STUDENT RESEARCH SHOWCASE 2019 PRESENTATIONS

 

Physiology and Immunology

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Development of a PCR Assay for Identification of Chronic Autoimmune 
Inflammation in Type 1 Diabetes
Anam Ahmed, American Heritage School Plantation

Current diagnostic systems for type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease, diagnose after our body’s own T-cells completely destroy the pancreatic beta cells. However, using a cell-free DNA biomarker found in blood and urine this research developed a pre-diagnostic system that can detect onset of the disease before complete beta cell destruction occurs. The system has major implications in type 1 diabetes, spurring studies to develop a cure, and autoimmune diseases overall.

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Epidemiology of the Sesame Allergen
Frank Belette, Pine Crest School

My presentation is on a prevalence study of the sesame allergen across the United States. This study looks at correlations between the sesame allergy and comorbid conditions, race, and much more.

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“Virtual Biopsy” approach: Measuring Non-invasive Biomarkers of Hepatic Fibrosis in Non-alcoholic Steatohepatisis
Mohamad Dandan, University of California, Berkeley

Approximately 5 million Americans suffer non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a severe form non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Hallmarks of NASH include fat accumulation and chronic inflammation that contributes to fibrosis and cirrhosis. During this dynamic process, fibrotic proteins can either be secreted or spilled into circulation. Our objective is to develop a “Virtual Biopsy” technique to measure the kinetics of fibrosis proteins non-invasively in NASH patients. This will be completed by using stable isotopic labeling with heavy water and mass spectrometry. Interestingly, we observed circulating fibrosis activation protein had an increased synthesis rate in NASH. In conclusion, by using a simple and safe clinical tracer technique with heavy water, we can invasively examine liver fibrotic activity in the blood.

 

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IFN-γ  Suppresses Macrophage Phagocytosis of Multiple Non-Opsonized Pathogens
Diego Guaman, Molloy College

The  IFN-γ signaling pathway that triggers phagocytosis for  opsonized  bioparticle is well understood. However, the way  IFN-γ regulate phagocytosis for non-opsonized bioparticles remains unclear.  IFN-γ suppresses macrophage  phagocytosis in non-opsonized pathogens. The downregulation of non-opsonized genes can contributed to the suppression of phagocytosis in macrophages.

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A Novel Approach to Combating Obesity: Identifying and Targeting the Antigen Presentation of Adipocytes and the Secretion of Autoimmune Antibodies
Diya Jayram, American Heritage School Plantation

Obesity currently has limited tangible treatments available and an extremely high mortality and morbidity count, partly due to the inflammation of the adipose tissue that comes with it. This not completely clarified inflammation worsens obesity itself, making it harder to treat, and leads to numerous other life threatening diseases. This project suggests the immunological functions of adipocytes, antigen presentation and secretion of autoimmune antibodies, as potential mechanisms behind obesity-induced inflammation, and anti-TNF, metformin, and Vitamin D as potential treatments to treat this inflammation—and ultimately obesity.

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Percent Accuracy Measurements for Males and Females in Determining Variations of Specific Pigmentation
Miranda McKee, Greenfield High School

The menu is positioned at the top of the page and includes 'home', 'about', 'abstract', powerpoint', and 'comments'. To leave a comment, click the 'comments' under the "leave a comment" post and a reply box will appear. The powerpoint may be navigated by clicking the numbered boxes to the left, by simply clicking the arrows on either side of the current slide, or by clicking "play" in the top left corner of the first slide and each slide will present in 9 second intervals.

 

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Influence of Ovarian Hormone Deprivation Length on the Neuroprotective Effects of Genistein in Stroke
Anthony Oppong-Gyebi, University of North Texas Health Science Center

This is a study that uses the middle cerebral artery occlusion model to test the time sensitivity of genistein's neuroprotection to changes in ovarian hormone.

 

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Uterine Perivascular Adipose Tissue: A Novel Regulator of Uterine Artery Hemodynamics during Normal Pregnancy
Deborah Osikoya, University of North Texas Health Science Center

In my presentation, I discuss my research that investigates the role of the adipose tissue surrounding blood vessels (perivascular adipose tissue, PVAT) in the regulation of uterine artery blood during pregnancy. This PVAT is morphologically, genotypical and functionally distinct from adipose tissue depot.

Premise: 
The increase in uterine blood flow facilitates the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the growing fetus during pregnancy. Hence, it is important that we identify factors governing uterine artery blood flow during pregnancy.

 

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Effects of Naturally-Occurring Resveratrol on Drosophila melanogaster exposed to Dental Resin
Prarthana Prashanth, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are oxidative free radicals that interfere with cell signaling leading to embryonic birth disorders. Resveratrol, an antioxidant, pairs unpaired electrons in ROS before oxidation occurs. I studied the effects of the resveratrol-containing foods, blueberries and red grapes, on the movement abilities of fruit flies exposed to dental resin, an ROS-releasing compound. I divided 16 vials into four groups based on the presence of dental resin, blueberries, and red grapes and added four male and four female flies to each. On Day 2, 5, and 8, I calculated the percentage of flies that passed a 6cm climbing line in 30 seconds. For five larvae per vial, I counted the number of full-body contractions in 60 seconds. In both assays, the dental resin group performed significantly worse than the control indicating its negative impact. Blueberries significantly combated dental resin’s negative effects in both assays. Red grapes combated dental resin in the climbing assay but not significantly in the larval assay. I further monitored the development of these larvae into flies but found no significant difference between the groups. The results demonstrate natural solutions for reducing oxidative stress and birth disorders and encourage further research in these areas.

 

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Curing Multiple Sclerosis: Changing the Balance Between Good and Evil

Rojin Shirwan, DuPont Manual High School

In the United States alone, there are 400,000 cases of Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis or known as MS is an autoimmune disease that attacks your nerve cells. The current treatments on the market are not effective and not curative. This demand has led Rojin to test novel biologics to try to cure MS.

 

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The Effects of Symphytum Officinale on Differentiation Rates of Mouse Stem Cells
Nikita Tanguturi, American Heritage School Boca/Delray

This experiment was to measure the effects of symphytum officinale, also known as comfrey, on the reproduction of mouse mesenchymal stem cells. Symphytum officinale is also referred to as the common comfrey plant, with many homeopathic uses.

 

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Using 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 to Protect the Epigenetic Modifications Leading to Type 2 Diabetes in Drosophila melanogaster
Ashni Zaverchand, American Heritage School Plantation

My presentation aims to explain the potential of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 in the field of epigenetics as a DNMT inhibitor and as a treatment for type 2 diabetes.

 

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