2008 Proceedings - St. Cloud State University

Abstracts
Session A All Disciplines Ballroom
Sub-Cloning and Characterization of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 5A1 (Microsomal Aldehyde Dehydrogenase) and Its Role in
Environmental Toxicology
Aldehyde dehydrogenases are a group of enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of aldehydes, including aldehyde intermediates produced
during anticancer drug cyclophosphamide metabolism. There are 17 ALDHs in human body. Role of several human ALDHs in the
metabolism of cyclophosphamide has been established, but not that of ALDH5A1. In this regard we have cloned ALDH5A1 into a bacterial
expression vector and are in the process of over expressing and purifying the recombinant protein in E. coli. The purified protein will be
characterized with regard to its ability to catalyze the detoxification of cyclophosphamide and toxification certain environmental chemicals.
Presentation Index: A23
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Chemistry
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Dagban-Ayivon, Yawosse
Sreerama, Lakshmaiah
Am I Pretty? Effects of the Menstrual Cycle on Self-Perceived Attractiveness
This study attempts to determine if women appear to be more physically attractive during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle, when
fertility is highest. Female volunteers answered questions regarding their menstral cycle, hormonal birth control methods and feelings of
attractiveness. Based on their answers to their menstrual cycle questions, the researcher will determine when ovulation is likely, based on
previous research by D. A. Beaulieu. Their photograph was taken at high and low fertility phases in their cycle. Women judged their
attractiveness by self assessment and by evaluating their photographs. Participants' judgements were affected by time of the month and
the method for assessing attractiveness. Implications for the evolutionary theory, called the good-genes hypothesis, are discussed.
Presentation Index: A24
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Psychology
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Rejman, Ranee
Valdes, Leslie
The Effect of WHI-P131 on Proliferation of Isolated Mouse CD4+ T-Cells
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a disease that results from elimination of insulin-producing pancreatic ß-cells by the autoimmune T-cells, which
express a signal transduction protein molecule called Janus tyrosine kinase 3 (JAK3). Recently, it was found that a potent inhibitor of
JAK3, WHI-P131, can prevent the development of T1D in a mouse model (NOD mice) of this disease.The results obtained in the Dr.
Cetkovic‘s lab suggested that WHI-P131 affects T-cell function. However, a heterogeneous T-cell population, isolated from the mouse
spleen, was used in those experiments. In order to define the mechanism of WHI-P131 action solely on a particular type of immune cells,
they need to be isolated from a heterogeneous cell pool. Therefore, the aim of this study is to isolate a particular subpopulation of T-cells,
called T helper or CD4+ T-cells, and to determine the effects of WHI-P131 on the growth/proliferation of those cells in culture. Isolation of
CD4+ T-cells from the mouse splenocytes was performed using the magnetic beads-labeled anti-CD4 antibody and MS column separation
(Miltenyi Biotec). Single cell suspension was made using the spleens from 4-7-wk-old female mice (NOD and control C57BL/6 mice). The
isolated CD4+ T-cells were resuspended into culturing medium and cultured with addition of anti-CD3 (10 µg/mL) and anti-CD28 (2
µg/mL) antibody in the concentration of 1x106/mL in 96- or 24-well tissue culture plates from one to three weeks. WHI-P131 was added to
the cell culture in three different concentrations: 1.5, 3, and 6 µg/mL. Cell‘s viability was determined using Trypan Blue exclusion test after
the first, second and third week of culturing. Statistical analysis of data was performed by Student‘s t-test. It is found that WHI-P131
affected the proliferation of isolated CD4+ T-cells in a dose-response manner.
Presentation Index: A25
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Biological Sciences
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Tsan, Fei Chin; Ghate, Ketaki; Nemkul, Niza; Fast, Patricia Cetkovic-Cvrlje, Marina
St. Cloud State University Student Research Colloquium 24
April 22, 2008