Poster #2039, Brittney Brito, UTEP BUILDing Scholars
Poster Title: The Role of VMAT in the Development and Expression of Amphetamine-Induced Behavioral Sensitization
Abstract: The incessant craving in stimulant drug addiction is mediated by neural changes in mesotelencephalic dopamine (DA) pathways that subserve cognition (Leyton, 2007), psychomotor behavior (Robinson & Becker, 1986) and motivation (Robinson & Berridge, 2003). These behaviors demonstrate a sensitization, or strengthening, of drug-evoked responses, and other research shows that sensitization of conditioned responses to drug-related cues (discriminant cues, sDr) also occurs. Moreoever, DA release is evoked by the presence of sDr?s (Duvauchelle et al., 2000). Since it is known that total levels of brain DA do not increase, we hypothesize that a redistribution of intracellular pools of DA facilitates exocytosis in response to sDr?s. We predict that the protein Vesicular Monoamine Transporter (VMAT), responsible for shunting intracellular DA in the cytoplasm into storage vesicles may play a role in making more DA available for exocytosis and thus contributes to sensitization of behaviors mediated by exocytosis. To test this hypothesis, we will stereotaxically implant bipolar electrodes, aimed at the nigrostrial bundle (NSB), which are DAergic axons projecting from the substantial nigra toward caudate nucleus. Unilateral stimulation of the NSB produces electrically stimulated rotational behavior (ESRB). We predict that ESRB will be sensitized in rats with a history of amphetamine (AMPH) treatment but that blocking access of AMPH to VMAT, by pretreating with the VMAT blocker tetrabenazine (TBZ) during a sensitizing phase, will attenuate sensitization of ESRB. The scientific merit of this project is the potential to identify a key target for pharmacotherapeutic interventions to treat stimulant drug addiction.

Poster #2032, Carly Fabian, UMBC STEM BUILD
Poster Title: Development Of Intersectional Chemogenetic Techniques To Isolate Circuitry Involved In Pain Affect
Abstract: Chronic pain-related depression is hypothesized to result from hyperexcitability of the lateral habenula (LHb), a prominent structure of the epithalamus that modulates serotonergic and dopaminergic activity. Efferent projections of the LHb strongly innervate neurons of the rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg), a key structure within the midbrain. The RMTg receives excitatory glutamatergic inputs from the LHb and, in turn, sends inhibitory GABAergic projections to the ventral tegmental area. Activation of the LHb-RMTg circuit and the physiological functions of the LHb?s excitatory inputs into the RMTg are relatively unexplored in chronic pain-related depression. The aim of this study was to establish the tools necessary to investigate the LHb-RMTg pathway by developing intersectional chemogenetic techniques that allowed for in vivo isolation and transient manipulation of neuronal activities. We developed a dual viral vector strategy involving the use of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) encoding Cre-dependent designer receptors (DREADD) and a retrograde AAV vector expressing Cre-recombinase. This strategy allowed for successful transient manipulation and targeted isolation of neuronal connections between the LHb and its efferent targets. The expression of Cre-dependent DREADD within the LHb-RMTg circuit allows for future investigation into behavioral deficits observed from manipulation of the LHb and its involvement in chronic pain-related depression. Funding was provided by the Directors Fund, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, Baltimore. This research was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Numbers TL4GM118989, UL1GM118988, and RL5GM118987. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Poster #2009, Solena Hessel, CSULB BUILD
Poster Title: Generalized Taste Profile in Rats Conditioned to Avoid 10% Ethanol
Abstract: Variability in how individuals respond to taste contributes to food and fluid acceptance and rejection. Though humans and rats innately avoid bitter-tasting stimuli, like ethanol (EtOH), female rats, like humans, have a higher propensity to consume EtOH, relative to body weight, compared to males. Individual variability in responsivity to sensory components of EtOH may explain differences in intake. It has been previously demonstrated that conditioned avoidance to alcohols generalize to compounds that humans describe as ?bitter? and ?sweet?. The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that the taste qualities of EtOH differ in female and male rats. Here, male [n=23] and female rats [n=24] were presented 10% EtOH followed by administration (i.p.) of either LiCl [n=23] to induce visceral malaise, or saline [n=24] as a control. Both females (p < .001) and males (p < .001) demonstrated avoidance of the 10% EtOH across the 4 conditioning trials. After conditioning, a brief-access taste test (10-s trials, 30-min sessions) was conducted to assess generalized avoidance of EtOH, using a test array. The test array included water, 0.3 M sucrose, 0.03 M sucrose (representing ?sweet? compounds), 0.3 mM quinine, 0.03 mM quinine, (representing ?bitter? compounds) and mixtures 0.3 M sucrose - 0.03 mM quinine, and 0.03 M sucrose - 0.3 mM quinine, presented in randomized blocks without replacement. Animals could initiate as many trials as possible during the test session. Average number of licks to each test stimulus was used to calculate suppression scores, indicating the degree to which rats generalized the conditioned avoidance of EtOH to each test stimulus. Both male and female LiCl-injected rats showed higher suppression scores to sucrose than quinine, suggesting sucrose, that humans would describe as ?sweet? is the more salient component of EtOH. There was more variability in lick responses to mixtures across all rats independent of sex highlighting the importance of further investigating other potential attributing factors. These findings support a role for oral cues in the responses to ethanol.

Poster #2024, Brianna Lu, UAF BLaST
Poster Title: Effects of Alaska low bush cranberry on Parkinson?s-like ?-synuclein aggregation in the transgenic model of C . elegans.
Abstract: Parkinson?s Disease is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder (Tanner and Goldman 1996). The disease is characterized by a loss of dopaminergic neurons and aggregation of ?-synuclein proteins in the brain, resulting in impaired motor function and cognition that worsens with age. This study aims to observe the effects of Alaska low-bush cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) extracts on the ?-synuclein overexpression in a popular transgenic model, Caenorhabditis elegans. We tested the hypothesis that the low-bush cranberry extracts would aid in reducing protein aggregation, and increase overall motility and lifespan of the OW13 C. elegans expressing human ?-synuclein proteins by using fluorescent imaging and microscopy. Preliminary results from our study finds that the certain doses of this botanical extract reduces the protein expression significantly (p<0.05). This study encourages further research on such endemic natural compounds as a potential treatment for Parkinson?s disease and identifying associated molecular mechanisms for the same.

Poster #2028, Sabrina Bishop and Samantha Haines, UAF BLaST
Poster Title: DNA Repair in Virally Infected Cells
Abstract: Currently, cancer is the leading cause of death in patients with HIV/AIDS. BCBL-1 cells are lymphoma cells that are latently infected with the human herpes virus 8 (HHV8). This project utilized BCBL-1 cells to investigate the link between HIV/AIDS and development of cancer. HHV8 is responsible for causing Kaposi?s sarcoma cancer, which is the most prevalent cancer in HIV/AIDS patients; conversely, it is a rare cancer seldomly seen in healthy populations. The molecular link between HIV infection and risk of Kaposi?s sarcoma is still unknown. However, the link between DNA damage and other types of tumors is already established. This project aimed to show that active viral infection leads to a decreased repair efficiency and functionality of genomic DNA of host cells. For this experiment, cells were grown according to standard protocol for the BCBL-1 cell line. Viral production was induced by administration of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). The comet assay protocol was implemented with the use of UV-C radiation to administer DNA damage. Fluorescent microscopy and image-analysis software was utilized to quantify DNA repair levels. This study showed a decrease in DNA repair efficiency in cells with lytic viral production compared to those with latent viral production.

Poster #2029, Samantha Haines & Sabrina Bishop, UAF BLaST
Poster Title: Gene expression profile in BCBL-1 cell line
Abstract: Patients with HIV/AIDS are at a 3,400 times higher risk of developing Kaposi?s sarcoma when compared to healthy populations. The direct mechanisms leading to this increased risk is unknown, but Kaposi?s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is an apparent cause of this risk. Our hypothesis is that the upregulation of viral associated proteins is causing an increase in DNA damage, allowing for the higher incidence rate of Kaposi?s sarcoma in infected populations. The cell is under attack of endogenous threats including oxidative stress, causing DNA damage and leading to mutations, but the viral proteins may interfere with the repair mechanisms. In previous experiments we looked at DNA repair dynamics following X-ray exposure and determined there is an inefficiency in the DNA repair process in the cells during active production of viral particles. This project aimed to compare the transcriptomes of the BCBL-1 cell line during latent and acute phases of KSHV production following exposure to 6Gy X-ray. Our study has shown the difference in the presence of RNA transcripts from DNA repair genes between the active and inactive BCBL-1 cells. This may be of importance for the HIV/AIDS cancer patients because it shows the mechanisms behind genome stability in KSHV-infected cells.

Poster #2001, Akemi Hinzer, CSUN BUILD PODER
Poster Title: Investigation of the role of L66 in the internal motions of TrkB
Abstract: Human neuroreceptor TrkB interacts with four neurotrophins to activate signaling pathways that maintain neuronal health. To understand the binding selectivity this protein displays, we have been using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to perform dynamics experiments examining possible allosteric changes. Previously work had indicated the lysine in position 66 to be of interest due to notable dynamics in the biologically relevant timescale. In a prior iteration of this experiment we had mutated the lysine to an alanine, but found the mutation to be overly disruptive. Therefore, the experiment was repeated using an alanine to tryptophan mutation in hope the more conservative exchange would better preserve the structure of the wildtype protein. We have recorded a 1H-15N correlation spectrum to confirm proper structure, and while the spectra align more closely with the wild type, the L66W mutation proved to be disruptive as well. Analyzing the data gathered from the R2 R1 experiments will help to show these effects as well as the internal movements of TrkB.

Poster #2025, Ariane Jasmin, UAF BLaST
Poster Title: Hypoxia Biomarkers in Notothenia coriiceps
Abstract: Antarctic fishes have developed adaptations that make them especially well suited to the cold, thermally stable environment of the Southern Ocean. This may have led to trade-offs, weakening their ability to respond to a rapidly changing environment. For example, several studies have found a weakened response to heat stress in Antarctic fishes. With current ocean warming trends, hypoxic events are expected to increase in frequency and intensity, and the ability of Antarctic fishes to withstand these events is not yet known. In this study, we used a spectrophotometric assay to measure glycogen and lactate levels in brain, heart ventricle and liver tissues of Notothenia coriiceps held at normoxia (10 mg L-1 O2 for 12 hours) and exposed to hypoxia (2 mg L-1 O2 for 12 hours) to characterize the hypoxia response, as depleted glycogen stores and elevated lactate concentrations indicate a metabolic shift toward anaerobic energy production. While glycogen levels did not change in response to hypoxia, lactate levels were significantly higher only in liver of fishes exposed to hypoxia compared to those in normoxia. Consistent with these results, an analysis of RNASeq data obtained from the tissue samples in this study showed that the liver was the only tissue in which gene expression patterns were significantly altered in response to hypoxia. Furthermore, very few differentially expressed genes overlapped between the tissues, indicating that the hypoxia response is tissue-specific.

Poster #2031, Savanah Owen, UAF BLaST
Poster Title: Assessing Bioavailability of Alaskan Blueberry Botanicals In Vitro
Abstract: There is a strong correlation between type II diabetes (T2D) and obesity determined by body mass index. T2D is characterized by a lack of insulin-sensitive regulation of blood glucose despite all components of the regulatory system being properly expressed. Notably, rural Alaskan communities exhibit a strange phenomenon where the prevalence of T2D is considerably lower than that of obesity, which may be attributed to the berry rich diets as a part of their subsistence lifestyle. Rescue or restoration of insulin sensitivity has been shown in cell cultures assays but it remains to be shown whether this potency is actually transported from the digestive system (intestine) to the blood. Hence we assessed in vitro the bioavailability of blueberry botanicals relying on the widely used Caco-2 cell model. These cells form a diffusion barrier in vitro modeling the quantitative transport of pharmacological and/or botanical compounds across the intestine. Our study showed that blueberry botanicals presented unique problems for the caco-2 system, including cytotoxicity and interference with insert filters. Resolution of the issues presented in this paper will allow us to use the Caco-2 bioavailability assay to collect Alaskan blueberry metabolites in vitro for further analysis using LC-MS.

Poster #2005, Samantha Sakells, UTEP BUILDing Scholars
Poster Title: Mapping Anti-West Nile Virus Regions in the Type I Interferon-Induced Schlafen Proteins
Abstract: Human Schlafen (hSLFN) 11 of the type I interferon-induced SLFN proteins has been shown to have a major impact on West Nile virus (WNV) replication, and so mapping the region that gives the SLFN proteins anti-WNV activity is crucial. Thus far, it has been found that the N-terminus of hSLFN11 is necessary for anti-WNV activity in this protein. To help determine the region within the N-terminus of hSLFN11 that has anti-WNV activity, an ortholog of this protein could be used. Currently, the mouse ortholog of hSLFN11 is unknown, but protein alignment indicates that mSLFN9 and mSLFN8 could be the orthologs. To support mSLFN9 as an ortholog of hSLFN11, it was found that mSLFN9 has anti-WNV activity as well, and so mSLFN8 was then evaluated next. There were two variations of mSLFN8 that were used for these experiments. Because mSLFN8 Variant 2 was 57.32% conserved in its amino acid sequence with the N-terminus of hSLFN11, it was first tested for anti-WNV activity. Surprisingly, mSLFN8 Variant 2 did not have anti-WNV activity, suggesting that amino acid 408-441 in mSLFN9 and hSLFN11 could be the active region against WNV. Currently, the anti-WNV activity of mSLFN8 Variant 1 is being evaluated to further analyze the anti-WNV active region. Two methods to stably express mSLFN8 Variant 1 in A172 SLFN11 KD cells are being performed. In one method, a plasmid expressing mSLFN8 Variant 1 was transfected into the cells. For the other method, mSLFN8 Variant 1 was cloned into a retroviral expression system. Overall, the results thus far show that amino acid 408-441 in hSLFN11 and mSLFN9 could be the active region for anti-WNV activity in the SLFN proteins.

Poster #2015, Jose Chacon, CSUN BUILD PODER
Poster Title: The role of Tubulin ?-III in cranial neural crest cell determination
Abstract: Neural crest cells are a transient stem-like cell population that forms in the dorsal neural tube of amniote embryos and then migrates to various locations to differentiate into diverse derivatives such as craniofacial bone and cartilage and the enteric and peripheral nervous systems. The current dogma of neural crest cell development suggests that there is a specific gene regulatory network (GRN) that controls the induction, specification, and differentiation of these cells at specific developmental times. Our lab has recently discovered the expression of a marker of differentiated neurons, Tubulin Beta-III (TUBB3), in newly specified premigratory neural crest cells. TUBB3 has previously been identified as a major constituent of microtubules and is required for the proper guidance and maintenance of axons during embryonic development. Using the model organism, Gallus gallus, we have characterized TUBB3 and determined that it appears to be expressed in some, but not all definitive neural crest cells, suggesting that it may have a role in neural crest prior to differentiation. In our early gain and loss of function assays, we have determined that loss of TUBB3 results in a reduction of NC cells and an expansion of the neural progenitor cells. After TUBB3 knockdown, Sox2-positive cells invade the area normally occupied by neural crest cells. These observations have given us a new perspective on the role TUBB3 might play in neural crest cell fate determination. We hypothesize that TUBB3 can function in neural crest domain maintenance, migration, and neuronal specification. Funding provided by NIH grant R15HD092170 to CDR and BUILD PODER to JC.

Poster #2011, Sasha Machulsky, CSUN BUILD PODER
Poster Title: The Role of SIP1/Zab2 Morpholino in the Central and Peripheral Nervous System Development
Abstract: Cadherin proteins are transmembrane, calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules that have been shown to regulate early cell fate specification, cell migration, and cell differentiation in vivo. Cadherins are important in developmental biology studies because they play a crucial role in how cells and tissues undergo the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), they actively induce and inhibit migration in different tissues, and they control cell aggregation necessary for proper derivative differentiation during development of living organisms. Expression of Neural cadherin (Ncad) is an important factor in controlling the development of the neural tube, which becomes the brain and spinal cord, and neural crest cells, which become craniofacial bone, cartilage and the peripheral nervous system. Altering the expression of Ncad during embryonic development may influence the development of these tissues. In humans, abnormal development of the neural tube and neural crest cells can develop into various neurological and structural defects such as Waardenburg-Shah syndrome, frontonasal dysplasia, DiGeorge syndrome. We are interested in understanding the role of a transcription factor, SIP1/Zab2 Morpholino, in the developmental progression of neural crest stem cells to cranial neurons through the use of molecular analysis and performing gain and loss of function experiments in chicken (Gallus gallus) embryos. In addition, the results of our project have brought attention to axon guidance disruption. In future experiments we will analyze the effect of Sip1 on axon guidance to the peripheral nervous system.

Poster #2033, Ena Oboh, UMBC STEM BUILD
Poster Title: Investigating The Role Of NDRG1a In Mediating Anoxia-induced Cell Cycle Arrest
Abstract: Zebrafish embryos can survive for up to 50 hours in absence of oxygen (anoxia). N-Myc Downstream Regulated Genes (NDRGs) are transcriptionally upregulated under low oxygen and have been linked to adaptive responses of hypoxic cancer cells. The Brewster lab has shown that NDRG1a is implicated in physiological adaptation of zebrafish kidney cells to prolonged anoxia, by down regulating the ATP-demanding sodium-potassium ATPase pump. My research project aims to determine whether members of the NDRG family also play a role in mediating anoxia-induced cell cycle arrest, which is expected to be energy-conserving and pro-survival. I hypothesize that NDRG1a is activated in response to anoxia and blocks mitosis. To test this, we are comparing the mitotic index in dome-stage NDRG1a-depleted embryos raised under anoxic conditions (2h and 4h) to control groups. The mitotic index (number of M phase cells/total cell number) is assessed following imaging and quantification of embryos labeled with P-Histone 3 (M phase marker) and DAPI (nuclear marker). Preliminary data indicate that the mitotic index is higher in anoxia-treated NDRG1a-depleted embryos than in controls, supporting my hypothesis. Future directions of this project will include analyzing the role of other members of the NDRG family, specifically NDRG3a, in cell cycle arrest.

Poster #2003, Noah Khalsa, UAF BLaST
Poster Title: Abiotic Drivers of Catches of Nearshore Fishes in a Changing Arctic
Abstract: Fishes are ecologically and socioeconomically vital for subsistence economies in the Arctic, an ecosystem currently undergoing unprecedented environmental change. There are few studies characterizing the physicochemical habitat preference ranges of nearshore fish species, limiting our understanding of how Arctic fishes may respond to Arctic change. We paired high-frequency in-situ measurements of pH, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen with daily fish catches in the nearshore waters of the Beaufort Sea, Alaska to begin addressing this knowledge gap. Our main objective was to characterize the baseline pH habitat preferences of nearshore Arctic fishes because of projected future ocean acidification. We characterized a preference range for each environmental variable for each species and used generalized linear modeling (GLM) to describe species specific responses to the nearshore environment. Preference ranges for each abiotic driver were highly variable between species, especially for pH and salinity. Burbot, Pacific herring, round whitefish, and whitespotted greenling had the narrowest preference ranges for pH. Pacific herring and whitespotted greenling preferred high pH habitat (median = 7.8 pH units), while burbot and round whitefish preferred low pH (median = 7.4 pH units) habitats. The widest habitat preference ranges for pH were exhibited by Arctic cod and threespine stickleback (interquartile ranges: 7.39 ? 7.84 and 7.39 ? 7.82 pH units respectively). GLM results indicated that Pacific herring and rainbow smelt presence was significantly associated with pH, while the remaining species showed no response. Arctic cod and whitespotted greenling displayed the narrowest preference ranges for salinity (interquartile ranges: 14.9 ? 20 and 19 ? 22 ppt respectively) while pink salmon had the widest salinity preference range (interquartile range: 1.5 ? 20.3 ppt). Finally, temperature was the most important driver of fish presence. We found that the tolerance ranges of nearshore Arctic fishes are inconsistent between species, potentially altering fish communities under future environmental conditions.

Poster #2045, Robin Masterman, UAF BLaST
Poster Title: Are sex, year, and banding station predictors of Oregon Junco wing length?
Abstract: Common backyard birds are an efficient way to monitor interannual environmental changes. Oregon Juncos, (Junco hyemalis), are a subspecies of Dark Eyed Juncos common to Sitka in the winter. Body size measurements provide information about food availability early in the year, health of the bird, and helps determine sex. As part of the Sitka Winter Bird Observation Project managed by the Juneau Audubon Society and University of Alaska Southeast, birds were captured using mist nets and wing chord length was measured. Wing chord length was used as a proxy for body size. All birds were captured in November from 2012 to 2018. Birds were measured at twelve different banding stations across Sitka. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to find the most important factors impacting wing length. Here we show that among the factors sex, year, and banding station, only sex and year significantly contributed to the model. Although year was a significant factor, there was no significant increase or decrease across years. For all three factors, the outcomes were expected. Our finding that station is not an important factor suggests that scientists can pick capture stations based on convenience. By showing body size changes significantly year to year, future studies can determine which specific environmental conditions affect size.

Poster #2020, Clarissa Nassar, CSUN BUILD PODER
Poster Title: Discovering New C. elegans Sleep Genes
Abstract: Although all animals sleep, its cellular function is unknown. To better understand the fundamental role of sleep, we can study it in genetic model organisms such as the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Interestingly, C. elegans sleep after exposure to environmental stressors such as bacterial toxins, heat, and ultraviolet light. This type of sleep is known as stress-induced sleep (SIS). Some mutant nematodes, however, cannot engage in SIS, and they do not recover from damaging conditions like their sleeping counterparts do. These observations suggest that sleep promotes the repair of cellular damage. To discover new sleep genes in C. elegans, our lab has conducted a genetic screen for sleepless mutants. The goal of this project is to characterize one of these mutants and identify the corresponding gene. By studying the genetics of stress-induced sleep in nematodes, we hope to better understand the fundamental role of sleep in promoting cellular repair across species.

Poster #2035, Jailene Amparan, UTEP BUILDing Scholars
Poster Title: Tracking the Migration of T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells in Mice: Determining the Role of CCR7 in Central Nervous System Invasion
Abstract: T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a blood cancer most commonly found in children and adolescents that can invade the central nervous system (CNS). Inside the CNS T- ALL becomes inaccessible to chemotherapies that circulate in the blood, necessitating the direct application of harmful drugs and ionizing radiation to the CNS. CCR7, binds to its ligand C-C motif chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19), which promotes T-ALL invasion of the CNS. Therefore, we hypothesize that if we can block CCR7, we can block T-ALL invasion of the CNS, and potentially prevent recirculation into the CNS and potentially prevent recirculation into the CNS if the cells exit to the periphery. To study this we will compare CNS invasion of two pediatric T-ALL cell lines, CEM (CCR7+) and DND41 (CCR7-). We hypothesize that expression of luciferase in the T-ALL cells will allow us to follow the cells during progression of T-ALL in the presence or absence of CCR7 blocking peptides. Using a Luciferase-2 expressing lentivirus we are transducing CEM and DND41, to use in an in vivo mouse model of T-ALL. These cell lines will allow us to track the localization of CEM and DND41 cells by bioluminescent imaging in live animals to determine if CNS infiltration persists in the presence of CCR7 antagonists. Ultimately, these studies will allow us to develop platforms for pharmaceuticals to block CCR7 signaling and prevent T-ALL from invading the CNS.

Poster #2042, Luisa Dominguez, UTEP BUILDing SCHOLARS
Poster Title: Serological Survey for Tick-Borne Pathogens on Human and Deer Blood Samples
Abstract: Approximately 500,000 cases of vector-borne diseases were reported during 2004-2016. Tick-borne diseases account for more than 95% of these cases in the United States. One of the most severe infectious diseases and one of the most prevalent and rapidly increasing tick-borne diseases in the United States is the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. Another recently emerged tick-borne pathogen is the Heartland virus. Heartland virus is transmitted by the lone star tick and circulates in deer, raccoons, coyotes, and moose in 13 states in the United States. Human interaction with wild and domestic animals can expose them to these pathogens. To understand the prevalence of the Heartland virus and R. rickettsii, human blood samples will be tested using an immunofluorescent assay (IFA) to target the IgG specific to R. rickettsii. Deer samples will be tested using an IgG ELISA to target specific antibodies against the Heartland virus. Currently, we have only tested 40 human blood samples for R. rickettsii. From these tested samples, all 40 were negative. We aim to continue testing for R. rickettsii and begin testing for the Heartland virus on deer blood samples and ticks collected from deer as soon as we receive positive controls. This study will provide a more comprehensive guide to medical professionals for the surveillance and testing of infectious diseases, and subsequent data that can be used for future surveillance.

Poster #2041, Roberto Salas, UTEP BUILDing Scholars
Poster Title: Evaluation of Insecticide Resistance in Aedes aegypti in the Northern Chihuahuan Desert
Abstract: Aedes aegypti is the vector of several arboviruses, such as Zika and dengue viruses, that are of global health concerns. Major efforts have been made to counteract the spread of this mosquito with insecticides being the most widely used method because of their ease of implementation and effectiveness. The massive use of these chemicals has caused resistance to these compounds among Ae. aegypti populations. Several studies have shown a direct relationship between resistance and mutations in the genomic regions where these substances bind in the mosquitoes. Moreover, voltage-sensitive sodium channel (Vscc) mutations are one of the most common mechanisms for insecticide resistance because they inhibit the ability of pyrethroids to bind. Ae. aegypti were collected from two low-income communities along the U.S. ? Mexico border; Sparks in El Paso, Texas, United States and Anapra in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. Mosquitoes were collected from June to December 2017. A total of 2,205 mosquitoes were collected in 2017, including 436 in Anapra and 1,769 in Sparks using BioQuip Gravid Traps located inside and outside of the participating houses. Mosquito sample selection for DNA analysis of insecticide resistance included 140 from Anapra and 157 from Sparks. These samples were selected to represent the Ae. aegypti population throughout the community. Currently, high-quality DNA has been obtained from the samples for use for genetic analysis of Ae. aegypti from both communities. This will provide an understanding and comparison of the genetic characteristics that contribute to insecticide resistance among these mosquitoes in both localities.

Poster #2022, Alexandra Breves, ReBUILDetroit
Poster Title: Lactobacillus and Candida: roles in the pathobiology of bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis and potentials for probiotics
Abstract: Motivation: Vaginal infections including bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) affect 29% and 75% of women in this country, impose added risk for other infections and social problems, and contribute over $7B annually to global health care costs. Yet the interactions between bacterial and yeast populations in the shared environment of the vaginal mucosa is poorly understood and both conditions are plagued by high recurrence. Scope: Our goal is to understand in vitro interactions between Lactobacillus species, dominant in healthy women, versus Candida , to gauge whether one condition predisposes the other. A second goal is to determine whether and under what circumstances Lactobacillus probiotics may be beneficial in treating VVC. Approach: We isolated L. crispatus from 33 independent patients, and determined which of these were not inhibited by a collection of 34 C. albicans isolates using agar-based zone of inhibition assays. We then determined, conversely, which Lactobacillus isolates inhibited growth of Candida using co-incubation assays, determining outcome by viability plating. Results indicated that 4-5 of 6 L. crispatus isolates were inhibited by 11% of the C. albicans isolates. Conversely, all of the 6 isolates of L. crispatus were able to inhibit all of 4 C. albicans isolates and all 2 of C. glabrata isolates. Implications: Together these data suggest that VVC may not directly drive vaginal bacteria into a Lactobacillus -deficient, BV state in most patients. They further suggest that it is reasonable to test L. crispatus as a probiotic to prevent or cure VVC caused by C. glabrata , but that if this strategy is to work for C. albicans , individualized matching of the patient?s C. albicans isolate with a library of L. crispatus strains to will be needed to identify antagonistic pairs.

Poster #2021, Juan Cardenas, CSUN BUILD PODER
Poster Title: Discovering which genes protect nematodes from odor-based paralysis
Abstract: Organisms respond differently to environmental cues in order to survive. The nematode Pristionchus pacificus is attracted to a scarab beetle as it secrets a chemical, ZTDO, and lays dormant until the beetle dies and feed off the growing bacteria. However, a mutant, obi-1, is susceptible to ZTDO and becomes paralyzed after being exposed to it for at least an hour. To understand this behavior, we mutagenized obi-1 mutants to isolate suppressors that are less susceptible to ZTDO. We conducted positional mapping and whole genome sequencing to identify mutation sites, narrowed the list of candidate mutations down to four genes and used quantitative PCR (qPCR) to see what genes are expressed differently in the suppressors as it can contribute to suppression. So far, two gene candidates have been eliminated, and we are focusing on a novel gene with multiple independent mutations in two alleles. In the future, we hope that we can confirm the genes responsible by phenocopying the resistance.

Poster #2010, Bridget Diviak, CSULB BUILD
Poster Title: Behavioral Mechanisms Involved in Oviposition Preference in Drosophila melanogaster
Abstract: To reveal the behavioral mechanisms involved in food preference in fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, oviposition choices were compared for pairs of food flavorings. Although it is known that the Drosophila relies on the presence of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisae and acetic acid as oviposition guides, food flavor preferences are largely unknown. Furthermore, the degree to which preferences may be influenced by individual history or even via epigenetic mechanisms is unknown. We mated isogenic and identical parental generation flies and allowed them to oviposit in food flavored with various extracts and observed subsequent oviposition preferences in their offspring (individuals exposed to the flavors) and F1 generation flies (which were exposed to control food lacking the flavors). Our data showed that exposure in earlier stages of development, and even in parents' larval environments, may modify Drosophila food preferences. These results have implications for insect population control and sympatric speciation. This research was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Numbers; UL1GM118979; TL4GM118980; RL5GM118978.

Poster #2017, Keenan Manpearl, CSUN BUILD PODER
Poster Title: The Search for Fungi in Ancient Permafrost
Abstract: Permafrost, or permanently frozen soil, contains large amounts of undecomposed carbon. As it thaws due to climate change, microorganisms degrade the carbon and ?breath? it into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and methane. Thus, it is becoming of increasing importance as global temperature rises. Current research investigating microbial communities in permafrost has mainly focused on bacterial and archeal communities, leaving eukaryotic populations largely understudied. To characterize fungal populations and ascertain what factors impact fungal diversity, we performed metagenomic sequencing of microbial communities in permafrost of varying ages. I then extracted fungal reads from the metagenomes through taxonomic classification and analyzed these populations. At the phylum level I found substantial taxonomic diversity with high abundances of Ascomyota and Basidiomycota but no significant variations between different samples. Ongoing research is focused on analyzing populations at the class and order level to look for these variations. By analyzing the fungal DNA found in these samples, we are gaining novel insights into the microbial communities in this important environment.

Poster #2026, Daphne Mueller, Samantha Wade, Garrett Taylor, UAF BLaST
Poster Title: Arctic Microbes: Population Changes Due to Warming Temperatures
Abstract: The effects of global warming are most profound in the Arctic, ranging from the rate of sea-ice decline, melting permafrost, and migration changes in plants and animals. In addition, an increase is expected in existing and invasive microorganisms, which can have adverse effects on the local food chain. We have hypothesized that Arctic warming will continue to affect arctic microorganisms. It is speculated that changes within the arctic microbial composition will be followed by changes in arctic vegetation, which will ultimately affect arctic plants, animals, and the subsistence lifestyle of Alaska Natives in rural villages. The proposed hypothesis is tested via measurements of microbial community composition in Arctic soils.

Poster #2002, Jessica Lee, UAF BLaST
Poster Title: RNA-Protein Interactions Involved in Persistence of Cytomegalovirus
Abstract: Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous herpes virus and usually asymptomatic among healthy individuals. Congenital HCMV infections are the leading cause of virally induced birth defects and HCMV causes severe disease in immunocompromised patients. Noncoding RNA is a class of RNA molecules that have a wide range of structures and functions which can exhibit cell-specified specialization and expression. HCMV encodes many ncRNAs that range in size from small (miRNAs) to large stable introns. HCMV encodes several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) of various function. Previous work has shown that HCMV encodes a lncRNA called RNA5.0. The ortholog of RNA5.0 in the MCVM, RNA7.2, has shown to play a role in virus persistence within host salivary glands. However, the molecular interactions/mechanism of this process remains unclear. In order to begin characterizing the molecular function of RNA5.0, we will use the RaPID system to screen for RNA-protein interactions. The RaPID system recruits a highly active biotin ligase to tag proteins bound on the RNA. Previous work demonstrated that the 3? end of RNA5.0 is related to the processing and stability of the RNA. There is a hairpin loop that is absolutely required for RNA stability. Several different length fragments spanning the hairpin loop have been cloned into the RaPID system. These constructs will be used to purify RNA binding proteins. Mass spectrometry analysis will be used to identify specific HCMV RNA binding proteins. The identified binding proteins might point to specific pathways involved in viral persistence that could be targeted for potential treatment for CMV.