Fouquieria splendens (ocotillo) is a large, basally branching, shallow-rooted, drought deciduous shrub native to the Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts. Ocotillos, like all Fouquieriaceae, have gelatinous fibers (g-fibers), which typically occur in tensio . . .

∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marijuana’s principal psychoactive component, is known to suppress resistance to bacterial, viral and protozoan infections. However, the effect of THC on resistance to fungal infections is unclear. Recently, we found tha . . .

The fitness of an organism depends on its energetics, which includes both the amount of energy entering the individual and the distribution of energy within the individual. The present thesis examined the energetics of a scleractinian coral during and . . .

Gastrulation is a fundamental process that mediates formation of ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm in most animals. Revealing the mechanism of gastrulation will provide a better understanding of embryonic development. Due to its transparency, simplicity . . .

The differentiated state of somatic cells can be reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), leading to the reactivation of the inactive X chromosome (Xi) of female differentiated cells in the mouse. In somatic cells, the Xi is very stable . . .

Microarray data can be used to derive an understanding of the relationships between the genes involved in various biological systems of an organism, given the availability of web applications and databases of gene expression measurements from the comp . . .

Sarcoma 180, a mouse ascites tumor, was examined ultrastructurally using transmission electron microscopy. Its general fine structure, and the cell surface interactions occurring as a result of agglutination were examined. Three types of agglutinins w . . .

Stem cells are necessary for proper development, tissue homeostasis and regeneration while dysregulation of their activity leads to diseases such as diabetes, neurodegeneration and cancer. Yet, the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive stem cel . . .

Various stages of developing sea urchin embryos were fixed and fractured open in order to study the structural nature of the blastocoel. Fine structural analyses revealed a voluminous, fibrillar, extracellular matrix (ECM) composed of collagen-like fi . . .

Metastatic spread of tumors in the breast account for over 95% of cancer-related deaths. Before cancer cells can survive in distant microenvironments, the tissues must be primed and acquire tumor-permissive properties. The primary tumor communicates w . . .

Gas liquid chromatographic analysis of 50 strains has shown that the fatty acid composition of the genus Simonsiella, a gliding bacterium found in the oral cavity of warm blooded animals, is not unlike that of some other Gram-negative bacteria and con . . .

A persistent challenge for ecologists is characterizing patterns of diversity in community structure, and understanding the importance of species interactions that shape communities across environments. Both foundation and invasive species have strong . . .

Introgression in Salvia apian and S. mellifera was studied in two parts, a geographical study and a study over a timespan of thirteen years. Samples taken from north-south and east-west transects throughout most of the sympatric range of the two speci . . .

A developmental reaction norm integrates three tightly linked factors of ontogeny, genotype, and environment to address the ability of an organism to deal with environmental change. This concept of organismic flexibility is termed plasticity, and is w . . .

Herbivorous fishes are an important component of the marine reef communities. They convert primary production directly into fish tissue. Grazing of algae by herbivores can also alter marine communities by impacting the growth, recruitment, and mortali . . .

A comparative assay of the transferrin binding ability of mouse embryo and teratocarcinoma cells was conducted using techniques of fluorescent antibody labelling. Five to six days after conception, developing blastocysts were removed from the uterine . . .

The development of the cranial and branchial skeleton of the surfperch Amphistichus argenteus, a member of the family Embiotocidae, is described, and phylogenetic and functional aspects of the skull development of this species are discussed. The earli . . .

X-linked dominant Chondrodysplasia Punctata (CDPX2) also known as Conradi-Hunermann-Happle Syndrome is a rare human genetic disorder resulting from disfunction of Emopamil Binding Protein (EBP). EBP is better known as Sterol isomerase (SI),which it ac . . .

Apoptotic cell death is essential for embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, and a well-functioning immune system. Impaired apoptosis is both critical in cancer development and is a major barrier to effective treatment. In response to diverse intr . . .

Chemokines are signaling proteins released by cells in response to chemical stimuli in their environment. The chemokine stromal derived factor 1 (SDF1) has been regularly studied due to its role in the growth and metastasis of multiple cancers, includ . . .

Global climate change induces multiple stressors on tropical coral reefs that threaten their persistence. Ocean acidification decreases calcification in most dominant reef builders, such as crustose coralline algae (CCA). Climate change also has the p . . .

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroid hormones that elicit a wide array of effects on cells including induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Apoptosis is a complex process that involves many genes and their products. Dexamethasone (Dex), a synthe . . .

Bioethanol production has the potential to produce higher quantities of environment-friendly biofuel compared to other modern platforms. Currently, bioethanol is the main platform produced from sugar-based crops. These crops, however, compete with foo . . .

Foundation species create structure in a community, and understanding their ecological and evolutionary response to global change is of utmost importance to ecological and economic management of these species and the communities that rely on them. Mac . . .

We spend about a third of our lives asleep, but the function of sleep remains a great mystery. Many hypotheses for the function of sleep have been put forward based upon the cellular perturbations associated with sleep deprivation. It has yet to be sh . . .

While the stomach hormone gastrin is known to exist in several species of mammals gastrin activity in. the alimentary tracts of other chordates has not been confirmed. To determine if the gastrin hormone is strictly a mammalian feature with respect to . . .

Hereditary Inclusion Body Myopathy (HIBM) is a homozygous recessive disorder characterized by the M712T mutation. Humans who inherit this disorder develop skeletal muscle wasting, which is largely attributed to a sialic acid deficiency. In order to de . . .

Foraminiferal concentration above the Santa Catalina Basin was low at the surface and increased with depth to a maximum concentration at 25 to 75 m. The concentration decreased below 75 m to a minimum at 120 m and remained low at greater depth. The co . . .

One approach to the study of cell adhesion is isolation of factors that promote cellular re-aggregation. This laboratory has isolated factors that promote re-aggregation of Stronglocentrotus purpuratus blastula cells. The factors are released from the . . .

Coral reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems on the planet and have been compared to rainforests because of their complexity and high species diversity. Tropical reefs have relatively nutrient-poor waters, but they are one of the most productive . . .

How an organism responds to predation risk can greatly affect its reproductive success. When threatened by predators, prey often change their foraging and mating behavior, presumably to maximize current and future fitness. These responses have been st . . .

One of the most spectacular examples of insular adaptive radiation can be found among the Hawaiian silverswords (Asteraceae-Madiinae). This monophyletic group was transported to the Hawaiian archipelago about five million years ago, and today comprise . . .

The ectoderm differentiates into three derivatives, the neural tube, non-neural ectoderm and neural crest cells. Our lab studies the processes controlling the specification and differentiation of these three tissues. Neural cadherin (CDH2) is a calciu . . .

The sequential development of a marine fouling community was studied by the use of submerged glass surfaces which served as the substratum for the attachment and growth of sedentary marine organisms. Four separate stages in community development were . . .

Neural crest cells emerge by delamination from the dorsal neural tube and give rise to various components of the peripheral nervous system in vertebrate embryos. The cells change from non-motile into highly motile cells migrating to distant areas befo . . .

The binding to the surface of Treponema pallidum, Nichols strain, of six mouse-derived monoclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG) preparations was demonstrated by whole mount indirect immunoelectron microscopy. T. pallidum from 10-day old rabbit orchitides was . . .

A study was made of Protothaca staminea in the Mugu Lagoon, California. Two areas were studied: a sandy channel and a muddy sand backwater. Random sampling of the two areas was done to determine the relative densities and dispersions of P.staminea. Th . . .

Settlement patterns and pre-settlement larval traits of fish species can directly influence the local population and community structure. Lunar cycles may play a role in determining these settlement patterns and traits. Depending on the lunar phase, o . . .

Ascites fluid from mice 'bearing the Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor enhances the rotation mediated aggregation of S-180 ascites tumor cells, Evidence presented suggests that the aggregation promoting component of the ascites fluid is not produced by the ho . . .

Macrocystis pyrifera (12) were subjected to a controlled shore wash-up treatment to determine which animals leave from and which remain within holdfasts detached from a rocky substrate. The procedure encompassed five phases: 1) separation from bottom . . .

Hereditary inclusion body myopathy (HIBM) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness. HIBM is caused by mutations in the GNE gene which encodes the bifunctional enzyme uridine diphosphospho-N-acetylglu . . .

Legionella pneumophila is a gram-negative bacterium that causes a severe pneumonia known as Legionnaires' disease. L. pneumophila is engulfed by macrophages via phagocytosis, where it avoids being dismantled by the lysosomes through the establishment . . .

Seizures, trauma and many neurologic diseases induce damage to the hippocampus, which can result in deficits in spatial navigation, memory consolidation and depressive-type behaviors. Current drug treatments have limited effectiveness in improving sym . . .

Rates of evaporative water loss were obtained for two geographically and climatically isolated populations of Uta stansburiana hesperis Richardson under specified conditions of temperature, relative humidity and air flow. From these data, equations fo . . .

Previous studies of teratoma cells in batch culture demonstrated that glutamine synthetase (GS) specific activity was cell density dependent, increasing as the culture approached confluency. Other studies also showed that intercellular adhesion and GS . . .

Both stream-dwelling and pond-dwelling Hyla regilla home rapidly and accurately after displacement. The majority of returns occurred within 24 hours and the homing rates ranged from a minimum of 37 m/day (overland) for pond-dwelling frogs to a maximum . . .

Ocean acidification (OA), caused by the dissolution of anthropogenic CO2 into the surface waters of the ocean, threatens the fate of calcifying marine organisms. The effects of OA on adult coral calcification have been well-studied over the past decad . . .

Quantifying the effects of bacterial communities and temperature on coral-associated endosymbionts adds to our understanding of coral health. Genetic variation in endosymbionts may increase the fitness of the holobiont - coral and associated microbes . . .