Student Researchers’ Abstracts College of Business

Honors College

Myasthenia Gravis

Mentor(s): Barbara Mania-Farnell

Undergraduate

Poster Presentation

The human body consists of many complex organ systems. A slight change in one system can cause a domino like effect for the other systems. One organ system that maintains a very important role in the human body system is the muscular system. The muscular system is responsible for movement as well as maintaining posture, generating heat, and circulating blood through the human body. Small changes in the physiology of the muscular system could make simple everyday tasks impossible. Some changes in a part of the muscular system may change the physiology of the skeletal system. One disorder that affects the muscular system is Myasthenia Gravis. In order to understand the consequences of this relatively rare autoimmune disorder, one must understand how a healthy person’s body works without Myasthenia Gravis and the changes it brings about. This project will list examples of changes brought about by Myasthenia Gravis and the research being done to prevent and treat MG.

Degradation of a connexin40 mutant linked to atrial fibrillation is accelerated

Mentor(s): Radmila Sarac

Undergraduate

Poster Presentation

The most common cardiac arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation (AF), which is characterized by rapid and irregular heart beats. Atrial fibrillation is a large topic of discussion in the science community because it is still somewhat unclear what causes the disorder. The research in this article was based around the idea that cardiac muscle cells communicate via gap junctions which allows the cells to work in sync. The gap junctions are composed of connexin proteins, which were studied here. Wild type connexin proteins and mutants of the protein were compared for various characteristics. It was discovered that certain specific mutants of the wild type connexin 40 protein that were studied here were less stable and thus degraded faster. Connexin mutants were also found to likely accelerate the degradation of wild type proteins. In addition, connexin mutants may lead to disease due to increased proteasomal degradation. This method of proteasomal degradation was supported by the findings that when it was blocked, less of the mutants were degraded although the mutants and wild type were both still ubiquinated and marked for destruction. These findings point toward a possible treatment for AF: preventing the degradation of mutants using proteasomal inhibitors. Global inhibition is not reasonable at this time, but the possibility of selective intervention is promising.

Complex Traits As Seen In the Companion Canine

Mentor(s): Nicole Evans

Undergraduate

Poster Presentation

An important topic in genetics of the 21st century is the inheritance of complex traits, a combination of multiple Mendelian loci, each with a small effect on the trait, and environmental factors that dictate how a dog looks like and behaves during the course of its life. This can be seen in the characteristics that originates from both the domestic canine’s nature and nurture. Stature, fur quality, and temperament are some examples that can differentiate between dogs at an infinite degree of variance. A black and a blue Doberman pinscher mate and produce offspring having no two coats the same shade of black, blue, red, or fawn. Different amounts of mutation in the MLPH gene, different levels of sunlight exposure, and different intakes of pigment pre-cursors influence the coat color. The temperament differences can be observed in the actions of the domesticated dog and that of their ancestor, the wolf. The herding abilities of the Welch Corgi breed involves wide circling around groups of animals similar to as what the wolf pack does to identify their target prey. But if the dog had had a traumatic experience with these animals as a pup, it may not be a suitable at a herding position and might develop an aggressive or cowardice disposition to the herd. The environment guides the dogs to express genes and the genes set foundations of how a dog acts in its environment.

About the book: "The Amoeba in the Room"

Mentor(s): Michael ZImmer

Undergraduate

Poster Presentation

The book, “the amoeba in the room” by Nicholas Money is about the microbial community as a whole and how the vast diversity of Microorganisms on the planet are incredibly important for the functioning of the environment as a whole. The book also discusses how the microbial community is vastly under-recognized. In fact, most of the organisms on the planet are microorganisms, and it is a shame how the only organisms that are acknowledged by most of the community are the plants and animals, while the Microorganisms are much more important for the functioning of the environment. In order to present this project, I will make a poster with a basic summary of the book and pictures of some of the microbes presented in the book. The pictures will be presented with captions as well that explain them and their importance in the environment. I will also put on the poster information about the authors background and qualifications to write such a book, as well as several different important quotes from the book and their explanations.

Evaluating the Dog Bite Liability Law in Indiana and the United States

Mentor(s): Shontrai Irving

Undergraduate

Poster Presentation

This project will provide an overview of the case law in Indiana by addressing Indiana Code Chapter 12, which addresses liability for dog bites as well as the evolution of case law in Indiana dealing with dog bite liability by addressing significant cases in Indiana such as Hardsaw v. Courtney, Plesha v. Edmonds, Baker v. Weather, Vetor v. Vetor, and Morehead v. Deitrich. In fact, Indiana code 15-5-12-1 states, “If a dog, without provocation, bites any person who is peaceably conducting himself in any place where he may be required to go for the purpose of discharging any duty imposed upon him by the laws of this state or by the laws or postal regulations of the United States of America, the owner of such dog may be held liable for any damages suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.” Primarily, this overview will emphasize the significance of court decisions that discuss the various ways that a dog bite victim can bring a claim, while also providing information about defenses to dog bit claims such as comparative negligence and trespassing. In additional, this paper will also focus on the impact that dog claims have made on the insurance industry in the country. Furthermore, research will address the “controversy” surrounding dangerous breeds and breed-specific legislation. Research on the statistics of dog bites in Indiana and on a national level will be interpreted. In addition this project will attempt to ascertain the distinction with litigation in Indiana in comparison to other states.