Phase II Research Projects
Research Theme - Animal Modeling
Investigator: Dr. Samuel Besong, DSU Family and Consumer Sciences
Research Title: Hepatic Lipid Metabolism and Gene Expression in Hen
Abstract: Hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia are major risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Nutritional intervention strategies aimed at reducing hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia would prevent cardiovascular disease and improve human health. This proposal seeks to reduce hyperlipidemia, a risk factor of cardiovascular disease in humans by using laying hen as a model to evaluate the hypolipidemic effect of omega-3 fatty acid enriched supplement. Hepatic Lipid metabolism and nutrient composition of eggs may be altered by feeding laying hen feed rich in eicosapentainoic acid (C20:5w3). This project is aimed at alleviating the incidence of liver steatosis and improving nutrient composition of eggs through nutritional intervention. The specific aims are to: 1) reduce risk factors of cardiovascular disease in humans by using laying hen as a model to evaluate the effect of omega-3 fatty acid enriched supplement [African melon oil seed (AMOS)] on hepatic lipid metabolism and gene expression, 2) evaluate whether AMOS can enhance eggs with omega-3 fatty acids and reduce cholesterol content, and 3) build a cadre of scientists in the field of biomedical sciences and nutrigenomics through hands-on laboratory experience in nutrition, biochemical and molecular biology techniques. The proposed research would advance our knowledge of the hypolipidemic effects of omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentainoic acids) and its potential in the field of nutrigenomics. These objectives will be accomplished by an interdisciplinary team comprised of a human nutritionist, a molecular biologist, and a food and poultry scientist at DSU. This effort will integrate nutrition, poultry science and molecular biology/ biotechnology programs at DSU, thus building a strong research infrastructure for faculty and students in the field of nutrition and biomedical sciences.
Investigator: Dr. Sabrina McGary, DSU Biotechnology
Mentor: Robin Morgan, Ph.D., UD College of Agriculture
Research Title: Characterization of Surfactant Protein Expression in Avian Lung as a Model for Upper Respiratory Disease in Humans
Abstract: The avian lung, which is structurally similar to mammalian upper airway, has been suggested as a novel model for human upper respiratory disease. Of particular interest are the surfactant proteins. The human alveolar surfactant proteins (SP-A, SP-B, SP-C, and SP-D) reduce alveolar surface tension and modulate a localized immune response. The composition and function of surfactant in the upper airway is less well understood, yet it likely prevents the collapse of the bronchioles, and mediates inflammatory responses. As such, surfactant may also influence the risk of upper respiratory disease, such as asthma. Rather than having a "bi-directional" lung with terminal alveoli, avian lung consists of rigid tubules (parabronchi) surrounded by capillary beds and a series of air sacs that permit one-way airflow. The parabronchi do contain type 2 cells, known to express SP-A and SP-B. This tubular, "flow through" avian lung presents a novel model for the study of pulmonary function, in particular for the study of human upper respiratory disease. To date, research on avian pulmonary physiology is limited. The goal of the current proposal is to establish the profile of surfactant protein expression in domestic fowl embryos, and to develop in-vitro cell and tissue culture systems that maintain the type 2 phenotype and stable surfactant protein expression. The proposed research will result in sufficient preliminary data leading towards more investigative experiments, such as the inflammatory response of avian lung or phenotypic physiological changes in response to human respiratory pathogen exposure.
Investigators: Dr. Leonard Davis, DSU Biology
Dr. Melissa Harrington, DSU Biotechnology
Dr. Dragoljub Pokrajac, DSU Computer Sciences
Research Title: Investigating the Neurobiology of Sensory Processing and Learning in an Invertebrate Model System
Abstract: Understanding brain function, in particular mechanisms that underlie learning and memory, is a centuries old goal. It is of particular relevance today with the large increase in the diagnosis of childhood learning disabilities such as attention deficient disorders and dysfunctions in the aging population such as Alzheimer s disease. The public health and education systems currently expends great resources and funds to address these problems. Yet, the State of Delaware has no coordinated programmatic effort to address these issues. DSU, with recent funding from NSF to develop a Graduate program in Neuroscience is uniquely positioned to take the lead in building a Translational Program from basic research to clinical applications. This proposal is focused on fundamental mechanisms of neural processing and learning, and could be developed into the foundation for a coordinated statewide program and Center Grant in collaboration with UD, A.I. DuPont Hospital and the Delaware Mental Health Association. Almost all major advances in the field of neuroscience have come about through work with model systems. The invertebrate models such as Drosophila, Aplysia and C. Elegans have been crucial to our understanding of the molecular biology, anatomical organization, and physiology of neurons and neural networks.
While technological advances and our growing understanding of neural function have increased the usefulness of mammalian model systems, there is still much that can be learned working with invertebrate models. Invertebrate brains are smaller while their neurons are larger, and their resistance to anoxic damage makes isolated preparations for physiological study much easier to make and maintain than in mammals. Recent advances indicate that a significant level of plasticity allowing response to a changing environment is common to all phyla albeit with increasing complexity in higher organisms. Further, the neurobiological systems that are critical to human learning are rooted in the primitive olfactory systems that invertebrates utilize for basic survival behaviors. The limited sensory input of invertebrates and their simple behavioral repertoire makes investigating the relationship between behavior and the physiological and biochemical states of the animal much easier and less problematic. Moreover, the low cost and ease of maintaining invertebrate animals, and their rapid reproductive cycles make them ideal for research involving undergraduates. We are proposing an integrated program of neuroscience research to develop a predatory snail into a new invertebrate model system for studying the molecular and network physiology of sensory processing and learning.
This model is unique compared to previous invertebrate models in that the behaviors under study are central to the natural behavior and motivation of the organisms. Our program will have two main objectives: 1) the use of multi-electrode physiology to characterize the network architecture and neurophysiology of snail brains engaged in sensory processing; and 2) the use of targeted gene knock-out in live, adult snails to elucidate the molecular physiology of sensory processing and learning.
