Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets of Cardiac Regeneration: Closing the Age Gap

While a regenerative response is limited in the mammalian adult heart, it has been recently shown that the neonatal mammalian heart possesses a marked but transient capacity for regeneration after cardiac injury, including myocardial infarction. These findings evidence that the mammalian heart still retains a regenerative capacity and highlights the concept that the expression of distinct molecular switches (that activate or inhibit cellular mechanisms regulating tissue development and regeneration) vary during different stages of life, indicating that cardiac regeneration is an age-dependent process. Thus, understanding the mechanisms underpinning regeneration in the neonatal-infarcted heart is crucial to develop new treatments aimed at improving cardiovascular regeneration in the adult. The present review summarizes the current knowledge on the pathways and factors that are known to determine cardiac regeneration in the neonatal-infarcted heart. In particular, we will focus on the effects of microRNA manipulation in regulating cardiomyocyte proliferation and regeneration, as well as on the role of the Hippo signaling pathway and Meis1 in the regenerative response of the neonatal-infarcted heart. We will also briefly comment on the role of macrophages in scar formation of the adult-infarcted heart or their contribution for scar-free regeneration of the neonatal mouse heart after myocardial infarction. Although additional research is needed in order to identify other factors that regulate cardiovascular regeneration, these pathways represent potential therapeutic targets for rejuvenation of aging hearts and for improving regeneration of the adult-infarcted heart

Nuclear Scaffold Attachment Sites within ENCODE Regions Associate with Actively Transcribed Genes

The human genome must be packaged and organized in a functional manner for the regulation of DNA replication and transcription. The nuclear scaffold/matrix, consisting of structural and functional nuclear proteins, remains after extraction of nuclei and anchors loops of DNA. In the search for cis-elements functioning as chromatin domain boundaries, we identified 453 nuclear scaffold attachment sites purified by lithium-3,5-iodosalicylate extraction of HeLa nuclei across 30 Mb of the human genome studied by the ENCODE pilot project. The scaffold attachment sites mapped predominately near expressed genes and localized near transcription start sites and the ends of genes but not to boundary elements. In addition, these regions were enriched for RNA polymerase II and transcription factor binding sites and were located in early replicating regions of the genome. We believe these sites correspond to genome-interactions mediated by transcription factors and transcriptional machinery immobilized on a nuclear substructure

Costa Rican Leatherback Turtle Conservation

The Earthwatch Institute\u27s Costa Rican Sea Turtle Conservation expedition allows participants to join marine biologists at a research station at Playa Grande, Costa Rica, in their daily leatherback sea turtle conservation work. The 9 day expedition allowed me to join the scientists on beach patrol every night during the nesting season, where we were on the look out for turtles laying their eggs. All eggs were collected from the beach and moved to a safe hatchery. The expedition offered unique glimpses into sea turtle biology, world class conservation efforts and the logistics behind them, and into Costa Rican nature. It was an outstanding opportunity to apply classroom knowledge of biology and conservation into the field, working side by side with dedicated scientists and learning more about my own interests in field research. Finally, the OWU Connection has a history with sea turtle conservation, especially in Costa Rica, and I hope my presentation on this project will supplement that and inspire future OWU students to pursue sea turtle conservation through the OWU Connection

Island Queerness: Exploring LGBT+ Taiwan

Taiwan is a small island nation off the coast of China, with a turbulent history and a current reputation for being a quickly developing country with one of Asia\u27s most progressive societies. Taipei\u27s LGBT pride parade is the second biggest one in all of Asia, and the Taiwanese queer community is known as one of Asia\u27s most open ones. Ryan Bishop (Zlatanova) \u2717 and Spencer Zhang \u2719 spent two weeks exploring the Taiwanese LGBT+ community in May 2017. They conducted over 15 interviews with queer Taiwanese students, activists and politicians, including Taiwan\u27s first gay rights activist, Chi Chia-Wei, and one of the biggest political advocates for the queer community, Legislator Yu Mei-Nu. Within two weeks, the two visited various LGBT+ significant sites, businesses and events, and witnessed the historic ruling by a Taiwanese court which paved the way for the legalization of same-sex marriage. From community problems, through education and societal attitudes, to trans issues and community problems, Ryan and Spencer learned profound insights into the Taiwanese queer community. All that they found is compiled in the docu-series Island Queerness: Exploring LGBT+ Taiwan and a future written publication

GEOG 499: Sustainability Seminar

During the Spring of 2017, students of Geog 499 and faculty member John Krygier are working on sustainability projects including planning May Move Out, enhancing the reusable food containers, collaborating for green week activities, and organizing various gardening and food projects at OWU. The students are also involved with revising and promoting a campus-wide sustainability plan. There is a growing interest in sustainability on campus but little funding for projects, little comprehensive knowledge, and no sustainability coordinator. With some effort of a few students, faculty, and staff this challenge can be met. The main objectives for the group have been expanding learning opportunities for students who want to be more involved in sustainability on campus and actually changing university infrastructure to make sustainability possible