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Title: Information-theoretics based genetic algorithm: Application to Hopfield's associative memory model of neural networks.
Creator: Arredondo, Tomas Vidal., Florida Atlantic University, Neelakanta, Perambur S.
Abstract/Description: This thesis refers to a research addressing the use of information-theoretic techniques in optimizing an artificial neural network (ANN) via a genetic selection algorithm. Pertinent studies address emulating relevant experiments on a test ANN (based on Hopfield's associative memory model) wherein the said optimization is tried with different sets of control parameters. These parameters include a new entity based on the concept of entropy as conceived in the field of information theory. That...
Show moreThis thesis refers to a research addressing the use of information-theoretic techniques in optimizing an artificial neural network (ANN) via a genetic selection algorithm. Pertinent studies address emulating relevant experiments on a test ANN (based on Hopfield's associative memory model) wherein the said optimization is tried with different sets of control parameters. These parameters include a new entity based on the concept of entropy as conceived in the field of information theory. That is, the mutual entropy (Shannon entropy) or information-distance (Kullback-Leibler-Jensen distance) measure between a pair of candidates is considered in the reproduction process of the genetic algorithm (GA) and adopted as a selection-constraint parameter. The research envisaged further includes a comparative analysis of the test results which indicate the importance of proper parameter selection to realize an optimal network performance. It also demonstrates the ability of the concepts proposed here in developing a new neural network approach for pattern recognition problems.
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Date Issued: 1997
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15397
Subject Headings: Neuro network (Computer science), Genetic algorithms
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: HUMAN GENETICS LABORATORY MANUAL.
Creator: BUTLER, CAROL S., Florida Atlantic University, Stewart, Herbert H.
Abstract/Description: The author prepared a college sophomore level genetics laboratory manual. The laboratory exercises are unique in that the student studies human organisms instead of the usual non-human plants and animal specimens. The one exception is "Polytene Chromosomes," in which the student studies Drosouhila. Most of the exercises are original; "Polymorphonuclear Leucocytes" and "Polytene Chromosomes," however, are revisions of portions of existing laboratory experiments. The manual should appeal to...
Show moreThe author prepared a college sophomore level genetics laboratory manual. The laboratory exercises are unique in that the student studies human organisms instead of the usual non-human plants and animal specimens. The one exception is "Polytene Chromosomes," in which the student studies Drosouhila. Most of the exercises are original; "Polymorphonuclear Leucocytes" and "Polytene Chromosomes," however, are revisions of portions of existing laboratory experiments. The manual should appeal to biology, physical anthropology, physical education, and psychology majors, and should be especially helpful to students planning careers in the medical professions. A knowledge of first year biology, elementary chemistry and mathematics including basic probability and statistics should be prerequisites. The twelve laboratory exercises assume that the student has had little exposure to genetics in the first year general biology course. The first three exercises, "The Physical Basis of Heredity," "Phenotypic Observations, Genotypic Deductions, Inheritance Predictions," and "Pedigree Chart in Genetic Analysis" are interesting, uncomplicated sessions which should give the students an anticipation of the semester's work. The fourth and fifth experiments are methods of determining femaleness in epithelial mucosal cells and in polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Exercise six, "A General Approach to Genetic Counseling," is not usually included in Human Genetics texts. It gives the student opportunity for personal growth and for professional consideration. The seventh exercise, "Lymphocyte Cultures," is divided into two sessions. Although the two parts are long, they are worth doing for the experience in exact timing and measurements, sterile techniques, proper dehydration, staining, and mounting that produce very fine permanent slides of the students' own chromosomes. For more detail of chromosomes, "Polytene Chromosomes" is included. Although prosophila is substituted for Homo sapiens in this laboratory session, the exercise is worthy of inclusion to provide additional experience in microtechnique and histological procedures as added knowledge for the second year student. The following exercise, "Human Chromosomes," properly is for two sessions. The student may go through the procedures of preparing his own karyotype, or he may prepare a karyotype of an unknown individual. The student learns the human chromosomes as defined by arm length and centromere position. "Dermatoglyphics" is interesting in that it shows sexual dimorphisms. Students so inclined may go on with the genetic similarities of races and of geographical areas as evidencep by dermatoglyphics. By the time the last two exercises are to be performed, the students are prepared for the complexity of "Hemoglobin Polymorphism in Selected Human Populations" and "Specific Genomes and the Degree of Relatedness." With the continuation of genetic research, the possibilities for additional exercises are almost limitless.
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Date Issued: 1974
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11642
Subject Headings: Human genetics--Study and teaching
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: MITOCHONDRIAL GENETIC DIVERSITY OF THE RED-TAILED MONKEY, CERCOPITHECUS ASCANIUS, IN AFRICAN RAINFORESTS.
Creator: Dutra, Vitor Daniel, Detwiler, Kate M., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: Cercopithecus ascanius is an African primate species encompassing five geographic types with unresolved taxonomy. Recent publications have analyzed C. ascanius genetic diversity and taxonomy; however, few publications have addressed the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of C. ascanius from wild populations. My objectives for this thesis were to determine mtDNA diversity within the C. Ascanius species and investigate C. ascanius genetic structure. Results from this thesis...
Show moreCercopithecus ascanius is an African primate species encompassing five geographic types with unresolved taxonomy. Recent publications have analyzed C. ascanius genetic diversity and taxonomy; however, few publications have addressed the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of C. ascanius from wild populations. My objectives for this thesis were to determine mtDNA diversity within the C. Ascanius species and investigate C. ascanius genetic structure. Results from this thesis support findings from previous studies wherein C. ascanius depicted high mitochondrial diversity and all C. ascanius subspecies form a monophyletic clade within the Cercopithecus genus. Analyzing additional samples of C. ascanius monkeys will strengthen molecular diversity estimation and clarify genetic structure within the C. ascanius lineage.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014325
Subject Headings: Mitochondrial DNA, Cercopithecus ascanius, Genetics, Phylogeny
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: ARE SOUTH FLORIDA’S GOPHER TORTOISE POPULATION’S GENETICALLY DIFFERENTIATED FROM EACH OTHER?.
Creator: Rothberg, Olivia, Frazier, Evelyn, Hughes, Colin, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: Gopher Tortoises are an imperiled terrestrial tortoise considered ecosystem engineers, as their burrows support over 350 species of “commensals”. Due to extensive anthropogenic habitat destruction and fragmentation, tortoise populations have significantly declined over the past 100 years. This isolation is leading to a premature loss of genetic variation, further precipitating the decline of this species. Understanding the genetic structure of this species can aid management decisions through...
Show moreGopher Tortoises are an imperiled terrestrial tortoise considered ecosystem engineers, as their burrows support over 350 species of “commensals”. Due to extensive anthropogenic habitat destruction and fragmentation, tortoise populations have significantly declined over the past 100 years. This isolation is leading to a premature loss of genetic variation, further precipitating the decline of this species. Understanding the genetic structure of this species can aid management decisions through intentionally relocating animals based on genetic units and historic gene flow, to preserve adaptive diversity and evolutionary potential on a large scale. I investigated whether Southeast Florida has a genetically distinct subpopulation of Gopher Tortoises in the unexamined southeasternmost extent of their range, from Palm Beach to Miami-Dade counties, using 9 microsatellite loci previously characterized for this species (Schwartz et al 2003) and found that our populations are only modestly differentiated from each other, and have greater genetic diversity than other populations.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014362
Subject Headings: Gopher tortoises, Florida, South, Population genetics
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Enhancement of nutrional value in tomato plants.
Creator: Hill, William, Zhang, Xing-Hai
Date Issued: 2013-04-05
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3361091
Subject Headings: Tomatoes, Tomatoes--Nutrition, Lysine, Plant genetic engineering, Genetically modified foods
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: PPARᾳ L162V underlies variation in serum triglycerides and subcutaneous fat volume in young males.
Creator: Uthurralt, Julieta, Gordish-Dressman, Heather, Bradbury, Meg, Tesi-Rocha, Carolina, Devaney, Joseph M., Harmon, Brennan, Reeves, Erica K., Brandoli, Cinzia, Hansen, Barbara C., Seip, Richard L., Thompson, Paul D., Price, Thomas B., Angelopoulos, Theodore J., Clarkson, Priscilla M., Moyna, Niall M., Pescatello, Linda S., Visich, Paul S., Zoeller, Robert F., Gordon, Paul M., Hoffman, Eric P.
Date Issued: 2007-08-16
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3327177
Subject Headings: Alleles, Exercise, Insulin Resistance --genetics, PPAR alpha --genetics, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Triglycerides, Subcutaneous Fat, PPAR alpha
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Creation of an aconitase overexpression strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for lifespan analysis.
Creator: Nunes, Steve., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Abstract/Description: In my thesis work, I attempted to construct a plasmid that would allow stable integration of genes into the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast genome under the control of the repressible TetO promoter. The yeast ACO1 gene was cloned under the control of the TetO operator and the tTA transactivator. This construct was inserted into yeast cells in order to observe the effects of aconitase overexpression on aging. Unfortunately, the transformed cells appeared incapable of aconitase expression as...
Show moreIn my thesis work, I attempted to construct a plasmid that would allow stable integration of genes into the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast genome under the control of the repressible TetO promoter. The yeast ACO1 gene was cloned under the control of the TetO operator and the tTA transactivator. This construct was inserted into yeast cells in order to observe the effects of aconitase overexpression on aging. Unfortunately, the transformed cells appeared incapable of aconitase expression as determined by glutamic acid auxptrophy, a phenotype of aconitase mutants. We have sequenced the pIT1ACO1 plasmid and have found many abnormalities in the promoter region. If the plasmid can be made to function as intended, the resulting yeast strain can be used in the future to determine if aconitase plays an important role in cellular aging.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3359306
Subject Headings: Yeast fungi, Research, Methodology, Microbial genetics, Genetic engineering, Aging, Molecular aspects, Cell metabolism, Mutation (Biology)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Novel Role of the Ankyrin-Binding Motif of L1-Type CAM Neuroglian in Nuclear Import and Transcriptional Regulation of Myc.
Creator: Kakad, Priyanka P., Godenschwege, Tanja A., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: L1-type cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) plays an essential role in the development of nervous system and is also highly relevant for the progression of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and cancers, some of the leading causes of human mortality. In addition to its canonical role as a plasma membrane protein organizing the cytoskeleton, recent in vitro studies have revealed that transmembrane as well as cytosolic fragments of proteolytically cleaved vertebrate L1CAM translocate to...
Show moreL1-type cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) plays an essential role in the development of nervous system and is also highly relevant for the progression of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and cancers, some of the leading causes of human mortality. In addition to its canonical role as a plasma membrane protein organizing the cytoskeleton, recent in vitro studies have revealed that transmembrane as well as cytosolic fragments of proteolytically cleaved vertebrate L1CAM translocate to the nucleus and regulate expression of genes involved in DNA post-replication repair, cell cycle control, migration and differentiation. However, little is known about the in vivo function of L1CAM in the adult nervous system. This dissertation research focuses on studying in vivo nuclear translocation and function of L1CAM. Using the Drosophila model system, we first show that the sole Drosophila L1CAM homolog, Neuroglian (Nrg), is proteolytically cleaved by Alzheimer’s associated secretases, similar to L1CAM, and is also translocated to the nucleus in the adult nervous system. Subsequently, we have shown that the deletion of highly conserved Ankyrin binding domain or FIGQY motif disrupts nuclear import. Further experiments have revealed that the nuclear translocation of Nrg is in fact regulated by the phosphorylation of the FIGQY motif. Importantly, our studies also show transgenic expression of full-length Nrg or the intracellular domain of Nrg resulted in increased myc expression, which is associated with increased sensitivity to oxidative stress and reduced life span. On the other hand, deletion of the FIGQY motif or mutations preventing its phosphorylation led to decrease in myc expression. In summary, we have identified a novel role for the highly conserved Ankyrin binding domain in nuclear translocation and transcriptional regulation of the Drosophila myc oncogene, which is of high relevance to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer associated with oxidative stress.
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Date Issued: 2018
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013076
Subject Headings: Cell adhesion molecules., Myc proteins., Transcription, Genetic., Transcription factors, Gene expression., Ankyrins., Translocation, Genetic.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Cytogenic bioinformatics of chromosomal aberrations and genetic disorders: data-mining of relevant biostatistical features.
Creator: Karri, Jagadeshwari., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: Cytogenetics is a study on the genetic considerations associated with structural and functional aspects of the cells with reference to chromosomal inclusions. Chromosomes are structures within the cells containing body's information in the form of strings of DNA. When atypical version or structural abnormality in one or more chromosomes prevails, it is defined as chromosomal aberrations (CA) depicting certain genetic pathogeny (known as genetic disorders). The present study assumes the...
Show moreCytogenetics is a study on the genetic considerations associated with structural and functional aspects of the cells with reference to chromosomal inclusions. Chromosomes are structures within the cells containing body's information in the form of strings of DNA. When atypical version or structural abnormality in one or more chromosomes prevails, it is defined as chromosomal aberrations (CA) depicting certain genetic pathogeny (known as genetic disorders). The present study assumes the presence of normal and abnormal chromosomal sets in varying proportions in the cytogenetic complex ; and, stochastical mixture theory is invoked to ascertain the information redundancy as a function of fractional abnormal chromosome population. This bioinformatic measure of redundancy is indicated as a track-parameter towards the progression of genetic disorder, for example, the growth of cancer. Lastly, using the results obtained, conclusions are enumerated, inferences are outlined and directions for future studies are considered.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3358597
Subject Headings: Medical genetics, Chromosome abnormalities, Cancer, Genetic aspects, Mutation (Biology), DNA damage
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Application of Yeast Three-Hybrid Technology in the Mexican Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) System.
Creator: Maier, Jennifer A., Lemanski, Larry F., Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: The Mexican axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, possesses a naturally-occurring lethal mutation, designated gene "c", for cardiac non-function. Hearts form but fail to beat, lack organized myofibrils, and are deficient in tropomyosin. Treatment with a noncoding RNA MIR (Myofibril-Inducing RNA) rescues this defect in organ culture. Rescued mutant hearts have restored tropomyosin, form organized myofibrils, and beat vigorously. Studies to elucidate the mechanism of MIR heart rescue are underway....
Show moreThe Mexican axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, possesses a naturally-occurring lethal mutation, designated gene "c", for cardiac non-function. Hearts form but fail to beat, lack organized myofibrils, and are deficient in tropomyosin. Treatment with a noncoding RNA MIR (Myofibril-Inducing RNA) rescues this defect in organ culture. Rescued mutant hearts have restored tropomyosin, form organized myofibrils, and beat vigorously. Studies to elucidate the mechanism of MIR heart rescue are underway. Current evidence suggests that MIR acts by binding with at least two proteins. The yeast three-hybrid system is being used to screen an axolotl eDNA library for these two proteins and other possible MIR-binding candidates. This is a method utilizing two hybrid proteins and a hybrid RNA. An interaction between these three components will activate the expression of reporter genes, whose activity is assayed through phenotypical and biochemical methods. In this study, the protocol for yeast three-hybrid technology is being established for analyzing the MIR in the Mexican axolotl, cardiac mutant animal model.
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Date Issued: 2007
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000793
Subject Headings: Axolotls--Development, Heart--Hypertrophy, Genetic translation, Molecular genetics--Research
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: General method for the production of developmentally-arrested bivalve Trochophore larvae as a potential feed for marine fish larvae.
Creator: Scarpa, John
Date Issued: 2002
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007049
Subject Headings: Bivalves, Fishes--Larvae, Trochophore, Genetic engineering, Live food
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Thepopulation biology and genetics of the deep-sea spider crab, Encephaloides armstrongi Wood-Mason1891 (Decapoda: Majidae).
Creator: Creasey, Simon, Rogers, Alex D., Tyler, Paul A., Young, Craig M., Gage, John D., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Date Issued: 1997
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007348
Subject Headings: Spider crabs, Decapoda (Crustacea), Majidae, Population biology, Genetics
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Naturally mosaic operons for secondary metabolite biosynthesis: variability and putative horizontal transfer of discrete catalytic domains of the epothilone polyketide synthase locus.
Creator: Lopez, Jose V., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Date Issued: 2003
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3166884
Subject Headings: Polyketides, Operons, Peptides --Physiological effect, Genetic transformation, Phylogeny
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Devising a noncancerous model system to study multipolar spindle formation.
Creator: Nagarsheth, Nisha., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Abstract/Description: Aneuploid tumor cells have characteristically unstable genomes which can be caused by mitotic defects such as multipolar spindles. Multipolarity relies upon the presence of extra centrosomes to form. However, some cells, both cancerous and noncancerous are able to avoid the formation of multipolar spindles through centrosomal clustering. Previous research has shown that there are a large number of genes whose activity contributes to the clustering activity, making analysis of individual...
Show moreAneuploid tumor cells have characteristically unstable genomes which can be caused by mitotic defects such as multipolar spindles. Multipolarity relies upon the presence of extra centrosomes to form. However, some cells, both cancerous and noncancerous are able to avoid the formation of multipolar spindles through centrosomal clustering. Previous research has shown that there are a large number of genes whose activity contributes to the clustering activity, making analysis of individual components of the process difficult. In order to better understand centrosomal clustering in cancer cells, we induced supernumerary centrosomes in a genomically normal cell line, RPE, to observe how the normal cells cope with extra centrosomes. Using colcemid to induce extra centrosomes in the RPE cell line, we observed an intact clustering mechanism in fixed cells. Further manipulation of the cells has allowed us to induce multipolarity in this cell line using various disrupters of cell-cycle checkpoint and dynein function.
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Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3335107
Subject Headings: Centrosomes, Research, Cancer, Genetic aspects, Cellular signal transduction, Cell division
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Deamplification of supernumerary centrosomes by centrosomal clustering.
Creator: Thomas, Ezekiel., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Abstract/Description: Supernumerary centrosomes can arise in a cell through a variety of methods. The presence of supernumerary centrosomes has been observed in nearly all types of cancer and promotes chromosomal instability, with rates of incident increasing as the cancer progresses. An oral squamous cell carcinoma line was treated with hydroxyurea to induce supernumerary centrosomes in the cells. NuMA was then knocked down using shRNA to promote centrosomal clustering and bipolar mitotic division in cells with...
Show moreSupernumerary centrosomes can arise in a cell through a variety of methods. The presence of supernumerary centrosomes has been observed in nearly all types of cancer and promotes chromosomal instability, with rates of incident increasing as the cancer progresses. An oral squamous cell carcinoma line was treated with hydroxyurea to induce supernumerary centrosomes in the cells. NuMA was then knocked down using shRNA to promote centrosomal clustering and bipolar mitotic division in cells with supernumerary centrosomes. Immunofluorescence with an antibody against SAS 6 accuately stained the centrioles for observation. The cells exhibiting supernumerary centrosomes undergoing bipolar mitotic division were studied to look for a possible pattern in centrosomal clustering where the majority of centrosomes are at one pole with a single centrosome at the other pole. Initial results suggest the presence of such a mechanism, which would describe a previously unknown mechanism for cells to deamplify supernumerary centrosomes by centrosomal clustering.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3359328
Subject Headings: Centrosomes, Cell division, Cellular signal transduction, Cancer, Genetic aspects
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Bioprospecting for useful compounds in the venom of Crematogaster ants.
Creator: McCurdy, Robert E., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Abstract/Description: Bioprospecting, the search for useful compounds in nature, has led to the discovery of many important pharmaceuticals. Most current bioprospecting efforts work with chemicals derived from marine invertebrates and terrestrial plants. I looked for useful compounds in a relatively unstudied source, the venom of Crematogaster ants, using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). Further studies can more accurately identify these chemicals using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and...
Show moreBioprospecting, the search for useful compounds in nature, has led to the discovery of many important pharmaceuticals. Most current bioprospecting efforts work with chemicals derived from marine invertebrates and terrestrial plants. I looked for useful compounds in a relatively unstudied source, the venom of Crematogaster ants, using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). Further studies can more accurately identify these chemicals using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).
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Date Issued: 2007
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/11607
Subject Headings: Genetic resources conservation, Ants, Venom, Physiological effect, Chromatographic analysis
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Optimizing atrazine catabolism in Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP.
Creator: Anderson, Robert., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Abstract/Description: Atrazine is a popular herbicide used in over 80 countries to inhibit the growth of broadleaf and grassy weeds. Atrazine is a common pollutant in soil and groundwater, and high concentrations of atrazine cause developmental defects in fish, amphibians, and birds. The bacteria Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP (P.ADP) uses atrazine as a nitrogen source by transforming atrazine to ammonia through a number of enzymatic reactions. In this project I measured the growth and atrazine degradation of P.ADP in...
Show moreAtrazine is a popular herbicide used in over 80 countries to inhibit the growth of broadleaf and grassy weeds. Atrazine is a common pollutant in soil and groundwater, and high concentrations of atrazine cause developmental defects in fish, amphibians, and birds. The bacteria Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP (P.ADP) uses atrazine as a nitrogen source by transforming atrazine to ammonia through a number of enzymatic reactions. In this project I measured the growth and atrazine degradation of P.ADP in media with atrazine as the sole nitrogen source. A mutant strain isolated after mutagenesis with UV light showed faster growth and reached higher densities than the control strain. A series of mating experiments were performed to determine whether the growth mutation was on the atrazine degrading plasmid or in the chromosome. The limitations and potential of P.ADP for atrazine degradation are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3334252
Subject Headings: Plasmids, Genetics, Alginates, Physiological effect, Microbial ecology, Biotransformation (Metabolism)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Characterization of the MHC II B of the bald eagle.
Creator: Smith, Andrew., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: The Major Histocompatibility Complex class II B (MHC II B) gene encodes a protein that is part of the adaptive immune system and critical for the non-self recognition ability of immune cells. This gene has been characterized in the Bald Eagle, ten unique alleles were found in two subpopulations at the geographic extremes of the range margins. Geographic genetic variation is suggested by the presence of population specific alleles. The results showed considerable divergence of groups of Bald...
Show moreThe Major Histocompatibility Complex class II B (MHC II B) gene encodes a protein that is part of the adaptive immune system and critical for the non-self recognition ability of immune cells. This gene has been characterized in the Bald Eagle, ten unique alleles were found in two subpopulations at the geographic extremes of the range margins. Geographic genetic variation is suggested by the presence of population specific alleles. The results showed considerable divergence of groups of Bald Eagle alleles when compared to alleles from other birds of prey. Particular codons within the exon II show signs of balancing selection driving the evolution of the MHC II B. Transcription data showed statistically significant differential expression of alleles. This can be interpreted as meaning a particular locus is being preferentially expressed in blood. The analysis of the polymorphism of this adaptive marker may aid managers of wildlife during this age of global climate change and the biodiversity crisis.
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Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2979375
Subject Headings: Major histocompatibility complex, Cellular signal transduction, Immunogenetics, Genetic polymorphisms
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Cladistic analysis of juvenile and adult hominoid cranial shape variables.
Creator: DiVito, Thomas A. II, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of Anthropology
Abstract/Description: Phylogenies constructed from skeletal data often contradict those built from genetic data. This study evaluates the phylogenetic utility of adult male, female, and juvenile hominoid cranial bones. First, I used geometric morphometric methods to compare the cranial bone shapes of seven primate genera (Gorilla, Homo, Hylobates, Macaca, Nomascus, Pan, and Pongo). I then coded these shapes as continuous characters and constructed cladograms via parsimony analysis for the adult male, female, and...
Show morePhylogenies constructed from skeletal data often contradict those built from genetic data. This study evaluates the phylogenetic utility of adult male, female, and juvenile hominoid cranial bones. First, I used geometric morphometric methods to compare the cranial bone shapes of seven primate genera (Gorilla, Homo, Hylobates, Macaca, Nomascus, Pan, and Pongo). I then coded these shapes as continuous characters and constructed cladograms via parsimony analysis for the adult male, female, and juvenile character matrices. Finally, I evaluated the similarity of these cladograms to one another and to the genetic phylogeny using topological distance software. Cladograms did not differ from one another or the genetic phylogeny less than comparisons of randomly generated trees. These results suggest that cranial shapes are unlikely to provide accurate phylogenetic information, and agree with other analyses of skeletal data that fail to recover the molecular phylogeny (Collard & Wood, 2000, 2001; Springer et al., 2007).
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Date Issued: 2011
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3175013
Subject Headings: Cladistic analysis, Mathematics, Morphology, Mathematics, Hominids, Evolution, Evolutionary genetics, Mathematics
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Regulation of growth by TGF-B in Drosophila.
Creator: Gesualdi, Scott C., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Key to our understanding of growth regulation in Drosophila would be discovering a ligand that could regulate steroid synthesis. Activins are involved in regulating steroid hormone release in vertebrates. In invertebrates, they most likely function to keep ecdysone levels low to allow the larvae more time to achieve critical weight in order to initiate the metamorphic process. TGF-B(Transforming Growth Factor Beta) is a family of cytokine growth factors. We find that two members of the TGF-B...
Show moreKey to our understanding of growth regulation in Drosophila would be discovering a ligand that could regulate steroid synthesis. Activins are involved in regulating steroid hormone release in vertebrates. In invertebrates, they most likely function to keep ecdysone levels low to allow the larvae more time to achieve critical weight in order to initiate the metamorphic process. TGF-B(Transforming Growth Factor Beta) is a family of cytokine growth factors. We find that two members of the TGF-B signaling pathway Drosophila Activin (dACT) and Activin-like ligand Dawdle (DAW) signal through the type I receptor Baboon (BABO) and the type II receptor PUNT to primarily activate the transcription factor dSMAD2 and MAD to a lesser extent. One transcription factor brinker (brk) appears to be central to dACT signaling., In wings dACT signaling is necessary to promote growth however, dACT is not expressed in wings suggesting that dACT is provided through the endocrine system. One possible target tissue of dACT signaling is the ring gland (RG), which synthesizes and secretes the steroid hormone ecdysone (E). Consistent with this idea, using the UAS/GAL-4 system, we find that over-expression of the TGF-B ligand dACT with the neuroendocrine driver 386Y-GAL4 results in an increase in the size of flies. Surprisingly, when we increase the dose with two copies of dACT, it decreases the size of flies also indicating non-autononomous effects. We find that overexpression of the activated form of the dACT type I receptor Baboon (BABO) or brk with the ring gland specific driver phm-GAL4 results in developmental arrest of larvae that stay small and never pupate. The developmental arrest can be overcome by feeding larvae E, suggesting that dACT represses E through brk. These results suggest a model where dACT signaling activates brk which inhibits E. We picked three cytochrome P450 enzymes: phantom (PHM), disembodied (DIS) and spookier (SPKR)., PHM is not regulated by any component in the dACT signaling pathway however, we find DIS and SPKR are down-regulated through brk. MAD and dSmad2 bind to a Smad binding site and MAD out-competes dSMAD2. We find no evidence that Drosophila insulin-like peptides (DILPS)/PI3- Kinase or Ras signal through the dActivin signaling pathway.
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Date Issued: 2009
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/228773
Subject Headings: Cell differentiation, Developmental genetics, Integrins, Cellular control mechanisms
Format: Document (PDF)

FAU Theses and Dissertations (125)	+ -
Honors Student Theses (10)	+ -
FAU College Collections (7)	+ -
HBOI Faculty Contributions (7)	+ -
FAU Undergraduate Student Research (2)	+ -

Cellular signal transduction (29)	+ -
Gene expression (16)	+ -
Genetic algorithms (16)	+ -
Genetic transcription (14)	+ -
Genetic regulation (12)	+ -

Mutation (Biology) (10)	+ -
Genetic aspects (9)	+ -
Regulation (9)	+ -
Synthesis (9)	+ -
Cancer (8)	+ -
Drosophila melanogaster (8)	+ -
Molecular aspects (8)	+ -
Population genetics (8)	+ -
Transcription factors (8)	+ -
Medical genetics (7)	+ -
Zinc-finger proteins (7)	+ -
Cell differentiation (6)	+ -
Cytogenetics (6)	+ -
Genetics (6)	+ -
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Gene expression. (5)	+ -
Genetic engineering (5)	+ -
Mitochondrial pathology (5)	+ -
Research (5)	+ -
Aging (4)	+ -
Antioxidants (4)	+ -
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Cellular control mechanisms (4)	+ -
Combinatorial optimization (4)	+ -
Evolutionary genetics (4)	+ -

Atlantic Ocean (2)	+ -
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