mglater's blog

Through complementation analysis, unknown mutations within the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) adenine biosynthesis pathway were identified. Studying the ability of unknown mutant colonies to produce successful colonies with known mutants revealed the identity of the unknown mutation as either a mutation in Ade1 or Ade2. Four mutant strains were examined, two of the A mating type and two of the alpha mating type. The A type yeast produced living colonies when crossed with a known Ade2 mutant as well as the unknown alpha type mutants. The alpha mutants produced living colonies when crossed with a known Ade1 mutant as well as the unknown A type. Using complementation analysis it was determined that both unknown A mutations were in the Ade1 gene and both unknown alpha mutations were in the Ade2 gene.

An extremely focused laser has a very strong electric field at its narrowest point, known as the “beam waist.” The particles are attracted to the strongest field, the center of the beam, which allows for the use of the laser to move particles around. Away from the center of the beam is higher potential, so the particles move to the lower potential in the center of the beam.

The traps used will be a version of the pitfall trap described by Youngman et. al., 2009. The trap design is a cup firmly planted in a hole dug in the ground, with a second cup of the same rim width resting inside. In the interior cup, a small amount of ethanol will be placed to kill/preserve the specimens collected. Each team will set three traps at their chosen location, with each trap being at least twenty feet apart from the others.

A549, H460, H1650 are non-small cell lung cancer lines

1. % mitotic cells compared to control through siRNA transfection

2. Knockdown using lentiviral shRNA

3. Western blot; cells synchronized at G1/S, released for varying times

   1. p-TBK1 activated 4 hours post release

   2. Maximal TBK1 phosphorylation= maximal Histone H3 phosphorylation

D) BX795 inhibits TBK1; control cells at 9 hours post release had pH3S10, but treated cells didn’t

E) TBK1 depleted by siRNA transfection, no pH3S10 (small band at 9hr, not mentioned in paper)

F) PLK1 is mitotic kinase, may be substrate of TBK1;Testing if overexpressing PLK1 can overpower depleted TBK1, but it can’t rescue from TBK1 depletion; TBK1 must target other proteins to modulate mitosis

We think the caliper measurement is better, as the double slit experiment introduces other variables and uncertainties which must be taken into consideration, such as accuracy of measuring th dark spots, and the ctual distance of the hair from the light and screen.

Each of the eight teams will be assigned a location at different spots around the UMass campus. These spots are: next to the stream behind Sylvan dorms, in the woods across the street from Sylvan dorms, near the pond next to lot 44, next to the campus pond, near the water tower by the top of Orchard Hill, next to Mill River in a wooded area, next to Mill River close to the road, and in the garden outside of Franklin Dining Hall. Each team will use “Google Maps” to get the latitude and longitude of the specific spot they choose.

If only one breed of dog can be saved from extinction, the chosen breed should be the Golden Retriever. The Golden Retriever is a common household dog, and is well loved by nearly all dog lovers. The fact that only one breed of dog would remain means that anybody who would want a dog as a pet would be stuck with whatever breed is left. Other breeds (such as pit-bulls) are very divisive in the community, with some people liking the breed and others hating it. The saving of this highly loved breed should leave nearly everybody satisfied. Another beneficial factor of saving a Golden Retriever is that the average litter size is eight puppies, sometimes being up to 12 puppies. This means that the one saved dog would be able to produce many children, and begin to build up a population.

The traps will be left alone for five days. On the sixth day the researchers will collect and photograph the insects from the trap to allow for identification. Once identified, the insects will be disposed of in accordance to Umass Biological Science policy.

Identification of Insects

    The collected insects will be sorted into groups of insect type. The groups are ants, spiders, larva, centipede/millipede, and other. The researchers will do their best to determine the species of at least some of the insects, and research the relation between the species found and environmental quality.

The traps used will be a version of the pitfall trap described in Using Pitfall Traps to Monitor Insect Activity by Youngman et. al. The trap design is a cup firmly planted in a hole dug in the ground, with a second cup of the same rim width resting inside. In the interior cup, a small amount of ethanol will be placed to kill/preserve the specimens collected. Each team will set three traps at their chosen location, with each trap being at least twenty feet apart from the others.

    Each of the eight teams will be assigned a location at different spots around the UMass campus. These spots are; next to the stream behind Sylvan dorms, next to the campus pond, in the woods across the street from Sylvan dorms, near the water tower by the top of Orchard Hill, near the pond next to lot 44, next to Mill River in a wooded area, next to Mill River close to the road, and in the garden outside of Franklin Dining Hall. Each team will use “Google Maps” to get the latitude and longitude of the specific spot they choose.