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Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that infects most warm-blooded organisms, including humans and causes the infectious disease, Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma gondii is transmitted to humans through consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked meats. While it is transmitted to grazing animals through consumption of feed and/or water contaminated with T. gondii in cat feces. Toxoplasmosis can cause humans and animals alike to have miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital defects, and other clinical symptoms. Currently, there is no widespread vaccine or treatment for T. gondii in sheep and goats. Therefore, once identified it is necessary that preventative mechanisms are taken. Hence, the objective of this study was to test for T. gondii in lambs found on Delaware State University’s Hickory Hill farm. To identify T. gondii, blood samples were collected from 15 lambs and the white blood cells separated, isolated, and stored at –80 oC for further processing. After isolation, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from the white blood cells of each animal and used to conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a surface antigen one (SAG-1) gene specific forward and reverse primer to amplify the T. gondii gene. After PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis was conducted to fractionate the gene of interest by size and allow for visualization. Data indicated that none of the 15 lambs tested were positive for T. gondii at Hickory Hill Farm as the SAG-1 gene was not present. Under the conditions of this study, it can be concluded that T. gondii parasite is not present on the farm.

DSU Summer Research Symposium 2021

Identification of Toxoplasma gondii in Katahdin Lambs

Welcome to Delaware State University’s Annual Summer Research Symposium, and thank you for attending! Our symposium represents the culmination of students’ summer experiences in research at Delaware State University. This event showcases the work of college students working on faculty-led research projects, as well as middle and high school students experiencing research for the first time working in research groups. Whatever the case, this summer has been a unique experience for the students, and we hope a transformative one. Even for students who are not planning a career in scientific research, their summer experience has given them skills they will draw on for years to come. 
 Please join us on the mainstage and in Gather for the live event, and visit the recorded poster presentations any time.
 The student participants and organizers of the various summer programs at DSU would like to thank all of the research mentors who guided our summer program participants. There were many DSU faculty, graduate students, and other research and program staff who gave their time and energy to help our students have a fun and educational summer experience. Without their generosity and patience these summer programs would not be possible.
 For the research participants, we hope that you will maintain contact with your research mentors and colleagues. Science is a relatively small community made up of disciplinary “neighborhoods”. If you continue to work in a discipline, the other folks in that discipline will be like your neighbors that you run into regularly. Staying in contact with them will help you keep up with the news of the neighborhood, and open doors to educational and career opportunities. Whether you continue in science or take a different career path, for this summer you have been part of the world of research, and you will benefit from that perspective for the rest of your life.

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Welcome to Delaware State University’s Annual Summer Research Symposium, and thank you for attending!

poster

Chlorophyll, anthocyanins, carotenoids and lycopene are naturally occurring pigments that give fruits and vegetables their characteristic bright colors. Spices though primarily used for flavoring and preserving food also contain these pigments. Owing to the vast array of application, especially, of natural pigments in food, cosmetic, nutraceutical and medicine, several extraction methods have been described including the use of oils as a solvent to recover these bioactive compounds. Our goal is to study the oxidative stability of infused/macerated oils stored over time. Cloves and cinnamon were macerated in olive oil (OO) and njangsa seed oil (NSO) over 7 d at 45-50oC. The contents of chlorophyll a and b, lycopene and carotenoids were determined spectrophotometrically. Higher pigments contents were measured in NSO than OO. All the oils and macerates showed reduced pigments content (45 - 88%) with incubation, indicating increased oxidative degradation and reduction of shelf life. Generally, higher reduction in pigments content were observed in NSO-macerated spices (75 - 83%) compared with their olive oil counterparts due to its high level of unsaturated fatty acids. The results highlighted the need to improve shelf stability of pigments towards various processing and storage conditions to preserve the beneficial properties of oils and macerates.

Simultaneous Determination of Pigments Content in Oils and Macerates

Screening the Growth of Cyanobacteria Aphanothece under Photoautotrophic and Photoheterotrophic Conditions Ifti Ahmed1,2, Ali Parsaeimehr1, Ph.D., and Bertand Hankoua1, Ph.D. 1Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Delaware State University, Dover, DE 19901 2Middletown High School, Middletown, DE 19709. Microalgae are used in different industrial sectors including, the biopharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. The main objective of this study was to identify a high yield photoheterotrophic condition for the Cyanobacteria Aphanothece in aim to produce phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin metabolites with pharmaceutical values. In this study, a BG11 based media was used. To establish a photoheterotrophic conditions a ratio of glucose (0, 025, 0.5, 2, and 4%) as a carbon source was applied. Our results demonstrated, a higher yield of biomass under the photoheterotrophic conditions containing 2 % glucose (3.11 ± 0.35 g/L fresh weight, OD750=1.08 ±0.14 7th day; relative growth rate: OD750= 0.120 ± 0.2 day, 74.22 ±3.2%, an increase of 74.22 ±3.2% compared to photoautotrophic growth). A negative influence was observed at higher concentration of carbon source (4% of glucose) on the biomass production (52.82 ±2.7 % decrease). Considerably, the production of phycocyanin (6.72 ± 0.42 mg/g fresh weight), and allophycocyanin (0.132 ± 0.08 mg/g fresh weight) were recorded higher under the photoheterotrophic condition compared to the photoautotrophic growth by 236 ± 17 % and 69.23 ± 8.3 % increase, respectively for phycocyanin and allophycocyanin. We observed increasing the carbon source to 4% had a negative impact by 128.57 ± 14 % decrease on the production of phycocyanin, while a positive influence by 145 ± 12 % increase on the allophycocyanin production (0.324 ± 0.028 mg/g fresh weight). In conclusion, we suggest a photoheterotrophic BG11 based media with 2 % glucose for the production of phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin when using Cyanobacteria Aphanothece as a platform. Keywords: Aphanothece, photoheterotrophic, phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin Funder Acknowledgments: We acknowledge USDA NIFA Capacity Building Grant Award# 2016-06642 for funding my internship and the project as part of the student experiential learning goal and the project Director, Dr. Gulnihal Ozbay for providing this internship opportunity.

Screening the growth of the cyanobacteria Aphanothece under photoautotrophic and Photoheterotrophic conditions

DNA extraction from Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) leaves Zach Alvarez1, Rasheed Habib2, and Venu (Kal) Kalavacharla2 1Long Reach High School 2Delaware State University, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dover, DE The extraction of DNA from different plants can be a difficult process. This is due to the existence of different plant secondary metabolites. There are many methods of extracting DNA from plants. However, in this study one specific method was done. The CTAB method has various steps that are done to extract pure DNA. The plant that DNA was extracted from is common bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris). This plant was selected due to its importance as a source of protein and carbohydrate for millions of people around the world. Also, it normally yields high quality DNA due to how easy the tissues are to grind. The plant tissue used in the experiment was obtained from the school farm. It was collected and flash frozen to reduce DNA degradation. The sample was then stored in the -80° until i

DNA extraction from Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) leaves

Wastewater is used water consisting of many hazardous materials. The wastewater goes through a step by step procedure for treatment and decontamination at a local wastewater facility. Once harmful bacteria is taken out of the water, it is then returned back to the community waterways. The purpose of this research project is to properly analyze and differentiate the many characteristics of the microbiota within both treated and untreated wastewater samples from the Kent County Regional Resource Recovery Facility in Milford, Delaware. We hypothesized that the microbiota will differ in diversity and microbial load among the treated and untreated wastewater samples. We tested our hypothesis using the following tests: streaking samples against Mannitol Salt Agar Plate (MSA) and a MacConkey Agar Plate (MAC) as well as gram staining. We found within the MSA plates that four samples showed no mannitol utilization while two samples were yellow in color proving it utilized mannitol. With the MAC plates all samples except for one sample utilized lactose. You can tell it utilized lactose with the pink color and growth indicating gram negative organisms. For the gram staining, 4 samples were gram negative meaning they appeared pink and also possess a thicker cell wall. 2 samples were gram positive meaning they appeared to be purple in color and possess a thinner cell wall. This data will be useful to improve and scientifically inform the wastewater facility on how well the wastewater is actually being filtered and treated.

Analysis of Treated vs Untreated Water Samples from Kent County Regional Resource Recovery Facility

Wastewater is the community’s used water and it consists of various harmful materials. This water goes through various processes to be treated at a wastewater facility such as the Kent County Regional Resource Recovery Facility. The purpose of this project is to analyze and differentiate the characteristics of the microbiota within both treated and untreated water samples from the Kent County Facility. We hypothesized that the microbiota between the treated and untreated water samples would be non identical. We tested our hypothesis via multiple characteristic tests. Those tests included gram staining, where we used Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus Epidermidis as controls, and streaking samples against a Mannitol Salt Agar Plate as well as a MacConkey Agar Plate. As we continue on to confirm our preliminary data, the treated and untreated water samples will be analyzed further for possible remediation.

Analysis of Treated vs Untreated Water Samples From Kent County Regional Resource Recovery Facility

Abstract Eliana McCray, Dr. Latia Scott, and Dr. Anthea Aikins Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, 1200 North Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19734 The different stages of decay and the insects that appear during those stages can be important to identifying time of death. Decomposition generally begins in the natural opening like the Eyes, Nose and Mouth. In this study, we isolated bacterial samples from decaying pigs in the active stage of decay. There are five common stages of decomposition, Fresh, Bloating, Active and Dry decomposition stage. In this project, we studied the microbial load on swabbed samples from two natural openings (Anus- A and Eyes- E) of carions exposed to the sun and shade. We hypothesized that there will be more microbial load in the sun compared to the shade. To test our hypothesis, we streaked the cotton swab on Tryptic Soy Agar plates and randomly selected six isolates for further studies. We determined the gram type via Gram Stain, which was confirmed by growth on Selective media plates. Isolates were grown on Differential plates to determine the metabolic preference of the isolates. Plates used included MacConkey agar plate, Mannitol Salt Agar and Blood Agar plates. Next, DNA was extracted for PCR (amplification of 16S region) and subsequently DNA sequencing. Research Advisors: · Dr. Anthea Aikins: Department of Biological Sciences · Dr. Latia Scott: Department of Biological Sciences

Charactization of microbial load during active decay in Summer.

There are many different types of bacteria that play a role throughout the active stage of decomposition. The purpose of this research was to study the influence of environmental factors on these microbial loads in the natural openings during the Active decomposition stage during the winter season. More specifically we focused on samples taken from the ears (E) and the anus (A) of a decomposing pig. Knowing the unique microbial load during the different stages of decomposition and how environmental factors influence it can be insightful in a forensic investigation. We hypothesized that there will be lesser microbial load in the winter than in the summer and that the microbial load in the sun will be greater than what is found in the shade. We used selective/differential media to gather information about the identity of the randomly selected organisms. Additionally, we isolated DNA from the isolates and used PCR to amplify the 16s region of the isolates to confirm the organism's identity via sequencing. Most of the isolates are Gram-positive cocci, according to our findings. More studies will be conducted to characterize as many organisms as possible.

Characterization of Microbial Loads During the Winter

Oscillatory synchrony between the hippocampus (HC) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is a potential therapeutic target to facilitate HC-mPFC dependent decision-making. In rats, HC-mPFC local-field potential (LFP) coherence in the 4-12Hz (theta) range is strongly correlated with successful decision-making on SWM tasks. While several studies have reported on the relationship between HC-mPFC theta coherence and choice-accuracy on spatial alternation tasks, it is unknown if HC-mPFC theta coherence is causal to successful SWM choices. To this end, we aimed to either enhance or impair SWM decision-making based on the initiation of delayed-alternation (DA) task trials at points of either high or low HC-mPFC theta coherence. We predict that trials initiated at points of high coherence will result in higher choice accuracy in SWM-dependent DA tasks. Conversely, trials initiated at points of low coherence will be more likely to result in incorrect choices due to impaired SWM. We implanted rats with electrodes that targeted the dorsal hippocampus and the mPFC to record LFP. Rats were trained to perform a DA task with a variable delay at the choice-point. Using closed-loop technology developed in MATLAB, theta coherence was estimated in ½ second windows before rats were presented with choices on an automated T-maze. To ensure the presence of theta-states in the HC, rats ran on a treadmill located at the choice-point. Using rat-derived thresholds for “low” and “high” coherence, rats were only presented with a choice when coherence was sustained for two consecutive ½ second windows. Each day, rats experienced a 20-minute experimental session (‘low’ or ‘high’ coherence triggered trials), and a yoked-control session. During the yoked-control session, rats were presented with trials based solely on the duration of the delays in the previous high or low coherence session. This control session guarantees that any effects observed during the experimental trials are not an artifact of delay-duration. Here, we will present pilot data from an example rat.

Using Endogenous Brain Rythms to Impact Decision-Making on a Spatial Working Memory Task in Rats

Laterality has an important correlation to behavior and genetic disorders. Behavior can be observed through the brain hemispheres, and certain disorders have a unique pattern of laterality. Using the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, gives more insight into human laterality. C. elegans laterality is observed through gut laterality that is established in the embryonic cell rotation. During early embryonic development, the direction of the rotation between the ABar, ABal, ABpr, ABpl cells shows laterality. The presence of certain genes have an impact on the rotation and gut laterality. More specifically, this project will focus on the embryonic rotations in TBB-1. TBB-1 is an important component of the microtubule, which forms the mitotic spindle. The mitotic spindle is known for its importance in chromatid separation. The absence of TBB-1 could lead to reverse gut laterality. Observing the embryonic cell rotation in C. elegans, gives more insight into its human ortholog and disease. C. elegans gut laterality can provide an understanding of the mechanisms of human laterality, which can impact behavioral studies.

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Simultaneous Determination of Pigments Content in Oils and Macerates

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