BIOL 404- Can a Soy Diet Mimic the Effects of Estrogen?

Phytoestrogens are estrogen-mimicking substances that can be found in many of the vegetables, beans, and grains we consume. One of the main phytoestrogens consumed by millions of people can be found in soybeans and tofu and are called isoflavones. We will be examining the first category of isoflavones, the aglycones. The aglycones are made up of daidzein, genistein, and glycitein which are found in soy products. We will determine the function of aglycones using flow cytometry by comparing the effect of these three compounds, estradiol, and the media given. As aglycones are estrogen mimicking compounds, we believe these three phytoestrogens will produce the same flow cytometry results as estradiol

BIOL 488: Plastic Free Campus? Implementing an Eco-friendly Campus at Longwood University

Longwood University has implemented many ideas to become an environmentally safe community, however, the use of plastics has not decreased but increased with the addition of Upchurch, a new dining area for students to grab various food options. Because of the lack of change, we as students need to figure out a way to become environmentally safer when it comes to our use of plastics on campus. Our idea is to implement a reusable bottle system where newly enrolled students will receive a free bottle at the beginning of the semester with a punch card. After every 10 uses the student can redeem a free drink from various food options on campus. We are also implementing Longwood go plastic-free on campus by replacing bags, cups, straws, and to-go boxes with alternative sources. With these ideas we are very hopeful Longwood will become more conscious about plastic waste produced on campus and one day become completely plastic-free