2008 Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum (MU)
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Mizzou's Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forums showcase student research and scholarly and creative achievements to the Mizzou community. Undergraduates from any major and all academic levels are eligible to present their work. Students presenting at the forum are eligible to compete for the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements.
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Item A 3-D in vitro neural stem cell niche derived from mouse embryonic stem cells [abstract](University of Missouri--Columbia. Office of Undergraduate Research, 2008) Zigler, Rachel E.; Pierret, Chris, 1972-; Morrison, Jason A.; Spears, Kathleen; Kirk, Mark D.; University of Missouri-Columbia. Office of Undergraduate Research; Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum (2008 : University of Missouri--Columbia)Our laboratory works with cell therapies for injuries to the central nervous system and neurodegenerative disorders, including the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) or Batten's Disease. We are working toward a treatment for this NCL through the development and application of an in vitro stem cell niche. Recent studies show that adult neural tissue can harbor stem cells within unique niches. In the mammalian central nervous system, neural stem cell (NSC) niches have been identified in the dentate gyrus and the subventricular zone (SVZ). Stem cells in the well-characterized SVZ exist in a microenvironment established by surrounding cells and tissue components including transit-amplifying cells, neuroblasts, ependymal cells, blood vessels and a basal lamina. Within this microenvironment, stem cell properties including proliferation and differentiation are maintained. Current NSC culture techniques often include the addition of molecular components found within the in vivo niche, such as mitogenic growth factors. We have described a novel NSC culture system, derived from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells, that displays elements of a NSC niche in the absence of exogenously applied mitogens. Here, we explored the transfer of this system to a 3-D hydrogel environment and analyzed the retention of the putative neural stem cell within this 3-D environment. Application of this 3-D matrix will be important as it mimics a tissue-like environment. Future plans include transplantation of this culture system for the replacement of cells lost due to neurodegenerative disease and protection of cells that would otherwise be lost due to disease progression.Item The construction of neoliberalism and its effect on Mexican water policy [abstract](University of Missouri--Columbia. Office of Undergraduate Research, 2008) Zerr, Elizabeth; Thies, Cameron; University of Missouri-Columbia. Office of Undergraduate Research; Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum (2008 : University of Missouri--Columbia)After the debt crisis of 1982, Mexico began implementing neoliberal policy, which culminated in the ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The neoliberal reforms fundamentally changed environmental governance in Mexico within a relatively short period of time from 1988 to 1994. This analysis explores the effects of pursuing neoliberal policy on water resource management and drinking water services, drawing examples from the Lerma-Chapala Watershed. A combination of ecological data, policy implementation chronologies, Mexican newspaper reports, and social research on actors provided a multi-disciplinary approach to analyze governance. The research indicates that the construction of power and discourses of neoliberalism were important to the actual implementation of policies. In turn, these policies improved drinking water both nationally and in the Lerma-Chapala watershed. At the same time, however, these improvements have come at the cost of increased stakeholder competition and deteriorating water resources.Item Characterizing the role of Glycine max NHL gene family members in plant-nematode interactions [abstract](University of Missouri--Columbia. Office of Undergraduate Research, 2008) Yeckel, Gregory; Ithal, Nagabhushana; Liu, Xiaohong, 1976-; Nettleton, Dan; Recknor, Justin; Xu, Xiaolei; Nguyen, Henry T.; Mitchum, Melissa G.; University of Missouri-Columbia. Office of Undergraduate Research; Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum (2008 : University of Missouri--Columbia)Soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines) is a microscopic parasitic roundworm of soybean that causes nearly $1 billion dollars in annual yield loss in the United States. SCN damages the plant by attaching itself to the soybean root system, where it forms a complex feeding site and drains vital nutrients from the plant. Naturally resistant soybean lines have been used as the primary strategy to manage SCN, because they have evolved a natural mechanism for resisting SCN infection. However, soybean resistance against SCN is derived from a small genetic base and repeated annual plantings of these same resistant lines has selected for populations of SCN that can reproduce on the resistant lines. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of how some soybean plants have the ability to naturally resist infection by SCN is critical for designing new strategies to improve crop plant resistance to SCN. My project focuses on soybean NDR1/HIN1-like (NHL) genes found to be expressed at higher levels specifically within SCN-induced feeding cells of resistant soybean as compared to susceptible soybean. To gain insight into the potential role of these genes in soybeans ability to resist SCN, full-length gene and cDNA sequences have been isolated using techniques known as genome walking and RACE PCR. RNAi and overexpression constructs have been generated to directly test the function of these genes in SCN resistance. To gain insight into the nematode-responsive regulation of each gene, the endogenous promoter sequences have been isolated and fused to the _-glucuronidase reporter gene for expression studies. This project will give insight into the mechanisms the soybean plant uses to defend itself against SCN infection and hopefully reveal crucial results which aid in the goal of developing SCN resistant soybean.Item Developing a nowcasting technique for splitting supercells by analyzing rapid update cycle model data [abstract](University of Missouri--Columbia. Office of Undergraduate Research, 2008) Witt-Schulte, Caleb; La Montia, Jeffre; Fox, Neil I. (Neil Ian); University of Missouri-Columbia. Office of Undergraduate Research; Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum (2008 : University of Missouri--Columbia)The goal of this research project was to develop a nowcasting technique, or to at least find out which parameters are changed to help supercells split. This was first completed by overlaying Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) model data with the radar data, and analyzing the different parameters of the model data by using Steve Lack's program that was created for storm classification. This involved interpolating the radar data to fit into a grid for the model data. This way, in the end, when you were finished with all of the processing involved in converting the model data into text, you would be able to bring up a table with the different cells identified in it. In this table, you would be able to see the different near storm environment values that are associated with that cell. These values are associated with parameters like Convective Available Potential energy (CAPE), Storm Relative Helicity (SRH), and the winds at different levels. We then view this data and determine if there are any large changes in any of the values, that would help suggest if the supercell is getting ready to split.Item Protecting biodiversity: Riparian buffers directly affect Appalachian headwater salamanders [abstract](University of Missouri--Columbia. Office of Undergraduate Research, 2008) Wisdom, Josh; Peterman, Bill; Semlitsch, Raymond D.; University of Missouri-Columbia. Office of Undergraduate Research; Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum (2008 : University of Missouri--Columbia)Salamanders are the most abundant invertebrate predator in the southern Appalachians; they have the highest biomass, and they are an important species for scientific investigators. Their permeable skin and eggs makes them a great indicator species. Salamanders thrive in riparian areas; they need both aquatic and terrestrial habitats for their food and reproduction needs. They thrive in streams and damp leaf litter, thus logged areas can make the chances of desiccation and starvation much higher. Logging often occurs around headwater streams. My study specifically looks at how logging and riparian buffers affect salamanders inhabiting head water streams. The purpose of this research was to measure the density and abundance of adult salamanders in five experimental streams in North Carolina; three streams were logged leaving riparian buffers of 0, 9, and 30 meter riparian buffers, while two streams were studied as controls. To measure salamander abundance removal sampling occurred at night in four different 3 meter plots in each of the treatment streams. Nine total visits were made to each plot to collect all of the salamanders present. I identified, weighed, measured, and preserved all of the specimens from each location. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used during data analysis.