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The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program 2005-2006
Mr. Ryan Abelowitz
Ms. Marina Acosta
Ms. Latifat Alli
Mr. Christopher Bui
Ms. Akanksha Chhabra
Ms. Grace Chang
Ms. Lillian Chang
Ms. Yuli Chang
Mr. Benjamin Chiang
Ms. Janet Chow
Mr. Navid Ezra
Ms. Emily Fu
Ms. Shiva Ganjian
Ms. Princess Gilbert
Ms. Iulia Giuroiu
Mr. Daniel Gould
Ms. Joie Guner
Mr. Omar Hajji
Mr. Ali Hassanpour
Ms. Sanghee Hong
Ms. Amy Hughes
Ms. Lucia Huynh
Ms. Virginia Huynh
Ms. Angela Jin
Ms. Amy Kao
Ms. Alina Katsman
Mr. Mike Kharazian
Mr. Hyun Kim
Mr. Sunmin Kim
Mr. Omid Kohannim
Mr. Hsiang (Andrew) Kung
Mr. Ryan Abelowitz
Mentor: Dr. Michael Sofroniew
Funding: Wasserman Scholar
Title: Spinal Cord Regeneration Utilizing Biodegradable Materials
Ryan Abelowitz is a fourth year undergraduate majoring in Neuroscience. Under the guidance of Michael Sofroniew, he has been researching spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice models for the past two and a half years. Initially his research included work in a transgenic mice model that regulates astrocyte reactivity. The transgenic model is based on a deleted STAT3, Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription, gene in only GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) expressing cells. After an SCI in normal mice, a signaling pathway that regulates the reactivity of astrocytes up regulates STAT3. However, if STAT3 is deleted from this pathway then astrocyte reactivity is attenuated, thereby minimizing the astrocytic scar formation. Currently, Ryan is studying the regeneration aspect of SCI. He is researching the use of synthetic biodegradable hydrogel and polymers to attempt to promote axonal regeneration after SCI. These microsphere polymers, which are composed of biodegradable material, retain a specified amount of neurological growth factor and decompose over a defined time in vivo. Accordingly, they release the encapsulated growth factor and encourage axonal regeneration through the injured region of the spinal cord. The hydrogels used are a poly-amino-acid composed of varying lengths of hydrophobic alpha helices and polar tails. These hydrogels not only homogenize and facilitate an injectable microsphere solution, but also utilized themselves as a vehicle to carry various growth factors. Ryan would like to thank his fellow researchers in the Sofroniew lab, especially Julia Herrman and Dr. Michael Sofroniew. He would also like to express his utmost gratitude to the Wasserman family for their support.
Ms. Marina Acosta
Mentor: Dr. Elaine Reed
Funding: Schering-Plough
Title: Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy and Plasmapheresis to Reduce Allosensitization in Heart Tranplant Recipients
Marina Acosta is a third year Biology student at UCLA. She conducts her research at the David Geffen School of Medicine under the guidance of her mentor Dr. Elanie Reed. Marina has been in Dr. Reed's lab since September 2004. Reed's lab focuses on the study of mechanisms of antibody mediated allograft rejection. The goal of Marina's project is to determine whether intravenous immune gamma globulin (IVIG)) therapy and/or plasmapheresis in heart transplant recipients is associated with reduction and/or elimination of anti-donor HLA antibodies. IVIG and plasmapheresis are immunosupression therapies that have been shown to have potent immunomodulatory effects on autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Recent studies also suggest that IVIG and plasmapheresis can be used to reduce sensitization in broadly sensitized transplant candidates and effect the treatment of patients with antibody-mediated rejection. Ultimately, the correlation between anti-HLA class I and/or class II antibody production and episodes of rejection, transplant arteriosclerosis, cardiac function and patient and graft survival will be established in patients with and without IVIG therapy and plasmapheresis. After graduating from UCLA Marina plans to attend either medical school or graduate school. She also would like to pursue a Master's in Public Health. Marina would like to thank her mentor Dr. Elaine Reed and her Post-Doc, Jennifer Zhang. She would also like to express her sincere appreciation to the Schering-Plough Corporation for their support in her exciting research achievements.
Ms. Latifat Alli
Mentor: Dr. Rob Gunsalus
Funding: Schering-Plough Equipment Award
Title: The Effect of Different Concentrations of Nickel, Selenium, Cobalt and Cyanocobalamin on the Growth of Methanosarcina acetivorans.
Latifat Alli is a fourth year Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics student. She started doing research in 2004 as a transfer student from El Camino College. Under the supervision of Dr Rob Gunsalus and Lars Rohlin, she is currently studying the effect of different concentrations of nickel, selenium, cobalt and cyanocobalamin on the growth of Methanosarcina acetivorans.
Methanosarcina acetivorans are important organisms because they serve as an integral part of the carbon cycle and are a large producer of methane gas, a global warming gas. M. acetivorans are methanogens and belong to the archaea group. Methanosarcina species are found in a wide variety of habitats. They also live on a diverse menu of energy sources, including acetate. With the genome sequenced, research is ongoing on the search for genes responsible for the organism's capacity to adapt and break down a variety of waste products
Latifat is very excited to be studying gene expression in this important global warming-causing organism. She hopes that future results obtained will eventually be used to reduce global warming.
After graduation, she will be doing more summer research with Schering-plough pharmaceuticals in New-Jersey. Eventually, she hopes to become a doctor that will be dedicated towards doing both research and primary care to benefit people especially those in third world countries.
Mr. Christopher Bui
Mentor: Dr. Utpal Banerjee/ Dr. Gerald Call
Funding: Wasserman Scholar
Title: Characterization of the Novel Drosophila Blimp-1 Gene
Chris Bui is presently a fourth year physiological sciences major, and is starting his second year doing research in the Undergraduate Research Consortium in Function Genomics (URCFG). The URCFG is a unique research laboratory here at UCLA in that it is comprised entirely of undergraduate students, and was created by Dr. Utpal Banerjee in an attempt to expand and broaden the undergraduate research experience. Presently, Chris is working to characterize the novel Drosophila gene B-lymphocyte induced maturation protein (Blimp-1), which was discovered in a genomic wide screen performed by the URCFG to isolate genes that are essential for eye development. Clonal analysis of Blimp-1 mutations in the Drosophila eye result in an unique raised glossy phenotype. Blimp-1 encodes a protein that contains a DNA binding domain, and a SET domain, which acts as a histone methyl transferase. Consequently, Blimp-1 is believed to be a transcription factor and regulates the expression of various genes. The current focus of this project is to discern any interacting proteins that Blimp-1 may regulate via immuno-staining and in situ hybridization, in order to formulate a signaling pathway through which Blimp-1 may act to regulate differentiation. Chris will be applying to medical school where he hopes to specialize in orthopedic surgery / sports medicine.
Ms. Akanksha Chhabra
Mentor: Dr. Utpal Banerjee/ Dr. Gerald Call
Funding: Alcott Scholar
Title: Characterization of mutation in atonal using Drosophila eye development
Akanksha Chhabra is an international student, majoring in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology. She has been working in Dr. Utpal Banerjee's Lab since her freshman year and is currently completing her honor thesis. Akanksha began researching in Howard Hughes Medical Institute funded Undergaduate Consortium in Functional Genomics where genes vital for Drosophila eye development were identified using genetic screens. She continued on in the lab and is working on an independent project. Presently she has mapped a mutation with an interesting mutant eye phenotype to the atonal (ato) gene. ato is a proneural gene that encodes for a highly conserved basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor. Its expression is essential for the specification of the first photoreceptor (R8). She is using immuno-staining to visualize mutant clones in the Drosophila imaginal eye disc, which is the developing eye while in the larval stage. With appropriate antibodies she has concluded that the mutation results in the loss of nuclear localization of Atonal in mutant clones. Subsequently she has sequenced the mutant fly line and determined that the coding region it be wild-type and now plans to study regulatory elements of the gene. Akanksha is currently applying to MD/PhD and PhD programs and wishes to continue bring together research and healing.
Ms. Grace Chang
Mentor: Dr. L. Jeanne Perry
Funding: Kessler Scholar
Title: Expression, Crystallization, and Characterization of Metabolic Proteins in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Grace Chang is currently a Senior studying Molecular Cell Developmental Biology as a major and Political Science as a minor. She has worked as an SRP student for 2 years under the tutelage of Dr. L. Jeanne Perry, who is funded by the Department of Energy and works closely with the Structural Genomics Consortium. This year Grace is focused on her research project to solve the crystal structures via x-ray diffraction of six metabolic proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Rv1271c, Rv1291c, Rv1396c, Rv1419, Rv1566c, and Rv1759c. Her goal is to express, purify, and crystallize these proteins to decipher their precise molecular structures. Solving the crystal structures of these proteins will reveal their functions and whether they play a crucial role in the pathway of M. tuberculosis infection. With this information, drugs can be developed to inhibit proteins that enable M. tuberculosis to infect, thrive, and kill so many of the world's population. Besides being engrossed in her project, Grace loves to play volleyball, try different restaurants, sleep, and travel the world. She would like to thank Dr. Jeanne Perry for believing in her and especially acknowledge the Kessler family for their contribution to make her project happen.
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Ms. Lillian Chang
Mentor: Dr. Hsian-Rong Tseng
Funding: Wasserman Scholar
Title: Micro-Protein Chips (μ-PCs) for Prostate Cancer Research
Lillian Chang is a third year Biochemistry student at UCLA. She is conducting research under the guidance of Dr. Hsian-Rong Tseng in the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology. Her current project is to develop a microfluidic chip for the detection of important biomarkers for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The goal is to develop a miniaturized chip capable of ( i) incubation of prostate cancer cells inside a controllable microfluidic environment, (ii) cell lyses and sequential fluorescent labeling of those released protein molecules, and ( iii) real-time and high throughput detections of pathway biomakers associated with the prostate cancer signaling networks. Lillian plans to graduate from UCLA in Fall 2006, and she hopes to become a pharmacist by attending pharmacy school after graduating from UCLA. Lillian would like to thank Dr. Hsian-Rong Tseng, Dr. Guodong Sui and her fellow researchers at Dr. Tseng's laboratory for all their mentorship, support and guidance, as well as, Dr. Cramer and the Wasserman family for providing her with this opportunity.
Ms. Yuli Chang
Mentor: Dr. L. Jeanne Perry
Funding: Wasserman Scholar
Title: Towards the Crystal Structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Gene Products
Yuli Chang is a fourth year Biochemistry major. Since Fall of 2003, Yuli has been a part of Dr. L. Jeanne Perry's Protein Expression Technology Center as a student researcher.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is responsible for causing the airborne disease tuberculosis (TB) that affects one-third of the world's population and kills over 2.3 million people a year. According to the World Health Organization, TB is a considerable public health problem in Latin America, Asia and Africa. The disease can be treated by antibiotics, including isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol for several months. However, these complex and prolonged regimens lead to treatment failure and generation of resistant strains of tuberculosis. Due to these resistant strains, characterization of the proteins that promote the virulence of the organism will aid in drug design.
Yuli's project targets open reading frames encoding an izoniazid inducible gene protein, mce1F of the mce1 operon of M. tuberculosis, glucose-1-phosphate adenylyltransferase, and two ORFs of the ESAT-6 (secreted antigen target-6) gene family that encodes secreted T-cell antigens that lack detectable secretion signals. The goal of her project is to express and crystallize the proteins and solve their structures by X-ray crystallography toward their use as possible drug targets
Yuli intends to obtain a Pharm.D. degree after completing her studies at UCLA. She plans to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry. She would like to acknowledge Dr. Perry, the staff of PETC and the URSP office for all their support, and express her gratitude towards the Wasserman family for their generosity.
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Mr. Benjamin Chiang
Mentor: Dr. Milan Fiala
Funding: Wasserman Scholar
Title: Study of cell signaling in macrophages and monocytes in response to stimulation by amyloid-beta.
Benjamin Chiang is a third-year Electrical (emphasis: Biomedical) Engineering student doing research in the UCLA School of Medicine. He has been under the guidance and mentorship of Dr. Fiala since June 2004, studying subjects ranging from endothelial cell response to stimulation by cocaine to specific signaling pathways in response to amyloid-beta. His current project focuses on the Myosin Light-Chain Kinase cascade in hopes of elucidating the effects amyloid-beta has on cell signaling. The larger goal is to uncover a disparity between Alzheimer's patients and control subjects in response to amyloid-beta to develop a better understanding of the disease and perhaps develop a diagnostic test. Procedures frequently used to conduct this particular facet of research include immunofluorescent staining, cytospin, and individual, third-party assays. His career plans are to take his strong technical and scientific background into the field of intellectual property law. Finally, Ben would like to thank Dr. Fiala for the opportunity to do research as well as the URSP Program and the Wasserman Family for recognizing the time and effort required for undergraduates to be successful in conducting research.
Ms. Janet Chow
Mentor: Dr. Gouping Fan and Yin Shen, M.S.
Funding: Rose Hills Scholar
Title: The Role of CIITA in Mouse Neural Stem Cells in vitro
Left to right: Dr. Gouping Fan, Janet Chow, Yin Shen
As a 4 th year student majoring in neuroscience, Janet has been working in the Fan lab since February of 2004. For her departmental thesis project, she plans to analyze the role of class II transactivator (CIITA) on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II gene transcription during the development of mouse neural stem cells (NSCs). In human B lymphocytes, CIITA has been shown to be the master regulator of transcription for MHC class II molecules, which express cell surface glycoproteins that are crucial for the activation of T helper lymphocytes during the immune system response. CIITA has also been shown to play an important role in MHC class I transcription. After she graduates this coming spring, she intends to move onto graduate school to earn her Ph.D. in neuroscience. On a side note, although her close friends have accused her of becoming a lab hermit and her "north campus" boyfriend has strong suspicion that she's secretly cloning babies, Janet has no regrets of the path she has taken and looks forward to the arduous, pain-staking, and meticulous (but essentially rewarding!) world of research.
Mr. Navid Ezra
Mentor: Dr. Desmond Smith
Funding: Wasserman Scholar
Title: Identifying Genetic Circuits in Cells
From left to right: Chris Park, Dr. Desmond Smith, Navid Ezra
Navid Ezra is a fourth year Psychobiology major and Gerontology minor conducting research under the mentorship of Dr. Desmond Smith in the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology. Navid is working on a project that is part of a recent trend in systems biology that involves the investigation of a methodical perturbation of biological systems. His project seeks to identify and map regulatory gene circuits in a mammalian system using microarrays. Identifying regulatory genes has vast implications because it allows for the detection of putative control genes in humans by homology. Besides research in the David Geffen School of Medicine, Navid is completing a clinical research project on Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Treatment for patients with toxic injury due to mold exposure. In addition, he is an intern in a community clinic where he provides preventive health services to at-risk youth. Navid sincerely thanks his mentor for giving him the opportunity to participate in research in his laboratory, Chris Park for his guidance, and the rest of the Smith lab for a supportive and healthy learning environment. Navid also thanks Dr. Audrey Cramer and the Wasserman family for financial support.
Ms. Emily Fu
Mentor: Dr. Christina Jamieson
Funding: Wasserman Scholar
Title: Prostate Cancer Metastasis to Bone
Emily Fu is a fourth year undergraduate Biology student who will be completing a research project under the supervision of Dr. Christina Jamieson in the Department of Human Genetics. Previous studies have shown that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in males and signs of bone proliferation (osteoblastic phenotype) are often found among the prostate cancer patients. The sex hormone testosterone and androgen are also known to promote prostate cancer cell proliferation early in the disease. As a result, over the past year Emily has been in search for androgen regulated genes in prostate cancer cells and is actively involved with Dr. Christina Jamieson's collaboration with Dr. Sotirios Tetradis, DDS PhD at UCLA, to study the effects of osteoblast cells' interaction with prostate cancer cells during bone metastasis . Emily hopes to carry out a successful invitro experiment that involves co-culturing prostate cancer cells with osteoblast cells. In a co-culture experiment, the cells will be sharing the same media or environment and though this, Emily and the lab anticipate in discovering soluble factors that induce bone formation. No such experiment has been able to identify the bone-derived soluble factors that can promote prostate cancers cells, but studies have shown that the progression of prostate cancer metastases can be promoted in bone microenvironment. Emily is currently carrying out an experiment that involves treating osteoblast cells and prostate cancer cells with different concentrations of 5 a-dihydroxytestosterone (DHT, an androgen receptor agonist) that will help determine how androgen plays a role in both cell types. To test the effects of androgen and regulation of gene expression, Emily will run assays such as alkaline phosphatase, FACS, RT-PCR, and a cDNA microarray. Overall, Emily hopes her diligent work in research will help contribute to the advancement of prostate cancer treatments as she plans to pursue her education in the field of medicine.
Ms. Shiva Gangian
Mentor: Dr. Richard A. Gatti
Funding: Wasserman Scholar
Title: Stratification of ATM Mutation By SNP Haplotyping
Shiva Ganjian is a third year undergraduate Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology major. For the past three years, she has been doing research on ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) under the guidance of mentor Dr. Richard A. Gatti. Mutations in the ATM gene are responsible for A-T, a neurodegenerative autosomal recessive disorder of childhood in the ATM gene correspond to particular single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) haplotypes. By SNP haplotyping patients of varying ethnic backgrounds, we were able to divide mutations into four SNP haplotype categories: H2, H3, H4, and other, using five polymorphic markers: IVS17-56G>A, 5557G>A, IVS62-55T>C, IVS47-257 A>C, and IVS56+186C>T. We used the Third Wave Invader technology to SNP haplotype 400 patients. A cleavase enzyme cuts the DNA at a particular location, and distinguishes one form of the polymorphism from another, e.g. a 'C' from a 'T'. Three hundred patients had definable SNP haplotypes, and from the three hundred, 138 unique mutations could be placed into three SNP haplotype groups: H2, H3, and H4. We then took the H2 and H4 patients and attempted to further subdivide them into H2a or H2b and H4a or H4b, using the markers IVS56+186C>T and IVS47-257A>C respectively. After genotyping 54 patients for H2b, this plan was abandoned because it became clear in three instances that the same mutations would be found on either H2a or H2b haplotypes, i.e., the mutations could not be reliably subdivided by IVS56+186C>T genotyping. In the case of H4, the IVS47-257A>C was not sufficiently polymorphic to subdivide H4. We are now able to stratify ATM mutation detection more efficiently by first subdividing them into four SNP categories. Shiva plans to continue her career in research while in dental school.
Ms. Princess Gilbert
Mentor: Dr. Tom Smith and Dr. Robert K. Wayne
Funding: Schering-Plough Scholar
Title: The Consequences of Deforestation – A look at African bird Malaria Ecology
Left to right: Dr. Smith, Princess Gilbert
Left to right: Dr. Wayne, Princess Gilbert, Dr. Pollinger
Princess S. Gilbert is currently a fourth year Biology major with an African American Studies minor. She spent her sophomore and junior year in Dr. Robert K. Wayne's conservation and evolutionary genetics laboratory. Under the direct guidance of postdoctoral researcher, Dr. John Pollinger, Princess worked on research topics which included genotypic analysis of the Santa Monica Mountains bobcats and mountain lions along with the critically endangered Ethiopian Wolf. Her most current research topic is the impact of the Andes Mountains on the speciation of the Hermit Hummingbird in South America. Specific lab techniques acquired included, DNA extraction techniques, PCR reaction and amplification, microsatellite genotyping, genetic relatedness analysis and the setup and operation of electrophoresis gel apparatus.
In the fall on 2005 Princess began research in the laboratory of Dr. Tom Smith. Under the direct guidance of postdoctoral scholar, Dr. Camille Bonneaud , Princess is now studying the ecology of infectious blood-borne pathogens in African rainforest birds. For decades, a unique set of individual blood samples have been collected from several bird species in a variety of habitats across Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, the Ivory Coast and Uganda. Sampling sites have included locations in the ecotone ( the transitional region between the contiguous rainforest and savannah), primary and secondary rainforests, and sites experiencing intensive logging. The current research attempts to increase our understanding of how human induced habitat alterations directly affect the prevalence of infections diseases in natural populations. The goals include: (1) identifying how pathogen prevalence changes over time within differing rainforest habitats, some of which have remained unaltered, and some of which have gone through habitat conversion; and (2) identifying the host-switching that may occur in differing habitats.
Princess's laboratory work focuses on the genetic determination of pathogen species and lineages present in birds, as well as the genetic structures of bird communities. She will be utilizing a variety of techniques including DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing, microsatellite analysis, and AFLP analysis in novel applications for analyses of lineage and population genetic data. Moreover, she will provide important assistance in the processing of genetic samples for use in evaluating genetic divergence and linage structure within and among parasite species as well as genetic structuring of bird species.
Princess would like to thank Schering-Plough and URC/CARE for their collective academic support and guidance.
Ms. Iulia Giuroiu
Mentor: Dr. L. Jeanne Perry
Funding: Alcott Scholar
Title: Toward the Ligand-Bound Structure of a Putative Molybdate-Binding Protein from Methanosarcina acetivorans
Iulia Giuroiu is a fourth-year Biochemistry major. Since the summer of 2003, she has been working under the leadership of Dr. Perry at the Protein Technology Center and also spent Summer 2004 at the European Molecular Biology Lab's Hamburg Outstation. Her main focus has been determining the crystal structure of a putative sulfate/molybdate ABC transporter periplasmic solute-binding protein from the archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans. Displaying extensive metabolic versatility, this organism has drawn interest from the U.S. Department of Energy for bioremediation and energy production. Molybdate uptake has been shown to play a role in acetate-based methanogenesis, which contributes to the global carbon cycle and global warming. This project aims to confirm the identity of this protein's ligand and solve the ligand-bound crystal structure and compare its binding site and overall fold to the binding sites and folds of functional homologues from other organisms. These key structural features could ultimately characterize M. acetivorans 's uniqueness among methanogens. The protein has been crystallized, and a preliminary model representing its unliganded, open conformation was constructed upon X-ray diffraction data collected at 1.94Å resolution. Iulia is currently working toward co-crystallizing the protein with its ligand and hopes to elucidate its binding mechanism this year. She is excited about pursuing a career in medicine and exploring the direct applications of scientific breakthroughs toward the improvement of our health.
Mr. Dan Gould
Mentor: Dr. Joan Valentine
Funding: Ricciardi Scholar
Title: Examining Phenotypes for Yeast Lacking Superoxide Dismutase and Examining the Role of Superoxide Dismutase in Pathogenesis Related to Aggregation in ALS
Dan is a fourth year Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics Major at UCLA and is a member of the American Society for Microbiology. He has been working under the guidance of his mentor, Dr. Joan Valentine in bio-inorganic chemistry for the past two years. He is currently working on a project involving the lactate rescue of oxidatively stressed yeast lacking the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD). Yeast lacking the Cu-Zn SOD show a phenotypic weakness when grown on non-fermentable carbon sources likely due to the high levels of superoxide which are generated by oxidative respiration and accumulate in the absence of SOD1. This defect is less dramatic when cells are grown on lactate. Since the yeast evolve superoxide at complex three in the electron transport chain (ETC) it seems pertinent that the yeast contain a mitochondrial membrane protein, L-lactate dehydrogenase (Cyb2) which catalyzes the oxidation of lactate to pyruvate, donating electrons directly to cytochrome c via a conjugated heme moiety and bypassing Complex III in the ETC. Dan's recent efforts have been focused around characterizing this surprising phenotypic rescue by growth in lactate, and determining the role(s) of cyb2 and D-lactate dehydrogenase (Dld1) in this phenomenon. He plans to continue his work on the identification of the exact up regulation of the CYB2 in yeast grown in lactate media, and to create genetic knockouts of both cyb2 and dld1 in yeast background strain eg103.
Upon completion of the yeast studies, Dan would like to become more involved in biophysical studies concerning the aggregation of human SOD1 which is proposed to be the cause for pathogenic familial ALS in humans.
Dan is currently applying to MD/PhD combined degree programs and intends to pursue a career as a Medical Scientist. He wants to better understand the causes of neurodegenerative diseases like ALS where aggregation seems to contribute to pathogenesis. He is currently supported by the Ricciardi Scholarship and would like to greatly thank the Ricciardi family and the executors of their estate for their generosity and support of his project.
Dan is currently applying to MD/PhD combined degree programs and intends to pursue a career as a Medical Scientist. He wants to better understand the causes of neurodegenerative diseases like ALS where aggregation seems to contribute to pathogenesis. He is currently supported by the Ricciardi Scholarship and would like to greatly thank the Ricciardi family and the executors of their estate for their generosity and support of his project.
Ms. Joie Guner
Mentor: Dr. Joanna Jen
Funding: Wasserman Scholar
Title: The effect of mutant glutamate transporter EAAT1 in the animal model the zebra fish
Joie with Jijun Wan, Ph.D.
Joie is a third year student majoring in Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics. Joie, with the mentorship of Dr. Jen in the department of Neurology at the UCLA medical school, is studying the mutated glutamate transporter EAAT1 in zebrafish to determine if the mutation genetically predisposes the zebrafish to disease such as episodic ataxia, hemiplegia and seizure. The glutamate transporter, which can be found in neurons and glia, is an enzyme that utilizes the sodium gradient to transport glutamate via diffusion. The expedited uptake of glutamate from the synaptic cleft by transporter EAAT1 is crucial in preventing prolonged cell signaling. Mutations in these regulatory membrane proteins can cause a broad range of dominantly inherited human neuromuscular diseases, including rare forms of migraine, epilepsy and ataxia. Joie will first establish the spatial and temporal pattern of expression of the zebrafish
EAAT1 ortholog and then investigate the role of EAAT1 in zebrafish neurodevelopment. Subsequently, she will design a transgenic zebrafish and analyze effective intervention such as nutrients and medications. Joie would like to thank Dr. Jen and her fellow researchers for their mentorship and guidance as well as the Wasserman family for their endowment and the Undergraduate Research Center for their support.
Mr. Omar Een Hajji
Mentor: James Waschek
Funding: Ricciardi Scholar
Title: Role of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide and vasoactive intestinal peptide in nerve regeneration
Omar is a 3 rd year student majoring in Neuroscience and Psychological Biology. His research in nerve regeneration initially sparked his interest in neuroscience, prompting him to switch to this double major from economics and try to learn as much about neurological development and behavior as possible before entering medical school. He has been working on a project under the guidance of Dr. Waschek for the past year which seeks to elucidate the role of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide ( VIP) in nerve regeneration. Dr. Waschek has previously shown that PACAP and VIP play a role in regeneration of neural tissue in both the peripheral and central nervous systems in vitro and even in vivo, however the exact mechanism of their involvement is not well understood. Thus Omar's project has clear clinical implications for victims of spinal cord and other neural damage. Currently, Omar is working on an exciting project involving the use of Fluorogold, a fluorescent dye, as a retrograde tracer in PACAP and VIP knockout mice to ascertain whether PACAP and VIP have separate, redundant, or synergistic actions in nerve axon regrowth. Omar would like to thank Dr. Waschek for his continued support and insight, Dr. Armstrong for his early instruction and guidance, and the Ricciardi family for their support of this project.
Mr. Ali Hassanpour
Mentor: Dr. Daniel J. Valentino
Funding: Wasserman Scholar
Title: Effects of Skull Stripping on Registration Accuracy
Ali Hassanpour is a senior majoring in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics. He has been conducting research at UCLA's Laboratory of Neuro Imaging under the mentorship of Dr. Daniel J. Valentino Ph.D at UCLA's department of Biomedical Physics. Over the last few quarters Ali has been developing pipelines, on the Loni Pipeline Processing Environment, and writing scripts to perform Spatial Normalization procedures to generate a brain atlas using brain MR images. Spatial Normalization, or Registration, is a technique developed to warp neuroanatomical structures of one image to match those of another in a 3D space to remove differences between MR image sets and construct an average brain image. Using Spatial Normalization techniques population based atlases are constructed by registration of image data from a number of individuals to represent the anatomic variability in a population. Population based brain atlases can effectively provide researchers with a basis for comparison of functional and anatomical data and for statistical correlation with an underlying factor such as age or disease. Segmentation of the brain surface, or Skull Stripping, is a necessary step in performing spatial normalization procedures, however, errors in skull-stripping are believed to limit the accuracy of atlases. Ali's research focus is to determine the anomalies of Spatial Normalization procedures, particularly those caused by Skull Stripping errors. He will utilize many different skull stripping approaches, which include manual and automated (BSE, BET, Model-Based Level Set) methods, to investigate their effect on the overall brain atlas generated. Upon graduation, Ali's goal is to attend medical school. He is a firm believer in the beneficial role of technology to the field of medicine and human health, and hopes to contribute to medical advancements in the future. Ali is very thankful of his research mentor, Dr. Daniel Valentino, and graduate students Yuan Xu, Di Zhang and Audery Zhuang for their support and guidance. He also wishes to extend his warmest appreciation to Mrs. Lew Wasserman and Mr. Casey Wasserman for their generosity, and to Dr. Audrey Cramer at the UCLA Undergraduate Research Center for making this opportunity possible.
Abstract: Population based atlases are constructed by registration of image data from a number of individuals to represent the anatomic variability in a population. Spatial Normalization, or Registration, has been developed to warp neuroanatomical structures of one image to match those of another in a 3D space to remove differences between the MR image sets and construct an average brain image. Segmentation of the brain surface, or Skull Stripping, is a necessary step in creating an atlas, however, errors in skull-stripping are believed to limit the accuracy of atlases. The purpose of this project is to identify the effect and significance of skull stripping errors on the accuracy of atlas registration. To compare the effect of the skull stripping procedures a pipeline will be developed to create a spatially normalized atlas from each group of volumetric MR data sets by registering the individual data sets to each other using the Automated Image Registration (AIR, UCLA, CA) algorithm. The brain atlas resulting from each group of automatically skull stripped MR data sets will then be compared to the atlas generated from the manually skull stripped data set (the gold standard atlas). Preliminary studies suggest that, because of the complexity and variability of brain anatomy, a fully automated and perfect segmentation algorithm does not exist. Therefore, the magnitude of the difference from the gold standard atlas will represent the error introduced by the automated segmentation algorithm. If deviations are small, then we can conclude that the skull stripping errors have little impact on atlas accuracy.
Ms. Sanghee Hong
Mentor: Dr. Meika A. Fang and Dr. Karen L. Perell Funding: Sparks Scholar
Title: The Correlation between Vertical Ground Reaction Forces and Compressive Knee Joint Reaction Forcees of Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis
Left to right: Dr. Karen Perell, Sanghee Hong, Dr. Meika Fang
Sanghee Hong is a third-year General Biology major. Sanghee is working in Knee Osteoarthritis Research in the Veteran's Administration hospital's gait lab, which is run by Dr. Meika A. Fang and Dr. L. Perell through UCLA department of Medicine. Sanghee has involved in biomedical reseraches in perspecive of biomechanics, including medial knee osteoarthritis and effects of laterally wedged shoe insoles and correlations of pressure and perfusion maps of plantar foot surfaces of healthy volunteers & those with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Knee osteoarthritis that accompanies pain in the joint is related with several mechanical factors/ forces. These mechanical forces lead to the progression of the disease, so it is important to measure and study these forces. The compressive knee joint reaction forces are especially critical to understanding the effect on physical functions. Biomechanical gait evaluations allow to measure the knee joint reaction forces from the force plate data. However, it is methodologically difficult to measure directly on how much force is exerted on the joint. To measure the knee joint reaction forces, the participants have to contact the force plate with only one foot sequencing several trials to obtain adequate data . In contrary, the vertical ground reaction forces can be measured in a methodologically simpler way by use of plantar pressure equipment. Therefore, if there is a high correlation between the vertical ground reaction forces and the compressive knee joint reaction forces, the simpler methodology will enhance the ability of researchers to proceed the future reseraches in related areas. The purpose of the research is to confirm the this correlation with compressive knee joint reaction forces and vertical ground reaction forces of knee osteoarthritis patients. Sanghee plans to go to medical school after graduation and to continue her research there as well. She would like to thank Dr. Fang, Dr. Perell, Dr. Taylor, and the Sparks, the scholarship donor for their tremendous support and help.
Ms. Amy Hughes
Mentor: Dr. Lonnie Zeltzer, Dr. Elana EvanFunding: Sparks Scholar
Title: The Psychosocial Quality of Life of Children with Life-limiting Illnesses
Left to right: Dr. Elana EvanFunding, Amy Hughes, Dr. Lonnie Zeltzer
Amy Hughes is a third year psychobiology student. She has been doing research at the UCLA Pediatric Pain Program since last April, researching for a symptom communication study. She then decided to use the sample of the study to research mediators of the quality of life in children near the end of life. One possible mediator of the psychosocial health of children with terminal illness is effective coping style. Emotion focused coping strategies have been shown to be the most effective style of coping when managing low control stressful situations, such as coping with the stress of a life limiting condition. Another possible factor contributing to the child?s psychosocial health is the psychosocial well being of the child?s primary caregiver. The primary caretakers of children with life-limiting illnesses are subject to large amounts of stress leading to a negative mood state, including anxiety and depression. The emotional contagion hypothesis postulates that anxiety is easily communicable from one person to another. An upset parent could easily transmit their emotions to their child. It is hypothesized lower parent mood state as measured by the Profile of Mood State and less effective child coping strategies will be associated with lower self-reported child psychosocial well being as measured by the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. A sample of 40 primary caregiver-child dyads will be given the questionnaires and interviewed. These children will range from ages 8-22 and have varied medical diagnoses with poor prognoses. Amy would like to thank the Alcott family for her scholarship, and her advisors Dr. Zeltzer and Dr. Evan for all of their support in her research project.
Ms. Lucia Huynh
Mentor: Dr. John Colicelli
Funding: Rose Hills Scholar
Title: Mutagenic Analysis of the Mouse Rin1 Promoter Region
From left to right: Bart Dzudzor, Lucia Huynh, Dr. John Colicelli
Lucia Huynh, a fourth year Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology major, is currently conducting research under the guidance of Dr. John Colicelli in the department of Biological Chemistry at the David Geffen School of Medicine. Signal transduction pathways spur biochemical and structural changes in cells. The Colicelli lab studies the RAS effector Rin1, how Rin1 alters cell structure, and what function Rin1 plays in the organism. Rin1 expression peaks during synaptogenesis (day 21) in mouse embryonic brain tissue. This suggests that while Rin1 may be nonessential for early development, it may be critical for function. Since the Rin1 protein is expressed at highest levels in mature neurons of the forebrain (amygdala, hippocampus, cortex, striatum), one project in the lab focuses on the involvement of Rin1 in neuronal plasticity, learning and memory. Moderate levels of Rin1 expression are seen in some epithelial cells and appear to be required for mammary epithelial cell function. Lucia's research project is to determine how the rin1 promoter regulates selective expression of the Rin1 genes in mature forebrain neurons. She would like to thank all the members of the Colicelli lab, as well as the Undergraduate Research Center and the Rose Hills Foundation, for their continued generosity and support.
Ms. Virginia Huynh
Mentor: Dr. Hugh T. Blair
Funding: Ricciardi Scholar
Title: Unilateral fear memory storage by the contralateral amygdala
Virginia Huynh, a senior majoring in Psychobiology, is currently conducting research with Dr. Hugh T. Blair at the UCLA Department of Psychology. The amygdala is a cluster of nuclei in the temporal lobe, involved in emotions, memory and learning. The Blair Lab has shown that when rats are trained to fear a tone that predicts shock to one of their eyelids, their memory for this experience depends only upon the amygdala contralateral from the shocked eyelid, and not upon the ipsilateral amygdala. Thus, rats use only their right amygdala when they learn to fear a shock to their left eyelid, and only their left amygdala when they learn to fear a shock to their right eyelid. This suggests that the amygdala?s fear learning circuitry is functionally lateralized according to the anatomical source of predicted threats. The lab is working on a long-term effort to identify the anatomical pathways which convey aversive signals to the amygdala. As her senior thesis project, Virginia will study whether emotional memories can be stored unilaterally within the amygdala during fear conditioning in rats with implanted wires that run to the hindlegs of the rats and train them to be afraid of tones paired with hindleg shocks. As in our previous experiments, each amygdala hemisphere will be inactivated by intracranial drug infusions. However, in this new approach, the turning behavior of rats that are shocked on the eyelids will be compared with those shocked to the hindlegs to determine whether the contralateral amygdala is primarily responsible for escape motor responses or for sensory input of the shock.
Virginia would like to thank the members of the Blair Lab, Dr. Blair, and the Ricciardi Family for their support in helping her pursue a career in medicine and basic research.
Ms. Angela Jin
Mentor: Dr. Aldons Lusis
Funding: Wasserman Scholar
Title: Quantification of microRNA (miRNA) expression in female B6xC3H murine liver cells
Left to right: Dr. Aldons Lusis, Angela Jin, Dr. Richard Davis
Angela Jin is a fourth year student majoring in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics. She is currently studying the quantitative expression of miRNA in female transgenic murine liver cells under the guidance of Dr. Aldons Lusis and Dr. Richard Davis of the MIMG department. Although the existence of miRNAs has been known since 1993, research in the past several years exploded miRNAs into the scientific world as a prominent new field of research. Its existence counters the previous prevailing assumption in molecular biology of "one gene, one protein" and might explain the high volume of "junk DNA" encoded in the human genome. Presently, this previously unknown class of small, regulatory RNAs is mainly recognized for its role in regulating multiple genes and for its control of timing the process of development. Recent research also implicates that miRNA expression is associated with stem cell maintenance, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and fat metabolism. In the lab's previous research, B6 and C3H mice were crossed based on their phenotypic differences of the level of obesity acquired from a high-fat diet. Liver from B6xC3H transgenic mice were used to identify susceptibility loci for complex diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and atherosclerosis by using a mouse gene oligonucleotide microarray. Expression values were treated as gene expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and mapped. In her research project, Angela will be taking RNA from the previously collected liver samples and performing miRNA assays to detect and quantify mature microRNAs using real-time PCR. She will then use this data to test for statistically significant correlation to the gene expression data previously gathered. After graduation, Angela hopes to pursue a MPH in Epidemiology and MD. Lastly, she would like to thank her family, UCLA, the lab, and the Wasserman family for their generous support.
Ms. Amy Kao
Mentor: Dr. L. Jeanne Perry
Funding: Alcott Scholar
Title: Characterization of genes rv2741, rv3036c, rv3354 and rv3159c in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Amy Kao is a third year Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology major conducting research under the mentorship of Dr. L. Jeanne Perry. Her project focuses on the characterization of four genes from M. tuberculosis with the aim of crystallizing the proteins. Rv2741 and rv3159 belong to the PE-multigene family, a family of proteins found only in M. tuberculosis and identifiable by the N-terminal Pro-Glu amino acid sequence, while rv3036c and rv3354 are putative proteins. The exact function of these proteins is unknown. Once crystallized, protein structures can be determined by X-ray diffraction and more information collected regarding each protein's role in M. tuberculosis. She thanks Dr. Perry and everyone in the Perry lab for their ongoing assistance and the Alcott family for the generous scholarship.
Ms. Alina Katsman
Mentor: Dr. Benjamin Bonavida
Funding: Wasserman Scholar
Title: Reversal of Tumor Cells' Resistance to TRAIL
Alina Katsman is a third year Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics major and Classics Civilization minor. She has been working under the mentorship of Dr. Benjamin Bonavida since the summer of 2004. The focus of the lab has been to find molecules that would aim at reversing tumor cells' resistance to immunotherapeutics. The Bonavida lab has previously worked with TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) in order to sensitize tumor cells to apoptosis. Recently, there has been a problem in that some tumors develop resistance to TRAIL. Some of the key regulators in this process are a transcription repressor, YY1 (Yin Yang 1) and its upstream regulator, NF kB. YY1 represses the promoter for the cell surface receptor DR5 in the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, a key surface receptor for TRAIL. Alina's new project aims at screening a mixture-based combinatorial library of small polyphenylurea molecules that would potentially yield one or more agents in order to ultimately inhibit the transcription of YY1 and subsequently up-regulate DR5 and reverse resistance to TRAIL. These molecules would serve as sensitizing agents in order to reverse tumor cells' resistance to apoptosis. The ultimate goal of this project would be to find molecules that could be used as cancer therapeutic agents in the future. After graduation, Alina plans to attend medical school in order to pursue a combined MD/PhD degree.
Alina would like to thank the Wasserman family for their generous gift; Dr. Cramer at the Undergraduate Research Center for this opportunity; Dr. Benjamin Bonavida for his guidance and for giving Alina the opportunity to work in his lab; Dr. Mehran Neshat for his patience and constant support; and everyone at the Bonavida lab for creating a hospitable environment.
Mr. Mike Kharazian
Mentor: Dr. Sung-Cheng Huang
Funding: Wasserman Scholar
Title: Assessing an Automated Sub-Cortical Analyzing Program for Rat MicroPET Images
Mike Kharazian is a senior majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Accounting. Working in the lab of Dr. Sung-Cheng Huang within the Molecular and Medical Pharmacology Department at the David Geffen School of Medicine, he hopes to complete his departmental honors thesis in the field of Neuroscience. The Huang lab studies a wide variety of quantitative algorithms and kinetic models to improve the versatility and capability of Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Collaborating with many other departments, the lab also uses PET technology to assist other researchers studying Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury. During his year of working here, Mike has published a finding with the Society of Nuclear Medicine on assessing the gender differences in neural metabolic recovery after traumatic brain injury. He will also submit a finding to the Academy of Molecular Imaging in March regarding a novel quantitation model for assessing two different brain warping software. Currently, Mike is working on a program to automate sub-cortical selection in rat MicroPET images. Using cryogenic images as a template, regions of interests will be applied to MicroPET images to acquire data on the dynamic function of those areas. Such a tool will greatly accelerate studies in rats as researchers will be able to more accurately and quickly acquire as well as analyze data. Mike's aspirations are to attend medical school where he plans to continue research in the neurosciences in addition to practice. He would like to thank the URC, Wasserman family, and his colleagues at the Huang lab for making possible the opportunity to research in a field he loves.
Mr. Hyun Kim
Mentor: Dr. William Robb MacLellan
Funding: Wasserman Scholar
Title: Regulation of Cell Growth: Sizers, Timers and the TOR Pathway
Hyun is a fourth year Molecular Cell Developmental Biology student who recently returned from a two year proselytizing mission in Utah. His academic hobbies include religious studies, Korean, Chinese and oncology. Currently he is time-lapse imaging THP-1 monocytes and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to establish if the correlation found in yeast, between post-mitotic (birth) size and cell cycle progression, also exists in mammalian cells. He and Dr. MacLellan hypothesize that the birth size of a cell will determine how long before it reaches the critical volume necessary for mitosis (sizer phase) and the subsequent time it will take the cell to divide (timer phase). This relationship has already been established in S. cerevisiae through empirical data and mathematical modeling. Further investigation will include examining the role of the Target of Rapamycin (TOR) pathway in cell growth and cell cycle events. Though it is known that TOR is responsible for cell growth, the precise mechanics of its influence in cell cycle events remains elusive. Hyun hopes to clarify the interconnection of cell growth and cycle progression. Ultimately he plans to use this knowledge in his career as an MD PhD, researching cell cycle mechanics in cancer.
Mr. Sunmin Kim
Mentor: Dr. York Marahrens
Funding: Wasserman Scholar
Title: Correlating ATM-S1981 and Apoptosis of Various Cancer Cells
Left to right: Dr. Mahahrens, Dr. Diaz-Perez, Sunmin Kim
SunMin Kim is a fourth year undergraduate Biophysics major. At the beginning of his second year, SunMin began studying in Dr. Marahrens¹ Human Genetics lab under Dr. Diaz-Perez¹s supervision. During the past two years, he has contributed to several studies, one of which is pending publication.
Currently, SunMin is studying the correlation between ATM activity and apoptosis in various human cancer cell lines. The ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia
mutated) kinase is a crucial component of the cellular response to DNA damage. In cultured cells, DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) trigger ATM activation through autophosphorylation on serine 1981. While ATM is crucial for DNA repair, it can also induce phosphorylation on serine 15 of p53, a tumor suppressor involved in apoptosis. Many cancer cells are known to have unstable chromatin structure, and some cancer cells have defective DSB repair pathways possibly due to mutated ATM genes. So far SunMin has found that many cancer cells lines have endogenous ATM activation. This year, he plans to investigate the effects of irradiation on the levels of ATM activity and apoptosis of the cancer cells. SunMin hopes that his study will one day contribute to a development of novel cancer treatment.
Mr. Omid Kohannim
Mentor: Dr. Jake Lusis, Dr. Peter Gargalovic
Funding: Sparks Scholar
Title: Identification of Potential Candidate Genes for Hypercholesterolemia
Left to right: Dr. Peter Gargalovic, Omid Kohannim, Dr. Jake Lusis
Omid Kohannim is a third-year Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) major, mathematics minor. He has started doing research in Dr. Jake Lusis's laboratory since fall 2004. Dr. Lusis's lab studies the genetic basis of atherosclerosis, which is a complex cardiovascular disease. Omid works directly under the supervision of Dr. Peter Gargalovic. One of Dr. Gargalovic's projects is to find potential candidate genes that lead to hypercholesterolemia, a risk factor of atherosclerosis, in mice. The identification of these genes was initiated years ago with the two mouse strains BALB/cJ (BALB) and MRL/MpJ (MRL). The latter strain showed higher blood cholesterol and lipid levels than the former. Through mapping studies, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) was found on chromosome 15 that led to hypercholesterolemia. After this, congenic mice were obtained from many crosses, by crossing heterozygous mice continuously to the BALB mice to further narrow down the region of chromosome 15 that includes the gene(s) responsible for this risk factor. As of now, this region is narrowed to approximately 8 million base pairs. In this region of mouse chromosome 15, there are about fifty genes. Omid's project is to use quantitative PCR to compare the expression of these genes between the two strains BALB and MRL. This can be done by using online genome databases to design primers for all of the genes. This project will help us identify potential candidate genes for hypercholesterolemia. Omid is planning to pursue medical practice and research after graduation. He is thankful to Dr. Jake Lusis and Dr. Peter Gargalovic for allowing him the opportunity to contribute to research at UCLA.
Mr. Hsiang (Andrew) Kung
Mentor: Dr. Imke Schroeder
Funding: Wasserman Scholar
Title: Expression and Characterization of putative W- binding protein in Pyrobaculum aerophilum
Andrew is a fourth year undergraduate Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Genetics major. For the past two years, he has been conducting research under the mentorship of Dr. Imke Schroeder from the department of MIMG. Dr.
Schroeder?s lab focuses on respiration in anaerobic Archaea that can tolerate and survive at extremely high temperatures. The model organism, Pyrobaculum aerophilum, respires with nitrate through the denitrification pathway.
Schroeder lab previously showed that the first enzyme of the pathway, a nitrate reductase contains either a Molybdenum (Mo) or Tungsten (W) cofactor. The growth of this hypothermophile is strictly dependent on the presence of tungsten in the medium and has the capability to transport radioactivity labeled W into the cell in an energy-dependent manner. The reason behind the project is that both molybdenum and tungsten are chemically similar to each other. However, Mo is predominant metal in biological system. Mo uptake has been well studied in many bacteria however, not in any Archaea. Thus far, nothing is known about the W metabolism and W uptake in Bacteria and Archaea that depend on this metal for growth. It is likely that W transport is mediated by an ABC-type transporter as this type of transporter is typically employed for the uptake of trace elements. The P. aerophilum genome contains
several ABC type transporters consisting of three genes. One of the putative
transporters was annotated to be a Mo transporter. Andrew?s project was set out to clone and over-express the gene that encodes the binding protein
(PAE0061) of this transporter in order to assay for Mo and W binding and verify the function of a putative W- binding protein in P. aerophilum. The overexpression of this gene prove great difficulty since in P. aerophilum all substrate binding proteins are tethered to the cytoplasmic membrane. Normally, substrate binding proteins are localized in the periplasmic space of Gram- bacteria. Currently several plasmids has been constructed containing two truncations of the gene and excluding the N-terminal transmembrane helix. The plasmids will include a His-tag to facilitate protein purification and various fusion proteins to promote solubility of the binding protein, which is predicted to be hydrophobic in nature. Once overexpressed, the protein will be purified and tested for Mo- and W-binding in an in vitro binding assay. Andrew enjoys volunteering at the hospital, reading, along with participating in IM sports during his free time. He would like to specifically thank Dr. Imke Schroeder for her guidance, support, and mentorship since he started working in the lab, as well as the Wasserman Family for their generous endowment.


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Product Information
Uniden® - UDS655 Digital Wireless Video Surveillance System, 7" LCD Monitor
Feel secure and enjoy greater piece of mind with this digital wireless surveillance system. Get a crystal-clear picture on the portable hi-res color monitor that operates on a rechargeable battery and records up to 40 hours of audio and video. Remotely access live video from up to four cameras anytime, anywhere via iPad®, iPhone®, Android Smartphones, tablets or PC. The outstanding IR Cut Filter Switch filters out unwanted infrared light during the day for true color video. The multitude of recording options and the convenience of USB output means you can record and view when the time is right for you. Outdoor Use: Yes; Memory/Storage Type: microSD Card; Video Resolution: 480p; Maximum Number of Cameras: 4. Two camera stands, three AC adapters, two camera antennas, 4 GB microSD card, USB cable and A/V cable
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NEW BRUNSWICK — "Rutgers Day," Rutgers University's annual welcome event for New Jersey residents, will take place April 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with activities on four of the university's New Brunswick-area campuses.
Nearly 500 performances, tours, exhibits and hands-on activities will be available at the College Avenue, Busch, Douglass and Cook campuses, with the annual Rutgers Day Parade set to begin on College Avenue at 11 a.m. The day also features the annual Scarlet and White football game at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway.
Parking is free and shuttle buses will be available among the campuses. For more information including schedules for activities at all campuses, go to rutgersday.rutgers.edu.
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was in need of new pedals and liked the colors of these Look
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Comments about LOOK Kéo 2 MAX Road Pedals:
easy in and out
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Nice pedals
By cycling professional
from socal
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I will prefer the carbon bike pedal....
Well done
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About Me Casual/ Recreational
I bought these for my new triathlon bike, finally getting used to the new ride position; Glad I have the same type of pedal - one less change is good!
great product, great buy!
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from NYC
About Me Avid Cyclist
After trying out a few discounted pedals, I bought the look pedals and I realized how much better they are. Lightwaight, easy in and out, comfortable, and beautiful to look at to boot. Lets not forget the price price!
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Bought these pedals three years ago when I purchased a new Cannonade CAAD 10. Loved them so much when I saw them go on sale again I bought another set to up grade another road bike I own.
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This is my second set of the specific pedal. Makes it easy when you have three bikes and they all have the same pedal. Light, durable and comfortable. Good quality product for the price!
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Process Development Jobs Still the Most...
It's All About Validation
Nothing Beats Immunoassays for Sensitivity, Specificity,...
Beware of Obstructions in the Upstream...
Mitochondrial modifications indicative of metabolic impairment appear to represent one of the earliest events in neurodegenerative conditions and precede pathological changes or functional impairment. "Indeed several different groups have reported that in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, mitochondrial dysfunction is observable before pronounced pathology appears, indicating early causative mitochondrial defects," says Gail V.W. Johnson, Ph.D., professor of anesthesiology and of pharmacology and physiology in the mitochondrial research and innovation group at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
The Johnson lab focuses on understanding early cellular modifications in neurodegenerative conditions. In Huntington's disease, CAG expansions in a ubiquitously expressed protein, huntingtin, cause neuronal loss in the striatum, but the molecular mechanism(s) responsible for this selectivity and the early events causing cellular damage are poorly understood. Research in the Johnson lab supports the hypothesis that mitochondrial dysfunction is a contributing factor to neuronal pathology.
Striatal cells derived from a Huntington's disease mouse model showed increased sensitivity to mitochondrial complex II inhibition compared to striatal cells from wild type mice, and they also exhibited mitochondrial calcium-handling defects and impaired respiration. Other groups have shown that mitochondria from Huntington's disease patients and mouse models undergo permeability transition pore opening at significantly lower calcium levels than control mitochondria and, overall, increasing evidence implicates mitochondrial abnormalities as key in the pathogenic process.
In Alzheimer's disease, accumulation of amyloid beta, the primary component of neuritic plaques that represent the neuropathological hallmark of this condition, was recently shown to increase mitochondrial fragmentation, and there is evidence that tau proteins, which form the neurofibrillary tangles observed in the brain during the course of the disease, mediate amyloid beta toxicity.
Furthermore, a recent report established a link between increased cytosolic calcium levels and mitochondrial fission. "Given that dysregulation of calcium has been associated with Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases, this could be a common contributing factor to the mitochondrial dysfunction that occurs in these diseases; however, further studies are needed," explains Dr. Johnson.
The combined and integrated use of multiple experimental approaches provides an important driving force that fuels scientific advances. "Genomics and pharmacogenetics are here today. The largest barrier will be the understanding of which genetic variations are important and how they affect protein expression or function. The average person utilizes about 40 kg of ATP in a day. Understanding allelic differences in any of the 18 genes encoding subunits of the ATP synthase will be challenging, but important," says David M. Mueller, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the Chicago Medical School of Rosalind Franklin University.
To gain structural and functional insight into the mitochondrial ATP synthase and the coupling mechanism that converts proton translocation energy into conformational changes resulting in ATP synthesis, the Mueller lab uses a combination of genetics, biochemistry, and structural biology. Two approaches, one that introduces specific mutations known to affect coupling and examines their effect on enzyme biochemistry and structure, and its reverse, which makes structure-based predictions and subsequently examines the impact of individual mutations on coupling, both emerged as important instruments in dissecting mitochondrial biology.
"At this time, crystallizing the entire ATP synthase is an important goal, and we are making progress on that," says Dr. Mueller. Previously, the Mueller group provided a high-resolution crystal of the yeast mitochondrial F1-ATP synthase which, in combination with the only other previously solved structure, that of the bovine enzyme, explained mechanistic details involved in the conformational changes during ATP synthesis.
"Understanding mitochondrial biology in higher organisms is important," says Michael Ryan, Ph.D., associate professor of biochemistry at La Trobe University in Melbourne. "Most of the early work has used yeast, which is a great model organism, to look at basic processes. However, in humans, mitochondria appear to be involved in so many more processes that can affect neighboring cells. This includes apoptosis and damage by a generation of reactive oxygen species."
At Gordon Research Conference's "Molecular and Cellular Bioenergetics" meeting to be held in June, Dr. Ryan will present recent advances his group made in characterizing new complex I assembly factors. Human complex I, or NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase, located in the mitochondrial outer membrane, comprises 45 different subunits, of which only seven are encoded by the mitochondrial DNA. The remaining 38 are encoded by the nuclear genome and imported into the mitochondria for assembly.
The lack of a crystal structure for the ~1 MDa complex I, along with its absence in yeast, explain why relatively little is known about its biology. However, isolated complex I defects were estimated to represent the most common group of mitochondrial diseases, and many are lethal shortly after birth or in early childhood. The Ryan group characterized the intermediates and assembly pathways as different complex I subunits, and in collaboration with David Thorburn, Ph.D., associate professor at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Melbourne, examined almost 100 different cell lines originating from patients with isolated complex I deficiency, half of which did not harbor mutations in any complex I subunit-encoding genes.
Screening these cell lines with antibodies against CIA30 (complex I intermediate associated protein), an assembly factor initially identified in the fungus Neurospora crassa, previously led to the identification of the first patient with CIA30 deficiency, exhibiting an ~70% decrease in complex I levels that were restored to near normal after wild type CIA30 was expressed in the patient's cultured cells. "I think we are going to find a lot of new proteins involved in complex I assembly," predicts Dr. Ryan. "Defects in complex I are thought to generate damaging ROS and cause cell death. This area needs to be looked at in closer detail."
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|Ruth BRYAN
Ruth BRYAN
Ruth married Willie Samuel ETHEREDGE, son of Oliver Rasmus ETHEREDGE and Sarah Lucinda ROGERS, on 29 May 1901. (Willie Samuel ETHEREDGE was born on 16 Mar 1879 in Wilson County, Texas and died on 26 Jul 1973 in Fisher County, Texas.)
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State police in Lancaster say a man tried to rob an Exxon Quik Stop in Paradise Township.
Just before 6 p.m. Friday, police say a man entered the Quik Stop, showed a large butcher knife and ordered the clerk to the floor.
A customer entered the store and disrupted the robbery, police say. The robber then fled the store.


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Personal Description:
This tribute is to the life and legacy of Moeine Weaver Wiggins, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, a child of God and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, who departed this earthly life on September 10, 2010 to enter the place prepared for her where there is no more pain from ovarian cancer. Words cannot express the family's grief and sorrow that continues every day yet we rejoice in the remembrances of the loving devoted legacy of her words and deeds. She was a special gifted person who made this world a better place to live with her love and beauty.
Personal Description:
Married at seventeen, we were told that the marriage would never last. The critics were right. It only lasted 58 years, 5 months and 15 days until ovarian cancer separated us. Cancer took my love, my companion in all of life, my confidant, my golfing partner, and my partner in 42 years of pastoral ministry. Her sacrifices for her family were innumerable. She always put us first. She was the mother of six wonderful children who adored her as she shaped and molded their lives. She could cook a full breakfast and prepare most of Sunday lunch, get six children dressed in their best for church, and she would be on time and always dressed neatly and attractively. Her distinctive laughter brightened any church occasion. She attended all the church functions, sang in the choir, with groups and as my duet partner.
She was a multi-talented woman, an immaculate house keeper, home decorator, outstanding cook, basket weaver and scrap-booker who kept gorgeous beds of flowers at every parsonage which were admired by all. A very good golfer that many men refused to play with lest they would be beaten by a woman. She was a collector of unique and prized items.
Moeine died way too early because her doctors failed to diagnose her condition even though she had all the symptoms of ovarian cancer. We never thought about ovarian cancer because she had a hysterectomy with removal of ovaries some 15 years before and believed the myth that this eliminates the worry about having ovarian cancer. Only when she went to the ER one night with pain that she thought was coming from a kidney stone did we find out that she had ovarian cancer. The shocking news was that the CT scan showed ovarian cancer in stage IV.
A simple blood test (CA-125) or a cat scan of the abdomen would have discovered it much earlier. It is hard to understand why the CA-125 is not given routinely for women since men are screened for prostate cancer yearly. With a CA-125 of more than 9,000 it could have been discovered months before and we could have had more time together. She fought courageously for the next year. When it became evident that she was losing the battle she wondered what people would remember about her. One day as she and her daughter Lisa listened to Bill Gaither's Hour, she heard Sheri Easter sing a beautiful song she had written after her mother had died and she wondered what people would say about her, so she wrote, "She Loved." She wanted that song at her service and she hoped that someone could say that about her.
"Someone once asked if only you knew, how short life would be, what would you do? What would you say when God called you home? What would they embrace once you were gone? I hope they would see what I've done in my life. Who I cared for and how I survived.
Chorus: She loved more than anything else, She loved with all her heart. She loved everyone she believed in, Oh, She Loved.
She loved her Lord and served all her life. A sacrificial mother, and honorable wife. She gave all she had and through every trial, made life much sweeter because of her smile. Everyone will see what she's done with her life, who she cared for how she survived.
Chorus: She loved more than anything else, She loved with all her heart. She loved everyone she believed in, She Loved, Oh, She Loved."
The family felt that doctors and women should be made more aware of the signs of this deadly killer so we have compiled Moeine's recipes in a family cook book called "From the Parsonage Table," which covers recipes from the ten parsonages in which the family lived. The purpose is to honor Moeine as a cook, to raise funds for OCRF and create awareness of ovarian cancer. It is a beautiful 8 1/2 by 11 book on 32 pound paper, in color, with 118 total pages with tributes, information and 300 of her recipes on 80 pages. The family donated the cost of the first printing and all proceeds went to OCRF. As of this posting more than $6,000.00 has been raised by the sale of this cook book. It is in its second printing and all proceeds above printing cost goes to OCRF.
With a life devoted to her Lord, her husband, children, grandchildren, her friends and the people she met and served in the churches that we served there is no doubt that all agree, "She Loved." Those words are inscribed on her headstone along with her sign off on her writings, etc. "Love Always, Moeine."
May all who read this and other tributes determine that they will tirelessly spread the word about "Ovarian Cancer Awareness."
Reverend Carson Wiggins
Haw River, NC
Last updated on: 07/12/2011
This is a beautiful tribute of love from a devoted companion. Moeine and Carson were a special aunt and uncle in my life, especially when I was a teenager. If one wants a fantastic cookbook, he or she should get this one mentioned here.
Nick Huffman – 07/11/2011
With the bases loaded you struck us out with that awsner!
Philinda Philinda – 07/14/2011
It has been almost a year since Mom was called "home." She is missed so much by the family and friends, but we know she is no longer in pain. Not a day goes by that we think of her and recall something she said or did that still makes us smile.
Mom never ended a phone call or visit without saying "I love you". Please help support this research fund so that you never have to see a mother, sister, or friend have to endure this horrible disease.
Lisa Wiggins – 08/19/2011
A year ago yesterday Mom lost her battle against Ovarian cancer. I miss her so much, but realize everyday how lucky I was to have a Mom like her. Her gently touch and loving look she would give you everytime she saw you is the one thing I will always hold dear. Life without Mom will never be the same, but because of her strength and guidance she has taught me everything I need to know to go on without her. That is a most precious gift from an exceptional woman, mother and friend. I am proud to be her "Baby".
Renee Wiggins Lawing – 09/11/2011
It has been sixteen very long months since your battle ended and my began. Living life without you is unreal. It hurts even more as time passes without you. People say it gets easier but that is not my experience. The tears still come as I remember your battle and remember your courage. I just want people to know that your cookbook, "From the Parsonage Table" has raised over $8,000.00 for the OCRF and it continues. The things that we included about ovarian cancer has resulted in at least three persons seeking medical evaluation for their conditions. You would be proud to know that hundreds of your cookbooks have gone to the churches where we served. In addition I know that they are also in nine other states. You lost your battle to ovarian cancer but perhaps our efforts in memory of your love to us will enable someone else to win the battle.
Carson Wiggins – 01/13/2012
Happy Birthday Mom! I know that you are watching us from Heaven. But I miss you so much. Like Dad has said, it isn't any easier. The kids were together this weekend even Karlie and it was so good to laugh and be a famiy. But I couldn't stop thinking about you and knowing you would be so proud that "your kids" were still loving each other. That is something you always wanted. Renee and Debbie have done a great job in fixing the family meals, like you always did. We are still selling cookbooks and telling people about Ovarian Cancer. For people reading this, please keep this horrible cancer in mind and protec your loved ones and look for the symptons. No one deserves to go through this. Mom, you are in my thoughts everyday.
Lisa Wiggins – 01/30/2012
So sorry to hear about your dad. Your post made me cry. Good for you for being brave enough to take those peirutcs and put them up. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. ps- love your work
Ravi Ravi – 03/29/2012
We've arirevd at the end of the line and I have what I need!
Kassi Kassi – 09/03/2012
Mom, it has been 2 years and it still hurts so much. The cookbooks are still selling and it keeps your memory alive for us as well as it contines to help fund ovarian cancer. I pray that a cure is found soon.
Lisa Wiggins – 09/10/2012
To my Beloved: Two years ago today death separated us after fifty-eight years of marriage. But you are still my beloved and in those times when your presence is so real. The memories are both good and difficult. The difficult memories are those times when I had the opportunity to have showed you more love and said again "I love you" and kissed you again.
But I thank God that those times were small compared to the blessed times we shared with our children who call those times as precious memories and treasures of the mind and spirit.Thankfully we took time for special moments and days in travel, golf and builring friendships, especially with our Amish friends. They too miss you and remember our times in their homes. I often encounter people from various churches who cannot remember any sermon that I preached but remember by name the songs we sung.
I find myself thinking more of the eternal things than the earthly because you are there. The mytery of death causes countless quesstions of why and what if. The mystery of the eternal as made known by Christ does not stop the tears. There is comfort in the promise that in the place God has prepared for those who love Him, the tears will be wiped away.
I knew that you loved the song by Sheri Easter, "Loved" and I included it in your Service of Rememberance. I recently heard Sheri sing, "Roses Wll Bloom Again" and the words touched my heart because I had just worked in your flower beds and there in the midst of the other flowers was a rose bush you had planted and through winter and all it had endured, it had five beautiful red roses on that small bush.
So as I heard the words of the song I modified them for you My Beloved.
You planted the little rose bush by the patio door,
Its buds began to bloom, its fragrance filled the air,
Winter had come, and its petals had fell to the ground,
My spirit sank for I had forgotten who had made it.
He said roses will bloom again just wait and see.
Don't mourn what might have been,
Only God knows how and when,
but roses will bloom again.
You were my beloved sweet heart, my loving wife of fifty eight years,
We herished everyday, we had and held memories dear,
I never dreamed I would have to bury you, And go home to live alone.
When I laid you my beloved to rest,
I looked to heaven and tried my best to believe.
Roses will bloom again if I wait and see, I won't mourn what might have been ,
Only God knows how and when,
But I believe my rose will bloom again.
I miss you every day I live and more even this year than last year. Your love, deeds, laughter and wisdom still guide us as a family. Today, we placed flowers on your's and Lin's graves. Debbie brought a dozen live red roses because she knew how much you loved them. We were astonished when a large beautiful humming bird came to those roses and then zoomed away. Lisa said, "God just winked." The two things that you always dearly loved was roses and humming birds and they visited us today. It eased our grief as the tears flowed. Love, hugs and kisses.
Carson Wiggins – 09/10/2012


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Cthulhu 2000
Cthulhu 2000
Del Rey Books, Paperback, 9780345422033, 416pp.
Publication Date: May 25, 1999
In Cthulhu 2000, a host of horror and fantasy's top authors captures the spirit of supreme supernatural storyteller H. P. Lovecraft--with eighteen chilling contemporary tales that would have made the master proud.
- The Barrens by F. Paul Wilson: In a tangled wilderness, unearthly lights lead the way to a world no human was meant to see.
- His Mouth Will Taste of Wormwood by Poppy Z. Brite: Two dabblers in black magic encounter a maestro of evil enchantment.
- On the Slab by Harlan Ellison: The corpse of a one-eyed giant brings untold fortune--and unspeakable fear--to whoever possesses it.
- Pickman's Modem by Lawrence Watt-Evans: Horror is a keystroke away, when an ancient evil lurks in modern technology.


text:
ScriptSpot is a diverse online community of artists and developers who come together to find and share scripts that empower their creativity with 3ds Max. Our users come from all parts of the world and work in everything from visual effects to gaming, architecture, students or hobbyists.
Register for free and be part of the community!
Implementation of new Drag and Drop features for 3ds max R4.x. Included
are DropClipFormat and handlers for both the command panel and
Written by Michaelson Britt, compiled for 3ds max 4.x by Conny Klasson
Contains a collection of new functions for use in MaxScript, including
ApplyVertexColors, ElementFromFace, GetClosestVertex,
GetSpaceWarpForce, GetUNCPath and IsParticleSystem
The legendary Avguard extensions have been improved even more, adding
dozens of incredibly useful methods/globals for the maxscript
See included text file for complete change notes…
Tracks mouse over a mesh; returns the surface intersection normal ray
and the face number under the mouse cursor. Sample usage script
included. Originally supplied as a "bonus plugin" in r2.5. Recompiled
r3.0 version included. Very powerful!
Here is a script extension to handle editable-patches with
maxscript : CryoPatch v1.1.0 It allows you to create and edit
any sub-object of a patch : vertices, vectors, mappings,
smoothings, and so on.
Here's MAXScript extension to use with Immersion Microscribe.
It adds some MAXScript functions that reads Scribe data
directly into MAX. No DLL's required. Test Interface script
This plug-in allows you to bind keyboard shortcuts (hotkeys) to most MAXScripts.
It adds some MAXScript functions that reads Scribe data
directly into MAX. No DLL's required. Test Interface script
Lots-O-Extensions! (see avg_dlx.txt, or In Listener, type "avgHelp()"
for short descriptions). Minor update: "fixed cast in bit.shift method"
...a high level MAXScript extension for Physique which allows for importing and exporting of nodes and weights.
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#84 - Lemonlulz
Reply +16(03/12/2010) [-]
Sex where we DON'T have to fake an orgasm. Come on boys, step up your game and there's a package of bacon in it for you. Haha
I kid, I kid.
I kid, I kid.
#147 to #104 - DaCrazyOne
Reply 0(03/13/2010) [-]
#89 to #84 - mrsamblobby
Reply -5(03/12/2010) [-]
is it just me or is it REALLY easy to give a girl an orgasm?
#88 to #84 - WhereMehSammich
Reply -3(03/12/2010) [-]
Get back in the kitchen and get meh my fking sammich!
Get back in the kitchen and get meh my fking sammich!
#85 to #84 - krispybananaz
Reply +3(03/12/2010) [-]
is it ligit bacon cause a sammich of ligit bacon is better than unligit bacon :P
#92 to #91 - krispybananaz
Reply +2(03/12/2010) [-]


text:
Top Definition
Leftovers that you have planned when you were cooking.
I will just make more lasagna, so we will have some plannedovers for the rest of the week.
po Ugluck Јануар 16, 2011
Trending Now
Can you define these popular missing words?
Planned leftovers. You make more than enough for a meal so you know you'll have leftovers.
We had enough plannedovers from Thanksgiving to make pot pies for Christmas dinner.
po SMLCHNG Новембар 30, 2008


text:
Top Definition
When you drop your joint in beer and have to put it in the toaster oven on low to bake it.
Oh no! I dropped my doobie in my beer, put the fucking toaster oven on low. BING, cool our Toaster Doobies are ready.
by Brunnerman February 14, 2009
Trending Now
Can you define these popular missing words?


text:
DEFENSE ATTORNEYS for the Philadelphia man scheduled to be executed on Oct. 3 persuaded a judge Friday to schedule a hearing to hear testimony from witnesses whom the attorneys allege covered up evidence during the condemned man's 1986 trial.
The ruling, made over the objections of city prosecutors, was a ray of sunlight for Terrence Williams, 46, who is on deck to become the first person executed in Pennsylvania in 13 years.
He is on death row for the June 1984 murder of Amos Norwood, 56, a West Mount Airy chemist whom Williams beat to death with a tire iron, set on fire and robbed.


text:
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
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Since 2003 Mindful-Way has been providing a range of mindfulness based programs to corporations, universities, medical centers and government agencies throughout southern California. Students/clients for our mindfulness trainings have included execs from the tech sector, educators, accounting staff, hospitality industry employees, health professionls and medical staff, engineering and construction professionals, social service workers, as well as people of every age and from all walks of life who attend our public mindfulness based MBSR programs and mindfulness based retreats.
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Some data on costs of stress in the workplace:
World Health Organization study 2012; Cost of workplace stress in US $300Bn annually
Bureau of National Affairs; 40% of job turnover is due to stress
Northwest National Life; 1,000,000 workplaces absences per day are stress related.
According to data from Basex, a Yorktown Heights, New York-based business research firm, the estimated annual cost to the U.S. economy in loss of productivity from multitasking is $997 billion and a minimum of 28 billion hours
CIPD; 2012 absence management survey by CIPD a global HR development organization. Stress was the most common cause of long term sickness, absences, for manual and non manual employees.
26% of employees report that they are "often" or very often burned out or severely stressed at their work. Source: The Families and Work Institute
Emotional distress and mental illness account for 20-30% of all employee absenteeism and industrial accidents, and mental or emotional problems at work exceeded physical causes as the primary reason for worker absenteeism for the first time ever in 1998.
Some feedback and data on mindfulness in the workplace:
89% of General Mills senior executives said they had become better listeners as a result of mindfulness training
"Working in the corporate world I was looking for a way to aleviate stress... I learned how to cope with my stress through meditation and yoga in a way that has benefited my life. These are tools that can be used anywhere, I say try it!
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"The mindfulness practices have helped me to think more clearly. I find solutions to problems that are not new problems but I have a new perspective. I am so much more in tune with my surroundings and notice things now that I would not have been mindful of before. This class, using mindfuilness practices yields amazing results."
Just a counter


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If I had any lingering doubts that fall is here, they've been put to rest by the science projects my kids are required to prepare for school.
You'd think I'd pay more attention to the usual signs of the season. They've been around for weeks.
The frosty mornings have brought an end to the growing season. Last month's snowstorm put an exclamation point on that.
Also, the leaves have changed to the splash of reds, oranges, browns and golds that makes living in West Virginia worthwhile.
They're also falling off the trees, which makes living in West Virginia not so worthwhile. I've been cleaning up the mess the October snow left in my yard and generally doing the other chores associated with the season - all in preparation to hunker down for the winter.
Still, fall is my favorite season, but I can't really appreciate it until we get through the science fair. It's exhausting, and I'm just on the sidelines. My wife takes on the brunt of the responsibility. She's the one who makes sure the kids stay on track.
This time around she helped our daughter figure out which color candle burns faster and why (it's the orange one - it has something to do with the dye, I gather).
The two of them spent hours on something only marginally more exciting as watching paint dry - they did get to light matches, after all. Then my daughter spiced things up by spending a few more hours arguing over how she should organize the notes for her presentation.
I stay out of the way as much as possible unless called upon to rush to the store in search of extra project glue or the letters you stick to those tri-fold display boards that are ubiquitous to science fair competitions.
The goal of all that work used to be to win. Or, failing that, to receive some sort of lesser accolade - a runner-up ribbon or an honorable mention.
Our appetite was whetted for such recognition the first time our son was required to participate. When he was a fourth-grader, he won one of the top awards at his school and went on to compete in the county fair.
But since then, we've had to squeeze through the science fair needle so many times that it's become like dealing with a kidney stone. We're desperate for it to pass with as little pain as possible. The awards don't matter so much as just getting a project done.
This year, our son - who should be a science fair veteran but who has a laid-back 13-year-old's attitude toward deadlines (Deadline? What deadline?) - caused the first panic attack. He woke up one morning and got everyone's pulse racing when he announced he needed some form or other signed and that he couldn't find it.
"It's due today," he said with unusual urgency just as we were leaving for school.
It wasn't really the fact that he misplaced the form that threw us. His mother found it almost immediately. No, it was what we discovered next.
The form needed to be accompanied by the questions he planned to use in the survey that was a key part of his project. We told him to go print them, but he hesitated. That's when we found out that he hadn't been doing what he was supposed to be doing.
It's a good thing that particular deadline turned out to be flexible.
Mercifully, both of our kid's projects have now been presented, giving us something extra to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.
- Giles Snyder lives in Martinsburg with his wife and kids. You can read more about his family's antics and contact him through his blog at gilessnyder.wordpress.com