Session C: 1:45PM – 3:15PM
Sciences. Session C – Oral Presentations, Saltair, Union
SESSION C (1:45PM – 3:15PM)
Location: East Saltair, A. Ray Olpin University Union
Elevated Blood Glucose Levels Negatively Regulates Nkx6.1 Level in the Pancreatic Beta Cell
Kristopher Wieland, Brigham Young University
Faculty Mentor Jeffery Tessem, Brigham Young University
SESSION C 1:45-2:00PM
Saltair, Union
Science and Technology
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) cases are growing throughout the world. A key characteristic of T2D is damage to the beta cell. This damage affects the beta cell’s ability to sense glucose and release insulin in response to elevated blood glucose levels. Nkx6.1 is a beta cell transcription factor essential for differentiation, proliferation, and insulin secretion. To test the effect of hyperglycemia on the beta cell, INS-1 832/13 beta cells were cultured under hyperglycemic conditions for various time durations. This treatment showed that after 12 hours, there was a decrease in Nkx6.1 protein. Even with this decrease in protein levels, there is no change in transcription, colocalization or degradation of Nkx6.1. It is likely that decreased translation at 12 hours causes Nkx6.1 protein levels to drop. Nkx6.1 protein levels remain decreased at 24 hours. Nkx6.1 mRNA decreases, with changes to translation, translocation and degradation at 24 hours. These mechanisms were also validated in rat islets. Understanding the effect of hyperglycemia on Nkx6.1 is imperative to the future development of gene therapies used to treat diabetes.
Investigating the relationships between microbes and their role in plant survival.
Josh Leon, Utah Valley University
Faculty Mentor Michael Rotter, Utah Valley University
SESSION C 2:05-2:20PM
Saltair, Union
Science and Technology
The climate of the American Southwest is rapidly changing relative to other areas in the United States. Temperatures are predicted to increase by roughly 10° F (5.5° C) by the year 2100. Drought events are expected to increase in intensity and length as well. Understanding how plant communities in this region will react to these changes is an important area of research in Capitol Reef National Park (CARE). Research has provided insight into how some native species will react, for example, junipers killing off their branches under drought conditions. However, few research studies have examined how climate change will affect invasive species. This research examines an invasive plant in CARE under a variety of climate projections. We are also interested in the microbiome of the invasive plant to see if it influences the plant’s response to climate disturbances. The goal of this research is to provide new insights into how invasive plants are successful under disturbed conditions. The species of interest for our research is the African mustard, Strigosella africana. Of the 126 listed invasive species in CARE, the African mustard is one of 12 species that is actively controlled because of the threat i