The goal of this project was to design and create a genetic construct that would allow for <br/>tumor growth to be induced in the center of the wing imaginal disc of Drosophila larvae, the <br/>R85E08 domain, using a heat shock. The resulting transgene would be combined with other <br/>transgenes in a single fly that would allow for simultaneous expression of the oncogene and, in <br/>the surrounding cells, other genes of interest. This system would help establish Drosophila as a <br/>more versatile and reliable model organism for cancer research. Furthermore, pilot studies were <br/>performed, using elements of the final proposed system, to determine if tumor growth is possible <br/>in the center of the disc, which oncogene produces the best results, and if oncogene expression <br/>induced later in development causes tumor growth. Three different candidate genes were <br/>investigated: RasV12, PvrACT, and Avli.
Members of the Delphinidae family are widely distributed across the world’s oceans. We used a viral metagenomic approach to identify viruses in orca (Orcinus orca) and short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) muscle, kidney, and liver samples from deceased animals. From orca tissue samples (muscle, kidney, and liver), we identified a novel polyomavirus (Polyomaviridae), three cressdnaviruses, and two genomoviruses (Genomoviridae). In the short-finned pilot whale we were able to identify one genomovirus in a kidney sample. The presence of unclassified cressdnavirus within two samples (muscle and kidney) of the same animal supports the possibility these viruses might be widespread within the animal. The orca polyomavirus identified here is the first of its species and is not closely related to the only other dolphin polyomavirus previously discovered. The identification and verification of these viruses expands the current knowledge of viruses that are associated with the Delphinidae family.
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been responsible for significant social and economic
disruption, prompting an urgent search for therapeutic solutions. The spike protein of the virus
has been examined as an immunogenic target because of its role in viral binding and fusion
necessary for infection of host cells. Previous studies have identified a recombinant protein
(denoted as S1) that has been shown to potentially induce a neutralizing antibody response by
mimicking the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. We have produced the S1 in plants
using agroinfiltration, a plant transformation technique whereby plasmid-containing
Agrobacterium tumefaciens is injected into Nicotiana benthamiana plants, resulting in transfer of
the desired gene from bacteria to plant cells. S1 was expressed to high levels within 5 days of
infiltration, and Western blot analysis showed recognition of the S1 by an anti-S1 antibody.
ELISA results exhibited increased binding activity to anti-S1 with increasing concentrations of
S1, indicating their specific interaction. This ongoing study will demonstrate the potential of a
plant-produced S1 as a vaccine, therapeutic, and diagnostic tool against COVID-19 that is not
only effective, but also cost-efficient and scalable in comparison to conventional mammalian cell
culture production methods.