Bacteria are constantly evolving to become more resistant to antibiotic treatment. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a harmful facultative anaerobic bacterium, is a prime example of this phenomenon. P. aeruginosa can affect many life forms and is found in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis. The bacterium has evolved to become naturally resistant to many antibiotics, making…Continue Reading Recently in Research- Amanda Myles
In almost all mammals, females mobilize their bones during lactation. This can cause serious issues including bone fragility, compromised bone quality, and increased mortality rate. Kayla Frey, a recent graduate in Biomedical Sciences, examined how the number of pregnancies and the total number of young produced impacts the bone quality of female mice. Frey used…Continue Reading Recently in Research- Kayla Frey
Phillip Wang, a senior in the College of Science and Mathematics- Biomedical Sciences, is investigating whether organic pigments, known as carotenoids, can serve as antioxidants in living systems. Wang asserts that the study is important because most research done on this topic comes from studies outside of living systems. During his research, Wang used a…Continue Reading Recently In Research- Phillip Wang
Steatohepatitis, or fatty liver disease, causes harmful and sometimes deadly fibrosis of the liver. Although steatohepatitis can be a product of genetic predisposition, not much is known about the genes that play a role in its development. Peyton Kuhlers, a junior majoring in Biochemistry, is researching a mechanism that can screen for potentially steatohepatitis-causing genes….Continue Reading Recently in Research- Peyton Kuhlers
Due to the increasing demand for energy, researchers have been looking for alternative renewable sources of energy and better means of energy transport. Polythiophene, a conductive polymer, has been found useful in this search because of its optoelectronic properties. Polythiophenes show potential to improve energy transport because of their ability to transition between semiconducting and…Continue Reading Recently in Research- Jihyuk Kim
Sushil Bhavnani, Associate Department Chair and Endowed Professor for Auburn University’s Mechanical Engineering program, began conducting research during his graduate studies at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. Bhavnani said he was blessed with excellent mentors for both his masters and doctorate who had a tremendous impact on his research journey. “Those interactions at an…Continue Reading Mentor Spotlight: Sushil Bhavnani
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-fourth of the world’s population is infected with Tuberculosis (TB). KatG is an enzyme responsible for the activation of the pro-drug isoniazid which treats TB. Patrick Sahrmann, a junior majoring in Biochemistry, is investigating the role of a specific amino acid (M377) by studying a corresponding…Continue Reading Recently in Research: Patrick Sahrmann
Polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, is a method used to make many copies of a small section of DNA, typically a part of a larger gene. This copied fragment can then be sequenced and identified, but there are shortcomings to the most commonly used methods, such as a lack of taxonomic resolution and distortion of…Continue Reading Recently in Research: Sara Odom
People who experience “cold hands” often do not have enough blood flowing to their hands and fingertips. Jack McDaniel and Franklin Roberts, both seniors studying Biomedical Sciences, conducted a case study to investigate acral hand tissue response to varying environmental temperatures from 10-32°C (50-90°F). McDaniel and Roberts studied college aged individuals – 4 with “cold…Continue Reading Recently in Research: Jack McDaniel & Franklin Roberts
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Andrew Lenzie, a senior majoring in Chemical Engineering, is working to figure out if the newly discovered collapse of the central airway, Expiratory Central Airway Collapse, in patients with COPD adds resistance to airflow in the airways. Lenzie is…Continue Reading Recently in Research: Andrew Lenzie