Triclosan Concentrations in Western Kentucky Watershed

Triclosan (2, 4, 4’-trichloro-2’-hydroxyphenyl ether) is considered as one of the emerging new pollutants in the environment. In this study, triclosan contamination levels were measured in water samples collected from Murray Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), Bee Creek, Clarks River and Kentucky Lake. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to determine triclosan concentrations in the samples. The results revealed that detectable concentrations of triclosan were found in all samples analyzed. The concentrations of triclosan exhibited the following trend: Influent \u3e Effluent \u3e Downstream Bee Creek \u3e Upstream Bee Creek ≥ Clarks River \u3e Kentucky Lake (HBS site). Removal efficiency calculations revealed that about 40% of triclosan enter the receiving waters (Bee Creek). Clarks River and Kentucky Lake water samples contained relatively lower levels of triclosan than WWTP samples

Characterizing Germline Stem Cell Development Using Drosophila melanogaster

Stem-cell research is an exciting and growing field of biology with numerous possible applications in medicine. Using the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) as a model system, we are studying germline stem cells so that their development may be better understood. Germline stem cells have been called the ultimate stem cells because of their ability to differentiate into any type of cell. By using various genetic and biochemical approaches we are able to classify and characterize protein interactions, localization, and enzymatic activity during oogenesis. Our research revolves around the Tudor protein. This is a large protein that contains eleven individual domains that are responsible for Tudor’s various roles during germ cell development. Tudor has been shown to be vital for the formation of the germ cells in Drosophila embryos. By studying Tudor, and its effects on germline development, we hope to build a more advanced understanding of stem cells

Studying Germline Stem Cells Using the Fruit Fly as a Model Organism

Stem cell biology is a promising area of research that is likely to advance medicine and human health. We are using the fruit fly Drosophila as a model system to study the germline stem cells. Germline cells are responsible for generating entirely new organisms from an early embryo. In particular, we are focusing on identification of proteins that determine stem cells and make them different from other more specialized types of cells. Furthermore, we are studying the specific genes that are also present in humans. Finally, we are exploring the pathways that stem cells use to produce energy for their development and maintenance

Function of Tudor Protein in Germline Stem Cells and Brain Development

The medical field has made great strides due to extensive research in biology. More specifically, stem cell biology has provided a new approach to treating complicated medical ailments. Understanding the stem cell components will provide the medical field with the tools they need to better utilize their abilities for treatment. A well-known issue that comes with aging is the degeneration of the neurological system; for example, Parkinson’s disease. Our main research focused on the germline stem cell scaffolding component, the Tudor protein, which has also been demonstrated to be expressed in the brain. Germline stem cells give rise to the sperm and egg, which ultimately produce all cells of the new organism. We worked on characterizing new interacting partners of Tudor and have shown that they are crucial for germline development. In addition, we tested the hypothesis that Tudor and its partners play a role in brain development and memory formation

Glycolytic enzymes localize to ribonucleoprotein granules in Drosophila germ cells, bind Tudor and protect from transposable elements

Germ cells give rise to all cell lineages in the next-generation and are responsible for the continuity of life. In a variety of organisms, germ cells and stem cells contain large ribonucleoprotein granules. Although these particles were discovered more than 100 years ago, their assembly and functions are not well understood. Here we report that glycolytic enzymes are components of these granules in Drosophila germ cells and both their mRNAs and the enzymes themselves are enriched in germ cells. We show that these enzymes are specifically required for germ cell development and that they protect their genomes from transposable elements, providing the first link between metabolism and transposon silencing. We further demonstrate that in the granules, glycolytic enzymes associate with the evolutionarily conserved Tudor protein. Our biochemical and single-particle EM structural analyses of purified Tudor show a flexible molecule and suggest a mechanism for the recruitment of glycolytic enzymes to the granules. Our data indicate that germ cells, similarly to stem cells and tumor cells, might prefer to produce energy through the glycolytic pathway, thus linking a particular metabolism to pluripotency