Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

219 - Developing A Portable System Of Environmental Dna (Edna) Surveillance To Monitor Fish Population Dynamics And Detect Invasive Species In Conesus Lake And The Philippine Seas, Karina Mirza, Micah Ford, Morgan Comstock

GREAT Day Posters

Climate change is an increasing threat to many ecosystems worldwide. Due to global warming, many species are under threat of extinction while others are forced into unusual patterns of migration. In the Philippines, the fish Round Scad is a cheap source of protein in the diet of common citizens. Alarmingly, it is rapidly declining in both population and body size. In this project, we aim to develop a cheap, rapid, and sensitive method of monitoring the population dynamics of this fish in the wild. Recently, a new method called environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has been developed as a cost-effective way …

195 - Targeting Telomeric And C-Myc G4 Dna As An Anticancer Approach, Alexander Michaels, Sameela Haidari, Courtney Fetzer

GREAT Day Posters

G-quadruplex (G4) DNA are non-canonical higher order DNA structures formed from guanine rich sequences, made up of stacked G-tetrads stabilized by non-Watson-Crick (Hoogsteen) base pairing and K⁺ ions. Early interests in G4 DNA were spurred on by the revelation that G4 was formed in telomeric DNA sequences at the end of our chromosomes. This was particularly promising given that G4 structures formed in telomeric DNA were also found to inhibit an enzyme known as telomerase, which is overexpressed (>90%) in cancer cells. Cancer cells require telomerase activity for survival and "immortality", therefore stabilization of telomeric G4 can inhibit …

Probing The Effect Of Nitrogen And Boron Doping On Structures, Properties, And Stability Of C20 Clusters, Ramsay Revennaugh, Martina Kaledin

Symposium of Student Scholars

Fullerenes are carbon molecules arranged in a closed hollow shell to form spherical-like structures. These clusters exist in various sizes, C_n, with the smallest being C₂₀. C₂₀, often when doped with other elements, has shown promise in creating new materials as a catalyst and as energy storage material. Here, we look at the existence of C₂₀ doped with nitrogen or boron atoms using density functional theory (DFT). C₂₀ is doped with one to three boron or nitrogen atoms, respectively, including the five different C₁₈N₂ / C₁₈B_{2 …}

Ab Initio Calculations Of Vibrational Spectra Of Model Peptides, Katheryn Foust, Martina Kaledin

Symposium of Student Scholars

The function of biological molecules is closely related to their spatial structure and conformational dynamics. Therefore, understanding the structure and functions of small peptides contributes to gaining insight into the behavior of more complex systems. The peptide bond (-CO-NH-) is among the very important binding patterns in biochemistry. It links amino acids together, specifies rigidity to the protein backbone, and includes the two essential docking sites for hydrogen-bond-mediated protein folding and protein aggregation, namely, the C=O acceptor and the N-H donor parts. Therefore, the C=O (amide-I) and N-H (amide-A) vibrations provide sensitive and widely used probes into the structure of …

A Comparative Study Of Specific Enthalpy Of Aromatic Hydrocarbons With Simple Carbohydrates, Kohl D. Kervin, Subha Pratihar

ATU Research Symposium

Calorimetry is an aspect of chemistry primarily focused on determining the enthalpy of reactions (∆Hrxn). In the bomb calorimetry technique, the heat of combustion of chemical compounds can be measured experimentally. From this data and the application of Hess’s Law, ∆the Hrxn of several chemical reactions can be determined. The technique of bomb calorimetry can be applied to food, fuels, pharmaceuticals, and many other fields. The objective of the present project is to determine the specific enthalpy of various simple carbohydrates (naturally occurring sugars) through bomb calorimetry and compare it with that of aromatic hydrocarbons.

By performing benzoic acid standardization …

Chemical And Biological Investigation Of Sambucus Canadensis And Salvia Officinalis, Elizabeth Martin, Harley Hines, Amber Parnell

ATU Research Symposium

New treatments for cancer and bacterial infections are needed, especially because most patients acquire resistance to conventional first-line treatments. Many natural product metabolites exhibit potent activity. Sambucus sp.,elderberry, and Salvia sp., or sage, are well-known shrubs for their therapeutic benefits. This study aims to analyze how secondary metabolites are extracted from the Native American Elderberry, Sambucus canadensis, and Sage, Salvia officinalis. It also aims to investigate the process of vinegar baking of medicinal plants to enhance the chemical space and increase the biological properties. Vinegar-baked and non-vinegar-baked elderberries and sage were utilized to test this theory. A Soxhlet …

Bis(Difluoroborylamidinates) With Flexible Ethylene Bridges As Bifunctional Aggregation-Induced Emitters, Connor Welch

Symposium of Student Scholars

4,4-Difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacenes (BODIPYs) represent one of the most prominent classes of dyes, since they are ubiquitously used in protein and DNA labelling, photodynamic therapies, as luminescent tags, sensors, laser dyes, paint and ink compositions, as well as for electroluminescent devices. [1] This is because of their robustness in terms of photochemical stability, polarity and pH changes of their environment, in particular under physiological conditions. The versatility to introduce multiple functional substituents and ability of BODIPYs to strongly absorb UV-light while providing sharp fluorescence peaks, combined with high quantum yields make these dyes highly attractive for numerous applications. Closely related azaBODIPYs offer …

Methods For Increasing The Electron Richness Of Iron Tricarbonyl Diimine Complexes, Francesca Lombardi, Joseph Maher, Sean Peloquin

Chemistry & Biochemistry Student Scholarship

Francesca Lombardi ’24, Major: Chemistry

Joseph Maher ’25, Major: Chemistry

Sean Peloquin ’26, Major: Biochemistry

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Maria Carroll, Chemistry and Biochemistry

The goal of our research is to synthesize new iron complexes that can reduce carbon dioxide. Increasing the electron richness of iron tricarbonyl diimine complexes, which have been synthesized previously in the Carroll research group, will increase the likelihood of a reaction with carbon dioxide occurring. We have taken two approaches to changing the electron density in the complexes. First, we reacted the complex Fe((CF3)2ArDABMe)(CO)¬3 with the reducing agent potassium on graphite, in order to reduce either …

Toward The Design, Synthesis, And Characterization Of Abiotic Coiled-Coil Peptides Via Solid-Phase Copper-Catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition (Sp-Cuaac) Click Reaction For The Preparation Of Controlled Self-Assembly Molecular Building Block, Liaquat Ali

Chemistry Theses

The production of cutting-edge materials, the development of novel medications, drug delivery systems, technological advancements, and biosynthesizing all depend on molecular building blocks. Proteins are required for the creation of intricate, well-organized structures, and coiled-coil protein domains are vital subunits for the oligomerization of protein complexes, gene expression, and the structural components of biological materials. The numerous interactions between a wide variety of amino acids make it difficult to assemble protein complexes with a particular shape. In the current study, we successfully designed and synthesized four different 32-residue peptides, each of which had two modified amino azide residues. These peptides …

Surface Characterization Of Mixed-Mode Adsorbents Using Bet C-Constant Energy Scale, Dinah C. Lee

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Mixed-mode chromatography is a chromatographic method in which solutes interact with stationary phase through more than one interaction mode or mechanism. It is because of these multiple complex interactions, which makes it difficult to predict chromatographic behavior of analytes on Mixed-mode columns. In order to fully understand the retention mechanisms on Mixed-mode columns, the packing material properties must be well characterized since each characteristic may contribute to the overall chromatographic performance of the column. Many non-chromatographic and chromatographic techniques are available to characterize and compare Mixed-mode columns in terms of their interaction abilities, retentivity, surface chemistry, chemical properties and geometry. …

Actualistic Testing Of The Influence Of Groundwater Chemistry On Degradation Of Collagen I In Bone, Paul V. Ullmann, Kristyn K. Voegele, Kenneth Lacovara

School of Earth & Environment Departmental Research

Recent experiments have heightened our understanding of reactions which can stabilize biomolecules during early diagenesis, yet little remains known about how groundwater chemistry can aid or hinder molecular preservation within a bone through geologic time. To elucidate this issue, we conducted actualistic experiments of bone decay employing varied fluid compositions to simulate a suite of groundwaters. Modern domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) femora were placed in a matrix of compositionally- and texturally-mature, fluvially-deposited sand. To simulate groundwater flow, deionized water or solutions enriched in calcium carbonate, phosphate, or iron were percolated through separate trials for a period of 90 days. After …

A Highly Charged Topic: Intrinsically Disordered Proteins And Protein Pka Values, Carter J. Wilson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are known not only for their roles in disease but also for their conformational flexibility, which makes them elusive for experimentation. We consider the role played by theory and simulation in resolving important questions pertaining to IDP structure and dynamics, as well as the nature of the charged residues (e.g., glutamate, lysine, etc.) that enrich them. Specifically, we investigated how the deep learning trained AlphaFold2 (AF2) predictor estimates disorder content, revealing both strong performance in relation to conventional approaches and an important relationship between the AF2 confidence metric and IDP dynamics. We also assessed how modern …

Characterization Of Shinella 6-Hydroxy-(L)-Nicotine Oxidase (6hlno-Se), Kaitrin Funckes

Honors Theses

6-hydroxy-(L)-nicotine oxidase, isolated from the organism Shinella sp. HZN7 (6HLNO-SE), is an enzyme that during the catabolism of nicotine catalyzes the oxidation of (S)-6-hydroxynicotine to 6-hydroxypseudeooxynicotine. This enzyme is a member of the monoamine oxidase (MAO) structural family of flavoproteins, which contain a highly conserved FAD-binding domain. Within the binding domain is a conserved lysine residue that can be traced throughout evolutionary history in this family. 6HLNO isolated from Arthrobacter nicotinovorans serves as a model enzyme for the one isolated from Shinella as both catalyze the same reaction in this biochemical pathway and much has been studied about the Arthrobacter …

The Influence Of Diamine Curing Additives On The Network Architecture Of Phthalonitrile Thermosetting Polymers, Tyler J. Richardson

Dissertations

Phthalonitrile monomers undergo diamine-promoted polymerization by a complex reaction mechanism involving two competitive cure pathways, forming two primary network architectures: linear polyisoindoline chains and branched triazine crosslinks. The influence of the diamine curing additive on the polymerization pathway, and the influence of the resulting network architectures on cured network properties, have not been adequately explored within the phthalonitrile field. Two structurally different diamine curing additives, bis[4-(3-aminophenoxy)phenyl] sulfone (mBAPS) and 1,3-phenylenebis((4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl)methanone) (AEK-134), were studied for the polymerization of resorcinol phenylphosphate phthalonitrile (RPPhPN), where the influence of diamine structure and concentration on the polymerization behavior, network architecture, and bulk thermal and thermomechanical …

Thp-1 Monocytes As A Model For The Characterization Of Potential Agents For Hypersensitization Observed In Ags?, Colin Baker

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Three Minute Thesis

Synthesis And Characterization Of Some Disubstituted Cyclopentadienyl Rhenium Complexes As Potential Candidates In Semiconductive Materials, Chloe Vernon

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Three Minute Thesis

Incorporation Of Thiophenes And Benzothiophenes Into Novel Pi-Extended Dibenzophosphole Systems, Joshua Kim, Conner Schell

Campus Research Day

Dibenzophospholes are molecules with extended pi conjugation. This project aims to incorporate thiophenes and benzothiophenes into dibenzophosphole systems by using 2-bromothiophene, 2-bromobenzothiophene, and 3-bromobenzothiophene as starting materials. An ethyne intermediate is created via the Sonagashira reaction, which is further reacted to form the novel dibenzophosphole system. The ultimate goal is to fuse the newly incorporated functional groups, creating an even greater degree of conjugation.

Computational Study Of The Rotational Barrier In Indole Derivatives, Javaughn Martinez

Honors Theses

The purpose of this computational study is to understand the rotational barrier in indole derivatives, leading to stereoisomers, specifically atropisomers, which will impact the research direction focused on the development of a porphyrin hosts in Professor Starnes’s group. The Starnes research group is working to synthesize a porphyrin host that can function as a sensor or to remove harmful and deleterious anions such as phosphate and nitrates (Busschaert, et al, 2015). We will utilize the data provided to understand the required energy to restrict a rotation around the indole-benzene bond. To do so, the indole derivatives will be studied using …

Bacterial-Mediated Photocatalytic Organic Oxidation, Peter J. Pellegrinelli

Theses and Dissertations

Bacteria, though well-known and widespread in scientific application, have plenty more opportunity to grow in the field of organic synthesis. The primary objective of this project was to apply the use of bioluminescent bacteria in an organic photoredox reaction intending to use the bacteria as a renewable source of light. This sustainable method, as opposed to high wattage bulbs, paves a green pathway for organic photocatalytic reactions. Using bioluminescent E. coli, the focus was on performing organic oxidation reactions with a recyclable photocatalyst. When using bacteria in conjunction with chemicals like nitromethane, it was an obstacle to keep the E. …

Computational Design And Molecular Modeling Of Morphine Derivatives For Preferential Binding In Inflamed Tissue, Makena Augenstein, Nayiri Alexander, Matthew Gartner

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The opioid epidemic has impacted over 10 million Americans in 2019. Opioids, like morphine, bind non-selectively in both peripheral tissue, leading to effective pain relief, and central tissue, resulting in dangerous side effects and addiction. The inflamed conditions of injured tissues have a lower pH (pH = 6–6.5) environment than healthy tissue (pH = 7.4). We aim to design a morphine derivative that binds selectively within inflamed tissue using molecular extension and dissection techniques. Morphine binds to the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) when the biochemically active amine group is protonated. Fluorination of a β-carbon from the tertiary amine group led to …

Development Of New Synthetic Routes For Ebselen In Pursuit Of The First Synthesis Of Ebtellur, Elijah Kellner, Creed Poppler

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Ebselen, N-phenyl-1,2-benzoisoselenazol-3(2H)-one, an established anti-oxidant and cytoprotective agent, has been assessed for an array of pharmaceutical applications in treating a multitude of disorders and maladies. It has further been identified as an anti-microbial and anti-viral agent against multiple infectious agents and has even been FDA-approved for a variety of these applications. While ebselen has captured pharmaceutical interest, its tellurium analogue, ebtellur, has yet to be successfully obtained, and in only one case was an attempt to obtain ebtellur reported. We have developed multiple new synthetic routes specifically targeting the first synthesis of ebtellur and discuss the viability of each pathway …

Hplc And Cms Analysis Of Clomipramine Metabolism: A Multi-Drug Study, Tess E. Buescher, Tu Khiem Ho, Kyler Ford

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Daily use of multiple medications is commonplace for many Americans. While pharmacists monitor prescriptions for drug interactions, consumers rarely check the possible side effects when using an over-the-counter product. In this fictional case study, Sam is prescribed clomipramine and ciprofloxacin, while also taking Tylenol PM. All three medications are orally administered, and drug metabolism is catalyzed in the liver by cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450). CYP isoenzymes CYP1A2, CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 are responsible for clomipramine metabolism and formation of major bioactive metabolite desmethylclomipramine, while CYP2D6 hydroxylates clomipramine and metabolite into hydroxyclomipramine and hydroxydesmethylclomipramine, respectively. Multi-drug use can inhibit or induce metabolic …

Exploration Of Known Disease-Causing Vrk1 Mutants, Madelyn M. Degenhardt

Research & Creative Achievement Day

VRK1 is a vaccinia-related serine/threonine kinase that contributes to the regulation of cell proliferation. Point mutations within the VRK1 sequence are associated with a variety of complex neurodegenerative disorders which previous research suggests are due to changes in kinase activity and/or structure and stability. Point mutations seen with VRK1 may affect how a tail on the C-terminus of the protein interacts with the protein's active site, possibly altering the ability of the protein to bind to specific substrates.  This study looked specifically at the point mutation D263G and its effect on protein stability and ability to bind substrates at its …

Synthesis Of Activated Carbon From Spent Coffee Beans, Alyssa Priebe, Jennifer Zemke

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Activated carbon is a material that is used in various industries. An important way that activated carbon is used, is to remove impurities and contaminants from water. Activated carbon is used to filter out odors and pollutants such as organic compounds by adsorbing and trapping these molecules within the structure of the carbon. The goal of this research is to synthesize activated carbon from spent coffee grounds. To this end, we are developing and tuning a protocol for the synthesis of activated carbon via a Microwave-Assisted Reaction System (MARS-TA). Variables investigated in this study are the amount of phosphoric acid …

Utilizing Macroinvertebrate Communities And Chloride Levels To Evaluate Water Quality In Three Streams Near Winona, Minnesota, Amelia Engman, Izabella Setla

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Certain water quality and chloride levels are ideal for specific macroinvertebrate species. This study evaluates the water quality of three streams in and around Winona, Minnesota, using the macroinvertebrate communities present and chloride levels as indicators. Three upstream samples were taken and thoroughly examined at three different locations: Garvin Brook, Gilmore Creek, and Pleasant Valley Creek. During the snowmelt season, four sets of upstream and one set of downstream water samples were taken from each. The samples were analyzed using a Vernier chloride ion-selective electrode. The Izaak Walton League of America's Save Our Streams invertebrate classification system was used to …

Temperature Dependent Esterification Of Free Fatty Acids In The Presence Of Triglycerides, Megan Mccoy, Margaret Tyler

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Using 3d Printing To Illustrate Protein Modularity And Dynamics, Joanna M. Dinesen

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Many important enzymes are part of multi-subunit complexes that involve complex movements and interactions that are difficult to visualize via traditional 2-dimensional diagrams or in visualization software. Physical, 3-dimensional models are an especially effective way to illustrate abstract concepts within the curriculum, including about protein dynamics, subunit functions, pathway architectures, and the nature of protein-protein interactions. The usage of physical models in the classroom has been successful when teaching concepts such as enzyme catalysis and protein refolding, quantized by increased exam scores and positive student feedback. Here, we present work done to 3D print publicly available protein structures of the …

Student Laboratory For Synthesis And Characterization Of Proton Exchange Membranes, Christiana Hoyt

Research & Creative Achievement Day

The primary goal of this research was to improve the current Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Synthesis and Characterization laboratory exercise for CHEM 411-Synthesis and Characterization of Materials. Intended improvements to this lab included measuring conductivity of the PEM by finding the best procedure for creating the conductivity cell through both research and experiments in order to add electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the characterizations for the lab. Commercial membranes, such as Nafion, have multiple issues: high cost, high methanol permeability, poor function at elevated temperatures and at low humidity being some of them. Using PEEK to synthesize PEMs can be used …

Purification And Characterization Of Vrk2 For Further Research, Steven Richter

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Kinases represent a vast and varied group of proteins, having more than 500 members in human beings alone. They have been found to be involved in various signal transduction pathways, ranging from embryonic development to apoptosis. The vaccinia-related kinases (VRKs) are a small sub-group of kinases containing three members: VRK1, VRK2, and VRK3. These proteins are involved in the cell cycle, cellular proliferation, chromatin condensation and gene transcription. VRK1 has been extensively studied not only for its normal biological roles, but also for its link to cancer. VRK2 is not as well studied as VRK1. However, the two kinases are …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Cdse Nanoparticles For Use In Solar Cells, Benjamin A. Carvell

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Over the last several years, interest in thin-film, nanoparticle-based solar cells have increased due to their potential to be low cost, tunable, and highly efficient when compared to other current solar cell technologies. In this research, cadmium selenide nanoparticles capped by oleic acid (CdSe-OLA) were synthesized. After those nanoparticles were synthesized, the bulky oleic acid ligand was exchanged with much smaller, more tunable ligands such as vanillic acid, malic acid, and Sodium 2,3-Dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate (DMPS). This allows for easier energy transfer when applied to a solar cell. The successful synthesis of these nanoparticles was confirmed using FTIR, UV-vis, and NMR spectroscopy. …