Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an excellent model organism for studying embryonic vertebrate development due to their conserved genome with humans, external development, and ease of observation under the microscope. The gene SON is found on the twenty-fir . . .

Geographic variation research is an important topic of study, providing insight into trends of organismal origin, dispersal and evolution. By virtue of investigating these trends, this research also exposes areas where conservation efforts are needed . . .

Proper development of the immune system is critical for defense against infection. Complex signaling occurs during immune system development and changes in this signaling can have adverse effects ranging from immunodeficiency to cancer. Lymphoid Enhan . . .

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a disease that affects the normal growth of myeloid cells, which are blood cells that protect the body against foreign invaders in the blood and bone marrow. In humans, 95% of CML cases are caused by a chromosomal tra . . .

The area of study for this project is a microRNA called miR-375 which is overexpressed in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and has been linked to decreased insulin secretion and beta cell proliferation. Investigation into the transcription factor ind . . .

ABSTRACT TARGETED GRAZING AS AN EFFECTIVE CONTROL FOR NON-NATIVE LOLIUM MULTIFLORUM AMONG THE RARE SPECIES CORDYLANTHUS PALMATUS IN ALKALI MEADOW HABITATS by Sheli M. Wingo Master of Science in Biological Sciences California State University, Chico Sp . . .

ABSTRACT BILATERAL ASYMMETRY IN TWO SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERS IN THE WESTERN FENCE LIZARD (SCELOPORUS OCCIDENTALIS): IMPLICATIONS FOR A CORRELATION WITH LATERALIZED AGGRESSION by Jackson D. Shedd Master of Science in Biological Sciences California S . . .

ABSTRACT IT WAS BUILT… DID THEY COME? HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS OF YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO IN RESTORED RIPARIAN FORESTS ALONG THE SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIFORNIA by Jessica E. Hammond Master of Science in Biological Sciences California State University, Chico . . .

ABSTRACT SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL ECOLOGY OF FISH LARVAE IN SEASONAL AND PERENNIAL TRIBUTARIES OF THE SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIFORNIA by Rebecca C. Walther Master of Science in Biological Sciences California State University, Chico Spring 2009 Many studies h . . .

Emiliania huxleyi and some related prymnesiophyte algae produce a novel group of polyunsaturated long-chain C37-39 alkenones, alkenoates, and alkenes as their major neutral lipids, however their biosynthesis pathway is unknown. Like triglycerides, the . . .

Reproductive isolation is critical to speciation and therefore biodiversity. The immediate goal of such studies is to identify which barriers contribute most to overall reproductive isolation between species, in order to gain a broader understanding o . . .

Vernal pool habitats have been significantly reduced by conversion to incompatible agriculture and urbanization. As a result, a number of vernal pool dependent species have become rare, including Colusa grass (Neostapfia colusana) and Greene’s tuctori . . .

In the pursuit of producing cleaner fuels, plant lignocellulose is a source of fermentable sugars that don’t compete with food production. Conversion of plant components, or lignocellulose, into biofuels typically requires hot and acidic pre-treatment . . .

Freshwater turtles worldwide are declining due to a variety of human caused impacts. The Western Pond Turtle (Emys marmorata) is native to the pacific coast of the North America and is also in decline. Many Western Pond Turtles live in human-modified . . .

Many rare and threatened California plant species are endemic to ultramafic serpentine soils. Understanding what specifically makes these species rare is of high value to conservation and management efforts statewide. While there is no one definition . . .

Marine ciliates are important consumers of marine phytoplankton and represent a vital link in the food web. These unicellular grazers exhibit complex feeding behaviors and can be highly selective in their prey choices. Recently, Echevarria et al. (201 . . .

Growth receptor bound protein-2 (GRB2) is an intracellular adapter protein responsible for linking receptor tyrosine kinases to downstream signaling proteins involved in cellular growth and differentiation. GRB2 is overexpressed in certain forms of hu . . .