Jacare Cardoza

How do changes in developmental genetic pathways lead to phenotypic diversity?
Studying the variation that exists among Drosophila, commonly known as fruit flies, can help trace evolutionary events. For this experiment, I will be comparing differences in the number of respiratory appendages present on the eggshell for three different species. In particular, I will focus on the expression of argos, a gene known to be involved in development of the respiratory appendages.  I will examine whether the expression pattern of this gene is correlated with the number of respiratory appendages that form on the eggshell.  This will help identify genetic changes that lead to phenotypic changes during evolution.

Goldie DaCosta

When various spices are used in ground beef products do they exhibit antimicrobial activity against E. coli O157:H7?

E. coli O157:H7is associated with ground beef products and infection with this bacterium can lead to dysentery and kidney failure especially in children. This study examines whether the use of spices and essential oils (EOs) inhibit bacterial growth. Samples of ground beef will be inoculated with E. coli O157:H7, treated with different traditional Indian spices or no spice, and then the bacteria quantified.  A disk diffusion assay using the corresponding EOs will be used to test the effectiveness of individual spices.  A decline in the number of bacteria present in the meat (compared with the no spice control) and/or inhibition of bacterial growth via the disk diffusion assay would indicate that the spice or EO may be an effective preservative.

Ivan Pulido

Do organophosphates affect leg development in Drosophila melanogaster?
Organophosphates (OPs), commonly found in pesticides, are hazardous to both insects and humans. Here I use leg development in Drosophila melanogaster as a model system to investigate the effects of the OP dichlorvos. Drosophila will be fed dichlorvos throughout development. Observing abnormalities in leg development and expression of leg patterning genes can help explain how environmental pollutants like OPs may affect development and adult morphology.

John Taylor Gabriel

Can barbecue marinade additives inhibit the growth of Salmonella enterica in chicken?
Salmonella enterica, a bacterial pathogen of the gastrointestinal tract, is frequently found on raw chicken after the processing phase, so the consumer must ensure that their food is safe to eat. This study examines the ability of barbecue marinade alone and marinade containing various organic acids (tartaric, lactic, or citric acid) to inhibit S. enterica growth on chicken. Chicken will be infected with the bacterium and treated with the various marinades for different amounts of time.  The number of S. enterica will be enumerated in order to determine the best way to inhibit the growth of this microbe which will result in safer food.

Noor Mahmoud

Does variation in the even-skipped gene shift anterior-posterior patterning inDrosophila melanogaster?
Previous research suggests that shifts in the anterior-posterior (AP) position of even-skipped (eve) gene expression is correlated to AP shifts of morphological structures. Variation in AP pattern of eve expression may be caused by changes in eve regulatory sequences. eve is expressed in 7 stripes across the AP axis of the embryo; I will focus on two independent enhancer sequences and their control of stripe pattern, to determine if sequence changes are correlated to the AP shifts of eve expression and embryo morphology.

Carlos Francisco Mendoza

Will various essential oils applied in a mango edible film inhibit the growth of Salmonella enterica on fresh fruits and vegetables?
Salmonella enterica is a common human enteric pathogen responsible for numerous outbreaks of illness in the United States.  Recent outbreaks have involved fruits and vegetables thus this study will focus on whether three essential oils (Eos; cinnamon, nutmeg, chili plant) within a mango puree edible film will inhibit the growth of this bacterium. Minimally processed strawberries, grapes, & cherries will be contaminated with S. enterica and treated with the fruit edible films containing EOs (and not) and the number of bacteria recovered compared.  Each EO will also be tested via disk diffusion assay. This work may result in strategies to increase the safety of fruits and vegetables.

Jenna Rozacky

Does maternal age affect the spacing of dorsal appendages in Drosophila melanogaster?
In many species, an offspring’s health and viability can be dependent on the age of the mother.  The aim of this study is to find out if maternal age has any effect on the dorsal appendage spacing in D. melanogaster.  Dorsal respiratory appendages are extensions of the eggshell that help deliver oxygen to developing embryos.  Eggs will be collected at different time points as female flies age and the spacing between the dorsal appendages will be measured and compared.

Lisa Rougraff

What genetic pathways are involved in variation for anterior-posterior patterning?
Past research has shown that genetic variation can affect phenotypes. InDrosophila melanogaster, the cephalic furrow is the first anterior marker present on embryos.  By examining extreme anterior and posterior cephalic furrowDrosophila lines, we can determine if a relationship exists between the shift in this anterior marker and the genetic patterning system.  Specifically, a correlation between the pair-rule gene hairy and the cephalic furrow placement would be a step towards linking genetic variation and phenotypic variation.