Undergraduate Research Day 2020

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/20158

With students involved in so many research opportunities, Undergraduate Research Day provides the perfect opportunity for them to share their work with the campus community. Held each April, Undergraduate Research Day showcases current research, scholarship, and artistic endeavors.

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Animal & Avian Sciences

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Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
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    Effects of High Carbohydrate Supplementation on Hepatic Mitochondrial Metabolism
    (2020) Zhang, Christine; Sunny, Nishanth
    Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major public health issue affecting over 75 million patients and over 70% of patients that suffer from Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and obesity. Previous research has demonstrated that progression of NAFLD is accompanied by liver mitochondria adaptation and eventual dysfunction as they fail to respond to the influx of free fatty acids and the metabolic actions of insulin. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of high carbohydrate supplementation on mitochondrial metabolism, specifically the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, of hepatocytes utilizing a metabolomics centered approach. Data obtained through gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) suggest that LF and HC fed animals exhibit higher mitochondrial (TCA) activity compared to their HF counterparts. Short-term increased mitochondrial activity suggests an increased robust metabolic response, however, long-term effects may be detrimental to metabolic flexibility through increased production of reactive oxygen species. While the comprehensive effects of high carbohydrate supplementation on metabolism are still under investigation, these results suggest that diets high in carbohydrates may lead to exacerbation of mitochondria, and ultimately metabolic dysfunction.
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    Investigation of 1P-LSD as a Novel Drug Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders
    (2020) Foster, Kayla; Hansen, Abigail; Lee, Matthew; Mohammed, Alan; Morrell, Matthew; Nguyen, Thach-Vu; Olson, Caroline; Pascale, Lucas; Sunny, Nishanth
    Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), defined by repetitive behaviors or impaired social communication, is a prevalent yet relatively misunderstood set of conditions. ASD encompasses a series of neurodevelopmental disorders that have various physiological manifestations (Goines & Ashwood, 2013). Due to the heterogeneity of ASD, the true mechanisms leading to the development of ASD and its symptoms remain unclear and require more research (Rossignol & Frye, 2012; Watts, 2008). The purpose of this project is to test whether or not 1P-LSD, an analogue of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), has the potential to treat symptoms of ASD, specifically the hyperexcitation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brain which causes the neuronal excitotoxicity highly implicated in the pathology of ASD. We will determine the two highest doses of 1P-LSD which do not result in any hallucinogenic side effects in Phase 1 of this protocol and utilize these doses towards treatment of symptoms associated with ASD in Phase 2 of this protocol. We will monitor NMDA receptor activity, which is usually impaired in ASD, following microdosing of 1P-LSD. For these experiments, we will be using an autistic mouse model (Slc6a4) compared to normal mice (C57BL/6J). The efficacy of the treatment model will be assessed by measuring the levels of a subunit of the NMDA receptor, the NR2B subunit, using western blotting and immunohistochemistry, and by measuring the levels of glutamate using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).