Celebration of Scholars
Investigation of Potential DNA Replication Regulators in Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Ryan Haaksma, 2012 Major: Biology Hometown: Frankfort, Ill.
Michelle Pelka, 2011
Major: Biology and Neuroscience Hometown: Elgin, Ill.
Short Fiction “October Leaves” Dex Westrum, Adjunct Faculty, Heritage Program
“October Leaves” is a father-son story of frustrated dreams. The father dreamed of playing golf at the highest level and has had to settle for club pro jobs, the responsibilities of which he tries to avoid by playing in local tournaments and ultimately has disagreements with club members and moves on in search of the perfect situation. The son would like to be a club pro but knows that his golf game will never mature to the point of earning the respect of club members and securing a top level job. These frustrations follow the father into dementia and the son into adulthood.
Distribution and Dispersal of Invasive Terrestrial Plants in Kenosha County Adam Van Huis, 2012 Major: Biology Hometown: Winneconne, Wis.
Caley Weidacher, 2012 Major: Biology Hometown: Lombard, Ill.
Faculty Sponsor: Deborah Tobiason
Neisseria gonorrhoeae(GC), the causative agent of gonorrhea, is a rapidly spreading bacteria that has resistance to many antibiotics. The purpose of our research is to examine gonococcal DNA replication and possibly determine a new target for inhibiting the growth of GC, by looking at the hda and 842 genes. There has been research done with Escherichia coli that shows that the hda protein regulates initiation of DNA replication. Due to the 842 gene being cotranscribed with hda, 842 may also have an effect on replication of GC. The 842 gene has no known homology to any other gene in the Genbank database. Both of these genes are being cloned into two separate plasmids to try to create a knockout of each. The 842 gene has been successfully cloned and the hda gene cloning is being verified. Once the genes are cloned and verified, an antibiotic resistant marker will be inserted into the middle of each gene. These plasmids with the mutated hda and 842 genes will then be transformed into a strain of GC. After transformation the mutated hda and 842 genes will be incorporated into the genomic DNA due to their beneficial antibacterial resistance markers. These will knockout the wild type copy of each gene. The effects of these mutations on growth rate and DNA replication in GC will then be examined.
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Morgan Wiechmann, 2012
Major: Environmental Science, Geography and Earth Science Hometown: Sleepy Hollow, Ill. Faculty Sponsor: Tracy Gartner, Scott Hegrenes
In Wisconsin the introduction of invasive plant species has generated large concern. The purpose of this study was to implement a long term monitoring program of invasive terrestrial plants in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. The primary goals of this study was to determine if invasive species reduce biodiversity, observe seed dispersal patterns in relation to where an abundance of invasive species are found, and determine if lake recreational activity decreases terrestrial plant diversity. Data for this project was collected along four different lake site river outlets. At each lake site twelve 1m² quadrats were sampled. In each quadrat a stem count and percent cover of terrestrial plants was recorded, as well as many abiotic factors. The base-line data collected, part of a long term monitoring program supported three out of four hypotheses. For instance, areas where exotic plant abundance is low, species richness and plant diversity was higher, exotic plants with small and many seeds were more abundant near the river banks and invasive species use the waterway as a method of transportation to disperse their seeds to new areas. Also, increasing lake recreational activity increased terrestrial plant diversity. The conclusions made in this study help predict where an abundance of invasive plant species may be found in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Future goals of this project include applying the best management practices to these areas to eradicate the exotic species. Funding source: The John J. and Ruth F. Kloss Charitable Trust Fund