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- All Subjects: Obesity
Description
To identify genes that can lead to obesity of Pima Native American heritage, an array of experiments can be conducted to determine possible candidate genes that can increase the likelihood of being obese in a set population. The studies available to identify these genes were (1) inspect follow-up genes identified by a previous genome wide associations studies, GWAS, previously conducted for the 1120 American Indian subjects data available, (2) to directly sequence candidate genes in literature, (3) to analyze whole sequence data from Native American subjects, and lastly (4) to perform functional studies on most promising variants associated with BMI. Analyzing the results presented from my work required the use of biological techniques such as: DNA sequencing, DNA large scale genotyping, PCR amplification, DNA transfections, DNA ligations, in vitro Luciferase assay and Cell culture. Inspecting the follow-up genes identified by the conducted GWAS showed the potential for the MAP2K3 gene to be a candidate to increase obesity in the set population, involve two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, rs12882548, rs11652094), to affect body weight through complex mechanisms involving food intake and hypothalamic inflammation. The follow-up genes identified in the GWAS that had an effect on obesity showed to affect it through the mechanism of reducing energy expenditure. Through the analysis of SNPs two variants (rs10507100 and rs17087518) were identified to test their roles in the reduction of energy expenditure. Rs17087518 showed to have a role in a relatively reduced EE resulting in weight gain. Directly sequencing a candidate gene known as MRAP2 showed that the SNP rs1928281 did not have a significant difference on obesity in the Native American subjects (p =.09). Analyzing whole genome sequencing SNPs gave rise to novel variants by association analyses with energy expenditure and BMI in 235 whole genomes, the most significant SNP, rs4984683, was examined to determine the variability in energy expenditures. With set quality control assessment a list of variants were received and were then later assessed with other data available to make a connection to EE. Performing functional studies showed the possibility for rs2001651 and rs1466314 to have an effect on MAP2K3 expression level. The initial functional studies gave way to a more in-depth study of this gene to predict BMI in Caucasians and Native Americans, which in turn showed an association with BMI. The use of these techniques have been an indicator for current research in the determination of candidate genes across many diseases. The works presented is an example of the current works in genetics and an exploration of new mechanism to detect, and possibly treat, disease through personalized sequencing.
ContributorsGale, Alex Mauricio Pompa (Author) / Ankeny, Casey (Thesis director) / Baier, Leslie (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
With dwindling water resources due to drought and other pressures, water utilities are seeking to tap into alternative water sources as a means to improve water sustainability. Reclaimed water consists of treated wastewater and is widely used for non-potable purposes, such as irrigation, both agricultural and recreational. However, the reclaimed water distribution system can be subject to substantial regrowth of microorganisms, including opportunistic pathogens, even following rigorous disinfection. Factors that can influence regrowth include temperature, organic carbon levels, disinfectant type, and the time transported (i.e., water age) in the system. One opportunistic pathogen (OP) that is critical to understanding microbial activity in both reclaimed and drinking water distribution systems is Acanthamoeba. In order to better understand the potential for this amoeba to proliferate in reclaimed water systems and influence other OPs, a simulated reclaimed water distribution system was studied. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of Acanthamoeba and one of its endosymbionts, Legionella, across varying assimilable organic carbon (AOC) levels, temperatures, disinfectants, and water ages in a simulated reclaimed water distribution system. The results of the study showed that cooler temperatures, larger water age, and chlorine conditions yielded the lowest detection of Acanthamoeba gene copies per mL or cm2 for bulk water and biofilm samples, respectively.
ContributorsDonaldson, Kandace (Author) / Ankeny, Casey (Thesis director) / Edwards, Marc (Committee member) / Pruden, Amy (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12