Amyloid-beta Analysis and Characterization using Gel Electrophoresis

Brian Pham, Arizona State University, Undergraduate Student

This study pertains to the analysis and characterization of different species within samples of amyloid-beta 40 and amyloid-beta 42. The amyloid-beta precursor protein is secreted by cells and normally plays a vital role in the functioning of the nervous system. Read More

Creation of AD-Relevant Isogenic Lines with the Gene Editing Method CasMasTREE

Brycelyn Whitman, Arizona State University, Undergraduate Student

Since 1901, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) claims at least 5.5 million individuals each year, making it the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Read More

An Analysis of RNA Solubility in Human Spinal Cord Samples from ALS Patients
Chloe Rozalsky, Paradise Valley High School (CREST Bioscience), High School Student
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive, heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease, causes nerve cell breakdown within the brain and spinal cord. Read More

PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND BIDIRECTIONAL HYDROGENASE IN HYDROGEN PRODUCTION IN CYANOBACTERIA

Correa Wlodek and Matthew Oliwia, Grand Canyon University, Undergraduate Students

While traditional methods of hydrogen production are expensive and emit high levels of carbon dioxide, renewable bio-hydrogen production systems can be carbon neutral and less energy intensive. Read More

Development of a quantitative antigen assay to detect coccidioidal chitinase-1 (CTS1) in human serum

Francisca Grill, Arizona State University, Graduate Student

Background Coccidioidomycosis is often diagnosed with a collection of tests that rely on the patient’s ability to mount an immune response to the fungus (antibody-based diagnostics), making diagnosis of this infection challenging. Read More

Non-Linear Analysis of Collagen in Murine Ovarian Samples Using Second Harmonic Generation
Hasina Shir, University of Arizona, Undergraduate Student

Title: Feasibility of Non-Imaging Second Harmonic Generation to Identify Early Ovarian Cancer in a Murine Model Analysis of Collagen in Murine Ovarian Samples Using Second Harmonic Generation

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women. Read More

Development of a user-defined software for robust cardiomyocyte contraction analysis

Hersh Nanda, BASIS CHANDLER, High School Student

Cardiomyocytes, or cardiac muscle cells, make up heart tissue and are essential for normal cardiac function. Current research into the quantification and measurement of cardiomyocyte contraction is crucial for understanding cardiomyocyte physiology, pathology, and drug-induced response. Read More

Green Infrastructure Impacts on Carbon Cycling: Evaluating Changes in Soil Microbial Composition and Function

Isabel Ross, Cienega High School, High School Student

This project aimed to identify how the implementation of green infrastructure (GI) water harvesting systems impacts the carbon cycle by studying shifts in microbial composition and function. Read More

HYDROGEN PRODUCTION BY CYANOBACTERIUM ANABAENA VARIABILIS

Joseph Rice, Grand Canyon University, Undergraduate Students
Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413 is a filamentous strain of cyanobacteria which separates nitrogen fixation from photosynthesis spatially by producing specialized anoxic cells called heterocysts. This study aims to characterize A. Read More

Supramolecular Assembly of Redox Proteins to form Nanowires for Ultra-Long-Range Biological Electron Transfer

Justus Nwachukwu, Arizona State University, Graduate Student

Supramolecular Assembly of Redox Proteins to form Nanowires for Ultra-Long-Range Biological Electron Transfer

J. N. Nwachukwu, M. A. Thirmurthy, J. T. Read More

Integrated Analysis of the Association Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Cardiovascular Disease

Katherine Wei, BASIS Chandler High School, High School Student

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the sixth leading cause of death in the US, and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the first leading cause of death in the US, are frequently associated. Read More

Data Analysis for Frequency of Terms Indicating Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Marina Hu, BASIS Chandler High School

Behavior, Anorexia, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in ASD Electronic Health Records (EHRs).

In the US, boys are four times more likely to get diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) than girls. Read More

UPTAKE HYDROGENASE IN CYANOBACTERIA

Morgan Snider, Grand Canyon University. Undergraduate Student

Photoautotrophic prokaryotic cyanobacteria are ideal models for microbial hydrogen production. Hydrogen is produced by nitrogenase and bidirectional hydrogenase. Uptake hydrogenase reduces the net gain of H2 through oxidation. The two genes that encode the subunits of uptake hydrogenase are hupS and hupL. Read More

Gray Matter Volumetric Differences in Healthy Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease

Nathaniel Gallegos, University of Arizona, Graduate Student

It is well-documented that gray matter volume decreases in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Gray matter volumes have been shown to be correlated with disease progression and cognitive deficits. Read More

Structural and functional studies of prophylactic drug target, NendoU, from SARS-CoV-2 for time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography and rational drug design

Rebecca Jernigan, Arizona State University, Graduate Student

Nonstructural protein 15 (Nsp15) is a Uridine specific nidoviral endoribonuclease (often called NendoU) from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More

Investigating the MS4A1 and MFN2 genes’ correlation with mTORC2 in Melanoma

Saathvika Vegasina, Paradise Valley High School High School, High School Student

Metastasis is the spread of cancer in the host’s body. Cell migration is a major part of cancer metastasis. Read More

Biosymbiotic, Personalized and Digitally Manufactured Wireless Devices for Indefinite Collection of High-Fidelity Biosignals.

Tucker Stuart, University of Arizona, Graduate Student

Digital medicine, the ability to measure heath status precisely and continuously, is pivotal for the next generation of devices aimed at disease diagnosis, management, and treatment. Read More