Schedule and Program - North Carolina Academy of Science

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The Protective Effect of Natural Flora on Pathogen Challenge inCaenorhabditis elegansRobin Willis*, Dr. Michele MalotkyGuilford CollegeNatural flora can be defined as a blend of microbes that are routinely found within or on an organism. Withinthe human body, natural flora is found generally wherever there is external environmental contact like the skin,respiratory tract, and the digestive tract. The relationship between natural flora and its host is not completelyunderstood, but it is thought to be a symbiotic relationship. The natural flora receives nutrients, protection,mobility and a stable environment required for survival. The host may benefit from nutritional and digestivesupport, and development of the immune system. In addition, numerous studies suggest that natural flora mayalso influence the susceptibility of the host to a range of illnesses. This study is looking at the effect of antibioticson natural flora and whether exposure to antibiotics which alter the natural flora, compromise protection againstpathogens. C. elegans was chosen as a model for this study for many reasons, including rapid growth cycle, thelow cost and ease of maintaining cultures. The number of natural microbes found in the nematode is low and,under laboratory conditions, is composed primarily of a strain of Escherichia coli bacteria, OP50. In order to testthe possible protective effect of resident bacteria within it’s host, C. elegans were exposed to an antibiotic to whichOP50 is susceptible, and subsequently challenging with different antibiotic resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria.If the natural flora provides protection, it would be expected that antibiotic treatment would amplify the effects ofthe pathogenic bacterial challenge.Binding Properties and Function of M. undulatus Estrogen Receptorswith Chlordane and the Effects of Amino Acid Mutation on BindingMichael T. Wyngarden*, Mary B. HawkinsNCSUEstrogen, a steroid sex hormone, combines with intracellular estrogen receptors (ERs) to form a dimer thatmodulates the expression of a variety of genes. The Atlantic croaker (M. undulatus) and all other teleost fish havethree forms of estrogen receptors: ERα, ERβb, and Erβa. It is possible for ERs to bind with naturally occurringestrogenic compounds, synthetic estrogens, and non-estrogenic compounds. ERs share amino acid changes inthe ligand binding domain that may influence ligand specificity and receptor function. The goal of the studyis to examine binding properties of Atlantic croaker estrogen ERs (acERα and acERBa) with a nonestrogenicligand, chlordane and determine how the differing amino acids located on acERα and acERBa are related to theparticular ER binding ability to different substances. Bacterially expressed Atlantic croaker acERαs’ and acERBas’binding ability to chlordane was compared to estradiol (E2). On the M421 position, phenylalanine from acERBawas mutated to Methionine of acERα and binding specificities were compared to wild type acERα and acERBabinding. Pure Chlordane did bind to acERα and acERBa but with chlordane mixed with isooctane, bindingto the receptors was not as effective. Chlordane does not bind as effectively to acERα and acERBa as estradiol.Methionine of acERα on the M421 position is related to increased binding of chlordane to ERs when comparedto phenylalanine of acERBa. It is possible for non-estrogenic compounds such as chlordane and possibly othernon-estrogenic compounds to bind to ERs which may alter naturally occurring biological activity.80 - NC Academy of Science
Asteroid searchSally Yacout*, Emma Keim, Kathryn MartinMeredith CollegeAsteroids are snapshots of the early universe, mirroring planetary composition for various regions of space andpreserving early pieces of the universe. The Main Belt is a region of asteroids between the orbits of Mars andJupiter. Our research addresses the question: are there unknown Main Belt asteroids and where are they? Thisresearch project is part of an international asteroid search. By using time-lapsed images of regions of Earth’s sky asrecorded at the Astronomical Research Institute in Charleston, IL (with a 0.81m telescope), images are analyzedvia Astrometrica software to identify reference stars and detect objects moving relative to the background stars.Asteroid discoveries are verified through the Minor Planets Center. In addition, various facets of asteroid discoveryare explored such as main-belt asteroids, early methods of detection, asteroid composition and transpermia. As aresult of the research of this project, four undiscovered asteroids were identified from the data sets provided by theAstronomical Research Institute.Physical–Chemical Characterization of the Phospholipid 1, 2-Dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DMPC), Myristic Acid,Methyl Myristate and 1-TetradecanolRamya Yadavalli and Willian C. StagnerCampbell UniversityPhospholipids in association with membrane proteins form an essential part of naturally occurring lipidmembranes, usually present as lipid bilayers. Presence of a polar head group with hydrophobic tails rendersthem amphiphilic and various membranes differ in their polar head groups. DMPC, a synthetic zwitterionglycerophospholipid has long been used as a model to study lipid binding and effect of various drugs. Itssaturated nature further makes it an eligible candidate to formulate stable liposome formulations. Previous worksprovide evidence for polymorphism of DMPC and hence a systematic physical-chemical characterization of pureDMPC will serve as a useful contribution to the literature and preformulation studies. Melting point apparatus,Thermogravimetric Analysis, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Hot Stage Microscopy provide insight intothe thermal profile whereas Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Powder X-Ray Diffractometry provideinformation about the functional groups and crystallinity of DMPC respectively. A similar approach is used tocharacterize and compare the fatty acid, myristic acid and its derivatives methyl myristate and 1-tetradecanol withDMPC.Study of Microbiome and fermentation processes in the lagoon of a hogfarmTaek H. You, John J. Bang, Sang Seob LeeCampbell UniversityIn a hog farm, excretions of pigs are flushed into a lagoon where they are fermented by naturally existingmicroorganisms and then recycled to flush them again. The excretion entry point of the lagoon producesunpleasant odors while the distant point is relatively odorless. We are interested in finding out local microbialdistributions within the lagoon as well as studying fermentation processes occurring in local areas of the lagoon.The materials were sampled in the hog farm lagoon of Murphy-Brown, LLC, Smithfield, North Carolina.An entry point of excretion products and a distant area from the entry point were compared for microbialdistribution. Total DNA was extracted from the samples and sequenced by pyrosequencing. The bioinformaticsprovided microbial distribution information. The study results may provide valuable information in developingprocesses to remove odors of the lagoon and maintain most stable and healthiest conditions of the lagoon.Campbell University - 81
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Campbell University President’s W
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1:45-3:00 Workshops (select one of
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YJJCXABCDEFGHIBRI Britt Hall G-8BBR
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Lundy-Fetterman School of Business
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Sponsors & ExhibitorsPlatinum Spons
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NCAS Board Members and Officials201
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Friday Schedule DetailsPoster Sessi
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28. Do physical characteristics and
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9:00-9:15 The Antibacterial Effect
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Oral Session II____________________
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Graduate/Professional School Worksh
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ZoologyLFSB, Rm 1253:15-3:30 Timing
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Schedule and Program - North Carolina Academy of Science

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