton, Clarkson, Bradley and Chapin, Bridget
Haskell Indian Nations University, FWS, Haskell Indian Nations University Professor
As part of the Community-based student research opportunity funded by K-INBRE, a partnership was
established with the USFWS Alchesay and Williams Creek Fish Hatchery on the White Mountain
Apache Tribal reservation near Hon-dah, Arizona and tribal environmental scientists to support an
environmental science student from the local community in developing a community-relevant research
project during the summer of 2014. The research addressed management of the endangered Apache
trout (Oncorhynchus apache), allowed me to learn how the hatchery manages to sustain the Apache
trout populations by letting me work closely with FWS scientists on a daily basis. Williams Creek is the
only hatchery that spawns Apache trout, stocks them in their natural habitat (White Mountains and 3
surrounding lakes). Water chemistry analyses were also performed in the hatchery and surrounding
lakes to assess possible water quality impacts on fish survival during population restoration efforts. I
performed colorimetric phosphorus analyses and used the YSI 556 meter which measured depth,
temperature, DO, pH, and conductivity. Each lake was sampled twice during the summer months of
June and July. I used the YSI meter at different depths, surveyed the benthic fauna with the Eckman
Dredge, and used a Secchi Disk for water clarity. Results indicate that Christmas Tree Lake may be
the best lake for stocking of Apache trout. My Haskell mentor Dr. Chapin and my local mentor Bradley
Clarkson guided me on this research.
35. THE GENETIC BASIS OF MULTICELLULARITY BY EVOLUTIONARY TRANSCRIPTOMICS
Marriage, Tara N., and Bradley JSC Olson
Kansas State University, Division of Biology
Multicellularity has independently evolved at least 25 times throughout the history of life on earth.
Multiple hypotheses have been proposed to explain how multicellularity evolved, yet no definitive
answer exists for its origin. The Volvocine algae are a model system to study the evolution of
multicellularity because they consist of a recently evolved (~200 mya) monophyletic group of
organisms that morphologically span from unicellular (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) to colonial
multicellular (Gonium pectorale) to multicellular with germa and soma differentiation (Volvox carteri).
C. reinhardtii and G. pectorale grow and divide similarly; however when G. pectorale cells under go
multiple fission (multiple rounds of mitotic divisions), the daughter cells remain attached to each other,
whereas in C. reinhardtii, the daughter cells separate. This, along with other experimental evidence,
suggests that the colonial multicellular phenotype of G. pectorale is under cell-cycle regulation. In this
experiment, we used RNA-Seq analysis to investigate changes in gene expression across the 24-hour
cell cycle of G. pectorale. Strong candidate G. pectorale multicellularity genes were identified through
a two-step process. First genes were filtered by mitotic expression profiles, and secondarily filtered
by whether these differentially mitotically expressed genes showed evidence of purifying selection.
This two-step filtering process revealed five strong candidate genes, one of which is a fasciclin-like
gene, that when transformed into the unicellular Chlamydomonas, results in a multicellular phenotype
with cytoplasmic connections.
35
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
36. DEMONSTRATING A ROLE FOR NUCLEAR APC IN INTESTINAL CELLULAR
DIFFERENTIATION
Miller, Matthew A., Maged Zeineldin and Kristi L. Neufeld
Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States, resulting in
over 50,000 deaths annually. Approximately 80% of colon cancers begin with a mutation in the gene
coding for the tumor suppressor protein Adenomatous Polyposis Coli, APC. APC protein can shuttle
between the cytoplasm and the nucleus of cells, facilitated by two nuclear localization signals (NLS)
and multiple nuclear export signals. To better understand functions of nuclear APC, our lab
generated a “knock-in” mouse model with mutations introduced that inactivate both Apc NLS. These
ApcmNLS/mNLS mice show a dramatic decrease in nuclear Apc. We have previously shown increased
proliferation and Wnt target gene expression in intestinal epithelial cells from ApcmNLS/mNLS mice,
suggesting a role for nuclear APC in inhibition of proliferation and Wnt signaling. Here we examine the
role of nuclear Apc in intestinal epithelial differentiation and crypt length. Paraffin-embedded tissue
from the intestines of Apc+/+ and ApcmNLS/mNLS mice was sectioned and stained for markers of
enteroendocrine cells (chromogranin A) and Paneth cells (lysozyme C). Positive cells were scored to
determine differences in differentiation between the two models. Notably, mice lacking nuclear Apc
showed significantly fewer Paneth cells yet more enteroendocrine cells. To ascertain crypt length
differences, intestinal crypts were isolated from the gastrointestinal tract, photographed, and
measured using Image J software. Overall, no significant difference in crypt length was found.
37. ANALYZING FETAL LIVER EXTRACT FOR ANTI-TUMOR PROPERTIES
Murray, Megan J. 1, Matthew T. Basel2 and Deryl L. Troyer2
1
Department of Biology; Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, 2Department of Anatomy and
Physiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
Current cancer therapy, such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, all have significant side effects
and struggle to efficiently eliminate all tumor cell. A method of reprogramming tumor cells to act like
normal cells again could potentially alleviate both problems. Previous work in our lab demonstrated
that fetal pigs are capable of reprogramming human cancer cells when injected into the liver. Fetal
pigs injected with human breast carcinoma cells (MDA 231) during gestation were examined after
birth for the presence of human cells. Immunohistochemistry and PCR revealed morphologically
normal human cells located in several tissues especially in the liver. In order to determine the
significance and method for this apparent reprogramming ability, fetal pigs at 60 days gestation were
harvested and livers were collected. The liver was disrupted and centrifuged to extract a soluble
fraction. This was then cultured with MDA231 cells at varying concentrations. The fetal liver extract
killed all of the MDA231 at as low as 4%. We performed the same test on neural stem cells (NSC) to
test normal cells. The results were similar to the MDA231, which may be because the NSC cell line
also divides rapidly. We are planning on using pig monocytes and human kidney embryonic cells as
further controls. In conclusion, the soluble faction of the fetal liver may demonstrate an antitumor
effect, but further study is needed. If the fetal liver contains a component that disables the tumor cells,
it could be identified and isolated and potentially used as an effective anti-cancer treatment.
36
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
38. BIOINFORMATICS OF AMYLOID PRKECURSOR PROTEIN (APP) IN DEMENTIA
Pollard, Kellyn1 and Dr. Sharon Lewis2
1
Biology Department and 2 Chemistry Department, Langston University, Langston, OK, United States
During my senior thesis, I decided to select a gene that was previously implicated in susceptibility to
dementia. I chose to use bioinformatics to investigate and visualize the Amyloid Precursor Protein,
which has the gene symbol of app.
Amyloid Precursor Protein (app) mutations are suspected to occur in individuals with dementia.
Looking to expand the knowledge of mental and emotional disorders, an investigation of dementia
was performed. Dementia is a syndrome that involves a significant loss of cognitive abilities such as
attention, memory, language, logical reasoning, and problem-solving with various extensions into
other cognitive and chronic diseases (WebMd.com).
The objective of this research is to use bioinformatics to investigate and visualize the app gene
mutation in dementia and show the correlation and susceptibility of developing dementia with a
mutation of this gene.
Bioinformatics began to surface in the mid to late 1970s and 1980s, and is the science of gathering
and analyzing intricate biological data such as genetic codes using computers and statistical
techniques. Bioinformatics includes multiple disciplines working simultaneously to extract meaningful
knowledge from large biological datasets which are generated from high-throughput technologies
such as arrays, mass spectrometers, and meta-sequencing (Hodgman, T. C.).
In taking a bioinformatics class, the objective of this research can be obtained through research and
bioinformatics based sites.
39. GENETIC CONTROL OF TISSUE SPECIFIC GROWTH IN THE LARVAL TRACHEA OF
DROSOPHILA
Suderman, Erin, Alex Matlock, Collin Clay and Robert Ward
Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas
In most organisms, different tissues and organs grow at different rates relative to each other,
suggesting growth mechanisms that act tissue specifically. The mechanisms of tissue specific growth
are less well understood than those governing the growth of an entire organism. To gain a better
understanding of these tissue specific growth mechanisms we have been characterizing mutations
that specifically alter growth of the larval trachea. Larval trachea growth is well suited for these studies
since the trachea shows allometric growth during the larval stages, it can be imaged and measured in
living animals, and gene expression can be specifically altered in the trachea using breathless-GAL4.
Importantly, we and others have identified mutations in genes whose mutant phenotypes suggest that
they normal regulate tissue-specific growth in the larval trachea. For example, animals with mutations
in uninflatable (uif) and Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (Mmp1) have larval tracheae that are roughly half
the relative size of those in wild type animals. Through EMS and P-element screens of larval lethal
mutations, we have obtained 8 additional tracheal growth mutations (representing 6 complementation
groups) showing either reduced or enhanced relative tracheal growth during larval stages. One Pelement insertion is in the gene jitterbug (jbug), which encodes a filamin repeat protein. We have
completed whole genome sequencing of the 7 EMS mutations and are conducting deficiency
complementation analyses and tracheal-specific RNAi expression of candidate genes. We will present
the basic characterization of these mutations and our efforts to clone these genes.
37
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
40. THE ROLE OF DbpA IN E. coli RIBOSOME ASSEMBLY
Walker, Sarah and Lisa Sharpe Elles
Washburn University, Department of Chemistry
Ribosomes are essential, which means that the steps leading to ribosome formation, ribosome
assembly, are also essential. Current antibiotics that are designed to disrupt ribosome function are
becoming less effective as bacteria develop resistance genes. Therefore, new antibiotics could be
designed to target enzymes that participate in ribosome assembly, such as RNA-modifying enzymes
or helicases. With this potential in mind, our goal is to understand more about ribosome assembly,
specifically of the 50S large subunit, by studying DbpA, a DEAD box ATP-dependent RNA helicase
that binds to pre-50S subunit particles. The precise role for DbpA in vivo has not been determined
because the knockout cell line grows similarly to wild type cells. In this experiment we further
examined the knockout cell strain under various environmental stressors and antibiotics. However,
none of the conditions produced a difference in cell growth. If a growth difference is identified, then
the cells will be analyzed for ribosome assembly defects using sucrose gradients and ribosome
profiles.
41. BIOPROSPECTING FOR ANTIMICROBIAL PRODUCING ORGANISMS IN SOIL
Ball, Jennafer D., Joanna L. Fay, Whitney N. Mulder, Drew Zimmerman, and Shay Zimmerman
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University
The antibiotic pipeline is drying up while resistance to existing drugs is increasing.
Bacteria continue to develop resistance, m aking it necessary to seek antimicrobials that have unique
mechanisms of activity. Antibiotic resistance is advancing rapidly, and unless the production of new
antibiotics is revitalized, this trend will continue and infections will likely become untreatable. As an
example, a high percentage of severe infections acquired both in hospitals and in the community are
caused by the highly resistant bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Resistance to first-line drugs to treat infections caused by S. aureus is widespread. Selman Waksman
worked as a microbiologist interested in detecting antimicrobial agents produced by microorganisms
found in soil. Waksman isolated antibacterial agents from various soil Actinomycetes to determine the
nature by which various microbes destroy each other and to test for activity against bacteria that
cause disease in humans. The trend of bioprospecting for antimicrobial-producing bacteria in soil has
continued with much success.
This research project aimed to isolate such bacteria from unique soil sources. Bacterial isolates were
assessed for antimicrobial producing capabilities using perpendicular streak and spent media assays.
Isolates were evaluated against a broad array of clinically relevant pathogens, including five of the
“ESKAPE” pathogens, MRSA, and two fungal representatives. A number of derivations on the spent
media assay will be employed to assess variables that may be affecting antimicrobial production.
Successful soil isolates will be identified using 500 base pair 16S rRNA sequencing.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
42. COMPUTATIONAL MODELING OF FLUORESCENT PROBES TO UNDERSTAND HOW LITHIUM
TREATS MANIC DEPRESSION
Claridge, Sean and Dr. Diane Nutbrown
Department of Physical Sciences, Emporia State University
Lithium carbonate has been prescribed as the gold-standard treatment for bipolar disorder for over
fifty years, continuing to outperform newer, alternative mood stabilizers. Despite this, the
pharmacological mode of action for Li+ in treating bipolar disorder is still speculative. A lithium-specific
fluorescent probe for use in the cells would aid researchers in fully understanding how lithium salts
work to treat the disease and help design more effective drugs. Potential probes were modeled in
WebMO using Density Functional Theory with Gaussian09 as the computational engine and using
mixed basis sets of 6-31G(d) for C and H and 6-311+G(d) for N, O, and metal cations. Geometry was
optimized in an aqueous solution and molecular orbitals were calculated for two coumarin-based
proposed sensors that are functionalized with a 1-aza-9-crown-3 ion-bonding moiety. The ability of
these sensors to selectively bind Li+ was estimated by comparing free energies of the molecule with
and without a metal ion present. Molecules that appear to exclude competing ions (e.g. Mg2+, Na+, K+)
and yield reasonable complexes with Li+ will be targeted for synthesis in the lab.
43. COMPARISON OF WORK PERFORMANCE IN MEN WITH TRAUMATIC TRANSTIBIAL
AMPUTATION AND ONE MALE AT RISK FOR RESIDUUM INJURY
DeLoach, Eugene, Derek Crawford, Zackary Burrow and Carol Dionne
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Transtibial amputations (TTAT) are frequently performed in individuals who have sustained a
traumatic event. The majority of adults with a traumatic transtibial amputation are healthy, male, and
of working age. Nevertheless, residuum pain and injury suffered during work-related activity (WRA)
are chief reasons adults with amputation are overly represented among the unemployed. The purpose
of this study was to compare self-paced gait, brisk gait, carrying, and lifting in healthy working adults
to a working adult at risk for residuum injury. A cross-sectional study design was used to assess
consenting men (25-55 yrs) with unilateral TTAT. The subjects completed a Prosthetic Evaluation
Questionnaire (PEQ) and Locomotor Capacity Index survey. During 2-minute self-paced walk, 2minute brisk walk, floor-to-knuckle lifting, and 25-ft carrying tests, single limb support, cadence, step
length, and stride length were recorded concurrently with perceived pain and exertion. Data were
tabled and graphed for analysis. Data collected in each WRA indicated that the “at-risk” subject
demonstrated greater single limb support on his residual limb than the group at a brisk walking pace
and less difference in speed and stride length while carrying a weighted test box. Overall, the “at-risk”
subject operated at a comparatively lower performance level. WRA capacity, specific gait parameters,
anthropometrics, PEQ subscales are proposed measures to test in men for residuum injury risk.
39
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
44. IDENTIFICATION OF BETA AND ALPHA ADRENERGIC RECEPTOR mRNA AND THEIR TISSUE
DISTRIBUTION IN CHANNEL CATFISH
Evans, Paige, Melissa Vides and Yass Kobayashi
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University
For the past 20 years, beta adrenergic agonists (BAA) have been used as growth promoters in cattle.
Feeding BAA to cattle increases protein accumulation, while decreasing accumulation of fats.
Although some studies have examined effects of feeding BAA on growth in fish, effects of BAA on fish
growth have not been demonstrated clearly. The effects of BAAs are mediated by the beta (B)
adrenergic receptors (ADR), but little is understood about the physiological role of ADR in fish. The
goal of the present study was to identify ADR mRNA in channel catfish. Channel catfish EST
database was screened using zebrafish alpha (A) and Beta ADR mRNA sequences, and genes
encoding A2A and A2C ADRs and the gene encoding B2 ADR were identified. Catfish B2 ADR
mRNA shared high sequence similarity (70%) with fish. Both A2 ADR mRNA transcripts in channel
catfish also shared high sequence similarity (80%) with fish and other vertebrates. Tissue distribution
of A2A, A2C, and B2 ADR mRNA were examined in brain, liver, muscle, spleen, kidney, and heart by
using polymerase chain reaction. A2A and A2C mRNA was readily detectable in brain and heart.
A2C mRNA was expressed in all tissues except liver; B2 mRNA was readily expressed in all tissues
examined. Currently, effects of feeding BAA on expression of these mRNA are being investigated. In
addition, the channel catfish EST database is being screened for other ADR mRNA sequences.
Results of this study could further the understanding on how ADRs influence nutrient repartitioning in
channel catfish.
45. TARGETING GAP JUNCTION INTERCELLULAR COMMUNICATION FOR TRIPLE NEGATIVE
BREAST CANCER TREATMENT
Kicklighter, Luke, Leigh Ann Feuerbacher, and Annelise Nguyen
Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology
College of Veterinary Medicine
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer that comprises
about 10-20% of breast cancer diagnoses. This form of breast cancer lacks the estrogen receptor
(ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 that is usually targeted by treatments, leaving
chemotherapy as the only option. The loss of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is one
of the important hallmarks of cancer, including TNBC. An alternative to anti-cancer drugs targeting
hormone receptors or chemotherapy are drugs that target the regaining of GJIC. Preliminary data
showed that 10 µM PQ1, a gap junction enhancer compound, inhibits 70% of TNBC cell growth.
Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that PQ compounds have a much improved safety profile
compared to current cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs used to treat TNBC. The goal of the study is to
determine the efficacy of a gap junction enhancer compound in TNBC. Two TNBC cell lines, Hs578T
and MDA-MB231, were used to establish a xenograft tumor model in nude mice. Currently, xenograft
tumor growth is monitored to appropriate size for treatment. PQ1 treatment will be administered
intraperitoneally once tumor size reaches 100 mm3. Furthermore, in vitro studies show that the
doubling time of Hs578T is 42 hours and the LD50 of PQ1 on Hs578T cells is in the micro molar
range. The long-term outcome of this study is to provide a comprehensive pharmacologic,
mechanistic, and preclinical characterization approaches in facilitating the development of a gap
junction enhancer as an anti-cancer drug from bench to bedside.
40
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
46. RT qPCR QUANTIFICATION OF FUCOSE METABOLISM ENZYMES
Mahoney, Jenalee M. and Thomas J. Wiese
Department of Chemistry, Fort Hays State University
L-Fucose is a fundamental monosaccharide subunit of many glycoproteins and glycolipids across the
animal kingdom. Heightening our interest in fucose metabolism is the increased expression of
fucosylated oligosaccharides in cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases, among other disease
states. GDP-L-Fucose is used in the construction of fucosylated glycans. The biosynthesis of GDPL-fucose is via two distinct pathways termed de novo and salvage. Using quantitative polymerase
chain reaction (qPCR), we focused on understanding the biological significance of each pathway by
measuring mRNA expression levels of pathway specific GDP-L-fucose synthesizing enzymes in
mouse tissues and cells cultured in high- and low-fucose concentrations. Conditions of PCR were
optimized for template used, primer concentrations, and reverse transcriptase amount. Using GAPDH
as our internal reference gene, we determined the ΔΔCt (cycle threshold) of all major mouse tissues.
Standard curves are being constructed to allow absolute quantification of message levels. Similar to
studies of HeLa cells, we found that the de novo enzyme GMD had significantly higher expression
level than the salvage enzyme fucokinase. Culture of cells in high and low fucose, followed by RTqPCR examination of the same genes has yielded conflicting results: two experiments showed a
change in GMD level whereas two experiments showed no change. Future studies will address
possible variables affecting the regulation of this enzyme. Our aim is to use this research to better
understand how fucose metabolism influences disease progression.
47. UTILIZING MICRODIALYSIS AND ELECTROCORTIOGRAPHY TO UNDERSTAND BRAIN
SEIZURE ACTIVITY
Newton, Mitchell D.1,2 and Craig E. Lunte1,2
1:Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Research, 2: Department of Chemistry, University of
Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045.
Background: Seven million people around the world suffer from debilitating and uncontrollable
seizures in a condition called epilepsy. Understanding the way that seizures occur in the brain on a
molecular level provides insight that can aid in the process of therapy and medication development.
Since a seizure is defined by over active communication through the neuron, the communication in
the neuron must be quantified: specifically, through chemical and electrical analysis.
Methods: Chemical analysis through a microdialysis probe placed in the hippocampus of male, Wistar
rats was completed to quantify levels of the neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA which provide
information on the activation of neurons. Seizure induction occurred through the dosage of the known
convulsant, 3-mercaptopropionic acid. Analysis of the samples was completed by separation through
high performance liquid chromatography and detection with florescence. Simultaneously, electrical
readings were taken using electrocortiographic (EcoG) equipment.
Results: Current results have modeled a globalized seizure in that the brain through systemic dosing
schemes.In this model, all areas of the brain shows seizure activity electrically.
Discussion: Future work will be to produce a local (focal) model in which seizures are detected only in
the area where the convulsant is added in the brain through microdialysis. This localized model
resembles up to 70% of the clinical conditions of human epileptic seizures.
41
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
48. THE BACILLUS SUBTILIS YhdP PROTEIN AND ITS ROLE IN CELLULAR MAGNESIUM
HOMEOSTASIS
Steffey, Danielle and Andrew F. Herbig
Department of Biology, Washburn University, Topeka, KS
Magnesium (Mg) is an abundant, essential cation in all cells. Mg is involved in many biological
processes such as ribosome structure and function, the activation and catalytic mechanism of
hundreds of enzymes, and other cellular functions. Cells produce specific transport proteins to
maintain intracellular Mg homeostasis. While much research has helped define the mechanisms of
Mg uptake into cells, few investigations have addressed possible routes of Mg efflux. The Gram
positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis encodes YhdP, a protein that exhibits homology to CorB and CorC
Mg efflux systems in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. We have performed experiments to
characterize the role of YhdP in maintenance of Mg homeostasis in B. subtilis under the hypothesis
that the protein acts in Mg efflux. A strain deleted for the yhdP gene (∆yhdP) grew at least as well as
an isogenic wild type strain in minimal medium supplemented with 1 mM Mg. On solid medium
however, ∆yhdP had a 100-fold lower plating efficiency than wild type when grown in the presence of
100 mM Mg. We are currently evaluating the effect yhdP loss has on the ability of B. subtilis to adapt
to sudden Mg exposure, or “Mg shock” conditions.
49. DEVELOPING A TARGETING SYSTEM FOR BACTERIAL MEMBRANES
Thacker, Christopher, Amanda Alliband, Zifan Wang, Doug English* and Dennis Burns*
Wichita State University
An ammonium picket porphyrin that targets bacterial membranes has been prepared and shown to
bind to phosphatidylglycerol (PG), a bacterial lipid, when the lipid was in solution, contained within
synthetic membrane vesicles, or when in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial membranes.
The multifunctional receptor was designed to interact with both the phosphate anion portion and
neutral glycerol portion of the lipid headgroup. The receptor's affinity and selectivity for binding to
surfactant vesicles or lipid vesicles that contain PG within their membranes was directly measured
using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). FCS demonstrated that the picket porphyrin's
binding pocket was complementary for the lipid headgroup, since simple Coulombic interactions alone
did not induce binding. 1H NMR and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) were used to determine the
receptor's binding stoichiometry, receptor–lipid complex structure, binding constant, and associated
thermodynamic properties of complexation in solution. The lipid–receptor binding motif in solution was
shown to mirror the binding motif of membrane-bound PG and receptor. Cell lysis assays with E. coli
(Gram-negative) and Bacillus thuringiensis (Gram-positive) probed with UV/Visible spectrophotometry
indicated that the receptor was able to penetrate either bacterial cell wall and to bind to the bacterial
inner membrane.
42
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
50. GENOME-WIDE TRANSCRIPTIONAL ANALYSES OF CANDIDA ALBICANS YEAST-TO-HYPHA
TRANSITION AND HYPHAL GROWTH INHIBITION BY GYMNEMIC ACIDS.
Vediyappan, G. 1 *, S. Gunewardena2, and B. Yoo2
1
Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506; 2 KIDDRC, University of Kansas
Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
Candida albicans is an opportunistic and polymorphic human fungal pathogen. It frequently alternates
between yeast and hyphal growth forms, which is required for virulence. Recently, we have identified
gymnemic acids (GAs) as inhibitors of C. albicans yeast-to-hypha transition and hyphal growth, and
they converted hyphae into yeast cells. However, the molecular mechanisms are unknown. We have
determined the C. albicans genome-wide transcriptional changes during: (i) GAs-mediated inhibition
of yeast-to-hypha and (ii) GAs-induced hypha-to-yeast transitional states. Using C. albicans genome
sequence, transcripts were quantified by htseq-count and differentially expressed transcripts between
control and treated samples with false discovery rate ≤ 0.05 and ≥ 1.5-fold change determined by
GLM method in edgeR, were included for analyses. At 2 hour GAs exposure, both (i) GAs-inhibited
yeast-to-hypha and (ii) GAs-induced hypha-to-yeast cells show the largest set of differentially
expressed genes (1,878, up & down) whose expressions were significantly altered in one transition
state while they were unchanged in the other transition state. The second highly differentially
expressed group of genes (329) showed similar trend (up or down) in both transition states followed
by a third smallest set of genes (102), which showed opposite expression trend. Based on C. albicans
GO Slim function analysis, most of genes were clustered under molecular function (32%), transporter
activity (12%), oxidoreductase activity (12%) and hydrolase activity (12%). Since morphogenesis in C.
albicans involve multiple overlapping pathways and GAs were shown to affect many of them,
differentially expressed genes involved in multiple pathways were identified and their implications are
discussed.
51. THE ROLE OF SEPTATE JUNCTION GENES IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER OOGENESIS
Alhadyian, Haifa and Robert Ward
Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas
Collective cell migrations are crucial for embryonic development during events such as gastrulation
and neurulation. They are also important in adult tissues, for example during wound healing.
Inappropriate cell migration can result in severe developmental defects and can contribute to
metastasis. The mechanisms that control collective cell movements spatially and temporally are
poorly understood. It is also unclear how cells remain attached during collective cell movements,
although cell adhesion mediated by E-cadherin at adherens junctions is often suggested. In
invertebrate epithelia, septate junctions (SJs) reside just basal to the adherens junction, and contain
many adhesion molecules. Our preliminary data indicates that SJ genes are required for a number of
morphogenetic events during early embryonic development in the fruit fly, Drosophila Melanogaster.
To determine if SJ genes play a role in collective cell migrations at other stages of development, we
are studying their function during border cell migration in oogenesis. In stage 9-10 egg chambers the
two anterior-most follicle cells recruit 4-8 neighboring cells, delaminate as a cluster and migrate
between nurse cells until they reach the oocyte. To investigate the role of SJ genes in border cell
migration, we are using the UAS-GAL4 system and RNA interference to specifically knock down the
expression of SJ genes in just the migrating border cells or in all the follicle cells at later stages of
oogenesis. These studies should shed light on the role of SJ genes in collective cell migration during
oogenesis, which may be generally applicable for other developmental events.
43
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
52. OPTIMIZING THE ISOLATION OF HMW DNA FOR OPTICAL MAPPING
Biswell, Rebecca, Michelle Coleman, and Sue Brown
Division of Biology, Ackert Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS 66506
As the price of genome sequencing decreases, more genomes are being investigated. However, nextgeneration sequencing approaches, which rely on short reads, produce highly fragmented genome
assemblies. In the absence of other genomic resources, such as genetic maps or BAC-base physical
maps, the quality of the assembly often remains as an initial draft that can compromise downstream
analysis. We are producing whole genome physical maps based on imaging ultralong molecules of
DNA. These maps provide independent validation of the initial assembly, extend scaffold lengths and
provide better gap length estimates than conventional methods. This methodology requires extremely
pure, extremely high molecular weight DNA. While protocols for highly homogeneous samples have
been developed, protocols for more complex samples, such as plants and arthropods are not. As part
of my analysis of beetle species, I will present my work to optimize the protocol for Tribolium madens.
53. EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES OF THE RALPH N. ADAMS INSTITUTE COBRE CORE
MICROFABRICATION FACILITY
Grigsby, Ryan1 and Susan M. Lunte1,2,3
1
The Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry,
3
Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas
The Adams Microfabrication Facility, a core facility of the Center for Molecular Analysis of Disease
Pathways COBRE, consists of 2,400 ft2 of cleanroom space, 900 ft2 of “dirty” space for manufacturing
and machining, and 400 ft2 of office space. The facility provides capabilities for photolithography,
plasma (dry) etching, wet etching, laser ablation, 3D printing, CNC machining, thin film metal and
dielectric material deposition, electron microscopy, ellipsometry, and device characterization. In
addition, the facility has numerous microscopes for general inspection, ovens and furnaces, a
dedicated gas storage room with safety cabinets, 4N house nitrogen in each room, ultrapure water,
dedicated process fume hoods and filtered lighting for photolithography.
This facility is under the direction of Dr. Susan Lunte. Services and usage of the facility are available
to researchers from all Kansas universities. Training is provided to new investigators and graduate
students in the use of microfabrication procedures and equipment. In addition, researchers from both
non-Kansas academic and private industry institutions may contract with the facility for consultation
and services. Hourly and per-use rates apply for facility access, equipment usage, and staff labor.
Consultation is free.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
54. LONG NON-CODING RNA lincRNA-p21 AND RADIATION RESPONSE OF CANCER
Guo, Yuxiao, Rebecca Marquez, Xiaoqing Wu, Amber Smith, Lan Lan, and Xu Liang
Departments of Molecular Biosciences and Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center,
KU Lawrence, KS.
Failure to respond to radiation therapy, or radioresistance, represents a critical problem in the
treatment of human cancer. Incorporating into current cancer radiotherapy a new component resulting
in radiosensitization would have immense clinical relevance and invaluable benefit to cancer patients.
The tumor suppressor p53 is involved in the control of DNA damage-induced apoptosis. Loss of
function of p53 is one mechanism by which tumors become resistant to chemotherapy or radiation.
The long intergenic noncoding RNA p21 (lincRNA-p21), a p53 target, is a potent apoptosis promoter
in DNA-damage mediated cell death. LincRNA-p21 expression was found decreased in CRC cell lines
and tissue samples. LincRNA-p21 knock-down in mouse embryonic fibroblasts dramatically
decreased apoptotic in response to DNA damage. Our preliminary studies show loss of lincRNA-p21
expression in various cancer cell lines comparing to normal cells. Our data also show that X-Ray
radiation can trigger lincRNA-p21 expression in colon cancer cells. Besides inducing apoptosis,
lincRNA-p21 is also reported to be a cell cycle regulator and tumor suppressor, and lincRNA-p21
restoration induced apoptosis and growth inhibition of cancer cells. We have established a selfassembled nanovector system that shows high tumor specificity and efficiency for tumor-targeted
gene/RNA delivery, which is now in Phase II clinical trials. We are exploring the lincRNA-p21
restoration via our patented tumor targeting nanovectors as a novel molecular therapy to
radiosensitize cancer cells with loss of lncRNA-p21, thus enhances radiation therapy efficacy and
improve patient survival.
55. BIO-CORROSION EVALUATIONS IN ACCELERATED DYNAMIC ELECTROCHEMICAL
CONDITIONS
Lundin, Hailey,1 and Anil Mahapatro*1,2
1
Bioengineering Program & 2Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering,
Wichita State University, Wichita, KS-67260
Abstract: Biodegradable materials including biodegradable metals are continuously being
investigated for the development of next generation cardiovascular stents. Next generation stents
materials are being explored to overcome the limitation of current stent technologies. Currently
corrosion tests are performed under static conditions using electrochemical methods in a standard
corrosion cell. Although these tests provide a corrosion rate; they do not adequately test the material
under conditions similar to those encountered of a stent placed in an artery. Predictive in vitro tests
are needed that could evaluate potential stent materials while simulating in vivo conditions. In this
abstract we report the fabrication and preliminary validation of a dynamic electrochemical corrosion
cell for evaluating the biodegradation behavior of potential cardiovascular stent materials. The
preliminary validation was conducted using 316L stainless steel (SS) due to its relatively inert
biodegradation behavior. The corrosion rates of 316L SS obtained using the developed corrosion cell
was compared to the rates obtained using a standard static corrosion cell. We fabricated and
conducted a preliminary validation of a dynamic electrochemical corrosion test bench that could
determine the corrosion rate of potential stent materials under flow and shear conditions as it would
encounter in an artery. Results were encouraging, determining that the test bench would benefit from
continued validation with the eventual goal of using it to test biodegradable materials.
Acknowledgement: I am grateful to Dr. Anil Mahapatro for his mentorship, Dr. Hendry and K-INBRE
(grant # P20GM103418) for my funding, and the Wichita State University Engineering department.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
56. ENHANCING THERAPEUTIC DELIVERY OF TUMOR SUPPRESSOR microRNAs INTO
PANCREATIC CANCER CELLS
Marquez, Rebecca T., Emily Binshtok, Garrett Pretz, Megan Mackiewicz, and Liang Xu
Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
Pancreatic cancer (PaCa) patients have the highest mortality rate of all cancers, whereby survival
rates for 1-year are 20% and 5-year survival rates are only 4%. Novel therapies are in high demand
in order to improve these dismal survival rates. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that
repress gene expression by binding to the 3’ untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs.
Dysregulation of mature miRNA expression levels is a major cause of cancer development. Mature
miRNA expression is controlled both transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally by the miRNA
processing pathway. Each processing step can be regulated by accessory/inhibitory proteins
providing evidence that not all miRNAs are processed alike. We have observed differences in
processing efficiency between different miRNA precursors within the same cancer cell type. In
addition, we have observed different levels of processing of tumor suppressor miRNA, miR-34a,
among different cancer cell lines. This demonstrates that miRNA processing efficiencies are
dependent upon both the miRNA precursor sequence, as well as the environment, i.e. regulatory
factors, within a particular cell. We want to identify miRNAs that are efficiently processed in order to
use the precursor sequence as a backbone for delivering mature miR-34a. We found miR-200b is
efficiently processed in two PaCa cell lines. We have generated a series of miRNA scaffolds using
the miR-200b precursor stem-loop sequence and miR-34a mature sequence for delivery. We will
compare processing of miR-200b-34a expression constructs to wild-type miR-34a precursor in order
to determine whether the miR-200b-34a scaffold enhances exogenous expression of miR-34a in
PaCa cells.
57. COMPLEMENT C3 AND IgM DEPOSITION IN PLACENTAL ISCHEMIA-INDUCED
HYPERTENSION IN RAT
Parker, Jordan E., Jean F. Regal, Ph.D., and Sherry Fleming, Ph.D.
Department of Biology: Kansas State University, Department of Biomedical Sciences: University of
Minnesota Duluth
Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder that affects 1 out of every 10 pregnancies worldwide. This
syndrome significantly impacts the health of both mother and child, contributing to restricted fetal
growth and in some cases miscarriage. Although the exact cause of preeclampsia is unclear, prior
research shows that uterine and placental hypoxia is an initiating factor. With impaired placental
perfusion or placental ischemia, the complement system is excessively activated, leading to some of
the adverse effects exhibited in preeclampsia. Using a rat model, we hypothesized that complement
activation via the classical/lectin pathway mediates high blood pressure in preeclampsia. To test the
hypothesis, pregnant rats were subjected to either sham or clip (abdominal aorta/ovarian artery
partially clamped off) surgery to reduce blood flow to the uteroplacenta on gestational day 14 to
simulate preeclamptic condition. This placental ischemia resulted in high blood pressure and reduced
fetal weight. Next, organs were harvested on gestational day 19 and prepared for analysis. Using
immunohistochemistry, we demonstrated that placental ischemia in pregnant rats results in increased
deposition of IgM and C3 in the placenta. The increase in deposition of these compounds in the
placenta correlates with increased blood pressure in the mother, indicating that activation of the
classical complement system coincides with preeclamptic condition. Currently, we are working to
determine if beta-2-glycoprotein I is the neoantigen recognized by IgM in preeclampsia.
46
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
58. IDENTIFICATION OF THE ROLE OF NUCLEAR BCL9 IN DCIS INVASIVE PROGRESSION TO IDC
Sabbagh, Aria1, Yan Hong2, Hanan Elsarraj2, Caroline Hodge2, Joseph Fontes3, and Fariba Behbod2
1
College of William and Mary
2
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center
3
Department of Biochemistry, The University of Kansas Medical Center
Pathobiology of human ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and the molecular processes underlying DCIS
transition to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) are currently understudied. To address this issue, we
performed molecular profiling of DCIS at distinct stages of in situ to IDC transition. This led to the
identification of BCL9 (B cell lymphoma-9), a nuclear co-factor that binds to β-catenin and enhances
Wnt-stimulated β-catenin-mediated transcription. BCL9 knockdown in our invasive DCIS cell line led
to inhibition of cell invasion, down-regulation of vimentin, a biomarker of epithelial-mesenchymal
transition, and suppression of Wnt signaling. Based on these data, we hypothesized that BCL9
nuclear translocation was essential for the activation of Wnt oncogenic signaling and DCIS invasive
progression. A disruption in BCL9 nuclear translocation may serve as a viable and safe therapeutic
strategy for prevention of DCIS-IDC progression. Methods: We utilized site directed mutagenesis to
make deletions in two putative nuclear localization sequences (NLS) in BCL9. A polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) showed appropriate deletion of the NLS sequences in the BCL9 gene. A western blot
on the nuclear-cytoplasmic extracts was performed to demonstrate BCL9 nuclear translocation in
response to the desired deletions upon Wnt ligand stimulation in MCF10A cells. The results showed
no difference in nuclear transport with deletion in BCL9 NLS. The conclusion of this study supported
the idea that BCL9 does not use the classical method of translocation to the nucleus by means of a
NLS. Future studies are aimed at examining whether BCL9 utilizes a shuttle protein such as PYGO2
for nuclear transport.
59. EFFECTS OF LACTIC ACID ON ANAEROBIC RESPIRATION IN CHANNEL CATFISH
(ICTALURUS PUNCTATUS) LIVER
Urban, Adam D., Yasuhiro Kobayashi, and Brian R. Maricle
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University
Lactic acid can accumulate in tissues of animals during periods of fermentation, potentially leading to
toxic effects. Colloquially, lactic acid accumulation has been held responsible for many symptoms
following exercise. However, specific toxicity has been investigated regarding few metabolic effects.
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is the enzyme that catalyzes formation of lactic acid during
fermentation, and therefore offered a likely place to investigate the effect of lactic acid toxicity.
Channel catfish were collected from the Arkansas River and LDH activity was measured in tissue
homogenates from livers. LDH activity was measured in 0, 1, 10, 50, and 100 mM lactic acid.
Increasing lactic acid concentration significantly decreased LDH activity in a dose-dependent manner
(P<0.001). LDH activity was as high as 78.7 µmol g-1 min-1 in the absence of lactic acid, but was
reduced to 45.3 µmol g-1 min-1 at 10 mM lactic acid. LDH activity was still detectable at 50 mM lactic
acid, but was not detectable at 100 mM lactic acid. These results indicate a specific metabolic effect
of lactic acid on lactate dehydrogenase; future work will investigate effects of lactic acid on other
enzymes in catfish. This work will help us understand lactic acid toxicity and how lactic acid
accumulation could affect animal physiology.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
60. ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF COPOLYMERS FROM VINYLFERROCENE AND 4VINYLPYRIDINE
Westby, Raymond B. *,and Charles J. Neef
Department of Chemistry, Pittsburg State University
Ferrocene containing polymers have stable redox properties which make them attractive for various
applications such as biosensors, energy storage, and as catalyst. In this research, we have focused
on copolymers containing vinylferrocene and 4-vinylpyridinium for biological sensor applications.
Chemically modified electrodes were prepared by solution casting these materials onto a platinum
electrode for subsequent cyclic voltammetry studies using sodium perchlorate as the supporting
electrolyte. In this study we examined various ratios of ferrocene to pyridinium and the effects of alkyl
chain length of the pyridinium on sensor performance. Use of these materials in biosensors for the
detection of dopamine will also be presented.
61. ASSESSING THE ROLE OF A Lim5 HOMOLOGUE ON ACTIN FILAMENT STRUCTURE IN
PHYSCOMITRELLA PATENS.
DeVries, Hannah, Trista Dugan, and Phillip Harries
Pittsburg State University, Department of Biology
The microfilament cytoskeleton is critical for many aspects of cellular function and growth including
cell expansion and elongation. In the moss Physcomitrella patens, cell growth occurs in filamentous
chains via tip growth, a type of asymmetric cellular elongation that also occurs in pollen tubes and in
fungi (including pathogenic fungi). Actin microfilaments are known to be critical for this process since
disruption of genes that alter actin polymerization or disrupt microfilament structure have a negative
effect on P. patens growth. Here we propose to analyze the role of the P. patens homolog of
GhWLIM5, a protein identified in cotton that was found to localize with and stabilize microfilaments,
particularly in elongating cells. We will knock out the GhWLIM5 homolog in P. patens via homologous
recombination and will assay for defects in protonemal filament growth and alteration of microfilament
structure. By comparing the function of GhWLIM5 in a primitive nonvascular bryophyte to that in
higher plants, we hope to uncover the degree of conservation of GhWLIM5 function throughout land
plants.
62. ISOLATION OF ANTIPODAL CELLS AND GENE EXPRESSION ANALSYSIS IN RICE
Authors: Hall, Rashad1, Daniel Jones2, Joshua Chesnut2 and Sarah Anderson3
University of Scholar: Langston University
Location of Research: University of California-Davis, Davis, California, US
University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, US
Funding: NSF
Mentors: Dr. Scott Russell, Oklahoma University, and Dr. Venkatesan Sundaresan, University of
California-Davis
The embryo sack of a rice plant contains 7 cells all vital for the plants reproduction. The central cell,
egg cell, senergent cells, and the antipodal cells. We know the function and purpose of all of these
cells except the Antipodal cells. The objective for our research is to gain a better understanding of
these cells. We believe the cells may play a similar roll in rice as the vegetative cell does in pollen.
RT-PCR and antipodal isolation were the main techniques we used to conduct our research. My
results did not match my hypothesis due to the primes I chose to use during RT-PCR. We still don’t
fully know the function of Antipodal cells.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
63. NANO-FIBERS OF POLYCAPROLACTONE- HYDROXYAPATITE FOR BONE-REGENERATION*
Jimenez, Ashley1, R.K. Gupta1, Shang-You Yang2,
1
Department of Chemistry, Pittsburg State University, 1701 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 66762,
2
Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount St., Wichita, KS 67260
Electrospun nano-fibers have great potential for biodegradable metallic implants due to their high
surface area and porosity. Magnesium is one of the widely studied metal for biodegradable metallic
implant due to its biocompatibility, low density, high specific strength and appropriate hardness.
However, high degradation rate of magnesium with low osteoconduction restricts it application as
implants. To promote osseointegration, a biodegradable polymer combined with an osteoconductive
mineral is applied as a coating for magnesium. To promote osteoconduction, hydroxyapatite was
embedded in polycaprolactone. We have fabricated nano-fibers of polycaprolactone embedded with
different amount of hydroxyapatite using electrospinning technique. The diameter of the nano-fibers
were tuned to be in the range of few hundred nanometers. The crystal structure and crystallinity of the
nano-fibers were studied using X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. Nano-fibers of
polycaprolactone showed improved crystallinity compared to bulk polycaprolactone. Bone growth on
these nano-fibers were studied by submerging them in simulated body fluid (SBF). It was observed
that the weight of these nanofibers increases with time in SBF. The increase in the weight and SEM
images of the nano-fibers clearly indicate osteoblast growth. In addition, MC3T3-E-1 osteoblastic cells
growth on these nano-fibers were studied in detail. The results confirmed that these nano-fibers are
biocompatible with great potential for bone-regeneration.
*This project was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute
of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under grant number P20 GM103418.
64. SPECIES-SPECIFIC ENZYMATIC TOLERANCE OF SULFIDE TOXICITY IN PLANT ROOTS AND
COMPARATIVE SUSCEPTIBILITY BETWEEN PLANT AND CATFISH TISSUE
Martin, Nicole M., Yasuhiro Kobayashi, and Brian R. Maricle
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University
Sulfide is a potent inhibitor of numerous enzymes, especially cytochrome c oxidase, which catalyzes
the terminal step in aerobic respiration. However, some salt marsh plants live in sulfide-rich
sediments. We hypothesized salt marsh plants might tolerate sulfide exposure better compared to
upland plants at the metabolic level. Two enzymes were assayed to determine broader effects of
sulfide toxicity on metabolism. Our objective was to compare roots of various plant species and catfish
liver and muscle tissues. Cytochrome c oxidase and alcohol dehydrogenase activities were measured
in root extracts and tissue homogenate exposed to 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 μM sodium sulfide. Activities
of cytochrome c oxidase were very sensitive to sulfide and were nearly undetectable at 5 to 10 μM
sulfide. Alcohol dehydrogenase activities were less sensitive to sulfide, typically only reduced by
about 50% at 20 μM sulfide. Cytochrome c oxidase activities in root extracts of flooding-sensitive plant
species decreased to nearly zero when treated with 5 μM sulfide, whereas activities in some salt
marsh plants did not decrease until 10 μM sulfide. Cytochrome c oxidase activities in catfish tissues
were much higher than those measured in plant roots, but were very sensitive to increasing sulfide
concentrations, with complete inhibition at 5 μM sulfide. Cytochrome c oxidase activities in some salt
marsh plants were low even in the absence of sulfide, perhaps an adaptation to avoid sulfide
vulnerability in their native, sulfide-rich habitat. This illustrates the potent metabolic effects of sulfide
and variability in sulfide toxicity among plants.
49
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
65. DOES HYPO-GLYCOSYLATED FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE EXIST IN OVINE, BOVINE,
AND PORCINE PITUITARY GLANDS?
Mohamed, Julie R., George R. Bousfield, Vladimir Y. Butnev, and Viktor Y. Butnev
Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), a glycoprotein hormone, plays central roles in reproduction. In
females, it acts on ovarian follicles producing mature oocytes at ovulation. In males, it regulates
testicular Sertoli cells, which play roles in spermatogenesis. FSH possesses two glycoprotein
subunits, a common α-subunit and a hormone-specific β-subunit. Both subunits possess two potential
N-glycosylation sites. While the α-subunit is always glycosylated, glycosylation varies in the β-subunit.
FSH glycoforms are defined by the number and position of FSHβ N-glycans. Thus, fully-glycosylated
hFSH24 possesses both N-glycans, hFSH21 lacks Asn24 glycan, hFSH18 lacks Asn7 glycan, and
hFSH15 lacks both. Hypo-glycosylated hFSH is more active than FSH24, but disappears as fertility
decreases in women. FSH glycoforms have been observed largely in primates, including humans,
rhesus monkeys, and Japanese macaques. Ovine, porcine, and bovine FSH preparations appear to
possess only FSH24, while horse FSH is 90% FSH21. Hypo-glycosylated FSH variants may exist in
ovine, bovine, and porcine pituitaries. The goal of this research is to establish that hypo-glycosylated
FSH exits in these species. Our working hypothesis is that hypo-glycosylated FSH co-purifies with
luteinizing hormone (LH), the other pituitary gonadotropin. During purification of pFSH, hypoglycosylated FSH was noted in side fractions. We are using Western blotting to evaluate partially
purified and purified LH preparations from these three species to detect hypo-glycosylated FSH.
Supported by NIH grants P01 AG02531 and P20 GM103418.
66. Stearoyl-CoA DESATURASE mRNA IN CHANNEL CATFISH: A POTENTIAL MOLECULAR
MARKER TO INVESTIGATE DEVELOPMENT OF OBESITY USING NON-MODEL FISH SPECIES
Nash, Claire, Paige Evans, and Yass Kobayashi
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University
The ever increasing prevalence of obesity continues to plague the well-being of our population and
places heavy burden on the resources allocated for the health care system throughout the world.
Genetic selection toward increased growth results in development of obesity-like phenotype in
channel catfish, suggesting that channel catfish may serve as an alternative animal model to study
human obesity development. However, the underlying mechanism(s) that results in the development
of an obese-like phenotype, as well as the consequence of developing such a phenotype, is
unclear. In mammals, development of obesity leads to changes in expression and function of various
enzymes involved in lipid metabolism such as stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1). Currently, little is
known about the role of SCD-1 in development of obesity on channel catfish. Objectives of the
present study were to characterize SCD-1 gene in channel catfish and examine its mRNA expression
in various tissues. Channel catfish expressed sequence tag clones that correspond to the zebrafish
SCD-1 sequence were identified and used as templates to generate primers for the RT-PCR. The
PCR amplicon (599 bp) was generated from channel catfish liver cDNA and shared high sequence
similarity (around 70%) with SCD-1 mRNA of various fish species. Expression of SCD-1 mRNA was
detected in brain, liver, and kidney. Currently, changes in expression of SCD-1 mRNA in relation to
changes in food intake and genetic selection toward growth are being investigated.
50
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
67. GENERATION OF IMPROVED ONCOLYTIC MYXOMA VIRUS
Schieferecke, Adam J., Chen Peng, Sherry L. Haller, and Stefan Rothenburg
Division of Biology, Kansas State University
A new promising weapon in the fight against cancer is the use of oncolytic viruses that possess the
ability to selectively kill cancer cells and thus posess a great theraputic potential. Myxoma virus is a
poxvirus that naturally evolved as a rabbit pathogen, cannot establish an active infection in humans,
and has previously shown oncolytic activities against some human cancer forms. The antiviral protein
kinase R (PKR) displays increased expression and activation in some cancer cells, which could
theoretically prevent infection by oncolytic viruses. We show that myxoma virus protein M156 inhibits
rabbit PKR but does not inhibit human PKR, whereas M156 orthologs from other poxviruses such as
deerpox virus and raccoonpox virus showed strong inhibition of human PKR. The lack of inhibition of
human PKR by M156 might explain why myxoma virus shows limited oncolytic activity against some
human cancers. This project aims to increase the oncolytic effectiveness of myxoma virus. The
hypothesis is that myxoma virus can be engineered to have enhanced oncolytic activities by the
expression of more effective PKR inhibitors. To do this, we first inactivated M156 in myxoma virus and
replaced it with either the deerpox virus or raccoonpox virus orthologs. Currently, we are testing the
oncolytic activity of the two recombinant myxoma viruses against a large number of human cancerderived cell lines, some of which previously showed resistance to the oncolytic effects of myxoma
virus. If these experiments are successful, we will test the oncolytic potential of the recombinant
viruses in xenograft mouse models.
68. A NEW TALE OF DAVID & GOLIATH; miR-137 TARGETS THE SAMURAI WARRIOR OF
CANCER, Musashi-1
Smith, Amber1, Rebecca Marquez1, Bryan Tsao1, Surajit Pathak3, Alexandria Roy1, Jie Ping3, Bailey
Wilkerson1, Lan Lan1, Kristi Neufeld1, Xiao-Feng Sun3, and Liang Xu1,2
1
Department of Molecular Biosciences, 2 Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas
Cancer Center, USA, 3 Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University,
Sweden
RNA binding protein and stem cell regulator, Musashi-1 is overexpressed in a variety of cancers,
including colorectal. Musashi-1 (Msi1) promotes tumor growth by positively regulating both Notch and
Wnt signaling. However, the mechanisms associated with Msi1 overexpression in colorectal cancer
are not clearly understood. Since Msi1 has a long 3′UTR containing many highly-conserved
microRNA (miRNA) binding sites, we hypothesized that miRNA’s negatively regulate Msi1 and this
level of regulation has been dismantled in colorectal cancer.
We successfully identified miR-137 as a negative regulator of Msi1 using Western blotting,
quantitative real-time PCR and luciferase reporter assays. Transfection of miR-137 mimic in colon
cancer cells reduced growth, measured by colony formation and tumorsphere assays. In vivo studies
were carried out whereby athymic nude mice were subcutaneously injected with either negative
control miRNA or miR-137 stable cell lines. After tumors reached approximately 50 mm3 in size, mice
were fed doxycycline to induce expression of miR-137 or negative control miRNA. Induction of miR137 expression significantly decreased tumor growth in our xenograft model by approximately 50%
(n=10).
To understand the clinical relevance of our observations, we studied the expression of miR-137 and
Msi1 in tissue samples from patients with rectal cancer. miR-137 expression is decreased in
approximately 84% of rectal tumor samples as compared to paired normal rectal mucosal samples
(n=68). Inversely, Msi1 protein was found to be highly expressed in 79% of primary rectal tumors
(n=146). Overall our study highlights an important tumor suppressive function of miR-137 in part by
negatively regulating Msi1.
51
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
69. ROLES OF HSV-1 INFECTED CELL PROTEIN 0 IN THE IMPAIRMENT OF THE INTERFERON-β
RESPONSE
van Loben Sels, Jessica, Perusina-Lanfranca, Mirna, and Davido, David J.
Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
HSV-1 infects sensory neurons in humans and establishes lifelong latent infections, which can
reactivate by stress stimuli. Among the first proteins to be expressed when HSV-1 infects a cell is
infected cell protein 0 (ICP0). ICP0 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that stimulates viral gene expression and
enhances viral replication. ICP0 facilitates viral gene expression by impairing the antiviral effects of
the cellular factor, interferon (IFN)-β. The mechanism(s) by which ICP0 impairs IFN-β restriction on
HSV-1 replication are unknown. To begin to understand how ICP0 impairs an established IFN
response, we performed structure-function analyses using a series of ICP0 C-terminal truncation
mutants in the presence and absence of IFN-β in cell culture. Infected samples were examined for
HSV-1 gene expression and ICP0 protein stability by western blots. We have defined at least one
region in ICP0 that promotes high levels of gene expression in cells pretreated with IFN. These data
will be correlated with the replication phenotypes of our ICP0 mutants to determine the role ICP0’s
transactivating activity plays in allowing HSV-1 to resist host cell’s IFN-β response.
70. BIOENERGETIC INFLUENCE OF AMYLOID BETA GENERATION
Wilkins, Heather M.1,2, Steven M Carl2, Suruchi A Ramanujan2, Sam G Weber2, Russell H Swerdlow1-4
1
Department of Neurology, 2University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Center, 3Department of
Molecular and Integrative Physiology, 4Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
Amyloid beta (Aβ) associates with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is believed by many to cause it, and is
central to major therapeutic initiatives. How Aβ is processed from the parent amyloid precursor protein
(APP) is understood, although Aβ and APP function, as well as what regulates APP processing, is
incompletely understood. Two potentially intersecting AD pathologies include mitochondrial
dysfunction and Aβ production. We therefore directly tested the relationship between APP processing
and mitochondrial function. Enhancing mitochondrial respiration in SH-SY5Y cells led to a decrease in
excreted soluble APPα (sAPPα), no change in APP messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, decrease in APP
protein, and a decrease in soluble excreted Aβ-42. Similar results were observed in differentiated SHSY5Y cells. The use of a proteasome inhibitor did not prevent the reduction in APP protein. Thus,
suggesting these results are not a result of APP protein proteasome degradation. A respiratory
incompetent SH-SY5Y cell line, displayed an increase in sAPPα, no change in APP mRNA or protein,
and a decrease in soluble excreted Aβ1-42. Current experiments are underway to determine the levels
of insoluble APP and Aβ1-42. Determining the “upstream” event or events that initiate and drive AD is
critical to the development of future therapeutic interventions.
52
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
71. THE KANSAS UNIVERSITY MOLECULAR PROBES CORE FACILITY: YOUR SOURCE FOR
CHEMICAL BIOLOGY ASSAY DEVELOPMENT AND CUSTOM-SYNTHESIZED MOLECULAR
PROBES
Bender, Aaron M., Chamani Perera, and Blake R. Peterson
The KU Center for Molecular Analysis of Disease Pathways, and
The Department of Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
The discipline of chemical biology applies chemical tools to query biological processes. To assist
investigators with chemical biology approaches, tools, and techniques, the Kansas University
Molecular Probes Core (KU-MPC) was established in 2012. We offer access to optically transparent
vertebrate (Danio rerio (zebrafish)) and invertebrate (Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans, nematode
worm)) model organisms for image-based assays using fluorescent molecular probes. These studies
provide more cost-effective, less invasive, and higher-throughput alternatives to more complex studies
in rodents. High-resolution fluorescence video microscopy of these living animals is available in the
KU-MPC using a Zeiss Axio Zoom V16 stereomicroscope. This instrument is equipped with a
Hamamatsu Orca Flash 4.0 CMOS camera and a Sutter DG4 fast filter switching illumination system
enabling simultaneous imaging of multiple (spectrally orthogonal) probes. This equipment can be
used to study the effect of small molecules on organismal phenotypes and analysis of changes in
physiological processes. In addition to in vivo imaging, the KU-MPC can culture and image
mammalian cells for investigators interested in other cellular phenotypes revealed by fluorescent
molecular probes. The KU-MPC also offers custom synthesis of known and novel fluorescent probes,
including both small molecules and peptides, cryopreservation of wild-type, mutant, and transgenic C.
elegans strains, as well as on-site housing of multiple strains of adult zebrafish. Furthermore,
zebrafish embryos, larvae, and adults are available for purchase through the KU-MPC for
investigators that wish to conduct experiments with these model organisms in their own laboratories.
72. PRODUCTION AND PURIFICATION OF A MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TO BLOCK IL-2
SIGNALING IN MICE
Burdiek, Wesley and Tim Burnett
Department of Biological Sciences, Emporia State University
The high affinity IL-2 receptor has important roles in TREG-mediated immunological tolerance. In vivo
administration of anti-CD25 antibody has been used by our laboratory and others to study the
development of mucosal tolerance in the small intestine. However, these experiments have become
cost-prohibitive due to the large mount of antibody necessary to block CD25 signaling in vivo. The
objective of this project was to produce and purify anti-CD25 (clone PC61.5.3) from the rat hybridoma
cell line. I began this process by designing and optimizing a flow cytometer assay to determine antiCD25 titer. Using this assay we determined culture conditions such as media type, incubation time
and the use of bioreactor chambers had little effect on antibody production levels by these cells. We
then scaled up the cultures in order to produce large quantities and purify with affinity
chromatography. We compared the abilities of Protein G and Protein L to purify our antibody from cell
culture supernatants and found Protein G to be far superior. We believe this is due to the hybridoma
producing an antibody with an unusual kappa light chain subtype. Despite using protein G columns
and FBS in our cell culture media, bovine antibodies were undetectable in our purified fractions. To
date we have produced 12mg of antibody, which has a retail value of over $5,000.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
73. SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PHOTOCAGED SULFHYDRYLS
Field, Thomas1,2, Richard Givens1, and Michael. A. Johnson1,2,3
1
Department of Chemistry, 2 R. N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, 3 Neuroscience
Program, University of Kansas
Caged compounds are compounds that are protected chemically with a group, such as p –
hydroxyphenylacyl (pHp), which can be subsequently removed via a photochemical reaction. These
types of compounds have many possible uses in the bioanalytical sciences because of their ability to
block the biological activity of a molecule and then restore that activity in a spatially and temporally
precise way by application of light. The pHp protecting group is of particular interest because of the
efficiency of its photochemical reaction and the absence of biologically harmful byproducts. In the
past, pHp has been used to protect molecules with very acidic moieties, such as carboxylic acid
groups on glutamate or GABA; however, it has not often been used successfully with less acidic
moieties such as phenols or sulfhydryls, which are found in a large number of relevant biological
compounds. In this work, we explore a possible synthetic pathway for the protection of sulfhydryls with
pHp. We also characterize the photochemistry with H1-NMR as well as mass spectroscopy in order to
determine the products of the photochemical reaction.
74. WNT/β-CATENIN SIGNALING IS MISREGULATED UPON SPECC1L DEFICIENCY
Hipp, Lauren, Wilson, Nathan, Acevedo, Diana, and Saadi, Irfan.
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS.
We identified de novo mutations in a novel cytoskeletal SPECC1L gene in patients with atypical and
syndromic orofacial clefts, a common birth defect. In mouse, Specc1l mutant embryos fail to close the
neural folds (anencephaly), with residual staining of cranial neural crest cells (NCCs) that do not
delaminate. Since the majority of craniofacial structures are derived from NCCs, perturbation of their
function leads to craniofacial malformation. Also, SPECC1L-deficient cells and tissue show increased
density of adherens junctions, consistent with reduced delamination of NCCs, accompanied by
reduction in PI3K-AKT signaling. Since AKT signaling upregulates WNT/β-catenin pathway through
inactivation of GSK3β, a negative regulator of β-catenin, we hypothesized that SPECC1L deficiency
leads to reduced WNT/β-catenin signaling. Normally in cultured cells, upon high confluence, Wnt
signaling is down-regulated due to contact inhibition. However, in SPECC1L-kd U2OS osteosarcoma
cells, Wnt signaling is up-regulated at high confluence as determined by increased TCF1, LEF1, and
Cyclin D1 expression. In vivo, in Specc1l mutant embryonic tissue, we observe increased stability of
CD44 and inactive phospho-S9-GSK3β consistent with increased Wnt signaling. These results do not
correlate with reduced PI3K-AKT signaling observed upon SPECC1L deficiency, indicating disconnect
between the two pathways. Given the expression of SPECC1L at the base of cilia and in mitotic
spindle, it is plausible that non-canonical Wnt/PCP (planar cell polarity) signaling is primarily altered
upon SPECC1L deficiency, which frequently results in increased Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
Misregulated crosstalk between these various signaling pathways may underlie the pathogenesis of
SPECC1L mutations in orofacial clefting.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
75. SMALL MOLECULE INHIBITORS OF MUSASHI FAMILY OF RNA-BINDING PROTEINS
Lan, Lan1, Carl Appelman1, Amber Smith1, Sarah Larsen1, Jia Yu1, Rebecca Marquez1, Xiaoqing Wu1,
Hao Liu1, Anuradha Roy2, Asokan Anbanandam3, Ragul Gowthaman1,4, John Karanicolas1,4, Steven
Rogers5, Jeffrey Aubé5, Roberto De Guzman1, Kristi Neufeld1, and Liang Xu1
1
Department of Molecular Biosciences, 2High Throughput Screening Laboratory, 3Bio-NMR Core
Facility, 4Center for Bioinformatics, 5Department of Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Kansas,
Lawrence, Kansas
Musashi family of RNA-binding proteins are key regulators of several stem cell populations, they also
involve in tumor proliferation and maintenance. There are two Musashi family proteins in human,
Musashi-1 (Msi1) and Musashi-2 (Msi2), both of which regulate target mRNAs at translational level.
We aim to identify small molecule inhibitors of Msi’s-mRNA binding activity thus blocking the growth of
a broad range of cancer cells. Known mRNA targets of Msi1 include Numb, APC and p21WAF-1, key
regulators of Notch, Wnt signaling and cell cycle progression, respectively. Known mRNA targets of
Msi2 include Numb. We confirmed the binding between numb and Msi1/Msi2 by RNA-IP. Using a
fluorescence polarization assay, we screened about 55,000 small molecules that disrupt the binding
of Msi1 to its consensus RNA binding site, and validated the hits by surface plasmon resonance,
amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous assay and nuclear magnetic resonance. Among the
small molecules that we screened, we found several hit compounds that disrupt the Msi1-numb RNA
binding potently. Our study supports the hypothesis that Msi1 inhibition is a viable and effective anticancer strategy and we identifies (–)-gossypol as the first small molecule inhibitor of Msi1 that inhibits
tumor xenograft growth in vivo. We are in the process of carrying out more target validation assays
and also setting up the screening for Msi2.
76. ANALYSIS OF MUSCLE CELL PATHOLOGY WITH SPECTRAL BIOMARKERS
Mehraein, Hootan and Kim Cluff
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wichita State University.
Introduction: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is characterized by atherosclerotic blockages of the
arteries supplying blood to the lower extremities. Reduced blood flow to the lower extremities
produces ischemic injury to the muscles most notably in the gastrocnemius. This injury includes
altered metabolic processes, and compromised bioenergetics, and muscle degradation. The objective
of this study is to characterize the pathology of the muscle cell with spectral biomarkers that reflect
biochemical alterations in the diseased muscle.
Method: Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to characterize the muscle cell
pathology and identify spectral biomarkers that reflect biochemical alterations in the diseased muscle.
Muscle biopsies were collected from the gastrocnemius of 15 patients consisting of 5 controls, 5
moderate stage PAD, and 5 severe end stage PAD (critical limb ischemia) patients. Data preprocessing included baseline correction and normalization. An analysis of variance was performed to
identify significant differences between the PAD and controls.
Results: When comparing spectral peaks between controls, moderate PAD, and severe PAD,
significant differences (p<.1) were found in the fingerprint region at spectral peaks between
wavenumbers 1200-1250 cm-1. These spectral peaks have been attributed to alterations in protein
content, lipids, and DNA or phospholipid groups.
Conclusion: ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was capable of detecting and measuring unique biochemical
signatures of diseased skeletal muscle. These signatures can discriminate control from PAD muscle
and correlate with the clinical presentation of the PAD patient. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy provides
novel spectral biomarkers that may complement existing diagnosis and treatment monitoring methods
for PAD.
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77. IDENTIFICATION AND ANNOTATION OF GENE FEATURES IN DROSOPHILA BIARMPIES
Contig59 USING A COMPUTATIONAL-GENOMICS APPROACH
Nelson, Jonathan and Takrima Sadikot
Biology Department, Washburn University
The genome of D. melanogaster was completed in 2000 and since has become a model organism.
This fly is one of the most studied species in biology and serves as a model organism for studying
many developmental and cellular processes common to higher eukaryotes. In this study, the wellannotated D. melanogaster was used as a reference for conservation-based analysis to annotate and
identify all the genes present within the contig59 sequence of Drosophila biarmpes. Using a number
of open-source computational genomic tools for sequence alignment, gene-prediction and Drosophila
genome browsing, the Drosophila biarmpies contig59 was examined for relevant genomic elements
such as genes, pseudogenes and repetitious elements. Contig59 corresponds to the dot chromosome
of D. biarmpies and was observed to contain three putative genes, all in the order and minus
orientation, consistent with that found in D. melanogaster. Our analysis revealed that of the three
genes predicted within this contig, CaMKI erroneously appears in this region only due to sharedconserved domains with CamKII. Thus, in our final conclusion, we state that the Drosophila biarmpies
contig59 only contains two genes, CamKII and Zyx which are both well conserved between D.
melanogaster and D. biarmpies.
Acknowledgments: "The Genomics Education Partnership is funded by HHMI (Professors grant
#52007051 to SCR Elgin) and by Washington University in St. Louis."
78. MEASURING TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY (TAC) IN TRANSGENIC MICE MODELED
HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE (HD) ON CRAFT PAPER-BASED ANALYTICAL DEVICES(cPADS)
Sun, Meng and Michael A. Johnson*
Department of Chemistry and R. N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry,
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, United States
ABSTRACT: Antioxidants play a role in counteracting free radicals and reactive oxygen species and
are thought to help prevent or slow the progression of many chronic, age-related diseases, such as
cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Adverse effects
and the potential health hazards, however, may come about when antioxidant functional supplements
are overdosed. Herein we report a simple way to make a colorimetric assay on craft paper-based
analytical devices (cPADs) to measure total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in sub-µL volume of blood
samples. We incorporated a microfluidic separation mechanism for isolation of plasma from interfering
blood cells. The whole diagnostic process, including cPAD construction, blood sampling, plasma
separation, and assay with final readout, can be completed in 15 minutes. We applied our approach
toward the measurement of TAC in mice that model Huntington’s disease (HD), a fatal,
neurodegenerative movement disorder. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation of TAC in uric
acid equivalents were 0.028 mM and 0.094 mM, respectively. Results also revealed that TAC was
significantly elevated in R6/2 HD model mice compared to their age-matched wild-type controls. This
measurement was consistent with an ability of R6/2 mice to produce an enhanced capacity to deal
with increased oxidative stress. We expect that this method, carrying a simple, fast, and sensitive
assay on low-cost and disposable papers, will meet the potential needs for point-of-care (POC) testing
of TAC, as well as other disease biomarkers in blood and other types of bodily fluids where limited
volumes of samples are obtainable.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
79. THE EFFECTS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS ON CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE TERATOGENESIS
Wells, Charles B.1, Marah E. Carney1, Xuan T. Lam1, Douglas E. Kepko1, Morgan L. Mueller1, Brittany
M. Miller1, Rachel E. Peterson2, and Melissa M. Bailey1
1
Department of Biological Sciences and 2Department of Psychology, Emporia State University
Psychological stress can cause a variety of adverse effects on fertility and during pregnancy.
Physical restraint can be used to induce consistent psychological stress during the gestational period
and has been shown in specific instances to cause cleft palate and complications during
organogenesis. Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an anticancer agent and model proteratogen that causes
limb, digit,and cranial defects if fetuses are exposed during the window of susceptibility. This study
focuses on determining the effects of psychological stress induced by repeated restraint on CP
teratogenesis. Mated CD-1 mice were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: control
(saline only), restraint only, CP only 20mg/kg, or a combined CP 20mg/kg + restraint group. Mice
were restrained in decapicones for three one-hour sessions per day from GD 8-13. Restraint
treatments were conducted at 8:15am and 12:15 and 4:15pm. CP and saline were given via
intraperitoneal injection on GD 10. Dams were sacrificed on GD 17 and their litters were examined for
gross defects. Fetal weight, maternal weight (minus the gravid uterine weight), and the number of
dead, live, and resorbed fetuses were measured. Maternal weight gain was significantly adversely
affected by restraint both in the control and CP-exposed dams (p<0.05). Fetal weight was adversely
affected by restraint in the control dams (p<0.05) but not in the CP-exposed dams. Maternal restraint
does not appear to affect litter size or embryolethality.
80. PDMS-INTERCONNECTED MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS FOR RAPID SEPARATIONS OF
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Zhang, Qiyang and Maojun Gong
Department of Chemistry, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas, 67260
In vivo measurement of neurotransmitters in cerebrospinal fluidic (CSF) is one of the effective
methods to monitor the level variation of specific neurotransmitters that may be involved in specific
neuronal activities. Compared with HPLC, capillary electrophoresis (CE) is able to separate nano- or
pico-liter samples in a shorter time such as in 20 s, which could improve the temporal resolution
during in vivo measurements. We have developed an integrated CE system targeting on in vivo
measurements of essential neurotransmitters including glutamate and catecholamines. This CE
system employs PDMS interfaces to connect multiple flow capillaries for online sampling, mixing,
derivatization, injection, and separation. Experimental results show that this system is capable of
performing long-term measurements with reproducibility, accuracy, high sensitivity and robustness.
An excellent reproducibility in peak height was achieved as 1.6 %RSD with the high separation
efficiency of 250 k theoretical plates. Furthermore, the flow gate with smaller diameters reduced flow
rate by 25 fold for effective gating flow compared with mechanically machined counterparts. It is
anticipated that this PDMS-fabricated method can be adapted to CE-coupled analytical
instrumentation, and thus be employed in miniaturized device and eventually decrease the cost and
complexity of multifunction analytical systems.
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81. RAG-1 AND RSS INTERACTIONS IN LYMPHOID TISSUE DURING V(D)J RECOMBINATION
Abudu, Tayita , Karsten Creech and Mandy Peak
Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS
Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) is an autosomal recessive immunodeficiency that results
in a total loss of function of numerous genes. Patients with SCID are incapable of performing V(D)J
recombination, resulting in the inability to assemble lymphocytes. Without proper rearrangement of
the variable regions of the B-cells and T-cells, individuals rarely reach their first birthday.
V(D)J recombination results in the formation of the variable regions of the B-cell and T-cell receptors.
RAG-1 and RAG-2 initiate the process of this recombination by nicking the double-stranded DNA
between each gene segment and its bordering recombination signal sequence (RSS), which consists
of a conserved region that borders the site of DNA cleavage. RSS sequences flank the coding
receptor DNA that is sought out for recombination. The RSS contains a conserved heptamer
(CACAGTG) and nonamer (ACAAAAACC) separated by 12 or 23 base pairs. RAG-1 contains the
heptamer and nonamer binding sites.
In researching the first step of immune system development, a series of protein-DNA photocrosslinking experiments were performed to detect interactions between RAG-1 and the RSS.
Understanding this initial step in V(D)J recombination may lead to further immunological therapeutic
advancements. Our studies will provide insight into the generation and maintenance of the antigen
receptors required for successful immune function.
82. TARGETING p53-FoxM1 AXIS IN CANCER
Chien, Jeremy1, Xuan Zhang,1 Lihua Cheng,1 Kay Minn,1 Jill Madden,1 Rashna Madan,2 Andrew K.
Godwin,2 and Viji Shridhar3
1
Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.A.,
2
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas
City, Kansas, U.S.A., 3Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester,
Minnesota, U.S.A.
Abstract
FoxM1 is an oncogenic Forkhead transcription factor that is overexpressed in various cancers
including ovarian cancer. However, the mechanisms by which FoxM1 is deregulated in cancer and the
extent to which FoxM1 can be targeted in ovarian cancer have not been reported previously. In this
study, we showed that MDM2 inhibitor Nutlin-3 upregulated p53 protein and downregulated FoxM1
expression in several cancer cell lines with wild type TP53 but not in cell lines with mutant TP53.
FoxM1 downregulation was partially blocked by cycloheximide or actinomycin D, and pulse-chase
studies indicate Nutlin-3 enhances FoxM1 mRNA decay. Knockdown of wild type TP53 upregulate
FoxM1 expression and abrogates the FoxM1 downregulation by Nutlin-3, indicating that wild type
TP53 suppresses FoxM1 expression. Surprisingly, knockdown of TP53 mutant R248Q also
downregulates FoxM1 expression, indicating that gain-of-function TP53 mutations may upregulate
FoxM1 expression. p53-mediated FoxM1 suppression is also dependent on p53-target gene p21, and
knockdown of p21 attenuates p53-mediated FoxM1 suppression. FoxM1 inhibitor, thiostrepton,
induces apoptosis in cancer cell lines and enhances sensitivity to cisplatin in these cells. Thiostrepton
downregulates FoxM1 expression in several cancer cell lines and enhances sensitivity to carboplatin
in vivo. Finally, FoxM1 expression is elevated in nearly all (48/49) ovarian tumors, indicating that
thiostrepton target gene is highly expressed in ovarian cancer. In summary, the present study
provides novel evidence that both amorphic and neomorphic mutations in TP53 contribute to FoxM1
overexpression and that FoxM1 may be targeted for therapeutic benefits in cancers.
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83. CHARACTERIZATION OF ALUMINA SUPPORTED SYN-GAS CONVERSION BIMETALLIC
NANOCATALYSTS
Davis, Lindsay,1 N.V. Seetala2 and Upali Siriwardane3
1
Langston University, 2Grambling State University and 3Louisiana Tech University
The purpose of this project is to increase the efficiency of the Fischer-Tropsch process by targeting
the most effective catalyst for the reaction. In previous work, different compositions of nanoparticle
metal oxides (Co, Fe, and Cu) co-entrapped sol-gels were synthesized, reduced, and ran catalytic
reaction. The products were analyzed using a gas chromatography system (GC). The samples were
analyzed after synthesis, reduction, and catalytic reaction using a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer
(VSM) for their magnetic properties and the Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Thermal
Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) for their thermal properties. Our goal was to analyze the samples after
each process to determine a trend in our results that could possibly lead to a reasonable conclusion.
The main objective of this project is to study the order of ferromagnetism for each of the samples. By
analyzing the saturation magnetization of these samples, we will be able to provide estimations on
metal loading, reduction efficiency, and poisoning of the catalyst.
84. SOLVENT-FREE SYNTHESIS OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE STILBENOID DERIVATIVES
Dickson, Jalen and Stephen Angel
Washburn University Department of Chemistry
Organic reactions, including the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, historically occur in the presence of a
solvent. Recently, there are an increasing number of organic compounds reported to form in solventfree conditions. Research to optimize conditions of the solvent-free Wittig reaction tested different
bases, aldehydes with different melting points/reactivity, and influence of atmospheric moisture. It was
found that reactions that afford high percent completion and short reaction time were performed in
conditions using a low melting point aldehyde and hygroscopic bases while being open to
atmospheric moisture. Therefore, in an attempt to connect these concepts, optimized solvent-free
Wittig reaction conditions were applied in the synthesis of prospective chemopreventative stilbenoid
compounds; (E) and (Z) resveratrol trimethyl ether (RTE). As a result the solvent-free synthetic
pathway afforded high yield, short reaction time, and utilized a much more sustainable chemical
pathway in comparison to traditional methods of synthesis.
85. BIOINFORMATICS OF DIHYDROPYRIMIDINASE-RELATED PROTEIN 2 IN SCHIZOPHRENIA
German, Amber and Dr. Sharon Lewis
Biology and Chemistry Department, Langston University
Dihydropyrimidinase-Related Protein 2 (drp2) mutations are suspected to occur in individuals with
schizophrenia. Schizophrenia means the splitting of mental functions, but does not imply a "split
personality.” Schizophrenia is often confused with dissociative identity disorder (DID), formally known
as multiple personality disorder (MPD). The drp2 gene has been implicated in the pathogenesis of
schizophrenia by affecting neuronal function and axon firing during fetal development. Looking to
expand the knowledge of mental and emotional disorders, an investigation of schizophrenia was
conducted. During my undergraduate research, I decided to select a gene that was previously
implicated in susceptibility to schizophrenia. I chose to use bioinformatics to investigate and visualize
drp2. While researching the protein, my lab team and I developed a bioinformatics workflow.
Bioinformatics began to surface in the 1980s and is the science of gathering and analyzing intricate
biological data such as genetic codes using computers and statistical techniques. Bioinformatics
includes multiple disciplines working simultaneously to extract meaningful knowledge from large
biological datasets, which are generated from high-throughput technologies such as microarrays,
mass spectrometers, and meta-sequencing (Hodgman, T. C.).
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86. HUMAN UTERINE LEIOMYOMAS: UNIQUE REGULATION OF WNT PATHWAYS
Koohestani, Faezeh1, Michelle McWilliams1, Kavya Shivashankar2, Sornakala Ganeshkumar1, Mina
Farahbakhsh1 and Vargheese Chennathukuzhi1
Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas
City, KS 1, Columbia University, New York City, NY 2
As the most common pelvic neoplasm in women of reproductive age, uterine leiomyomas (ULs) cause
severe morbidity. Available treatments for ULs are limited to surgical procedures or hormonal therapy,
which are associated with high costs and significant side effects. Therefore, there is a need to
understand the underlying mechanisms involved in UL formation to provide better treatment options
for women.
Based on the cellular characteristics of ULs – altered cell proliferation and tissue architecture - we
investigated the involvement of WNT pathways as master regulators of such biological processes in
ULs. Using normal myometrial and tumor tissue from patients, we discovered the expression of
PRICKLE1, a non-canonical WNT (ncWNT) component, to be less in ULs. Surprisingly, the
expression of DISHEVELLED which is negatively regulated by PRICKLE1 was also found to be
reduced in ULs. In both tissues, the lack of nuclear localization of β-catenin as well as in silico and in
vivo data on the suppressed expression levels of canonical WNT (cWNT) target genes indicated the
off state of cWNT in ULs. Conversely, ncWNT components and their target genes were found to be
dysregulated in ULs. Furthermore, treatment of primary cells with WNTs and WNT inhibitor resulted in
differential response in ULs compared to normal myometrium. In conclusion, while our data suggests
that the lack of cWNT activation even in the absence of PRICKLE1 may be related to the reduced
DISHEVELLED level in ULs, the mystery behind the unique negative regulation of DISHEVELLED
remains unsolved. (Supported by Kansas INBRE P20GM103418)
87. INSULIN RECEPTOR mRNA IN CHANNEL CATFISH: A POTENTIAL MOLECULAR MARKER TO
INVESTIGATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF OBESITY IN NON-MODEL FISH SPECIES
Leiker, Alexyss, Claire Nash, and Yass Kobayashi
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University
Obesity is a prevalent problem in the United States, affecting over 34% of the U.S. population. In
recent years, channel catfish have become an alternative model organism to investigate human
metabolic disorders including obesity due to the well-characterized genome and the fact that genetic
selection toward increased growth leads to development of obese-like phenotype. The role of insulin
on nutrient metabolism has been well-defined in mammals. However, the role of insulin and its
receptor(s) on the development of obese-like phenotype in channel catfish is unclear. This study
focused on identification of insulin receptor (IR) mRNA in channel catfish. Channel catfish EST library
was screened using zebrafish IR mRNA sequence, and two distinct IR mRNA sequences (IRa and
IRb) were identified. With the use of PCR techniques, tissue distribution of IRa and IRb mRNA were
examined in brain, liver, muscle, spleen, kidney, and heart collected from 3 juvenile catfish.
Expression of IRb mRNA (503 bp) was readily detectable in all tissues examined in all fish. The IRa
mRNA expression was detectable in brain, muscle, and kidney of all fish examined. However,
expression of IRa mRNA varied in spleen, heart, and liver of the fish we examined. The nucleotide
sequence of amplicons of IRa (>75%) and IRb (>80%) shared high sequence similarity with other fish.
Given the importance of insulin on nutrient metabolism, results of this study could provide insights to
the mechanism(s) associated with the development of obese-like phenotype in catfish.
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88. USE OF AMP PROTEIN KINASE AS A POTENTIAL MOLECULAR MARKER TO INVESTIGATE
THE DEVELOPMENT OF OBESITY IN NON-MODEL FISH SPECIES
Vides, Melissa, Paige Evans, and Yass Kobayashi
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University
The AMP protein kinase (AMPK) is considered as the master regulator of tissue nutrient sensing and
metabolism. Functions of AMPK have been investigated in association with obesity and diabetes
development. In channel catfish, genetic selection toward growth causes development of obese-like
phenotype, suggesting channel catfish can be used as an alternative model to investigate
development of obesity. However, little is known about the role of AMPK in channel catfish.
Objectives of this study were to identify the genes encoding subunits of AMPK in channel catfish and
examine their tissue distribution. In this study, genes encoding subunits of AMPK (alpha 1 and 2, beta
2, and gamma 1) were identified by comparing the channel catfish expressed sequence tag database
with rainbow trout AMPK subunit mRNA. Expression of various AMPK subunit mRNA was examined
in the cDNA of brain, liver, muscle, spleen, kidney and heart using RT-PCR. Alpha 1 and 2 mRNA, as
well as beta 2 mRNA, were detectable in all tissues examined. Gamma 1 mRNA expression was
detectable in brain, muscle, spleen, kidney, and heart. The nucleotide sequence of amplicon
corresponding to each subunit was highly similar to those of other fish (>70%). Currently, we are
investigating changes in the expression of AMPK subunit mRNA in relation to changes in food intake
and genetic selection toward growth in channel catfish.
89. IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TRAPPC 11 mRNA IN CHANNEL CATFISH: A
POTENTIAL GENETIC MARKER TO INVESTIGATE OBESITY-RELATED METABOLIC
DISORDERS USING NON-MODEL FISH SPECIES
Vides, M., Watkins, B., S. Suppes, and Y. Kobayashi
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University
Trafficking protein particle complex (TRAPPC) is involved in vesicle-mediated transport between
endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi apparatus in yeast. In contrast, very little is known about biological
functions of TRAAPC in higher eukaryotes, including fish and mammals. In zebrafish, mutation to
TRAPPC 11, also known as foie gras, results in development of fatty liver. Incidents of fatty liver in
humans often increase with obesity and insulin insensitivity. In channel catfish genetically selected
for increased growth often develop obese-like phenotype. Whether obese-like phenotype is
associated with development of fatty liver in channel catfish is unclear. The objectives of this study
were to identify the TRAPPC 11 gene in channel catfish and examine its tissue distribution. Catfish
TRAPPC 11 was identified from the EST database based on high sequence similarity with zebrafish
TRAPPC 11 mRNA, and PCR amplicon (525 bp) was initially generated using non-quantitative RTPCR. Catfish TRAPPC 11 shared a high degree of nucleotide sequence similarity with zebrafish
TRAPPC 11 mRNA (82%) and mammalian TRAPPC 11 (>77%). Expression of TRAPPC 11 mRNA
was examined in the brain, liver, muscle, spleen, kidney, and heart of juvenile channel catfish using
quantitative RT-PCR and was readily detectable in brain and liver. Currently, effects of food intake
and genetic selection toward growth in channel catfish on TRAPPC 11 mRNA expression are being
investigated. Our study also may provide comparative insight to mechanism(s) involved in the
development of obesity- and diabetes-related metabolic disorders in humans and non-model fish
species.
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90. GENOME SEQUENCING CORE LAB AT KU-LAWRENCE
Wang, Xinkun1,2,3, Jenny Hackett1,2, Erik Lundquist1,2,4, and Sue Lunte1,4,5
1
Center for Molecular Analysis of Disease Pathways, 2 Genome Sequencing Core, 3 Higuchi
Biosciences Center, 3 Department of Molecular Biosciences, 4 Department of Chemistry, 5 Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas
The Genome Sequencing Core (GSC) is one of three research core labs in the newly established NIH
COBRE Center for Molecular Analysis of Disease Pathways (CMADP) at KU. The major mission of
the GSC is to provide researchers with next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. NGS, carried
out in a massively parallel fashion, has been revolutionizing bio-medical research and used in a
growing list of applications. Projects supported by the GSC include de novo genome assembly,
genome re-sequencing for identification of mutations and polymorphisms, transcriptome analysis
(RNA-Seq), epigenomic and gene regulation studies such as ChIP-Seq, Methyl-Seq, small RNA
discovery and analysis. The Genome Sequencing Core enhances the genomics infrastructure already
at KU, in the KU Genomics Facility and the Natural History Museum first generation sequencing
facility, by bringing the astronomically high-throughput Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencing capabilities to
researchers at KU-Lawrence and across Kansas and the region. This next-generation sequencer has
the capacity to generate 3-6 billion reads of 100bp per run of two eight-lane flow cells (600Gb data). In
its rapid mode, it can generate 1.2 billion reads of 150 bp per run on two two-lane flow cells (120Gb
data) in 27 hours. To capture the full power of NGS, we provide a whole range of project support, from
project consultation, sample QC, library construction, cluster generation, data generation, to
preliminary data analysis. For latest pricing, current job queue, or other info, visit the Core’s website:
https://www.gsc.ku.edu/.
91. DEVELOPMENT OF METHODOLOGY FOR CULTURE OF HUMAN SQUAMOUS, BARRETT'S,
AND ESOPHAGEAL ADENOCARCINOMA CELL LINES TO ALLOW ISOLATION OF SECRETED
EXOSOMES
Ambrose, Jeremy1, Bansal A2, and Christenson LK3
Benedictine College1; Department of Gastroenterology, Kansas City VA Medical Center2; Department
of Integrative and Molecular Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center3
The objective of this project was to test the feasibility of culturing squamous (Epc-2), Barrett's (CP-C),
and esophageal adenocarcinoma (JHesoAD1) cell lines in a manner that would allow for cell-specific
exosomes to be collected and used for further analysis and transfection-based experiments.
Established culture conditions were reviewed for each cell line and the cells were initially maintained
in those media conditions. Subsequently, all culture media were made exosome-free by removing
exosomes via ultracentrifugation prior to plating the cells. Nanoparticle tracking analysis was used to
confirm that the media contained no exosomes. At 60-70% confluency was reached, the cells were
split between exosome-free media and baseline media and cell growth was compared between the
two conditions. All three cell lines continued to proliferate grow at an adequate rate when cultured in
the exosome-free media. The conditioned media was saved and exosomes were isolated via
ultracentrifugation. These exosomes were collected for further characterization and
experimentation. We concluded that adequate cell growth of Epc2, CP-C and JHesoAD1 cell lines
could be maintained with removal of the exosomes from the culture media. This allowed for collection
of secreted exosomes in a cell-specific manner, for further characterization of the exosomal contents
and to be used in functional studies. Studies are ongoing to further characterize the cells to confirm
that they maintain their original phenotype in exosome-free media.
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92. CHARCOAL ROT RESISTANCE IN TRANSGENIC SOYBEANS
Bowen, Jayden, Grace Anderson, and Daniel Zurek
Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University
Our objective was to create soybeans resistant to Charcoal Rot (CR), producing plants able to thrive
in Kansas where CR is endemic. Management strategies include crop rotation and irrigation, however
neither is ideal.1 Naturally occurring CR resistant soybeans have not been identified, so traditional
crop-crossing from a hardier wild population is not possible. Transgenes are needed to provide
resistance to CR. We are studying transgenic soybeans designed to overexpress the BOZO gene that
encodes an endogenous glucanase enzyme that is involved in rearranging cell walls in growing
plants.2 This protein has shown both antibiotic and antifungal properties by inhibiting growth of gram
negative bacteria and CR.3,4 We believe it disrupts cell walls in these organisms. Other studies
suggest that some fungal and oomycete plant pathogens display resistance via specific glucanase
inhibitors. No such resistance was seen to our protein from CR, however, and we are optimistic that it
can induce resistance in soybeans to CR.
93. A NEW METHOD TRAPPING TICKS WITH CO2 ATTRACTANT GENERATES SAMPLE SIZES
LARGE ENOUGH FOR COMPARING TICK ABUNDANCE IN DIFFERENT VEGETATION TYPES.
Gordon, David M.1, Ali A. Hroobi 1, and Ram K. Raghavan 2
1
Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University. 2 Department of Diagnostic Medicine and
Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University
Abstract
Tick surveys using a drag take about an hour to collect a single sample. As a result, time constraints
limit the number of samples that one person can collect. A CO2 bait attracted ticks to a pitfall trap
made with a one quart plastic deli container. Containers with pre-printed labels were set in the
evening and collected between 6-8 am the following morning. Since ticks tend to climb very few were
in the containers. However, the CO2 was quite attractive and ticks began moving towards the traps
soon after they were baited. As many as 100 ticks were on the trap container, the wood block, or
surrounding soil and vegetation the following morning. Ticks surrounding the traps were quickly
gathered, dropped into the quart container that was sealed and stored on ice before processing in the
lab. Within a two-hour period large numbers of ticks were easily collected from sixty locations. This
sampling technique generated sample sizes that are large enough to enable statistical comparisons of
habitat preferences, windows of activity and other ecological and behavioral characteristics of ticks.
94. E. coli DbpA ACTIVITY AND ROLE IN RIBOSOME ASSEMBLY
Harvey, Rachel and Lisa Sharpe Elles
Chemistry Department, Washburn University
Abstract: DEAD-box protein A, or DbpA, is a trans-acting factor involved in the highly regulated
assembly of the 70S E. coli ribosome. DbpA is an ATP-dependent, RNA helicase that binds to hairpin
92 of 23S rRNA presumably at some point during assembly of the large subunit (50S) of the 70S E.
coli ribosome. The goal of this project was to further understand this role of DbpA and to further
characterize its kinetic activity. To achieve this, a single alanine substitution was made at a highly
conserved glutamine found in the ATP-binding pocket. Cells expressing the mutant protein, Q30A
DbpA, grew similar to the wild-type expressing cells. This lack of growth defect, however, does not
mean that the protein is functional because DbpA is nonessential to the cell. Along with in vivo
studies, the enzymatic activity, rRNA binding, and ATP hydrolysis rate of mutant DbpA will be
measured and compared to the wild-type DbpA. It is hypothesized that ATP binding will be majorly
decreased leading to a significant decrease in ATP hydrolysis as well.
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95. ESTROGEN RECEPTOR-ALPHA AND EZH2 MEDIATED SUPPRESSION OF THE PRICKLE1 REST PATHWAY IN UTERINE LEIOMYOMA.
McWilliams, Michelle1, Faezeh Koohestani1, Carmen Williams2, Sumedha Gunewardena1, T. Rajendra
Kumar1, and Vargheese Chennathukuzhi1
1
Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center.
2
Reproductive Medicine Group, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology, National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Uterine Leiomyoma (UL) are the most common female reproductive tract tumors, with symptoms of
severe pain and bleeding in up to 25% of women. Despite their prevalence, there is no
pharmacological cure for UL, due largely to the gap in understanding about the molecular
pathogenesis of UL. It is well recognized that UL are sensitive to estrogen and that the PI3K/AKTmTOR pathway is activated in UL. Importantly, we have established that the loss of REST (Repressor
Element Silencing Transcription factor) in UL leads to aberrant gene expression and activation of the
PI3K/AKT-mTOR pathway.
To investigate the role of REST in UL, we generated a uterus specific cKO mouse model of REST.
The REST cKO mice show a UL phenotype, revealing the crucial role of REST as a tumor suppressor
in the myometrium. Furthermore, we report a novel link between estrogen and REST dependent
epigenetic modifications, via the nuclear localization protein PRICKLE-1. We found PRICKLE-1
expression is decreased in UL and that silencing or overexpression of PRICKLE-1 significantly
regulates REST levels. In the mouse uterus, Estrogen receptor-alpha is known to bind the Prickle-1
promoter. We provide genetic and pharmacological evidence for the role of environmental estrogens,
Estrogen receptor- alpha and EZH2 (Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2) in the suppression of PRICKLE1
in UL. Together, we report a novel preclinical mouse model for UL and identify a crucial link between
environmental estrogens and downstream tumorigenic signaling pathways in UL. (Supported by P20
RR016475 from the K-INBRE)
96. eIF1 INTERACTIONS WITH eIF3c AND eIF5 WITHIN THE TRANSLATION INITIATION
MULTIFACTOR COMPLEX PLAY OPPOSITE ROLES IN ACCURATE TRANSLATION INITIATION
Moore, Chelsea, Jacob Morris, Ian Harmon, Mitchel Rork, Bryttney Thompson, Mikaela Flax, James
Rogers, Hiroyuki Hiraishi, and Katsura Asano
Division of Biology, Kansas State University
In eukaryotic translation initiation, eIF1 binds the ribosome, preventing non-AUG initiation during the
scanning process. Once an AUG codon is reached, eIF1 is released and the ribosome starts
translation from the AUG codon. The structural studies done by our collaborators show that lysine and
arginine side chains of alpha-helix 1 of eIF1 directly contact eIF3c, which links eIF1 to the ribosome.
To test if mutations of these residues cause a premature release of eIF1, resulting in a reduced
accuracy of translation initiation, we introduced the lysine/arginine mutations to yeast carrying a start
codon mutation in a histidine synthesis enzyme gene. Using histidine auxotrophy assay we showed
that the introduced mutations render yeast to grow in the absence of histidine (suppressor of initiation
codon mutation or Sui phenotype). The increase in UUG intiation by the mutations was also confirmed
in the lacZ reporter assay.
As a second crucial interaction in ribosome pre-initation complex, we hypothesized that eIF5 is able to
release eIF1 through the quad amino acids of the surface of eIF5 C-terminal domain (CTD). We used
the ability of high-copy eIF5 to increase UUG inititiation in the same histidine auxotrophy assay to
examine the effects of mutations altering the quad amino acids. Our assay showed that all the four of
the quad amino acids are equally responsible for releaseing eIF1, as predicted from the structural
studies. Thus, eIF1 interaction with eIF3c promotes scanning by retaining eIF1, while eIF1 interaction
with eIF5-CTD promotes eIF1 release, initiating translation precisely at AUG codons.
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97. ANALYSIS OF POSSIBLE GENES INVOLVED IN TUMORIGENESIS
Newmaster, Maria N. and Peter A. Chung
Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University
The principal cause of death in cancer patients is from metastatic disease after the primary tumor has
been removed. The macrophage performs important effector functions of immunosurveillance against
neoplastic cells and may play a decidedly more important role in the rejection of tumors and antimetastatic activity. They can be activated to specifically target tumor cells while normal cells remain
relatively unaffected. We have been interested in understanding how activated macrophages
discriminate between normal and tumor cells. Our approach utilizes SV40-transformed mouse
fibroblast cell lines and has focused on identifying possible marker genes that may have been
disrupted during SV40 genome integration. Previously, possible candidate protein CD81 and CD47
were explored. CD81, a 26 kDa surface protein expressed on virtually all cell types, has been shown
to contribute to a variety of different functions, one being its involvement in cell-to-cell interactions.
CD47, a ubiquitously expressed protein, has been shown to be upregulated by human myeloid
leukemias to avoid phagocytosis. Previous RT-PCR experiments have confirmed the expression of
CD81 and CD47 in both cell lines. CD81 transcription appears to be comparable in both cell lines;
CD47 transcription, however, appears to be higher in F5m than in F5b. We believe these gene
disruptions may contribute to phenotypic differences seen between both cell lines. Unpublished
microarray data provided by Kansas State University has shown alterations in the expression of nine
other genes. Our goal is to analyze the data and further identify some key marker genes using RTqPCR analysis.
98. THE EXTRACELLULAR PROTEASE NETWORK THAT REGULATES MOSQUITO
MELANIZATION
Peel, Erin and Kristin Michel
Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Malaria is recognized as being one of the most devastating infectious disease world-wide. The
disease is vectored by Anopheles gambiae in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease is most
prevalent. The serine protease inhibitor (SRPN)2 is a potential late life acting insecticide towards
mosquitoes, which are responsible for malaria parasite transmission. A late life acting insecticide will
reduce the pressure for current insecticide resistance. Like humans, mosquitoes have immune
responses that help to overcome fungal and bacterial infections. One of the responses is called
melanization, where SRPN2 controls the pathway by inhibiting a group of clip-domain proteases. In
order to design an SRPN2-inhibiting insecticide, identifying the proteases involved in the SRPN2
melanization pathway is essential. Based on preliminary data previously obtained in the Michel
laboratory, I hypothesized that SRPN2 inhibits several clip-domain serine proteases, specifically
CLIPB4, CLIPB14, and CLIPB15. I performed genetic epistasis analyses using double-knockdown
experiments with SRPN2 and CLIPB candidates to test this hypothesis. Initial results indicate that in
absence of SRPN2, RNAi of CLIPB4 increases mosquito longevity, while RNAi of neither CLIPB14
nor CLIPB15 do not reverse the SRPN2 phenotype. These data provide the first experimental
evidence that CLIPB4 is indeed a member of the protease network that regulates melanization in
mosquitoes. I am currently finishing the analyses of the other two CLIPB protease candidates, which
includes survival curves, mosquito body wall dissections, Western blots, and qrt-PCR analyses.
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99. CHARACTERIZATION OF START DOMAINS AND CO-REGULATORS LINKING METABOLISM
TO DEVELOPMENT
Peters, Erika, Aashima Khosla, and Kathrin Schrick
Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
START (Steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR)-related lipid transfer) domains are lipid-binding
domains that are evolutionarily conserved in animals and plants. In mammals, START domains that
are found in StAR proteins bind to cholesterol and are important in initiating steroid production. In
plants, START domains are prevalent in homeodomain transcription factors, suggesting a mechanism
by which lipid ligands directly modulate gene expression. The GLABRA2 (GL2) transcription factor is
critical for cell-type differentiation in the Arabidopsis epidermis. Our objective is to identify protein
interactors to further elucidate the function of the START domain from GL2 and the related
transcription factor PROTODERMAL FACTOR2 (PDF2). We are using the yeast two-hybrid system to
identify candidates for interaction. Candidates are tested in a plant transient expression system,
Nicotiana benthamiana epidermal cells, using bimolecular fluorescence complementation. One
candidate, RHM1, a rhamnose synthase, interacts with the GL2 and PDF2 transcription factors in
yeast and plant epidermal cells. We are further characterizing the role of RHM1 as a co-regulator of
the START domain in Arabidopsis and postulate that RHM1 function may be required for protein
function of the GL2 transcription factor. This work is expected to lend new insight into START domain
function and could provide evidence for a molecular link between lipid metabolism and signaling
events underlying cell-type determination.
100. THE INCIDENCE RATE OF THE MAGIC-ANGLE EFFECT IN THE OBLIQUE CORONAL T1WEIGHTED IMAGES OF THE SUPRASPINATUS TENDON
Scheib, Hunter and Michael Madden, Ph.D
Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS 67601, Tel: (785)628-5677
Purpose Rotator cuff injuries are commonly found within the distal portion of the supraspinatus
tendon. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging shows the injury as a high signal region within the distal
tendon. Similarly, a magic-angle effect also appears within healthy patients in this same region with
T1 or proton density (PD)-weighted images. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of
the magic-angle effect found within oblique coronal T1-weighted images through the supraspinatus
tendon in patients without any injury. Methods In this study, 500 consecutive patients were selected
from those symptomatic patients referred for MR evaluation of the shoulder with a 1.5-T unit using
both T1 and T2-weighted sequences. To eliminate patients with a real injury, the written reports were
reviewed; those with positive findings for injury to the supraspinatus tendon were eliminated from the
sample group, leaving 254 patients. Images found to have a higher signal with the T1 sequence were
classified as having the magic-angle effect since a real injury would have a stronger signal on T2weighted images. Results In the 254 patients evaluated, both reviewers found the same 17 patients
to have the magic-angle effect. Conclusion The artifact will appear in 7% of healthy patients and may
lead to false positives. By comparison with previous studies have shown a much greater incidence
rate, our findings also suggest that external rotation of the arm will greatly reduce the incidence of the
magic-angle effect. Acknowledgement This research was supported by NIH grant P20 GM103418.
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101.
DEAD END HOMOLOGUE (DND1) PROTEIN IS INFLUENCED BY AGE AND ESTRADIOL IN
NORMAL T CELLS.
Bhusri, Anuradha, and Virginia Rider
Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a gender biased autoimmune disease (9:1 female to male).
Dead end homolog (Dnd1), an RNA-binding protein, inhibits miRNA by binding to target mRNAs.
Dnd1 targets, such as p27-Kip1, contribute to the maintenance of peripheral tolerance. Microarray
analysis suggested estradiol suppresses Dnd1 expression in SLE T cells but not in normal T cells.
The present study measured DND1 protein in freshly isolated normal T cells and tested the effect of
estradiol (10-8 M) on DND1 expression. T cells were purified from normal blood samples (n = 16) by
negative selection. Proteins were extracted and DND1 immunoprecipitated. The immunoprecipitates
were size fractionated by SDS-PAGE and transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. The membranes
were reacted with DND1 antibody. The protein amount was determined in triplicate using
chemiluminesence. Women <35 years showed significantly higher amounts (p = 0.37, P value from
Pearson score) of DND1 compared with donors >35 years. DND1 is 63% higher in younger age group
than older age donors. Basal levels of DND1 were not affected by race. DND1 increased in response
to estradiol with maximum expression (3.5-fold) at 3 h post estradiol stimulation. The results confirm
the microarray data indicating estradiol does not suppress Dnd1 expression in normal T cells. Studies
in progress are investigating how estradiol suppresses Dnd1 expression in SLE T cells and whether
the estradiol-effect is age dependent.
102.
PATTERN RECOGNITION AND RESPONSE ARE NOT INFLUENCED BY BACTERIA OR
HYPOXIA IN A CELL CULTURE MODEL OF INTESTINAL EPITHELIUM
Castro Munoz, Maria and Tim Burnett
Department of Biological Sciences, Emporia State University
Transient ischemia in the small intestine causes an autoimmune response that contributes to tissue
damage. This observation suggests situations that limit blood flow to the intestine, such as
hemorrhagic shock or surgical manipulations, might impede mechanisms of mucosal tolerance. The
objective of this experiment was to determine if hypoxia influences gene expression induced by
normal bacteria. We used an intestinal epithelial cell line (MODE-K) subjected to heat-shocked,
normal flora bacteria under normoxic (~20% O2) or hypoxic (1% O2) conditions. We extracted RNA
and performed quantitative RT-PCR to measure changes in gene expression relative to control
cultures that were not treated with bacteria. We measured relative expression of pattern recognition
receptors and their associated signaling proteins including; TLR2, TLR4, MyD88, Traf6, and RANTES.
While specific expression of each of these genes was detected there were no significant differences in
the levels of gene expression among the different treatments. These results suggest our treatments
did not induce the cells to alter their ability to recognize or respond to normal flora bacteria. Further
experiments are being conducted to determine if changes to the amount or the types of bacteria will
cause a measurable response in these cells.
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103.
THE INVESTIGATION OF PROTEASOME DEGRADATION IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
Dismuke, Taylor1, 2, Jeroen Roelofs1, and Alina De La Mota-Peynado1
1
Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Development Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan,
Kansas, 2Department of Biology, Langston University, Langston, Oklahoma
The effectiveness and unique process of degrading proteins is essential to maintain protein
homeostasis to sustain a healthy life. The total disregard to the breakdown of proteins leads to the
loss of lives every day. Protein aggregation is the buildup of misfolded protein and is responsible for
several diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, and cancer. Eukaryotic cells have two
instruments that are important for degradation of proteins, one of them being the proteasome. The
proteasome serves as a “protein recycler” in a sense by carrying out proteolysis, which is the
degradation of proteins for the provision of fresh amino acids. Past research has identified
proteasome-associated proteins that inhibit proteasome activity. If the proteasome is not functional
what happens to the proteasomes in the cell? We focused our studies on the future of proteasomes
that can no longer be used within in the cell through autophagy. Autophagy is a catabolic mechanism
where the cell degrades unnecessary or dysfunctional components by lysosome degradation.
Through in vitro starvation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae we saw the green fluorescent protein, or
GFP, tagged proteasomes moved from the nucleus to the cytosol for degradation. We propose that
the cell has a self- maintenance mechanism of controlling dysfunctional proteasomes that can no
longer carry out protein degradation by the process of autophagy. Understanding the reason why
proteolysis is not occurring in the cell will provide more medical guidance in search for a cure for
Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and even cancer.
104.
SYNTHESIS OF A 1-AZA-9-CROWN-3-SUBSTITUTED COUMARIN FOR FLUORESCENCE
SENSING OF METAL IONS
Forsythe, Charissa J., Xiaoyin Zhang and Dr. Diane L. Nutbrown
Emporia State University- Department of Physical Sciences
Fluorescent sensors that bind metal cations are important tools for tracking those ions in living cells. A
1-aza-9-crown-3-substituted coumarin was chosen as a potential fluorescent probe for lithium ions;
such a sensor could aid researchers in understanding how lithium salts treat bipolar disorder.
Coumarin has previously been used as a fluorescent molecule in cells and was chosen as the
backbone for the proposed fluorescent sensor. The ion-binding moeity of this fluorescent sensor is 1aza-9-crown-3, which is linked to the 3-position of the coumarin via a methylene bridge. Following
published procedures, 8-hydroxyjulolidine-9-carboxaldehyde and diethylmalonate were reacted to
form the coumarin ring system by a Knoevenagel condensation. The resulting ester was hydrolyzed
from the 3-position by strong acid and replaced with an aldehyde via a Vilsmeier-Haack reaction. The
final two steps of the five-step synthetic pathway to yield the target fluorescent sensor were adapted
from the literature. A reductive amination using PEMB and ammonium acetate transformed the
aldehyde to a primary amine. Subsequent reaction with 1,2-bis(2-iodoethyoxy)ethane generates the
1-aza-9-crown-3 ring to complete the synthesis.
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105.
FAST-SCAN CYCLIC VOLTAMMETRY MEASUREMENTS OF SEROTONIN RELEASE IN
CHEMOTHERAPY-TREATED RATS
Gehringer, Rachel C.1, Sarah M. Fantin1, and Michael A. Johnson1,2
1
Department of Chemistry and Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2Neuroscience
Program, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
As cancer survival rates continue to improve, quality of life post-chemotherapy is of increasing
importance. Between 20 and 30% of patients who undergo chemotherapy report cognitive
impairment. Furthermore, the prevalence of post-chemotherapy cognitive disorder is particularly high
in patients treated for breast, ovarian, prostate, and reproductive organ cancers. Therefore, our
research group has been investigating chemobrain. In the past, our lab has found that dopamine
release in response to electrical stimulus is decreased in chemotherapy- treated rats, while total brain
dopamine content and reserve pool dopamine remained unaltered. In this study, we investigated the
effect of chemotherapy treatment in rats on serotonin release and reserve pools.
Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) is a method that, when employed with carbon microfiber
electrodes, allows for high spatial and temporal resolution, as well as low limits of detection in the
nanomolar range. Thus, FSCV is an ideal method for measuring neurotransmitter release in brain
tissue. Here, we obtained 300-μm slices containing substantia nigra tissue and stimulated serotonin
release electrically. We used a waveform of +0.2 V to +1.0 V down to -0.1 V and back up to +0.2 V at
a scan rate of 800 V/s in order to obtain serotonin release measurements. Our results suggest that
serotonin release is impaired in chemotherapy-treated rats; however, we do not suspect the
involvement of reserve pools in the mechanism of impaired release.
106.
SPECIES DIVERSITY, SEASONAL PHENOLOGY OF TICKS (ACARINA) IN SOUTHEAST
KANSAS
Hroobi, Ali1, David Gordon1 and Ram Raghavan2
1
Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS and 2Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
The results of weekly trapping for ticks in Southeast Kansas are reported. Ten trapping stations
baited with CO2 attractants were placed in grassy sites around residences and ten more traps were
placed in adjacent forested sites at each of three locations. Diversity and relative abundance of
species, proportions of life stages, and seasonal population changes are reported for ticks.
Subsamples of the ticks collected were screened for the presence of several rickettsial pathogens
using PCR primers to determine infection rates of each tick species.
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POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
107.
EFFECT OF HUMAN EIF5-MIMIC PROTEIN (5MP) ON TRANSLATION INITIATION STRINGENCY
IN YEAST.
Morris, Jacob1, Leiming Tang1, Jagpreet Nanda2, Hiroyuki Hiraishi1, Chelsea Moore1, Ian Harmon1,
Jon Lorsch2, Chingakham Ranjit Singh1, and Katsura Asano1
1
Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS-66506
2
National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD
eIF5-Mimic Protein (5MP) is a human protein that resembles eIF5 and it is involved in translation
initiation. Normal initiation begins at AUG, but when a mutation is introduced to eIF1, non-AUG
initiation can occur. We have shown by transforming a plasmid that causes eIF5 overexpression that
UUG initiation increases when eIF5 is overexpressed in the eIF1 mutant strain. We tested the
hypothesis that 5MP can bind to the same site as eIF5, thereby decreasing non-AUG initiation and
increasing initiation accuracy. In yeast, eIF5 is a part of a larger protein complex together with eIF1,
eIF3 and the eIF2/GTP/Met-tRNAiMet ternary complex (TC) known as the multi factor complex (MFC).
It has been shown that 5MP specifically binds endogenous eIF2 and eIF3 when overproduced in
yeast. Overexpression of 5MP in yeast alleviates UUG initiation caused by eIF5 overexpression,
depending on 5MP AAbox 2 responsible for eIF2 binding. It implicates 5MP in regulation of accurate
translation initiation in yeast. In addition, we show that 5MP promotes TC recruitment to 40S
ribosomal subunit as well as inhibition of GTP hydrolysis at non-AUG codons shown by eIF5. Based
on these data, we discuss the role of 5MP in translation initiation in promoting stringent AUG initiation
by competing out eIF5 and thus regulating MFC.
108.
DEVELOPMENT OF A MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE FOR MEASURING NEUROTRANSMITTER
RELEASE BY FAST-SCAN CYCLIC VOLTAMMETRY
Shin, Mimi 1,2 Meng Sun,1,2 and Michael Johnson ‡1,2,3
1
Department of Chemistry, 2 Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, 3 Department of
Neuroscience, University of Kansas
Microfluidics have emerged as a powerful method in chemistry, bioengineering, and pharmaceutical
fields providing rapid analysis, high throughput, and the ability to integrate with numerous detection
methods such as mass spectrometry, fluorescence, and electrochemistry. In addition, fast-scan cyclic
voltammetry (FSCV) at carbon-fiber microelectrodes have been widely employed to measure rapid
fluctuations of electroactive neurotransmitters both in vivo and vitro, thereby providing good chemical
selectivity while retaining high spatial and temporal resolution. Therefore, in this study, we developed
and fabricated a microfluidic device that incorporates FSCV at a 30 µm diameter carbon-fiber
microelectrode. Our device consists of two layers of polymethysiloxane (PDMS) applied using a
modified spin coating method and incorporates a fused silica capillary as a sampling probe. For each
chip, a trimmed carbon-fiber microelectrode was placed on top of a 26 µm thick partially cured spin
coated PDMS layer on a glass slide to prevent wicking solution along the electrode. After the PDMS
around the electrode was semi-cured, a flow channel of top layer was bonded with the bottom layer.
Using this device, we were able to detect dopamine, serotonin, and adenosine in the low nM range. In
the future, to test the feasibility of the chip, we will measure neurotransmitters in physiological
samples such as microdialysates. Moreover, we will further develop this microfluidic device to contain
and analyze neural tissues for neurotransmitter release.
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109.
DO ANDROGENS PLAY A CRITICAL DEVELOPMENTAL ROLE IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF
TOURETTE SYNDROME?
Strathman, Hunter, Sean Godar, Laura Mosher, and Marco Bortolato
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive movement or
vocal tics which can have a severe influence on an individual’s daily life. Converging evidence has
shown that the neurotransmitter dopamine plays a critical role in TS. Accordingly, dopamine receptor
antagonists are typically used for treatment; however, these agents have mixed effectiveness and are
associated with motor and cognitive side effects. The high male predominance in TS suggests that
androgens may play role in this condition. Indeed, the onset of TS during early pre-pubertal stages,
closely coincides with an increase in Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1), the primary enzyme
involved in androgen synthesis. Based on these premises, we hypothesize that high androgen levels
brought about by increased CYP17A1 expression, drives the onset of TS-related symptoms in early
development through an upregulation of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors. To test this hypothesis, we
studied the impact of CYP17A1 blockade during prepubescent stages using the D1CT-7 animal model
of TS. Importantly, these animals exhibit spontaneous tic-like manifestations that emerge prior to
puberty and are more prevalent in males. D1CT-7 or WT male littermates were treated with the
selective CYP17A1 inhibitor abiraterone or its vehicle from P21-P28. Tic-like behavior was tested at
multiple ages, both before, during and after treatment. We found that abiraterone significantly reduced
tic-like outbursts in D1CT-7 mice, an effect that persisted even after drug discontinuation. These
results suggest that androgens likely play a key role in the pathogenesis of tic-like outbursts during
early development.
110.
PSMA-RECEPTOR TARGETING MAGNETIC NANOPROBES: NOVEL NANOTHERANOSTICS
FOR THE TREATMENT OF PROSTATE CARCINOMAS
Woody, Kalee, Shoukath Sulthana, Jyothi Kallu and Santimukul Santra
Department of Chemistry, Biology, KPRC, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS 66762
The imaging, diagnosis, and successful treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) continue to be a
challenging problem and it is estimated that 1 out of 6 men will be diagnosed with the disease during
their lifetime, making this disease the second leading cause of death among men. Therefore,
developing more effective therapeutic agents against advanced PCa that allow for simultaneous
therapy and monitoring of tumor growth are equally important. Particularly, theranostic (dual therapy
and diagnostic) agents are targeted to the disease regimes that allow delivery of therapeutic agents in
high concentrations to PCa, while monitoring of drug localization to the tumor. The concept of a
nanoparticle-based therapeutics is ideal as a single agent that could deliver a drug and imaging agent
to the prostate tumor via recognition of surface receptor markers highly expressed on the tumor cells.
In this presentation, we will discuss about a new method of targeting prostate cancers. We report for
the first time that the use of glutamate ligand-decorated and taxol anti-cancer drug encapsulating
magnetic nanoparticles to target PSMA-bearing PCa cells. Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen
(PSMA) is over-expressed on the surface of LNCaP prostate cancer cells and successfully targeted by
glutamate-decorated magnetic nanoparticles. Results showed more than 80% LNCaP cells were
death after 24 h incubation of the drug-carrying nanoparticles. No apoptosis was observed in PC-3
cells due to the absence of PSMA receptors. These results were further confirmed using optical
microscopy and magnetic resonance imaging technologies.
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111.
ROLE OF GLUCOSYLCERAMIDE SYNTHASE IN CELL-TYPE DIFFERENTIATION OF PLANTS
Bradley, Amanda M.1, Daniel L. Boyle1, Elizabeth S. Mays1, Janet M. Paper1, and Kathrin Schrick1,2,3
1
Division of Biology, 2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, 3Molecular, Cellular and
Developmental Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-4901
Sphingolipids are important in signal transduction and are vital as structural components of cell
membranes. Glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) is a critical enzyme in the sphingolipid biosynthesis
pathway, as it is the enzyme that catalyzes the attachment of glucose to form glycosphingolipids.
Arabidopsis plants that are heterozygous for the recessive and seedling lethal gcs mutation, when
self-crossed, produce abnormally low levels of mutant progeny. Counting of mutant and wild-type
seedlings from heterozygous plants revealed that the abnormally low ratio of mutant progeny was not
due to inefficient germination. In order to characterize the mutants further, we used transmission
electron microscopy (TEM) to observe subcellular structures. This revealed defects in the Golgi
apparatus, an absence of chloroplasts, and unusually wavy cell walls in the mutant seedlings. By
performing reciprocal crosses of wild type (GCS/GCS) and heterozygous (GCS/gcs) plants, we
discovered that when the male parent was heterozygous for the mutation, very few progeny were
heterozygous, indicating a defect in transmission from the male. In contrast, a normal Mendelian ratio
was observed when the female was heterozygous. We found that pollen from plants heterozygous for
the mutation is viable and does not appear to germinate at a different rate than wild-type pollen,
suggesting that the defect in transmission occurs after the pollen cells have developed. We are also
using genetic analysis to determine whether this enzyme mediates the addition of glucose on sterols.
These studies will result in a better understanding of the role of GCS in the eukaryotes.
112.
DETECTION OF NOVEL INFLAMMATION-INDUCED CELLULAR SUMO-TARGET PROTEINS IN
HEPATOCYTE-DERIVED MODELS OF INFLAMMATORY LIVER DISEASE.
Cui, Wenqi and Jeff L. Staudinger
Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas
Covalent modification by SUMO is an important regulator of the functional properties of many proteins
implicated in human diseases. While there are many examples of individual specific proteins
regulated by SUMOylation, there has been no comprehensive survey of the targets of SUMOylation in
a human disease. The major reason for this is the lack of a facile and general method for
comprehensive identification and quantitating SUMOylated proteins in cells or live animal models.
Mapping specific SUMOylated target substrate proteins by mass spectrometry (MS) is challenging for
two main reasons; (1) the SUMO modification is dynamic and occurs with extremely low
stoichiometry, and (2) the large size of resulting SUMO peptide chains following tryptic digestion
renders target proteins refractory to analysis with MS techniques. To resolve those problems, we
genetically engineered two adenoviral expression vectors which encode (1) a modified SUMO protein
(His)6-SUMO3Q87R, and (2) the E3 SUMO-ligase enzyme-PIAS1. Through the addition of an Nterminal (His)6 moiety and an X-press epitope, and also by adding a unique trypsin cleavage site at
the COOH—terminus, we have created a recognizable short five amino acid SUMO remnant (QQTGG) that can be easily detected using MS-based methods. Coexpression of the PIAS1 protein
drives SUMOylation into the nucleus in primary cultures of hepatocytes. Current preliminary data
indicate that these tools are valid and will likely be extremely valuable to multiple investigators in the
current KU research community who are interested in studying SUMO-related disease links.
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113.
ALGAE: THE KEY TO UNLOCKING MULTICELLULARITY ABSTRACT
Fields, Joseph-Michael 1, Tara Marriage2 and Bradley JSC Olson2
1
Langston University Biology Department, 701 Sammy Davis Jr. Drive Langston, OK 73050, 2Kansas
State University Biology Department, 119 Anderson Hall Manhattan, KS 66506
Cancer is a devastating disease that results from the breakdown in the pathways that lead to
multicellularity potentially making genes associated with multicellular evolution defective. This
suggests that cancer results from errors in the cell cycle regulatory pathway. The hypothesis for my
project is modifications in the cell cycle regulatory pathway in the Volvocine algae has resulted in
multicellularity. Therefore, the goal of this research project is to use the Volvocine algae as a model
system to study multicellular evolution using specific candidate genes from the multicellular organism
Gonium pectorale and transforming then into the unicellular organism Chlamydomonas. The
methodology to this project was to take cloned candidate multicellularity genes from Gonium and
functionally test them looking for a gain of function in the Chlamydomonas cells. The transformed
Chlamydomonas cells were then plated on soft agar plates, grown, picked and examined under a
microscope for evidence of transformation. The Chlamydomonas cells that were electroporated with
the cell-cell adhesion gene from Gonium were successfully transformed; the unicellular
Chlamydomonas became multicellular with the insertion of the Gonium gene.With these results it is
possible to further our research by taking the next step and performing a RNA-seq on the transformed
multicellular Chlamydomonas. It is with these results and future research so that we hope to one day
transition our knowledge from the algae model system to vastly improve our ability to detect and treat
human cancers.
114.
EXPLORING THE ROLE OF LYSOSOMAL TRAPPING IN DEFINING THE DURATION OF ACTION
OF β2-AGONISTS USED THE TREATMENT OF COPD AND ASTHMA
Hamid, Nadia and Dr. Jeff Krise
University of Kansas Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
β2 agonists are an important class of drugs useful in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) and asthma. They are classified as having short, long and ultra-long duration of
action, with longer acting drugs showing increased efficacy in the treatment of COPD. Currently, the
basis for this difference in duration of activity is not completely understood. This research examines
the role of lysosomal trapping and a subsequent increase in lysosmal volume in defining the duration
of action. Wild Type Human Fibroblast cells (WThF) were treated with cell culture media containing
increasing concentrations of weakly basic β2 agonists. Following incubation with these drugs, cells
were treated with LysoTracker Red (LTR), a fluorescent dye molecule with a pKa optimized for
lysosomal accumulation. Higher levels of fluorescence are indicative of greater lysosomal volume.
After determining concentration of LTR per amount of protein for each drug concentration and
reporting as a percent of control, it was found that drugs featuring a longer duration of action cause a
greater increase in lysosomal volume. These findings will help to elucidate future avenues for creating
drugs with a desired duration of action.
73
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
115.
IDENTIFICATION AND ANNOTATION OF GENE FEATURES IN DROSOPHILA BIARMPIES
Contig54 USING A COMPUTATIONAL-GENOMICS APPROACH
May, Jacob and Takrima Sadikot
Washburn University, Biology Department
Abstract
The goal of this project is to annotate genes in the fruit fly, Drosophila biarmpies using D.
melanogaster as a reference species. More specifically, we will analyze a long stretch of DNA
sequence within contig54 of D. biarmpies and compare it to D. melanogaster for the presence of
genomic features. This region is approximately 45,000 bases in length and is postulated to contain
seven different genes. Sequence analysis and data collection will be carried out using a number of
open-source computational genomic tools for sequence alignment, gene-prediction and Drosophila
genome browsing. The data files and resources for this project are available through the Genomics
Education Partnership (GEP) sponsored by Washington University, Saint Louis. Data analysis and
interpretation will require careful screening of the DNA sequence of interest, identification of gene
markers and comparison of the predicted gene features to a reference D. melanogaster DNA
sequence. A detailed project report will be submitted to the mentor and GEP for their data repository.
116.
DETERMINING PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA
VIRUS, H5N1, IN THE UNITED STATES
Miller, Rachel and Xiaolu Wu
Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University
The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, H5N1, also known as bird flu, has been infecting humans
and poultry since 1996. According to WHO, the virus has spread to sixty-six countries and killed 393
out of 667 people infected, making the mortality rate 59.3%. Due to the H5N1 virus’s high mutation
rate, researchers believe that a future H5N1 pandemic is just a matter of time. The goal of our
research was to determine public awareness within the United States about H5N1. We addressed this
question from two angles. First, we contacted airlines, a chicken processing plant, and various health
professionals by phone and e-mail to see what their knowledge about H5N1 was and also their
concern about the potential pandemic. Secondly, we created a questionnaire to determine what the
average United States citizen knows about H5N1, such as virus transmission, mortality rate, and the
difference between H5N1 and the seasonal flu. Collected data indicated that health professionals,
airlines, and the chicken processing plant were informed about H5N1. However, many of them gave
the impression that preparing for the future H5N1 pandemic is not really a concern. Furthermore, data
from the questionnaire suggested that most of the public have heard about H5N1, but severely lack
knowledge about basic information regarding the virus. In conclusion, we believe that more public
education about the H5N1 virus is needed in order to prepare for the potential pandemic predicted by
researchers.
74
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
117.
THE INVESTIGATION AND PURIFICATION OF Ig4Patu2: A MUTATION INVOLVED IN
PANCREATIC CANCER
Saiz Jr., Stan , Ty Dille, Rahul Yadav, and Moriah Beck
Chemistry Department, Wichita State University
Palladin is a recently discovered protein expressed in human cells, which co-localizes with actin and
is required for the normal motility of a cell. Recently, it has been discovered that a mutation within the
structural protein palladin is associated with pancreatic cancer. The mutation was located within an
immunoglobulin domain of palladin (Ig4) and replaces the hydrophobic amino acid tryptophan with the
amino acid cysteine. This research is focused on the Ig4 mutation, known as Patu2, and our goal was
to investigate the protein structure in comparison with the wild type. Isolation of the mutated domain
as a soluble protein has been accomplished by attaching a maltose-binding protein (MBP tag) onto
the sequence. Next, purification has involved a PIPES buffer, plus an amylose column, and a Roche
nickel resin column to purify the protein. Obtaining a purified sample will allow for nuclear magnetic
resonance (NMR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy to investigate the structure of Ig4-Patu2.
Future studies will implement similar purification methods for Ig34-Patu2 to study the interactions of
the mutated protein with actin to investigate the role of this mutant form of palladin in the metastasis of
pancreatic cancer.
118.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BACTERIOPHAGE INFECTIOUS IN
ENTEROBACTER CLOACAE
Smith, S. J. and E. T. Gillock
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University
Drug resistant nosocomial infections are becoming increasingly problematic as the prevalence of
resistant organisms increases and the number of resistant types continues to rise. Meanwhile very
little is known about the diversity of viruses when compared to other fields of study within biology, and
it is reasonable to expect that the diversity of viruses may exceed that of living organisms by a large
margin.
Enterobacter species, including E. cloacae, readily acquire antibiotic resistance, especially when in a
setting with a high incidence of exposure, such as a hospital. As facultatively anaerobic organisms
Enterobacter species are able to infect many sites within the body if introduced, and their presence in
the normal gut flora of humans brings them into frequent contact with both antibiotics and already atrisk patients.
The purpose of this study is to isolate and characterize a virus which is able to infect and kill
Enterobacter cloacae. The benefit of this is twofold. On the one hand the research is valuable simply
as an increased understanding of the diversity of viruses and the ecology of microorganisms, and also
because it provides potential inroads into the use of bacteriophage as a treatment agent against drug
resistant bacteria.
75
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
119.
THE IMPACT OF EARLY LIFE STRESS AND VOLUNTARY EXERCISE INTERVENTION ON
COMORBID MOOD AND UROGENITAL PAIN DISORDERS IN MALE MICE
Supple, Rachel, Isabella Fuentes, Angela N. Pierce, Ruipeng Wang and Julie A. Christianson
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
Exposure to early life stress has been shown to increase the incidence of chronic pain syndromes in
adulthood. We have investigated the impact of neonatal maternal separation (NMS), a commonly
used rodent model of early life stress, on behavioral indicators of depression, pelvic organ sensitivity,
and micturition in male mice, as well as the therapeutic potential of a voluntary exercise intervention.
C57Bl/6 mice were born in house and either separated as litters for 3 hours per day from postnatal
day 1-21 (NMS) or received no handling outside of normal husbandry care (naïve). At 4 weeks, mice
were pair housed in cages equipped with free running wheels (exercised groups [Ex]) or remained in
standard caging (sedentary groups [Sed]). Adult NMS-Sed mice displayed depressive-like behavior
measured as significantly lower sucrose intake during a two-choice preference assay; however,
sucrose intake was not significantly altered in NMS-Ex mice, compared to naïve-Sed or naïve-Ex.
NMS-Sed mice exhibited significantly lower withdrawal thresholds to von Frey monofilament
application to the perigenital region than naïve-Sed mice. Voluntary exercise prevented this
phenotype as the perigenital mechanical sensitivity of NMS-Ex mice was not significantly different
from either naïve-Sed or naïve-Ex mice. Furthermore, NMS-Sed mice displayed increased micturition
frequency and total urine output over a 1h testing period, compared to naïve-Sed mice; however, no
significant differences were observed between NMS and naïve groups that were exercised. We have
provided evidence that voluntary exercise may be a potent therapeutic option for patients suffering
from comorbid mood and pelvic pain disorders.
76
2015 K-INBRE SYMPOSIUM PARTICIPANTS
Last Name
First Name
University
Title
Email
Phone
Abraham
Kj
Langston
K-INBRE Campus Coordinator &
Associate Professor
Kjabraham@langston.edu
(405) 466-3310
Abrahamson
Dale
K.U. Medical Center
K-INBRE I&A Chair & University
Distinguished Professor & Chair
dabrahamson@kumc.edu
(913) 588-0702
Abudu
Tayita
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
tayitaabudu@gus.pittstate.edu
(620) 870-4327
Ackley
Brian
K.U.Lawrence
Associate Professor
bdackley@ku.edu
(785) 864-5821
Adams
Jessie
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
jessiea@k-state.edu
(913) 731-3806
Adem
Seid
Washburn
Assistant Professor
seid.adem@washburn.edu
(785) 670-3242
Alderman
Christopher
Emporia State
Undergraduate Student
calderma@g.emporia.edu
(620) 794-1882
Alhadyian
Haifa
K.U. Lawrence
Graduate Student
h595a108@ku.edu
(785) 979-6451
Ambrose
Jeremy
K.U. Medical Center
Undergraduate Student
ambr1764@ravens.benedictine.edu
(816) 506-7091
Anbanandam
Asokan
K.U. Lawrence
Director, COBRE-PSF Core Lab
asokan@ku.edu
(785) 864-3746
Asano
Katsura
Kansas State
Professor
kasano@ksu.edu
(785) 532-0116
Asano
Masayo
Kansas State
Staff Scientist
ma-asano@outlook.com
(785) 532-0125
Augusto
John
K.U. Lawrence
Assistant Vice Provost, KU Center for
jaugusto@ku.edu
Undergraduate Research
(785) 864-7351
Bai
Nan
K.U. Lawrence
Graduate Student
n206b214@ku.edu
(312) 961-4817
Bailey
Melissa
Emporia State
Associate Professor
mbailey4@emporia.edu
(620) 341-5619
Ball
Jenna
Fort Hays State
Undergraduate Student
jdbal2@mail.fhsu.edu
(785) 259-6871
Beck
Moriah
Wichita State
Assistant Professor
moriah.beck@wichita.edu
(316) 978-5476
Behbod
Fariba
K.U. Medical Center
Associate Professor
fbehbod@kumc.edu
(913) 945-6642
Bender
Aaron
K.U. Lawrence
Staff: Core Lab Director
bender.aaron@ku.edu
(785) 864-1435
Bhusri
Anuradha
Pittsburg State
Graduate Student
anu.virgo87@gmail.com
(913) 998-0810
Biswell
Rebecca
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
beckybizz@ksu.edu
(785) 458-9439
Blanco
Gustavo
K.U. Medical Center
K-INBRE DRPP Core Director &
Professor
gblanco@kumc.edu
(913) 588-7405
Bousfield
George
Wichita State
Professor
george.bousfield@wichita.edu
(316) 978-6088
Bowen
Jayden
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
jaydenbowen@gus.pittstate.edu
(620) 363-0225
Bowman
Connor
K.U. Lawrence
Undergraduate Student
connorb@ku.edu
(913) 284-9330
Bradley
Amanda
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
ambrad11@ksu.edu
(785) 213-6272
77
2015 K-INBRE SYMPOSIUM PARTICIPANTS
Last Name
First Name
University
Title
Email
Phone
Brokesh
Anna
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
abrokesh@ksu.edu
(785) 410-2972
Brown
Sue
Kansas State
K-INBRE Bioinformatics Core Director
sjbrown@ksu.edu
& Professor
(785) 532-3935
Burdiek
Wesley
Emporia State
Undergraduate Student
wburdiek@g.emporia.edu
(785) 224-9392
Burnett
Tim
Emporia State
K-INBRE Campus Coordinator,
Associate Professor
tburnett@emporia.edu
(620) 341-5910
Candler
John
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
jcandler@gus.pittstate.edu
(620) 235-4763
Cao
Wanqiao
Emporia State
Undergraduate Student
wcao@g.emporia.edu
(620) 757-3942
Carlson
Maia
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
maiac@ksu.edu
(874) 785-8285
Carney
Marah
Emporia State
Graduate Student
mcarney@g.emporia.edu
(620) 344-0794
Carter
Jeff
Fort Hays State
Graduate Student
jjcarter2@mail.fhsu.edu
(720) 394-2756
Castro Munoz
Maria
Emporia State
Undergraduate Student
mcastro@g.emporia.edu
(916) 531-0392
Caywood
Madison
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
caywoodm@k-state.edu
(620) 931-5111
Chapes
Stephen
Kansas State
K-INBRE Undergraduate Office
Director and Professor
skcbiol@ksu.edu
(785) 532-6795
Chapin
Bridgett
Haskell Indian Nations
K-INBRE Campus Coordinator &
Professor
bchapin@haskell.edu
(785) 979-6909
Chapman
Ashlea
Emporia State
Undergraduate Student
achapma2@g.emporia.edu
(913) 370-0606
Chapman
Heiata
K.U. Medical Center
K-INBRE Assistant Director
hchapman@kumc.edu
(913) 588-7170
Chien
Jeremy
K.U. Medical Center
Assistant Professor
jchien@kumc.edu
(913) 945-8082
Christenson
Lane
K.U. Medical Center
Associate Professor
lchristenson@kumc.edu
(913) 588-0420
Christianson
Julie
K.U. Medical Center
Assistant Professor
jchristianson@kumc.edu
(913) 945-6430
Chung
Peter
Pittsburg State
Associate Professor
pchung@pittstate.edu
(620) 235-4736
Claridge
Sean
Emporia State
Undergraduate Student
sclaridg@g.emporia.edu
(620) 757-6253
Clay
Collin
K.U. Lawrence
Undergraduate Student
collin.clay@ku.edu
(405) 202-1903
Cooley
Megan
K.U. Medical Center
Postdoctoral Fellow
mcooley3@kumc.edu
(913) 945-8083
Countryman
Monica
Wheatland High
School
Night @ the Lab Participant
mcountryman@ruraltel.net
(785) 754-8233
Craig
Geraldine
Kansas State
University Administration
gkcraig@ksu.edu
(785) 532-5478
Creech
Karsten
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
karsten.creech@gus.pittstate.edu
(620) 304-9104
Cui
Wenqi
K.U. Lawrence
Graduate Student
wqcui@ku.edu
(785) 864-4537
78
2015 K-INBRE SYMPOSIUM PARTICIPANTS
Last Name
First Name
University
Title
Email
Phone
Curl
Lindsay
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
lfcurl@ksu.edu
(785) 488-7020
Davis
Lindsay
Langston
Undergraduate Student
lad7870@langston.edu
(405) 401-9729
De Silva
Bhagya
Kansas State
Graduate Student
wabndesilva@ksu.edu
(785) 532-1439
DeLoach
Eugene
Langston
Undergraduate Student
ed5990@langston.edu
(580) 583-5039
DeVries
Hannah
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
hdevries@gus.pittstate.edu
(816) 591-5996
Dickson
Jalen
Washburn
Undergraduate Student
jalen.dickson@gmail.com
(785) 608-3905
Dismuke
Taylor
Langston
Undergraduate Student
taylordismuke85@gmail.com
(405) 424-1137
Dugan
Trista
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
tdugan@gus.pittstate.edu
(316) 680-7918
Eastham
Allan Michael
Langston
Undergraduate Student
allanmichaeleastham@yahoo.com
(918) 327-9979
Elbers
Nelson
Pittsburg State
Graduate Student
nelson.elbers@gmail.com
(240) 354-4067
Elmore
Tyler
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
tylerelmore@gus.pittstate.edu
(620) 235-4763
Evans
Paige
Fort Hays State
Undergraduate Student
p_evans@mail.fhsu.edu
(785) 275-2063
Farahbakhsh
Mina
K.U. Medical Center
Graduate Student
mfarahbakhsh@kumc.edu
(913) 588-8134
Fay
Joanna
Fort Hays State
Instructor
jlfay@fhsu.edu
(620) 397-3247
Field
Thomas
K.U. Lawrence
Graduate Student
t113f993@ku.edu
(734) 478-8191
Fields
Joseph-Michael
Langston
Undergraduate Student
zebradoc9@yahoo.com
(979) 599-2024
Fleming
Sherry
Kansas State
Associate Professor
sdflemin@ksu.edu
(785) 532-6130
Fluharty
Ariel
Wichita State
Undergraduate Student
aereynolds1@wichita.edu
(316) 617-9202
Forsythe
Charissa
Emporia State
Undergraduate Student
cforsyth@g.emporia.edu
(620) 343-9351
Fridley
Brooke
K.U. Medical Center
K-INBRE Bioinformatics Satellite
Director & Associate Professor
bfridley@kumc.edu
(913) 945-5039
Gehringer
Rachel
K.U. Lawrence
Graduate Student
rgehringer@ku.edu
(402) 980-0429
German
Amber
Langston
Undergraduate Student
avg4001@langston.edu
(214) 563-6233
Gillock
Eric
Fort Hays State
Professor
egillock@fhsu.edu
(785) 628-5965
Gong
Maojun
Wichita State
Assistant Professor
maojun.gong@wichita.edu
(316) 978-7381
Gordon
David
Pittsburg State
Associate Professor of Entomology
dgordon@pittstate.edu
(620) 235-4735
Govind
Revathi
Kansas State
Assistant Professor
rgovind@ksu.edu
(785) 532-2816
79
2015 K-INBRE SYMPOSIUM PARTICIPANTS
Last Name
First Name
University
Title
Email
Phone
Grigsby
Ryan
K.U. Lawrence
University Staff
ryan.grigsby@ku.edu
(785) 864-1918
Guo
Yuxiao
K.U. Lawrence
Graduate Student
yxguo@ku.edu
(785) 840-8679
Gupta
Ram
Pittsburg State
Assistant Professor
rgupta@pittstate.edu
(620) 235-4763
Hackett
Jennifer
K.U. Lawrence
Core Lab Assistant Director
jhackett@ku.edu
(785) 864-7023
Hall
Everett
K.U. Medical Center
Graduate Student
ehall@kumc.edu
(636) 692-3470
Hall
Rashad
Langston
Undergraduate Student
rashadhall93@gmail.com
(405) 430-8483
Hamid
Nadia
K.U. Lawrence
Undergraduate Student
nadiahamid@ku.edu
(785) 979-7310
Han
Shuang
K.U. Lawrence
Postdoctoral Fellow
shuanghamy2014@gmail.com
(785) 393-7801
Han
Shuang
K.U. Lawrence
Postdoctoral Fellow
shuanghamy2014@gmail.com
(785) 505-0035
Harmon
Ian
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
ianharmon@ksu.edu
(913) 707-3731
Harries
Phillip
Pittsburg State
Assistant Professor
pharries@pittstate.edu
(620) 235-4864
Harvey
Rachel
Washburn
Undergraduate Student
rachel.harvey@washburn.edu
(785) 230-7245
He
Mei
Kansas State
Assistant Professor
meih@ksu.edu
(913) 307-7383
Heckert
Blaze
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
blazeheckert@gus.pittstate.edu
(620) 704-7511
Hedge
Clarence
Langston
Administrator - Dean School of Arts
and Sciences
cahedge@langston.edu
(405) 466-3419
Hendry
William
Wichita State
K-INBRE Campus Coordinator,
Professor & Chair
william.hendry@wichita.edu
(316) 978-6086
Herbig
Andrew
Washburn
Assistant Professor
andrew.herbig@washburn.edu
(785) 670-1769
Herndon
Nic
Kansas State
Graduate Student
nherndon@ksu.edu
(785) 532-6347
Hipp
Lauren
K.U. Medical Center
Undergraduate Student
lhipp20@gmail.com
(913) 424-9756
Hroobi
Ali
Pittsburg State
Graduate Student
alihroobi@gus.pattstate.edu
(620) 704-1704
Hua
Duy
Kansas State
University Distinguished Professor
duy@ksu.edu
(785) 532-6699
Hustak
Samantha
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
hustaks@ksu.edu
(402) 659-3927
Jacobs
Damon
K.U. Medical Center
Postdoctoral Fellow
djacobs@kumc.edu
(919) 624-2670
Jimenez
Ashley
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
ashleyjimenez0@gmail.com
(620) 235-4763
Johnson
Michael
K.U. Lawrence
Associate Professor
johnsonm@ku.edu
(785) 843-2882
Jorgensen
Michael
Wichita State
Associate Professor
michael.jorgensen@wichita.edu
(316) 978-5904
80
2015 K-INBRE SYMPOSIUM PARTICIPANTS
Last Name
First Name
University
Title
Email
Phone
Kahol
Pawan
Pittsburg State
University Administrator
pkahol@pittstate.edu
(620) 235-4222
Kallu
Jyothi
Pittsburg State
Graduate Student
jyothi.kallu@gus.pittstate.edu
(512) 963-0216
Kandt
Greg
Fort Hays State
Associate Professor
gkandt@fhsu.edu
(785) 365-0450
Kanost
Michael
Kansas State
University Distinguished Professor
kanost@ksu.edu
(785) 532-6964
Kaplan
Sam
K.U. Lawrence
Graduate Student
samkap@ku.edu
(785) 864-3609
Karanicolas
John
K.U. Lawrence
Associate Professor
johnk@ku.edu
(785) 864-4683
Kerby
Kent
Kansas State
Assistant Professor
kentk@ksu.edu
(785) 532-1402
Khounsombath
Tiffany
Emporia State
Undergraduate Student
tkhounso@g.emporia.edu
(316) 706-0338
Kicklighter
Luke
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
ldkicklighter@gmail.com
(620) 931-5536
Kimball
Alexandria
Haskell Indian Nations Undergraduate Student
alexandria.kimball@gmail.com
(785) 331-9166
Kobayashi
Yass
Fort Hays State
Assistant Professor
y_kobayashi@fhsu.edu
(785) 628-5835
Koohestani
Faezeh
K.U. Medical Center
Postdoctoral Fellow
fkoohestani@kumc.edu
(217) 766-5377
Kreps
Angela
BioKansas
BioKansas Judge
akreps@biokansas.org
(913) 706-4168
Kumar
Aishwarya
K.U. Medical Center
Undergraduate Student
askumar94@yahoo.com
(913) 907-9900
Lan
Lan
K.U. Lawrence
Postdoctoral Fellow
lan@ku.edu
(785) 864-6370
Landwehr
Madison
Emporia State
Undergraduate Student
mlandwe1@g.emporia.edu
(620) 640-5482
Lee
Stella
Kansas State
Assistant Professor
sylee@ksu.edu
(785) 532-3446
Leiker
Alexyss
Fort Hays State
Undergraduate Student
alexyssleiker@hotmail.com
(785) 656-3132
Lemma
Helina
Langston
Undergraduate Student
helina92006@yahoo.com
(405) 975-8726
Leonard
Adara
Wichita State
Undergraduate Student
amleonard@wichita.edu
(785) 341-2224
Leung
Sam
Washburn
K-INBRE Campus Coordinator &
Professor
sam.leung@washburn.edu
(785) 670-2375
Lewis
Sharon
Langston
Associate Professor
salewis@langston.edu
(405) 301-4182
Li
Ping
Kansas State
Assistant Professor
pli@ksu.edu
(785) 532-6431
Li
Yongchao
Wichita State
Postdoctoral Fellow
Yongchao.Li@wichita.edu
(407) 666-9926
Limbocker
Ryan
K.U. Lawrence
Undergraduate Student
rlimbocker@ku.edu
(913) 529-9466
Limpiado
MarcArthur
Wichita State
Undergraduate Student
milimpiado@wichita.edu
(316) 734-7901
81
2015 K-INBRE SYMPOSIUM PARTICIPANTS
Last Name
First Name
University
Title
Email
Phone
Little
Charles
K.U. Medical Center
Professor
clittle@kumc.edu
(913) 588-1856
Lloyd
TaJae
Langston
Undergraduate Student
tnlloyd5344@langston.edu
(816) 868-3609
Lundin
Hailey
Wichita State
Undergraduate Student
haileylundin@yahoo.com
(316) 734-0497
Lunte
Susan
K.U. Lawrence
Professor
slunte@ku.edu
(785) 864-3811
Lupe
Clayton
Haskell Indian Nations Undergraduate Student
Clayton_R_Lupe@yahoo.com
(480) 544-6573
Lyon
Jan
K.U. Medical Center
K-INBRE Administrative Assistant
jlyon@kumc.edu
(913) 588-7517
Maaty
Walid
K.U. Lawrence
Postdoctoral Fellow
wmaaty@gmail.com
(785) 979-8851
Macdonald
Stuart
K.U. Lawrence
K-INBRE Bioinformatics Satellite
Director & Associate Professor
sjmac@ku.edu
(785) 864-5362
Madden
Michael
Fort Hays State
K-INBRE Campus Coordinator &
Professor
mmadden@fhsu.edu
(785) 628-5677
Mahoney
Jenalee
Fort Hays State
Undergraduate Student
jmmahoney2@mail.fhsu.edu
(785) 766-3453
Maricle
Brian
Fort Hays State
Associate Professor
brmaricle@fhsu.edu
(785) 628-5367
Marquez
Rebecca
K.U. Lawrence
Postdoctoral Fellow
rtmarquez@ku.edu
(218) 864-6370
Marriage
Tara
Kansas State
Postdoctoral Fellow
tmarria@ksu.edu
(785) 760-4855
Martin
Nicole
Fort Hays State
Undergraduate Student
nicole_martinm@yahoo.com
(785) 628-5367
Matlock
Alexander
K.U. Lawrence
Undergraduate Student
a928m555@ku.edu
(512) 921-5399
May
Jacob
Washburn
Undergraduate Student
jacob.may@washburn.edu
(316) 323-9512
McWilliams
Michelle
K.U. Medical Center
Graduate Student
mmcwilliams@kumc.edu
(913) 588-8134
Mecham
Robert
Washington University
Professor
School of Medicine
bmecham@wustl.edu
(314) 362-2254
Mehraein
Hootan
Wichita State
Undergraduate Student
hxmehraein@wichita.edu
(316) 655-8830
Mendpara
Suhani
Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State Researcher
suhani1710@gmail.com
(620) 803-9570
Meneely
Samantha
Pittsburg State
Graduate Student
samanthanmeneely@gus.pittstate.edu (405) 819-4333
Miller
Andy
Emporia State
Assistant Professor
amille30@emporia.edu
(620) 341-5988
Miller
Matthew
K.U. Lawrence
Undergraduate Student
mattmiller014@gmail.com
(785) 424-4463
Miller
Rachel
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
rachelmiller@gus.pittstate.edu
(316) 209-8636
Mohamed
Julie R.
Wichita State
Undergraduate Student
jrmohamed@wichita.edu
(316) 617-5712
Monroe
Elissa
K.U. Medical Center
University Photographer
emonroe@kumc.edu
(913) 588-7218
82
2015 K-INBRE SYMPOSIUM PARTICIPANTS
Last Name
First Name
University
Title
Email
Phone
Moore
Chelsea
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
crmoore@ksu.edu
(785) 409-8825
Moore
Kaitlin
Fort Hays State
Graduate Student
kkmoore2@mail.fhsu.edu
(785) 275-2760
Mueller
Thomas
Kansas State
Research Assistant Professor
muellert@ksu.edu
(785) 532-6146
Mulder
Whitney
Fort Hays State
Undergraduate Student
wnmulder@mail.fhsu.edu
(785) 689-8150
Murray
Megan
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
megan93@ksu.edu
(913) 687-9997
Naidoo
Gnanambal
Langston
Associate Professor
gnaidoo@langston.edu
(405) 466-3308
Nash
Claire
Fort Hays State
Undergraduate Student
csnash@mail.fhsu.edu
(620) 855-0560
Neef
Charles
Pittsburg State
Assistant Professor
cneef@pittstate.edu
(620) 235-4494
Nelson
Jonathan
Washburn
Undergraduate Student
nelson.jon@cox.net
(785) 339-3134
Neufeld
Kristi
K.U. Lawrence
Associate Professor
klneuf@ku.edu
(785) 864-5079
Newmaster
Maria
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
mnewmaster@gus.pittstate.edu
(913) 708-0668
Newton
Mitchell
K.U. Lawrence
Undergraduate Student
mdnewton@ku.edu
(913) 638-0035
Nider
Joshua
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
jnider@ksu.edu
(785) 532-7967
Nisly
Andrea
Wichita State
Undergraduate Student
aenisly@wichita.edu
(620) 960-6016
Nutbrown
Diane
Emporia State
Assistant Professor
dnutbrow@emporia.edu
(814) 599-7613
Olson
Bradley
Kansas State
Assistant Professor
bjsco@k-state.edu
(785) 532-6149
Oneal
Lindsey
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
loneal@gus.pittstate.edu
(620) 205-6154
Ostmeyer
Lacey
Wheatland High
School
Night @ the Lab student
mcountryman@ruraltel.net
(785) 754-8233
Parker
Jordan
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
jeparker@ksu.edu
(785) 383-8087
Peak
Mandy
Pittsburg State
Assistant Professor
mpeak@pittstate.edu
(620) 235-6541
Peel
Erin
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
peel@ksu.edu
(785) 249-7913
Pembrook
Randy
Washburn
University Adminstration
randy.pembrook@washburn.edu
(785) 670-2546
Peters
Erika
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
erikapeters15@gmail.com
(785) 633-5204
Pokphanh
Roberta
K.U. Lawrence
University Administration
pokphanh@ku.edu
(785) 864-8040
Pollard
Kellyn
Langston
Undergraduate Student
kellynp16@gmail.com
(580) 678-1447
Raghavan
Ram
Kansas State
Assistant Professor
rkraghavan@vet.k-state.edu
(785) 532-5618
83
2015 K-INBRE SYMPOSIUM PARTICIPANTS
Last Name
First Name
University
Title
Email
Phone
Raghavan
Rama
K.U. Medical Center
Bioinformatics Specialist
rraghavan@kumc.edu
(816) 806-9668
Ray
Christian
K.U. Lawrence
Assistant Professor
jjray@ku.edu
(785) 864-1506
Rider
Virginia
Pittsburg State
K-INBRE Campus Coordinator &
University Professor
vrider@pittstate.edu
(620) 235-4739
Roelofs
Jeroen
Kansas State
Assistant Professor
jroelofs@ksu.edu
(785) 532-3969
Rogers
James
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
speed07@ksu.edu
(320) 333-3824
Rork
Mitchell
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
mrork1@k-state.edu
(785) 741-0493
Rothenburg
Stefan
Kansas State
Assistant Professor
sr1hsv@ksu.edu
(785) 532-5431
Ruggles
Peter
K.U. Lawrence
Graduate Student
rugglesp@gmail.com
(620) 262-5000
Ryburn
Allison
Wheatland High
School
Night @ the Lab student
mcountryman@ruraltel.net
(785) 754-8233
Saadi
Irfan
K.U. Medical Center
Assistant Professor
isaadi@kumc.edu
(913) 588-7667
Sabbagh
Aria
K.U. Medical Center
Undergraduate Student
asabbagh@email.wm.edu
(832) 693-2570
Sadikot
Takrima
Washburn
Assistant Professor
takrima.sadikot@washburn.edu
(785) 670-2082
Saiz
Stan
Wichita State
Undergraduate Student
ssaizjr@hotmail.com
(816) 809-8590
Santra
Santimukul
Pittsburg State
Assistant Professor
ssantra@pittstate.edu
(620) 235-4861
Santra
Tuhina
Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State University Staff
tbanerjee@pittstate.edu
(313) 530-4506
Scheib
Hunter
Fort Hays State
Undergraduate Student
hascheib@mail.fhsu.edu
(620) 794-4401
Schieferecke
Adam
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
ajschief@ksu.edu
(785) 488-8270
Schlee
David
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
dyschlee@gmail.com
(816) 686-0181
Schmidt
Shaun
Washburn
Professor
shaun.schmidt@washburn.edu
(785) 670-2265
Sensenich
Katherine
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
kfsensen@ksu.edu
(913) 944-2610
Sharpe Elles
Lisa
Washburn
Assistant Professor
lisa.sharpeelles@washburn.edu
(785) 670-3255
Shelton
Jennifer
Kansas State
Bioinformatics Core Outreach
Coordinator
sheltonj@ksu.edu
(646) 912-4484
Shin
Mimi
K.U. Lawrence
Graduate Student
mshin@ku.edu
(785) 864-3609
Simari
Robert
K.U. Medical Center
Executive Dean, School of Medicine
rsimari@kumc.edu
(913) 588-7201
Singh
Chingakham
Kansas State
Research Assistant Professor
csingh@ksu.edu
(785) 532-0125
Smith
Amber
K.U. Lawrence
Graduate Student
arsmith15@ku.edu
(785) 917-0355
84
2015 K-INBRE SYMPOSIUM PARTICIPANTS
Last Name
First Name
University
Title
Email
Phone
Smith
Samuel
Fort Hays State
Graduate Student
sjsmith4@mail.fhsu.edu
(785) 656-2901
Spaulding
Ryan
K.U. Medical Center
K-INBRE Communications Core
Director & Associate Professor
rspaulding@kumc.edu
(913) 588-2251
Stadler
Aaron
Washburn
Undergraduate Student
aaron.stadler@washburn.edu
(785) 640-3663
Stanford
John
K.U. Medical Center
K-INBRE Associate Director &
Associate Professor
jstanford@kumc.edu
(913) 588-7416
Staudinger
Jeff
K.U. Lawrence
Professor
stauding@ku.edu
(785) 864-4537
Stefanik
Connor
K.U. Lawrence
Undergraduate Student
jcstefanik@gmail.com
(913) 961-6853
Steffensen
Emily
K.U. Medical Center
Undergraduate Student
SteffensenE@hawks.rockhurst.edu
(308) 216-0837
Steffey
Danielle
Washburn
Undergraduate Student
danielle.steffey@washburn.edu
(785) 806-9741
Stephens
Monica
Wheatland High
School
Night @ the Lab student
mcountryman@ruraltel.net
(785) 754-8233
Strathman
Hunter
K.U. Lawrence
Undergraduate Student
h107s077@ku.edu
(785) 213-6323
Suderman
Erin
K.U. Lawrence
Graduate Student
dillerin@gmail.com
(419) 236-6080
Sulthana
Shoukath
Pittsburg State
Graduate Student
ashoukath14@gmail.com
(410) 858-7818
Sun
Meng
K.U. Lawrence
Postdoctoral Fellow
meng.sun@ku.edu
(785) 864-3609
Supple
Rachel
University of Notre
Dame
Undergraduate Student
rsupple@nd.edu
(913) 748-9767
Thacker
Christopher
Wichita State
Undergraduate Student
drbipper@gmail.com
(316) 744-9174
Thomas
Henry
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
henrythomas@gus.pittstate.edu
(913) 904-2728
Thompson
Bryttney
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
bryttney@ksu.edu
(785) 806-7862
Thompson
Deaven
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
deaven.thompson@gus.pittstate.edu
(620) 249-6087
Timmermann
Barbara
K.U. Lawrence
Professor
btimmer@ku.edu
(785) 864-4844
Todd
Richard
Kansas State
Assistant Professor
rbtodd@ksu.edu
(785) 532-0962
Tran
Pamela
K.U. Medical Center
Assistant Professor
ptran@kumc.edu
(913) 945-7325
Trump
Eric
Emporia State
Associate Professor
etrump@emporia.edu
(620) 341-5991
Tustin
Taylor
Wheatland High
School
Night @ the Lab student
mcountryman@ruraltel.net
(785) 754-8233
Urban
Adam
Fort Hays State
Undergraduate Student
adurban2@mail.fhsu.edu
(785) 628-5367
van Loben Sels
Jessica
K.U. Lawrence
Undergraduate Student
j497v031@ku.edu
(505) 249-0660
Vediyappan
Govindsamy
Kansas State
Assistant Professor
gvediyap@ksu.edu
(785) 532-1529
85
2015 K-INBRE SYMPOSIUM PARTICIPANTS
Last Name
First Name
University
Title
Email
Phone
Veeman
Michael
Kansas State
Assistant Professor
veeman@ksu.edu
(785) 532-6811
Velasquez
Sarah
K.U. Medical Center
K-INBRE Communications
Coordinator
svelasquez@kumc.edu
(913) 588-2247
Vides
Melissa
Fort Hays State
Undergraduate Student
mavides@mail.fhsu.edu
(620) 805-2402
Walker
Sarah
Washburn
Undergraduate Student
sarah.walker1@washburn.edu
(785) 554-3818
Wang
Xiaofei
K.U. Lawrence
Bioinformatics Specialst
xfwang@ku.edu
(631) 935-6993
Wang
Xinkun
K.U. Lawrence
Core Director
xwang@ku.edu
(785) 864-4589
Ward
Robert
K.U. Lawrence
K-INBRE Campus Coordinator &
Associate Professor
robward@ku.edu
(785) 864-5235
Watkins
Brianna
Fort Hays State
Graduate Student
brwatkins@mail.fhsu.edu
(308) 340-0607
Wells
Charles
Emporia State
Undergraduate Student
cwells3@g.emporia.edu
(620) 794-6380
Westby
Raymond
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
rbwestb@gmail.com
(918) 639-3808
Wiedemann
Leanne
Stowers Institute
K-INBRE Incentives & Awards
Member
lmw@stowers.org
(816) 926-4052
Wiese
Thomas
Fort Hays State
Professor
twiese@fhsu.edu
(785) 628-4505
Wilkins
Heather
K.U. Medical Center
Postdoctoral Fellow
hwilkins@kumc.edu
(913) 945-6633
Wilson
Kayla
K.U. Lawrence
Undergraduate Student
kamawi6@gmail.com
(913) 638-7641
Winkley
Konner
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
kmwinkley@ksu.edu
(785) 250-0507
Woody
Kalee
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
kaleewoody@gus.pittstate.edu
(417) 684-7854
Wright
Doug
K.U. Medical Center
K-INBRE PI & Professor
dwright@kumc.edu
(913) 588-2713
Wu
Xiaolu
Pittsburg State
Associate Professor
xwu55@yahoo.com
(312) 404-5305
Wu
Xiaoqing
K.U. Lawrence
Postdoctoral Fellow
wuxq@ku.edu
(785) 864-6370
Xu
Liang
K.U. Lawrence
Associate Professor
xul@ku.edu
(785) 864-5849
Yang
Yixin
Emporia State
Associate Professor
yyang@emporia.edu
(620) 803-9468
Yao
Li
Wichita State
Assistant Professor
li.yao@wichita.edu
(316) 992-1260
Yeomans
Josh
Pittsburg State
Undergraduate Student
jyeomans@gus.pittstate.edu
(913) 317-6206
Zhang
Qiyang
Wichita State
Graduate Student
qxzhang2@wichita.edu
(620) 803-8601
Zhao
Zheng
Kansas State
Undergraduate Student
zukzip@ksu.edu
(785) 320-3233
Zurek
Daniel
Pittsburg State
Professor
dnadanno@yahoo.com
(620) 235-4746
86
NOTES
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