Drafts

In neurobiology we have been discussing different techniques to insert a specific gene into cells. One tequnique used to do this is transgenic technique. This technique does not specifically target cells. The technique inserts a promoter and gene that you want to insert into an embryo. The embryo has natually occuring breaks in the DNA while it is developing. This means that if a break occurs the protomor and gene can be inserted into the DNA sequence. This added section can include a flourescent sequence. This allows the cells that have taken up the gene sequence to be seen so you can tell which cells or which area contains the transgene. 

Changing the phenology of flowering times in cranberries not only affects cultivators but it also affects species that closely interact with the cranberries. Lycaena epixanthe, bog copper butterflies, are affected by earlier flowering times of cranberries (Ellwood, Playfair, Polgar, et al. Int J Biometeorol 2014). Adult bog copper butterflies consume flower nectar while the developing caterpillars consume shoots and leaves. Two major ecological issues occur when the phenology of the cranberry changes. First, the phenology of the bog copper butterfly may not match up with its food source; the cranberry. Second, if the cranberry flowers earlier and cultivators spray herbicide earlier, then the bog copper butterflies may come after the cultivators have sprayed rather than before. This may have negative impacts on the survival rate of the bog copper butterfly. Cultivators may find it easier to yield a crop that is not consumed by the bog copper butterfly caterpillars, however, they still need the butterfly as a pollinator for future crops. The use of pollinators in agriculture has been well studied in regards to bees as pollinators (Bartomeus et al.). Understanding this process is important as it may clarify the process of earlier flowering times and pollination for both agricultural purposes as well as in the wild. 

Why studying the similarities and differences between hox genes is important. And why their expression is important. In the development of animals, there is a special period of embryonic similarity, during which not only the appearance of the embryos but also the expression of their genes is very conservative. The existence of this period is associated with the appearance in the evolution of stable building plans. In hox genes, the genes themselves are located on the chromosomes in order, therefore, strict, consistent activation of them is necessary in order for the body to form correctly. However, the mechanism and regulation of the Hox genes themselves remain unclear. It is clear that this process is very complex and multi-staged; non-coding RNAs are involved in it. To a complete understanding of all these processes in different animals, science is still very far away.

Glucose sensing neurons are far from a new discovery, they have actually been known for around 50 years. However, their physiological function has yet to be understood clearly. In a recent study, Oh et al. discovered the mechanism of glucose sensing these cells perform. Oh et al. identified a pair of neurons with bifurcated axons. One of these axons signaled to insulin producing cells to trigger the release of Drosophila Insulin-like peptide 2 (DILP2)¹. The other signals to adipokinetic hormone (AKH), a fly equivalent to glucagon, producing cells to trigger its release¹. Oh et al. then proposed that this mechanism is used for glucose homeostasis in Drosophila.

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.

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.