STUDENT RESEARCH

Jennifer Giannini is studying chromosome non-disjunction. She has capitalized on a maize assay system and previous research by other Saint Mary’s students. Jennifer is determining the effects of several chemicals on chromosome non-disjunction using an in vitro system in male gameto genesis of maize. She is advised by Dr. Kowles.

Jenna Lindgren is also doing a cytogenetic investigation using maize. Jenna is looking at the development of tapetal cells in male gametogenesis. Tapetal cells are nurse cells during pollen development that often become binucleate. Jenna is determining the temporal stages of becoming binucleate and DNA content changes in these cells. Jenna is also being advised by Dr. Kowles.

David Gross and Mark Montanari are seniors working with Dr. Debra Martin to determine the effect of Melaleuca oil on growth and development of murine (mice) B lymphocytes. Melaleuca oil is a natural oil isolated from Australiatea trees. Currently it is marketed by Melaleuca, Inc. as a natural antiseptic, fungicide and cleanser and is found in a variety of products such as toothpaste, soaps, vitamins. Previous research determined the growth curve of cells grown in the presence of 0.01%, 0.1% and 1.0% purified melaleuca oil. The data showed that the cells ceased to divide. David is using the flow cytometer to analyze whether melaleuca oil is altering the cell cycle, while Mark is using the fluorescent microscope to analyze the cell cycle.

Jon Pace and Kendra Maloney are performing their senior research with Dr. Debra Martin. They are studying exercise-induced asthma and the contribution of airway-derived nitric oxide (NO) in inducing relaxation of smooth muscle in the bronchi. Nitric oxide is synthesized by the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS), of which different isoforms, such as iNOS, have been proven to generate small amounts of bronchoprotective nitric oxide in response to certain stimuli to counteract the symptoms. A recent study has shown an association with the iNOS gene and severity of asthma and eosinophils. Jon and Kendra will be amplifying this gene and correlating its polymorphic sequence to those people that have exercise-induced asthma.