Blogs

Our goal in this experiment is to determine the effects of temperature on slime mold plasmodium form. Specifically, we will be using the slime mold Physarum Polycephalum as a test subject. This will carried out through the utilization of an ice bath to reach a temperature of 0ºC, and a hot plate to reach temperatures of 40ºC, 50ºC, 60ºC, and 70ºC. A control experiment at room temperature will also be performed. Physarum Polycephalum plasmodium form and spacing will be assessed after 2.5 hours. 

Slime molds have been a topic of interest in our class for a scientific project. Current in-class research has focused on the plasmodium form of different slime molds. These plasmodia function as a single celled organism, with multiple nuclei and a lack of membranes separating these. Many slime molds prefer the same temperatures that are ideal for human comfort to grow and develop. What is not known, however, is the effect of increased or decreased temperatures on the structure of the plasmodium. Performing such an experiment will provide further insight into the function of slime molds, and allow for further branching and experimentation on other aspects of slime mold life and development.

Our aims for this experiment include the following: 1) A better understanding of the Physarum Polycephalum species of slime mold, 2) Performing the entire breadth of the experimental process, including proposal, setup and performance of the experiment, and subsequent data analysis, 3) Successfully investigate a process of the model organism. Through this methodology, we believe this pathway of experimentation to be an easy, inexpensive method of modeling the full process of scientific experimentation.

    This research proposal would reinforce students’ time management skills, laboratory experience, knowledge of non-mammalian life cycles and maintaining cultured species. It also allows students to go through the process of modern science, including the phases of proposal, experimentation, and data analysis and conclusion. For those in a career path involving biological research, or research in general, this project will enable students to practice their scientific writing skills and deepen their understanding of performing proper science. We believe that through our methodology of experimentation, students will be able to experience this through an inexpensive, straight-forward pathway and present their findings through a poster presentation to the class.

Genomic analysis was made available through the prevalence and availability of gene sequencing. While human genome project sequenced the entire human genome most of the genomic analysis would not be possible would not be possible without the further accessibility of sequencing to the point where currently it is extremely affordable to have a genome sequenced, and other techniques such as next-gen sequencing and whole-genome sequencing that does not depend on the isolation of cells in order to sequence the genes.

Today is Halloween, which means dining halls at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst will be preparing for their annual fresh lobster special. Fresh lobsters must be prepared in a particular way. Seafood should always be prepared with extra care because shellfish is a common allergen to the public. One topic that is talked about around lobsters is their innate ability to be immortal. Biological immortality in lobsters is expressed through the telomerase gene. When DNA is replicated, we lose DNA at the ends of our chromosomes (telomeres). Studies have linked the shortage of telomeres with aging. Telomerase is an enzyme that reduces the loss of telomeres. 

Sleep is an important aspect of every animal’s life, and while scientists are not exactly sure why animals need to sleep so often, the benefits are known. A good night’s sleep is important to staying healthy in both body and mind. Sleep gives the body a chance to slow down normal daily processes and focus on any repair that might be needed. Sleep is also a chance for the brain to organize information that has been taken in throughout the day. During sleep the brain sorts information and gets rid of information that it doesn’t need so as to not fill the brain’s storage with useless information it will never use or need. The negative effects of not getting enough sleep are very apparent, and have been studied numerous times over the years. A person that goes without sleep for an extended period of time will experience delirium, hallucinations, and other detrimental health effects. Long periods of time without rest can lead to a weakened immune system making the individual more susceptible to sickness. The reason why animals sleep so much may not be fully known, but it is certainly known how it affects organisms.

Every day I drink coffee. I do this without thinking about any possible consequences that come with this stimulant. Coffee is the drink that contains caffeine, but caffeine is the stimulant. Caffeine is a bitter substance that we can find in over 60 plants. These plants include coffee beans and tea leaves, amongst many more. It stimulates your central nervous system, which can make you feel more awake and give you a boost of energy.  Within one hour of eating or drinking caffeine, it reaches its peak level in your blood. You may continue to feel the effects of caffeine for four to six hours. For me, sadly, one cup of coffee is not enough to fuel me for 4-6 hours, maybe 40-60 minutes. Although, based on my research, it does not say that coffee is bad for everybody. It only says too much coffee could be detrimental. In that case, I believe we should reduce our coffee intake and try to have one cup a day if we are between ages 18-26.

The proposal in the article above highlights the analysis of a protein domain (BOP1) in many species, and creating a phylogenetic tree on the basis of taxonomy using program MEGA7. The co-expression of BOP1 protein was then mapped using a heat map. Absolute expression values for BOP1 genes in normal and cancerous tissues were taken from the GENT database. These values between normal and cancerous tissues were then compared.