MD AMINUL ISLAM, Gergana Nestorova, Rebecca Giorno-McConnell, Matthew Franklin, Cassidy Husson

This study presents a lab-on-a-chip piezoelectric platform for bacterial lysis and RNA purification for gene expression analysis. The lysis efficiency of mechanical, enzymatic, and ultrasonic methods was tested on E. coli and B. cereus. Ultrasonic lysis yielded 502ng of RNA from B. cereus, while mechanical lysis provided 2,438ng from E. coli. Lysis efficiency was assessed using a LIVE/DEAD™ fluorescence assay. The microfluidic platform, fabricated with a Form 3 printer and Formlabs 80A resin, includes piezoelectric plates (25mm×5mm×0.3mm) for bacterial disruption. E. coli lysis efficiency ranged from 40% to 70% at 5–15 minutes. The device was functionalized with an E. coli-specific aptamer for selective enrichment. A gold-plated pin (200µm×25mm) with thiol-conjugated RNA capture sequences selectively bound 16S RNA within 2 minutes. RNA capture efficiency was confirmed using an Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer and RT-qPCR, yielding 5ng per pin.

Jeanne Dugas, Madi Southern, Emma Purifoy, Kate Horton, Jamie Newman

Obesity is a condition that affects over 40% of American adults and contributes to numerous preventable health issues. This condition is caused by increased adipose tissue, which forms when stem cells transform into adipocytes. Mesenchymal stem cells, including human adipose-derived stem cells (hASC), are multipotent with the ability to differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes, or chondrocytes. Many factors affect this transformation, including the peptide growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). The main role of GHRH is to trigger the release of growth hormone, but it has also been found to play an important role in adipocyte metabolism.

We expect that if the differentiation of hASCs into adipocytes is influenced by levels of GHRH, then inhibiting GHRH receptor (GHRH-R) will lead to a decrease in overall adipose tissue. To examine this, the expression of GHRH-R as well as the effects of its inhibition on hASC self-renewal and adipogenesis will be monitored. After GHRH-R expression is examined, a GHRH antagonist, JV-1-36, will be administered to the hASCs through the cell’s media, and the impact on self-renewal and adipogenic differentiation will be monitored. This administration of the inhibitor is expected to cause a reduction in adipocyte differentiation and growth, illustrating how GHRH can affect adipocyte metabolism and possibly lower the amount of adipose tissue. This decrease in adipose tissue could lead to the elimination of obesity, helping millions of Americans

PRINCE ADDO ANIM, Anthony Agu, Sabina Dahal, ATCHIMNAIDU SIRIKI, Siva Murru

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a key subtype of lung cancer, responsible for 85% of related deaths. Notwithstanding the prominent development of medical technology in recent years, prognosis and management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still not definitive. Based on preliminary data on anti-proliferative effects observed with our first-generation pyrazole compounds, we have developed and synthesized a new set of 42 pyrazole derivatives using nucleophilic aromatic substitution and cyclization methods. We tested all compounds for anti-proliferative activity against A549 and NCI-H522 lung cancer cell lines using MTT assay. The top 20% of candidates were further evaluated on non-cancerous WI-38 cell lines to determine their selectivity.

Kinase profiling of the most effective and selective compound, P-063 showed inhibition of four kinases: ALK1, NUAK2, MAPK10, and TTK. Notably, P-063 at 10 uM concentration strongly inhibited ALK1 and TTK with 75% and 80% inhibition respectively. Molecular docking studies indicated that compound P-063 binds effectively to ALK1 and TTK with strong binding energies. Additionally, P-063 induced a substantial decrease in colony number of A549 cells at concentrations of 1.7 uM and 3.4 uM. Further studies are being carried out to investigate the invasion and migration activity of P-063 on A549 cell lines. In addition, we have conducted ADME predictions for all new compounds to evaluate their predicted physicochemical properties.

Shani Griffin

Plant extracts reduce the bioavailability of polyphenols upon uptake by the dermal skin layer. These polyphenols are vulnerable to environmental factors before and during topical application, which may diminish their antioxidant potential. The goal of this project is to use a nanocarrier directly from the plant source to enhance this delivery method.

Plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNV) offer a biocompatible alternative for the delivery of phenolic compounds. The nanovesicles transport a variety of bioactive compounds to the extracellular space, where the apoplast is located. Rosemary leaves, known for their phenol-rich secretions, were vacuum infiltrated to obtain apoplastic wash fluid. After further purification, the nanovesicles were characterized by concentration and diameter. The cellular uptake of PDNVs by human dermal fibroblasts was visualized using fluorescent labeling of the membrane. The effect of PDNVs on oxidative stress levels and viability of fibroblast cells was also assessed in the presence and absence of PDNV and tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide treatment.

The PDNVs show excellent uptake and demonstrate a protective effect against TBHP-induced by human dermal fibroblasts. Therefore, extracting nanovesicles from rosemary leaves can provide a method for the natural administration of antioxidants to the upper layers of the dermis.

Alexis Ortega, Li Ma

This study investigates the interaction between Clostridium beijerinckii, a Gram-positive bacterium, and bacteriophages in soil. Soil samples from Cane River at Northwestern State University were incubated with C. beijerinckii for three weeks before plaque assays on using both RCM (Reinforced Clostridial Medium) and R2A agar. The first trial using The first trial, using both RCM and R2A agar, revealed high bacterial densities that hindered plaque visibility, while the second trial on R2A agar facilitated clearer plaque formation despite fewer plaques.

These findings suggest that C. beijerinckii may influence bacteriophage activity in soil. Additionally, C. beijerinckii remained viable for several months under our adjusted, semi-natural growth conditions, highlighting the importance of bacteriophage-host dynamics in phage

ecology.

Waneene Dorsey, Michael Adofo, Louis Boahene, Albert Nyaunu, Daniel Uzoma

Ninety percent of all cancer cases can be attributed to exposure to harmful environmental contaminants that enter the body through various pathways, including inhalation, direct skin contact, and the ingestion of food and water.  This exposure triggers biological changes that initiate cancer development and lead to the formation of tumors.  Cellular stress responses can initiate key signaling cascades of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK).  Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is an organochlorine compound used in agricultural, industrial, and domestic applications.  It has been used in the United States primarily as a wood preservative making wood products resistant to termites and wood-boring insects.  Previous studies from our laboratory showed that PCP can activate various inflammatory cytokines and disrupt the cell cycle.  In our research, we hypothesize that exposure to PCP would result in the expression of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) stress-signaling proteins when exposed to TIB73 mouse liver cells. The MAPK signaling pathway is activated by a family of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), known to be critical in promoting angiogenesis.  Upon 48 hours, we observed the overexpression of ERK, Ras, and phospho-p38 in PCP-treated TIB73 mouse liver cells.  The interaction between angiogenesis and MAPK stress proteins is essential in regulating the survival and progression of cancer cells.