Arts - Buffalo State College

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comparing different studies from various points of view on
mathematical achievement I will provide a clear picture of where
the United States stands internationally throughout the latter half of
the 20th century. Another question I plan to address is whether or
not there has been a significant growth in mathematical competency
throughout the early 2000’s or if we are just coasting along. With
any passage of time, improvement is a must; however, is the United
States mathematical achievement progressing at an impressive and
envious rate or simply coasting along?
Presentation Type and Session: Poster VI
Tryptophan-Scanning of the Amino
Terminus of Connexin32
Amy Bednarek, Bio 314: Advanced Cell Biology
Faculty Mentor: Professor Martha Skerrett, Biology
The connexin family of proteins forms gap junctions in
chordates. Each connexin has four transmembrane domains, a
cytoplasmic amino terminus (N-terminus), a cytoplasmic carboxyl
terminus (C-terminus) and two extracellular loops. The specific
role of the N-terminus of connexins is poorly understood. In this
class experiment we altered the N-terminus of Connexin 32 using
tryptophan-scanning mutagenesis. Site-directed mutagenesis was
used to alter the nucleotide sequence of a purified plasmid DNA
sample containing Cx32. We generated fourteen different mutations
changing the wild type sequence of residues 2 through 14, to
tryptophan. We also included mutations of the native tryptophan at
position 3 to alanine (Cx32W3A) and phenylalanine (Cx32W3F).
After we obtained our mutated plasmid DNA sequences we were
able to transcribe RNA in vitro. For exogenous expression of
connexins, Xenopus oocytes were surgically removed and treated
with a morpholino antisense oligonucleotide, which knocks out the
endogenous Xenopus Cx38. The RNA that was transcribed in vitro
was injected into the oocytes. The oocytes were paired, one wildtype
and one mutant, and the effects of the mutation were tested by
voltage clamp method.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster VII
The Use of Microsatellites As a Means
To Study the Population Structure of
the Eastern Hellbender Salamander,
Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis
Sarah Chudyk, Masters Biology Secondary Education
Faculty Mentor: Professor Amy McMillan, Biology
Populations of the Eastern Hellbender salamander,
Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis, are quickly declining,
making this a species of special concern in New York State.
Contributing factors to their decline include UV radiation, predation,
disease, habitat modification, and changes in climate. Because of
this, hellbender habitats are becoming fragmented. This leads to
isolation among populations, which impedes gene flow between
populations of hellbenders. In order to determine how to conserve
hellbenders, the structure of their populations must be studied to
determine the genetic diversity present. Microsatellite markers are
a powerful tool used to study the genetic makeup of a population.
Primers developed by Unger and Duvra for the Eastern Hellbender
salamander will be used in this study. The primers will be used
to amplify microsatellite regions of highly polymorphic loci of
hellbender DNA. The optimal annealing temperatures of these
primers will be determined using hellbender tissue samples
collected from the Buffalo Zoo. Genotyping of these hellbenders will
be conducted, which will show the genetic diversity among these
hellbender samples. This genetic information will then be used for
a parentage analysis on 50 hellbender samples from the Buffalo
Zoo. Educational material will be developed for the Buffalo Zoo
hellbender exhibit to spread an awareness of the importance of
conservation genetics. In addition, a series of lesson plans for use by
biology teachers will be developed as an important application in the
teaching of genetics to high school students.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster VII
Using Our National Parks As a Means To
Study the Geologic History of the United
States
Steven Dillsworth, Earth Science Secondary Education
Faculty Mentor: Professor Kevin Williams, Earth Sciences and
Science Education
There are 58 national parks in the United States and its
territories, all with one goal in mind: To preserve areas that have
great scenic and scientific importance, with boundaries that provide
for enough land and water to protect these valuable resources.
Using our national parks is therefore an excellent way to study the
elements of physical and historical geology in a nontraditional way.
By focusing on a number of parks located throughout the United
States, the geologic history of each park can be studied, interpreted,
and then extrapolated to give us better insight into the overall
geologic history of the United States. The parks can be classified
by the major geologic processes responsible for their formation
such as weathering and erosion, continental and alpine glaciation,
volcanic activity, among others. In order to conduct such a largescale
research project, various online resources as well as printed
resources are utilized. Finally, the geologic processes of the national
parks are then tied into the processes that shaped the landscape of
the United States.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster VIII