Tag: Natural Science

New Geomyoidea from the Miocene Cave Basin Fauna of Oregon

Presenter(s): Megan Wyatt − Biology, Earth Sciences

Faculty Mentor(s): Samantha Hopkins

Poster 7

Research Area: Natural Science

Oregon contains a rich fossil record of Miocene flora and fauna, giving us a glimpse into complex ecological interactions in deep time. The Mascall Formation of central Oregon is one of the best-preserved middle Miocene mammal assemblages in the Northwest. Past work on the Mascall fauna has found a rich carnivore and large herbivore fauna, but studies have yet to reveal which small mammals lived there during the Miocene. Recent screen washing efforts by the vertebrate paleontology lab at the University of Oregon have discovered a large small mammal assemblage in the Cave Basin region of central Oregon, which, when identified, will reveal a previously unknown part of the intricate ecosystem that existed in Oregon 17.5 to 15 million years ago. In studying the geomyoids (gophers and pocket mice), I have identified three different genera of rodents including Perognathus, Harrymys, and Mojavemys, and there are likely other genera within the superfamily Geomyoidea in this collection. I can use measurements and variations of molar enamel cusp patterns to identify them to a species level. However, observation and two-dimensional measurements are often inadequate for distinguishing Perognathus interspecies variation. Researchers have quantified species variation in other rodent lineages including voles and pocket gophers, using geometric morphometrics. I propose to use this method to identify these geomyoid molars. Species identification for these teeth will provide a baseline for future research of Oregon Miocene faunal ecology and be one step closer to understanding these ecological interactions.

Chitin Binding Protein GbpA promotes Proliferation In The Drosophila Midgut

Presenter(s): Zoë Wong − Biology, Psychology

Faculty Mentor(s): Karen Guillemin

Oral Session 4S

Research Area: Natural Science (Biology)

The microbes that live both in and on us, collectively known as our microbiota, are estimated to include 3.8 ·1013 cells (Sender, et al., 2016). While this considerable community plays an active role in host health, it also contributes to disease phenotypes including states of inflammation and excess cell proliferation. Previous work has shown that secretion of a bacterial chitin binding protein (CBP), GbpA, by Aeromonas veronii is sufficient to induce cell proliferation in zebrafish (Banse et al., unpublished). Chitin serves as an important Carbon and Nitrogen source for hosts and microbes that can breakdown colloidal chitin (Tran et al., 2011). Interestingly, CBPs are found in microbes that are not capable of utilizing chitin as a nutrient source, which suggests that bacteria have an ulterior motive for CBP translation (Tran et al., 2011). To investigate the relevance of GbpA expression, we propose to use Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism because of their short generation time, ability to be reared germ-free, and established assay for measuring cell proliferation in the midgut epithelium (Jones et al., 2017). We hypothesize that the CBP domain of GbpA (domain 1, GbpAD1) is necessary and sufficient for increased cell proliferation in Drosophila. Chitinases and other CBPs are linked to pro-proliferative states of inflammation and we would expect this result to be replicated in Drosophila (Tran et al., 2011). The highly-conserved sequence identity of CBPs makes it an interesting avenue for exploring the intricacies of bacterial-host interactions.

Developmental Synchronization Of The Purple Pitcher Plant Mosquito, Wyeomyia Smithii, as a Result Of Increasing Temperatures

Presenter(s): Kevin Spies − Biochemistry

Faculty Mentor(s): William Bradshaw, Christina Holzapfel

Poster 45

Research Area: Natural Science

The environment factor of temperature plays an important role in the growth and development of ectothermic species. In many species, increasing temperatures have been shown to dictate development rates and gives rise to the synchronization of the mature adults from adolescence. In the purple pitcher plant mosquito Wyeomyia smithii, this phenomenon has not yet been determined to occur. The goal of this research project is to determine whether synchronized development occurs in W. smithii as a result of increasing temperatures. Accurate determination of this adaptation in W. smithii may have important implications in evolutionary biology including being used as a foundation for locating synchronization genes and adding to the current literature for synchronized emergence and the rule of thermal summing. Additionally, this information may aid in the preservation of agricultural crops against W. smithii infestation and may serve as a means of vector control for mosquito- borne disease. The project encompasses subjecting four distinct W. smithii populations to light-controlled incubators (programmed light:day cycle of 18:6) with increasing temperatures from 4 °C to 30 °C. Two cohorts from each population will be introduced to the 4 °C environment; every fifth day, the temperature will increase 2 °C and two cohorts from each population will be placed in the incubator. All populations will be observed for signs of development. Once all W. smithii have reached maturity, data will be undergo an analysis of covariance to determine whether or not synchronized development and emergence has occur in W. smithii.

Monitoring Lane Community College Coyote Population: Urban or Rural?

Presenter(s): Caroline Shea − Animal Sciences, Pre-vet

Faculty Mentor(s): Stacy Kiser

Poster 57

Research Area: Natural Science

There are so many people that are afraid of coyotes, since many people assume that they are going to go after their animals. Not all coyotes are hunters, however, and when they are they tend to eat small animals and insects. The coyote population on and around Lane Community College had gone undetected for a long time. In the spring of 2017 there was one coyote was spotted by a game camera, a mother coyote who had given birth that year. This coyote was found at a site which had red meat placed at the site, which the coyote did not touch, but there was a large amount of small rodent activity, leading to the question: Was the coyote population hunters, like rural coyotes, or were they scavengers like an urban coyote? This is being tested by using this five grain mixture to attract small rodents to see if the coyote would follow. The small animals so far includes rats, mice, birds, rabbits, and chipmunks. This research is useful to help determine if the coyotes pose a potential threat to the nearby neighborhoods or not. So far it is possible that the coyotes are not afraid of people, making them closer to the urban coyote than a rural one, however it is not yet confirmed.

Cultivating Connections: Garden-Based Education to Connect with the Willamette Valley

Presenter(s): Katy Roy-johnson − Environmental Studies

Co Presenter(s): Becca Perrin, Sydney Morrison, Gracie Williams, Milo Gazzola

Faculty Mentor(s): Kathryn Lynch

Oral Session 4CN

Research Area: Natural Science

Funding: Robert and Catherine Miller Foundation

The goal of environmental education is to foster an awareness of past, present, and future environmental issues, build an empathetic attitude toward the natural world, and establish a platform for action. Through the Environmental Leadership Program at the University of Oregon, our team partnered with the School Garden Project of Lane County (SGP), a non-profit organization whose mission is to utilize on-site school gardens as outdoor classrooms to promote stewardship for the natural world. Our service-learning project entailed supporting SGP with their in-school lessons for ten weeks, providing a total of 210 hours of hands-on learning experiences in their school programs. Additionally, we developed three lessons on phenology, citizen science, and food and culture, which we facilitated during the after-school BEST program at local schools, collectively teaching for 70 hours. We introduced 1st through 5th grade students to the importance of local food and encouraged attitudes of excitement and responsibility to participate in growing food. Over the course of two terms, we collectively reached 150 students at 5 schools within Lane County. Our students became aware and knowledgeable about seasonal changes in the Willamette Valley, the Three Sisters of northern Native American agriculture, and personally participated in citizen science data collection. By promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, we have worked to ensure that our lessons are accessible to all, providing space for our students to foster a strong connection to place, enhance self-sufficiency, and empower students to grow their roots in the local food movement.

Utilizing the Optomotor Response to Measure the Effect of Cadaverine on Larval Zebrafish Behavior

Presenter(s): Laura Reich − Biology

Faculty Mentor(s): Adam Miller, Matt Smear

Poster 41

Research Area: Natural Science

Zebrafish behavior is strongly influenced by environmental stimuli, and olfaction (sense of smell) is a powerful driver of behavioral responses. Our overarching goal is to measure an odorant’s effect on a behavioral response and to understand the sensorimotor transformations that occur within the brain as the animal smells its world and reacts accordingly. As a first step towards this goal, we used a repetitive visual stimulus to induce the optomotor response, causing the zebrafish to swim in the direction of perceived motion. This method allows us to orient the larval zebrafish towards a region of water with an odorant of interest. This research specifically focuses on the impact of cadaverine, an odorant known to stimulate an aversive response, on larval zebrafish. We hypothesize that while a repetitive visual stimulus is in use, the distribution of larval zebrafish in a petri dish will differ when cadaverine is administered to a section of the water. Rather than moving with the visual stimulus, we predict that the fish will avoid regions with cadaverine, halting the optomotor response. This research serves to demonstrate that olfaction, the sense that is often forgotten and taken for granted, plays an important role in zebrafish and can potentially overcome visually-directed behavior.

Effects Of Histamine-Receptor Blockade And Exercise On Blood-Glucose Concentration

Presenter(s): Sabrina Raqueno-Angel − Human Physiology

Faculty Mentor(s): John Halliwill, Matt Ely

Poster 23

Research Area: Natural Science

Funding: OURS Program, the Oregon Undergraduate Researchers in SPUR (Summer Program for Undergraduate Research in Life Sciences)

Histamine is a molecular transducer released from mast cells during exercise, and its role during the exercise period is unknown. The experiment’s purpose was to determine if H1/H2 histamine receptor blockades would decrease blood-glucose concentrations during exercise. It was hypothesized that histamine receptor blockade would decrease blood-glucose concentrations during exercise. Subjects were chosen if ages 18-40, had a BMI of ≤ 25 kg/m2, experience riding/racing bikes, and can perform 3 hours of continuous exercise. The independent variable was the pill taken (antihistamine or placebo), and the dependent was blood-glucose concentration. After a screening and two familiarization visits, the subject completed four study visits, in which they performed a 120-minute cycling exercise at 50% VO2 max on a stationary bike in a temperature and humidity-controlled room. Before each study visit, the subject was randomly given a placebo pill or antihistamine and rested for two hours. Measurements were taken from the earlobe pre-exercise and three times during exercise at 15, 60, and 120 minutes. Repeated-measures two-way ANOVA (RM ANOVA, Group X Time) was used for statistical analysis. No differences were found between placebo and antihistamine groups (p = 0.801), and no Group X Time Interaction was determined (p = 0.881). Blood glucose levels at 15, 60, and 105 minutes were lower than the pre-exercise levels (p<0.001). No significant differences in blood-glucose concentrations were found between placebo and antihistamine groups. This research provides valuable information regarding histamine’s role in the cardiovascular system’s physiological pathways, which is important for forming cardiovascular disease prevention.

The Role Of Patterned Spontaneous Circuit Activity In Drosophila Neuronal Circuit Assembly

Presenter(s):Nelson Perez − Biology

Faculty Mentor(s): Arnaldo Carreira-Rosario, Chis Doe

Oral Session 2SW

Research Area: Natural sciences, Neuroscience, Biology, Developmental Biology

Funding: HHMI (Howard Hughes Medical Institute), SPUR Program

Neuronal networks become active before they are fully functional. This is known as patterned spontaneous network activity (PaSNA), an event characterized by quiescent periods followed by bursts of activity. Many studies have demonstrated the importance of PaSNA for proper neuronal circuit assembly. Yet, little is known about the mechanisms underlying PaSNA.
In the Drosophila ventral nerve cord (spinal cord for invertebrate counterpart) PaSNA occurs during late embryonic stages. During PaSNA, embryos exhibit intermittent episodes of uncoordinated motor activity that gradually mature into crawling waves. Concomitantly with wave maturation, more neurons become active during PaSNA. The identity of these neurons and function during PaSNA remains unknown. To identify which cells undergo PaSNA and their function during circuit assembly, we are screening for GAL4 lines, which maintain expression in small subsets of neurons from the onset of PaSNA until the circuit is fully assembled. We have identified several GAL4 lines suitable for our experiments. Using in vivo calcium imaging, we identified that the neurons labeled by one of these lines participates in PaSNA. Four other lines have been identified as good candidates for future experiments that involve calcium imaging and tracking of synapsis formation during PaSNA. This represents a unique tool to study PaSNA and its role in circuit formation.

Calcium Imaging of Mice Brains Injected with Glutamate-Sensing Fluorescent Reporter (GluSnFr)

Presenter(s): Nelly Nouboussi − Biology, Human Physiology

Faculty Mentor(s): Matt Smear, Teresa Findley

Poster 63

Research Area: Natural science

One of the most important tasks a sensory system performs is locating the source of a stimulus. However, very little is known about how the olfactory systems localizes odors. The goal of this project is to develop a technique that will allow us to image the glomeruli, the area in the brain where neurons from the brain and the nose connect. We will image using superfolder intensity-based glutamate-sensing fluorescent reporter (referred to as GluSnFR), which localizes to the extracellular surface of neurons and can thus report concentrations of the neurotransmitter glutamate at synapses. A virus carrying the GluSnFr gene will be injected in the brain during survival surgeries. The first step in this project is to confirm that GluSnFr is expressed by the cells of interest, which will be accomplished by sectioning samples of mice brains 2 weeks after injection, and looking for expression using a microscope. Once it is established that GluSnFr is expressed, we will perform glutamate imaging to obtain images of olfactory bulb activity. We predict that GluSnFr will indicate when neurons are firing, and this will be illustrated in the images taken. This is significant because this technique will ultimately be used to image the glomeruli of mice performing olfactory search tasks, in order to establish a correlation between the activity of neurons and the behavior of the animals.

A Sedimentary Analysis of the Eugene Millrace

Presenter(s): Ethan Niyangoda − Geology

Faculty Mentor(s): Josh Roering

Poster 67

Research Area: Natural Science

The Eugene Millrace, a slowly-flowing 1.5 mile channel which is connected to the Willamette River and flows through East Eugene, has once again become a matter of public interest. Originally designed by Hillyard Shaw and constructed in 1851 to create a millrace for the quickly-industrializing city. Approximately half of the channel is a former side-channel of the Willamette River, and the other half was constructed by man. With the advent of the highly-publicized Knight Campus, which will be built around and possibly atop the Millrace, there has been great speculation into the future of this small but culturally-significant channel. One helpful means of understanding the nature and movement of a river system is to examine its bathymetry (the topography of its channel) and sediment accumulation pattern. In order to do this, we used six- to twelve- foot steel rods, a canoe, a GPS unit, and a tape measure to gauge sediment depth at a given location. To do this, we launched the canoe at several locations and took measurements from the center of the channel and around drainage pipes. This was done once in May 2017 and once in November 2017. We hypothesized that the channel would have mostly uniform, shallow (less than one foot) levels of sediment throughout. This hypothesis was completely wrong, as we discovered that the Millrace in fact has sediment ranging from less than a foot to meters in depth depending on the location measured. This finding could potentially have significant implications for channel dredging during the building and design associated with the Knight Campus.