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  When Mutations Don’t Matter: A Context-dependent Phenotype of a Cancer Gene

  Lindsey Olsen, Brittany Henderson, Hannah Boekweg, and Sam Payne

  Cancer occurs when mutations lead to dysfunctional biological pathways. While many studies have identified cancer mutations, we do not fully understand the functional effects of mutations. In many cancers, there are often extra copies of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene (copy number amplification). EGFR is a tyrosine kinase which activates multiple pathways resulting in cell growth and metastasis. Understanding the effects of EGFR mutations will help improve current EGFR therapies by determining if therapies could be used in multiple cancer types.

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  The Influence of Gender in Bioinformatics: Biology Meets Computer Science

  M. Parco, Y. Xia, S. Nichols, and E. G. Bailey

  Poster Design 1st Place Award Winner

  Video Presentation 3rd Place Award Winner

  Background

  Bioinformatics is a new hybrid field between biology andcomputer science. There is little to no research on genderbias in this new field. Previous research on equity inbiology and computer science data shows:

  • In 2016, women received more than 50% of allbiological science degrees but only 19% of computerscience bachelor’s degrees (NSF 2017).
  • Even in seemingly equitable fields, like biology, femalestudents participate less in class than male studentsand male students earn higher grades thancomparable female students. This differencedisappears if the class is taught by a female instructor(Bailey 2020).
  • Students who participate more have a greater sense ofbelonging in the class and field (Lewis 2016).

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  Variation of DNA Methylation in Pediatric Cancer Patients

  Alyssa C. Parker, Badi Quinteros, and Stephen R. Piccolo

  The development of pediatric cancer is a complex process. Because fewer genetic abnormalities have been identified in pediatric cancer patients than other cancer patients, it is thought that dysregulation of the epigenome plays a role in pediatric cancer development1. DNA methylation is a mechanism of epigenetic modification in which methyl groups are attached to DNA molecules, making it more difficult for DNA to be transcribed and translated into protein. Methylation can have an impact on gene expression when methylation levels significantly increase or decrease2. We hypothesized that methylation levels of genes are consistent in normal patients and variant in pediatric cancer patients. We chose to focus on patients with Wilms tumor, rhabdoid tumor, clear cell sarcoma of the kidney, osteosarcoma, and neuroblastoma.

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  The Effects of Diet on Crab Claw Size

  Ben Potter and Blaine D. Griffen

  Purpose

  To determine the relationship between diet and claw size for three crab species

  Introduction

  Understanding and predicting the effects of predator prey interactions can often be aided by considering adaptations in morphological traits (size, shape, and structure of body parts). For many crab species, the size of their claws changes as a result of their diet and predatory activities. Individuals who feed primarily on shelled prey develop larger, more muscular claws than those who feed primarily on non shelled prey (Smith & Palmer, 1994 ), and the harder the shells of the prey, the larger the claws of the crab (Smith, 2004 ). While multiple studies have demonstrated these relationships, they have focused on species that are primarily carnivorous. Most crab species are omnivorous, and the percent of their diet that is herbivorous vs. carnivorous depends on their habitat and the resources available to them ( Griffen & Mosblack , 2011 ). In this study, we examined three species of crab that demonstrate varying levels of herbivory, including two that are primarily herbivorous and one that is primarily carnivorous. Our goal was to determine whether the relationship between diet and claw size that has been previously demonstrated would hold true for these species.

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  Aggressive behavior between native and non native crayfish in Utah

  Katia Quezada, Doreen Cabrera, and Blaine D. Griffen

  Game theory models are a useful tool for investigating strategies of conflict resolution between animals Models can be divided into self assessment strategies (energetic war of attrition cumulative assessment model), and mutual assessment strategies (sequential assessment model) Model predictions are based on estimates of resource holding potential ( and differ in their assumptions about how contestants gather information about RHP In Utah, there is a single native crayfish species, the pilose crayfish Pacifastacus gambelii however, little is known of the ecology and behavior of this species P ilose crayfish were once observed in wide ranges across Utah, but since the introduction of the non native virile crayfish Faxonius virilis pilose crayfish have progressively been displaced Using laboratory staged contests, we aimed to test whether higher aggression in the non native virile crayfish could be causing the displacement of native pilose crayfish Additionally, we aimed to test game theory models and determine the conflict resolution style of these two competitors

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  The T cell co-receptor CD5 alters mouse behavior and gut microbiome composition

  Kyle Reaveley, Kiara V. Whitley, Claudia T. Freitas, Tyler Cox, Wyatt Magoffin, Isabella von Wallwitz, Kimble Mahler, Christopher Haynie, Alexa Tall, Joshua Teasdale, and K. Scott Weber

  Behavior is affected by psychological and biological factors. The central nervous system, immune system, and gut microbiota work together to affect our mental health and cognitive behaviors. Immune cell development is influenced by the gut microbiota. T cells help regulate immune responses to foreign microbes. T cell activation is enhanced or inhibited by co-receptor proteins on the cell membrane, which can dramatically affect T cell function and immune responses. CD5, a T cell co-receptor, modulates T cell activation by inhibiting T cells from being able to be activated by self-proteins in order to prevent potential autoimmune effects. Our project studies the CD5 protein co-receptor and its effects on the microbiota, immune response, and central nervous system by testing mice that have the protein (CD5WT), mice that don't have the protein (CD5KO) and their progeny. We hypothesize that CD5 alters the gut microbiota which, in turn, alters the cognitive behavior of these mice. To investigate this hypothesis, we will conduct a series of behavioral tests based on both genotype and microbiome composition. This project will bring greater understanding to the intersection of the immune system, gut microbiota, and the central nervous system.

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  Metabolic Response of Plectus murrayi to Changing Climate and Lengthening Summers

  Colin M. Robinson, Lee Hansen, Xia (Summer) Xue, and Byron J. Adams

  Video Presentation Peer Choice Award Winner

  Over the last 20 years, the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica (MCM) have experienced increased summer temperatures and melting events due to climate change. While most dominant nematode species in the MCM have experienced steady population decline over the last 20 years, Plectus murrayi, a hardy Antarctic nematode that can survive extreme desiccation and freezing, has experienced a consistent increase in population size. In order to determine why P. murrayi has experienced constant population growth while other Antarctic nematodes have experienced decline, and to predict how P. murrayi may respond to future climate driven changes, we measured the metabolic response of P. murrayi to increasing temperatures in conformance with Criddle et. al.

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  Optimal Memory in Food-caching Organisms

  Matthew L. Rollins and Blaine D. Griffen

  Purpose

  To examine the optimum memory in food-caching animals using an agent-based modeling system which implements the potential for trait evolution.

  Introduction

  The Optimal Foraging Theory is well studied as a driving factor for organisms to maximize their success [1]. However, few have studied how this theory interplays with caching animals [2]. The strategy to cache, or store, food is common amongst many different organisms, and all have been key in understanding memory and learning in animals [3]. However, memory is hard to quantify in the field, despite its importance in caching animals. Since the Optimal Foraging Theory is well established, the conclusion that optimal memory should be observed with caching animals is expected. To test this hypothesis, we created an agent-based model that examined the predominant strategies that arose with caching organism based on their memory level. Through a simulation of a variable food source and the ability to cache and retrieve food based on an organism’s memory, we observed which memory strategies became predominant.

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  Stacking Nutrient 4 Rs on Potato: An Analysis of Best Management Practices

  Samuel H. Stapley, Neil C. Hansen, Matt A. Yost, and Bryan G. Hopkins

  Video Presentation 2nd Place Award Winner

  When implemented, these management practices can reduce natural resource use and impact of fertilizers on the environment. Significant data already exists for each of the individual 4 Rs. The objective of our study was to learn how the interactions of the 4 Rs impact crop yield and quality.

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  Chemosensory Ecology & Behavior in Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora Fish

  Kaelamae Topham, Alexandra G. Duffy, Audrey L. Chou, and Jerald B. Johnson

  • Organism use their various senses to gather, process, and store information from their fluctuating environment, using that information to make key daily and life decisions.

  • Fish use chemical odors unique to an individual’s identity in the context of socialization structure, mate choice, and other behaviors.

  • Even fish with a well adapted sense of vision use chemicals, like sex steroids, when searching for mature, conspecific (same species) mates [1].

  • However, we still lack much insight into the comparative chemosensory behavior between females and males of the same species.

  • To address this gap, we examine the behavioral response in males and females of the same species when exposed to two different chemical odors.

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  Brood Loss and Sperm Limitation in Aratus pisonii, the Mangrove Tree Crab

  Austen Walker, Connor Bird, and Blaine D. Griffen

  Egg loss can occur at any point during the reproductive period. Several past studies document egg loss across a variety of crustaceans. The mangrove tree crab is expected to experience high egg loss, due to it’s constant climbing on tree limbs. Egg production and loss provide valuable insight into the reproductive physiology and the mangrove tree crab and its ecology as an important part of the mangrove ecosystem. (Boudreau et al. 2012). This species is also currently expanding it’s range due to climate change, and egg loss will factor into the rate of population growth in northern regions of its expanding range. Secondarily, we also look for evidence of sperm limitation, when there is insufficient sperm to fertilize all eggs produced by the females. If sperm limitation is occurring, the reproductive potential of a population would be limited, and could hamper its ability to keep pace with environmental changes. Addition, sperm limitation has the potential to change the mating dynamics of decapod crustaceans in a number of ways (Wedell 2002).