Tag: Allee P

Michelle Fletcher

Dental Caries: A review of pathogenesis and genetically linked predispositions

Bacteria are small unicellular organisms that can cause an array of human diseases. They can take on a variety of shapes and sizes and can infect through many different modes of transfer. Streptococcus mutans is a spherical, Gram-positive bacterium that is responsible for causing dental caries. This disease is characterized by the breakdown of calcified tooth tissue, and is known more commonly as “cavities”. Studying and understanding the pathogenesis of a disease such as dental caries is helpful for medical professionals to recognize and treat the disease.

Besides understanding the exact mechanisms through which S. mutans invades and infects, it is also worth exploring any genetic predispositions for dental caries. The completion of the Human Genome Project has allowed researchers to sequence complete human gene extracts. With this information, researchers have been able to determine which genes and proteins are responsible for resistance or susceptibility to caries. Alterations to protein expression can lead to modifications in enamel structure, immune response, and sugar metabolism. Any of these modifications make one increasingly susceptible to disease.

Understanding pathogenesis and knowing genetic risk factors for diseases are two powerful weapons in combatting against them. Preventative measures should be taken when fighting against dental caries. Vaccines have been developed with some success, but perhaps the greatest method of prevention rests in low sugar diets and the daily practice of brushing.

BIOL 499, Capstone

Paul Allee

P103

10 – 10:30 AM

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Emily Sanders

Engaging Students at the Junior High Level: How to Overcome Biological Hindrances to Learning and Foster a Prosperous Classroom Environment for a Student’s Ultimate Success

In the teenage years, as one undergoes puberty, many biological changes are occurring. In order, to understand how to teach students at this level, teachers should be aware of how their brain works and the ways in which they learn. Taking a look at the process of myelination and examining different hormones, grasping the effects of poverty on the brain, and seeing how those with disabilities differ in the learning process provides insight into the effects on learning. In schools today there are various types of learners. Some learn through visual means, some auditory, and some kinesthetic. Through understanding these types of learners, a teacher can construct a classroom that accommodates students and pushes them to their highest potential. With the background knowledge of brain structures and functions, it becomes easier to limit distractions in the classroom, build lesson plans which collaborate and invent, and enforce classroom structure and discipline. This also informs how technology is used in the classroom and what type of relationship a teacher should have with students. All of these components construct a complete view of how a classroom can cater towards students and assist them to reach success, no matter the biological hindrances.

BIOL 499, Capstone

Paul Allee

P103

10:30 – 11 AM

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Cassidy Winters

Food and People: a Review of the Western Diet and Implications for Human Health

The need for food is something that all humans have in common and is something that has not changed since we have started walking the Earth. What has shifted, however, is the way that we obtain food. Immense change has occurred at various levels of the food chain, from the crops grown, to raising meat, all the way to how we eat. Known as the “western diet” our way of eating today looks far different from our hunter-gatherer days, with highly processed foods full of refined sugar, fat, and grains comprising over half of our energy intake. With the emergence of the western diet phenomenon, so have “western diseases”, which are understood to be noninfectious chronic diseases common to developed societies, including type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and various types of cancer, not to mention obesity.  Wherever people have shifted towards a westernized way of eating, western diseases have seemed to follow. As eating and food becomes more simplified, it seems that our health continues to get more complicated.

BIOL 499, Capstone

Paul Allee

P103

11 – 11:30 AM

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Andrea Gloss

Impacts of Feral Cats and Dogs in Communities

Feral cats and dogs across the United States can have negative impacts in communities because of overpopulation and the spread of diseases among them as well as other animals in the wild. Issues like pet abandonment, costs of treatments, and funding for shelters and trap and release programs are all factors that can affect feral cats’ and dogs’ impact in communities. Although the total population of feral cats and dogs can be a difficult issue to solve, there are some ways that communities attempt to alleviate the negative impacts. Ways that communities and veterinary professionals have gotten involved in the issue of feral cat and dog populations are implementing capture and spay/neuter and release programs, along with giving other medical attention like vaccinations while they are captured. They also have advocated for the capture and adoption of feral cats and dogs. Although there are negative impacts in communities from feral cats and dogs, there are solutions available to help alleviate these issues. 

BIOL 499, Capstone

Paul Allee

L204

2:30 – 3:00 PM

Emily Kaelin

Effects of Four Botanical Products on Pathogenic and Probiotic Bacteria

Current research suggests that natural antimicrobial agents have the potential to help mitigate problems associated with traditional antibiotics, such as antibiotic resistance and damage to beneficial bacteria. The purpose of this project was to investigate the effects of selected plant products on pathogenic and probiotic bacteria. Oregano essential oil, oregano extract, cayenne extract, and hops extract were tested against several strains of bacteria, using disk diffusion and incorporation into incubating yogurt. The results were compared to results obtained from standard antibiotics. Oregano extract appeared to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, while not inhibiting probiotic bacteria. Hops extract also appeared to affect the growth of pathogenic bacteria, but not probiotic bacteria. Oregano oil appeared to affect both types of bacteria, while cayenne extract did not inhibit any of the bacteria. Further research is needed to confirm the results, but the data obtained from the tests of oregano extract and hops extract appear to be promising.

BIOL 499, Capstone

Paul Allee

L204

1:00 – 1:30 PM

Brandon Lotts

Anthophila: Beeyond the Sting

Anthophila, more commonly known as bees, are a species that are encountered nearly every day, yet, are taken for granted. While they are often over looked or feared due to the reputation of their deadly cousin, the African Honey Bee, bees are relatively unprotected when compared to other nearly endangered species. Bees play a vital role in our ecosystem by directly pollinating one-third of the food consumed today. Habitat loss, rising temperatures, disease, and the overuse of pesticides world–wide have led to a decline in bee populations as well as other imperative pollinators. These human inflicted changes pose an insurmountable task bees currently face on their own. As a keystone species, bees play an indispensable role in both the world’s environments and economies. Preventative and restoration measures such as habitat rehabilitation, addressing global climate change, and restricting the overuse and abuse of pesticides are all viable ways in which the population decline can be slowed and eventually ceased. 

BIOL 499, Capstone

Paul Allee

L204

1:30 – 2:00 PM

Danielle Schneider

Humans’ Effect on Waterbody Quality and the Impact on Fish Health

Since the dawn of time, humans have used rivers and lakes as a natural resource; utilizing the abundant life found there as a source of food. For the last two hundred years, however, the health of these waterbodies has dropped dramatically. As we have put in dams and changed the flow of the rivers, we have also inadvertently blocked fish off from their natural habitats and spawning grounds. The number of fish, as a result, has decreased dramatically with some species classified as endangered. Numerous restoration projects have focused on returning our lakes and streams to their former glory. Some projects have had resounding success; for example the Oregon Chub is the first fish to be delisted from the endangered species list. This presentation will be a look at rivers and how their healthy vs unhealthy environment affects fish, as well as restoration attempts and the possible benefits. 

BIOL 499, Capstone

Allee

L204

2:00 – 2:30 PM

Tysen Buhler

Algae Biodiesel: Alternative Fuel in an Era of Crisis

The world is in an energy crisis. Fossil fuels are quickly running out even with the invention of new drilling techniques. A time is coming when there will be a dire need for an alternative energy source. Algae may be the source on the horizon humanity has been looking for. Using oil extracted from Algae, biofuel is being made that could replace fossil fuels permanently. Algae biofuel lacks the drawbacks other biofuels have such as required land and water use. Production of algae biofuel also is cost competitive and helps to mitigate atmospheric CO2.With new genetic engineering strategies available new metabolic pathways are being created that will increase lipid production and along with developing technology for harvesting, drying, and extracting, these new advances have really given algae a leg up. There are a few setbacks in industrial production, which are being discussed, but right now the new technology is looking very promising. This paper focuses on the need for the new technology and the technology itself, discussing the pros and cons of this possible new industry. 

BIOL 499 Capstone

Paul Allee

P114

1 PM