The NIH Bridges Program | Collaboration | Objective | Students | Alumni
Grad Schools | Research
NIH Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program
2005 Summer Research Presentation
Friday, June 27 10:00 AM
Schedule of Presentations
10:00 AM Marissa Goberdhan
10:20 AM Luis Jusino, Marie Pierre, and Velgan Rodriguez
10:50 AM Marianela Feliu, Yadzia Simov and John Vega
11:20 AM Tracy Stevens
11:40 AM Paul Gomez and Junie Bertrand
12-1 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Beverly Leon and Diana Gutierrez
1:20 PM Raulwin Bailey, Mario Eworo, Alex Fierro, Jeffrey Magliore, and
Catherine Banks
1:50 PM Aneudi Hernandez and Edward Urena
2:20 PM Jennifer Daguste, David Hernandez, Kate Martinez and
Jennifer Tulley
Comparison of the Efficacy of Novel Organoselenium Compounds in the Inhibition of NMU Tumor Cell Growth
Marissa Goberdhan
Sponsor: Dr. Joanne Tillotson
Organoselenium compounds have shown promising results in a variety of chemo-preventative studies. We determined the effect of changes to the structure of the compound on its ability to kill NMU rat mammary tumor cells. Benzylselenocyanate (BSC) and analogs with substituents such as methyl, bromo, methoxy, nitro and fluoro on the phenol ring were tested to determine the efficacy of larger compounds. Cell survival was estimated after four hours of exposure to the compound. Chemopreventative effectiveness was evaluated by calculating the EC50: the concentration at which half of the original number of cells was killed. Lower EC50 values indicated a more effective compound. Preliminary results suggested that analogs with larger substituents on the ring may have higher EC50 values, for example, Bromo BSC is less effective than Fluoro which is less than BSC.This indicates an inversely proportional relationship between size and efficacy.
Thus BSC may interact with a target molecule having a relatively small active site. If this were true, then larger substituents on the ring would reduce efficacy by preventing the approach to the reaction site.
The Effects of Omega Fatty Acids on NMU Mammary Tumor Cells
Luis Jusino (Dutchess Community College)
Marie Pierre (Sullivan Community College)
Velgan Rodriguez (Sullivan Community College)
Sponsor: Dr. Joanne Tillotson
Different types of fatty acids have been shown to affect proliferation in NMU mammary rat tumor cells. We have concentrated on Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty acids. By using Linoleic Acid an Omega-6 fatty and DHA (docosahexanoic acid) an Omega-3 fatty acid, we were able to determine how the cells reacted by the presence of the different fatty acids. While concentrating on those specific fatty acids, we also used other Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty acids to help better understand whether they correlated with the specific Linoleic Acid and DHA. Previous results have shown that Linoleic acid has increased cell proliferation while DHA has decreased cell proliferation. We expected to see a correlation among Omega-3 fatty acids as well as Omega-6 fatty acids to understand how the cells are utilizing the fatty acids.
NMU mammary tumor cells were used to test how the cells reacted to the fatty acids. The Fatty acids at concentrations of .5, 1 and 2 µg/mL were added to a 1% FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum) in RPMI 1640 medium with penicillin and streptomycin. All conditions were tested in triplicate in a 24 well plate. Final cell counts were then determined by using MTT (Tetrazolium) and analyzing the results at 570nm in a spectrophotometer. In the experiments, there were seven types of fatty acids used; omega-6 fatty acids included Linoleic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, and γ-Linolenic Acid. The omega-3 fatty acids included DHA, EPA (Eicosapentanoic Acid), and α-Linolenic Acid, and the omega-9 fatty acid included was Oleic acid.
Overall the fatty acids resulted in less effect on cell growth then we expected from previous results. In some of our experiments, the omega-6 fatty acids showed more proliferation than the omega-3 fatty acids. We also observed less effect of the fatty acids in lower concentration of FBS. These results are suggestive that all omega-6 fatty acids increase cell proliferation while all omega-3 fatty acids decrease cell proliferation. In addition, it appears that fatty acids effects are dependent upon a FBS component, perhaps growth factors.
The Effects of Omega-3-Fatty Acids and Omega-6-Fatty Acids on NMU Mammary Tumor Cells
John Vega (Dutchess Community College)
Marianela Feliu (Dutchess Community College)
Yadzia Simov (Nassau Community College)
Sponsor: Dr. Joseph Skrivanek
Biological processes have evolved into sophisticated mechanisms that shape the way one's body interacts with the world. Despite the continual progress, there are still many short comings with evolution. One of these short comings is cancer. In this experiment, analysis of the effect that omega-6-fatty acids and omega-3-fatty acids have on NMU cells were studied, specifically the effect of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids on the proliferation of NMU cancer cells.. Omega-6-Fatty Acids are typically found in preparation oils for cooking, such as corn oil; while, Omega-3-Fatty Acids are found in fish oils. NMU cells are more susceptible to cell proliferation using Omega-6-Fatty Acids, where an Omega-3-Fatty Acid is more likely to minimize cell proliferation. In these studies, DHA (Docosahexanoic Acid) is the Omega-3-Fatty Acid and LA (Linoleic Acid) is the Omega-6-Fatty Acid. Lipids are a necessity for cells vitality. Some lipids are synthesized by the cell and others are not. One group of fats not synthesized by our cells are called Essential Fatty Acids. In this study, N-nitrosomethylurea (NMU) induced mammary cancer cells were grown in a growth medium containing Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) and different concentration of fatty acids such as DHA, EPA, 1%, and LA. These fatty acids are used up by the cells to help them grow. After a designated amount of time, each set of cells is analyzed to determine exactly how the cell processes the fatty acids in the growth medium. These cells remained in a modified growth medium for 3 days and 6 days. After three or six days, cells were harvested and extracted with 5/5/1 C/M/W and separated on an LH-20 Column. Lipids were analyzed by Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC). Fatty Acids were analyzed by Gas Liquid Chromatography (GLC). Lipids were quantified by measurement of lipid phosphorous. Results for the TLC plate indicated a more complex lipid pattern for six day cells, than for three day cells showing more cholesterol esters and triglycerides. In addition, fatty acid analysis indicated a more complex pattern by revealing an additional fatty acid such as 16:1.
Gangliosides of NMU Tumor Cells
Tracy Stevens (Dutchess Community College)
Sponsor: Dr. Joseph Skrivanek
Gangliosides, negatively charged acidic glycolipids which contain sialic acid, are found on the surface of all animal cells. These glycosphingolipids consist of both a hydrophobic ceramide unit which anchors the ganglioside to the plasma membrane, and a hydrophilic oligosaccharide chain with one or more sialic acid groups attached. Gangliosides play a major role in cell signaling and structure including membrane transport, cell adhesion, cell recognition phenomena, and activity in the extra cellular matrix. In this study, gangliosides were isolated according to the method of Byrne et al found in rat tumor cells treated with a carcinogenic reagent used for tumor growth N-nitrosomethylurea (NMU). Gangliosides have been implicated in cell proliferation and apoptosis in malignant cells leading to the investigation of the relationship between ganglioside manipulation and cancer treatment. Isolated gangliosides were quantified by Gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) of sialic acid. Ganglioside patterns were determined using Thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Total lipids were quantified by determination of lipid phosphorus. Analysis of ganglioside pattern by TLC revealed the presence of GD3, one of the major gangliosides found in transformed cells.
Out-Of-School Care
Rebecca Bertrand (Rockland Community College)
Paul Gomez (Westchester Community College)
Sponsor: Dr. Peggy A. De Cooke
The majority of mothers in our society know work. The prominent problem among many working mothers in our society is finding out-of-school-care for their children. Whether it's early morning hours waiting for the bus or the dragging hours of the afternoon waiting for a parent to get out of work, children need safety and supervision. Further, children who attend productive out-of-school care programs are less likely to commit crimes, do drugs, get pregnant, and are more likely to succeed in school, go on to higher institutions, and be more socially active (Newman, Fox, Flynn, & Christeson, 2000). This study examined the impact of parent stress and child temperament on parent's satisfaction with their children's out-of-school care arrangements. The participants for this study were 94 families from the Westchester County, New York, and Fairfield County, Connecticut areas. Participants completed 5 questionnaires that assessed perceived stress, parenting stress, work stress related to child care issues, temperament, and coping. The findings of this study suggest that despite the affluence of our sample, parents are placing their children in care that they find less than ideal. Further, parents who emphasize the benefits of care for their children experience more satisfaction with the care, whereas parents who dwell on their worries about care experience more work-related stress due to child care issues. Finally, our findings suggest that parents may have difficulty in finding ways to cope with care arrangements that are not working.
Wetland Habitat Use By Bog Turtles: Preparations For Improving The Quality Of Their Habitat
Beverly Leon (Orange County Community College)
Diana Gutierrez (Sullivan County Community College)
Sponsor: Dr. Jim Utter
The decline of a species often results from loss or degradation of its habitat. Addressing the recovery of such species requires understanding their specific habitat requirements and determining what makes a high quality habitat. Conservation strategies can therefore emerge from studying the movement patterns and habitat use of individuals in habitats differing in quality. This summer we studied the bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii), a NY State Endangered Species, in order to determine how they utilize the components of six contrasting wetland habitats. We found turtles through visual search and the use of box traps. Each captured turtle was weighed, measured, marked for individual recognition (if not previously marked), and had a radio transmitter attached to its carapace before being released at the capture point. Each transmitter has a specific frequency which becomes a unique signal for the turtle, so by tuning the receiver specific individuals can be tracked one at a time using a unidirectional antenna. The movements of individual bog turtles are monitored over two different time scales: one focusing on weekly movements and the other on a shorter hourly pattern of movement. Each site was visited every two to four days at which time we attempted to locate all of the turtles. For each turtle found, we recorded information on the types of vegetation present, the availability of water, the turtle's behavior, and it's location in regards to specified landmarks and previous sightings. At two sites we selected three female bog turtles that were then located three times at half hour intervals to obtain information on the short term movements of individuals. We are currently monitoring four bog turtles at Site 1, five at Site 2 and at Site 3, nine at Site 4, 21 at Site 5, and three at Site 6. Trapping success rate was very low, but did result in the capture of individuals that we had not found in our searches, as well as young bog turtles that are harder to find through search methods. Juvenile turtles were found at sites 3, 4, and 5, indicating reproductive success and suggesting better quality habitat than at sites 1, 2, and 6 where no young have been found. We hypothesize that (a) turtles in poorer habitats move more frequently and travel greater distances than turtles in more productive habitats and (b) that the destinations of such movements contain the critical habitat factors that need to be addressed in future habitat modifications. Current data seems to support these hypotheses, but further research is needed. We find, for example, that turtles move significant distances in search of water when areas have dried up, returning to their previous areas when water levels rise.
Educating Young Adults on the Advantageous Unknowns of the Web via Internet Gaming Technology
Catherine Banks (Sullivan County Community College)
Raulwin Bailey (Sullivan County Community College)
Mario Eworo (Sullivan County Community College)
Alex Fierro (Orange County Community College)
Jeffery Magliore (Sullivan County Community College)
Sponsor: Dr. Peter Ohring, Travis Cox
The internet is considered to be among the most rapidly evolving technologies in the world. As the internet broadens, new techniques must be developed to ensure its usability and navigational ease. Many new and innovative web pages are created in abundance each year, some of them being great sources for information and entertainment. Unfortunately, many high school students are not aware of certain internet sites that encourage personal growth and educational enrichment. The objective of this project is to expose young adults to these aspects of the internet by means of modern entertainment. For this project, a web-based application was created in order to introduce several websites. This particular application acts as a game containing several stages with puzzles. The player will acts as a sixteen year old teenager focused on tending to his family needs. His encounter with each deranged family member brings forth a puzzle based on a specific web site. In order to complete each stage, the player is obligated to utilize helpful hyperlinks listed within the puzzles. The game should give the user a general knowledge of each website; furthermore, the player will gain savvy web browsing skills that will prove useful when exploring the internet. A series of usability tests is critical in regards to the function and design of the application. Programmers and level designers depend on the feedback from these tests in order to refine the software and improve the overall user experience. Testing took place at Purchase College, where a small group of high-school students volunteered their time to test the application. Different elements of the project will be presented along with usability test results and a demo of the game. These elements include storyboard framework, artwork, and client and server-side scripting.
An Investigation of the Effects of Knowledge, Working Memory Capacity, Problem Complexity and Relational Inference on Analogical Reasoning in Young Children
Edward Urena Rockland Community College)
Aneudi Hernandez (Rockland Community College)
Sponsor: Dr. Karen Singer-Freeman
Current work investigated the relative influence of relational knowledge, relational inference, working memory capacity, and problem complexity in children's analogical reasoning. Thirty-six 4- to 5-year-old children completed picture analogy problems, a relational knowledge test, and the digit-span task. Half of the analogy problems involved a single change (e.g. clean boy : dirty boy :: clean pig : dirty pig) and half involved two changes (e.g. clean boy : dirty and wet boy :: clean pig : dirty and wet pig). Children participated in 1 of 3 conditions. 1) Didactic: Children were told the relation between the a- and b-terms. 2) Socractic: Children were asked questions to help them infer the relation between the a-and b-terms. 3) Control: Children were not shown the a- or b-terms. We found that children in the Socratic and Didactic conditions answered more single change problems correctly than double change problems even when relational knowledge was controlled. Children in these conditions answered more problems correctly than did children in the control condition. We did not observe any difference in performance between children in the Socratic and Didactic Conditions. Performance on double-change problems was predicted by digit span only for children in the Didactic condition. These results suggest that the Socratic condition was not an effective way of supporting relational inference in children. This research was conducted at the Purchase College Children's Center. We thank the children, teachers and parents for their support.
An Investigation of the Effects of Knowledge, Working Memory Capacity, Problem Complexity and Relational Inference on Analogical Reasoning in Young Children
Jennifer Tulley Nassau Community College)
Jennifer Daguste (Rockland Community College)
Kate Martinez (Dutchess Community College)
David Hernandez (Orange County Community College)
Sponsor: Dr. Jim Daly
Archaea, Prokaryotic microorganisms with diverse phenotypic characteristics are classified in three major sub-groups: Eurarchaeota, Korarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. The Euryarchaeota include a mixture of Methanogens (anaerobic ), extreme halophiles and some sulfur-metabolizing hyperthermophiles and acidophiles. These are chemoautotrophic anaerobes known to thrive at temperatures from 80 to 115 degrees Celsius. The Crenarchaeota are the main concern for our experiments. Recently, research has concluded that Crenarchaota also inhabit quite cool non-extreme areas. They survive in marine water in the Atlantic Ocean, Boreal forests in Scandinavian Europe and Lake Michigan sediment. The basic purpose of our research is to determine if Archaea and crenarchaota exist in Purchase, New York. However, this task has proven quite difficult. Archaea unfortunately are difficult to culture by conventional methods. With the use of PCR we can replicate the gene for the 16s rRNA a signature sequencing gene to distinguish, Archaea from Bacteria. Purchase, New York is diverse in its landscape, due to its proximity to a significant amount of fresh and salt water. There also exists a rare salt water marshland where sediment, water and Spartina grass roots were sampled along with water and sediment from the Long Island Sound, at Edith Reed Sanctuary and fresh water from the slow running "Blind Brook" in Purchase, New York.