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Anatomy, Physiology & Cell Biology
This project will investigate qualitatively and quantitatively the internalization of the 5-HT3 receptor in neurons of the myenteric plexus using in vivo models. 5-HT, short for 5-hydroxytryptamine (the chemical name for serotonin), is important in stimulating feelings of nausea and intestinal pain. the receptor may internalize under different physiological stimuli, such as a high concentration of sugars or lipids in the gut. This project aims 1) to show that the 5-HT3 receptor internalizes if a strong dose of external serotonin is given and 2) to show that internalization can also occur when serotonin is released within the body in response to an intestinal stimulus like sugar or lipid. this will be accomplished by labeling tissue samples from treated rats with fluorescent antibodies directed toward the 5-HT3 receptor and clathrin, a protein that plays a significant role in internalization of cellular membrane components.
The anatomic relationships of the frog (a feature on the solar surface of the hoof useful for study of musculoskeletal injury prevention) with the distal phalangeal bone (a structure internal to the hoof) will be assessed by measuring distances from radiographs of cadaveric equine feet. the information will enhance understanding of the pathogenesis of musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses.
Medicine & Epidemiology
The proposed project will consist of collecting freshwater stream snails, aquatic insect larvae species, and determining the infection rate of trematode parasites and DNA detection of Neorickettsia risticii in an endemic and a non-endemic area for Potomac Horse Fever during June, July and August of 2003. A brief serological survey of horses in the endemic and non endemic area will also be performed for evidence of horse exposure to N. risticii.
Molecular Biosciences
I will test the hypothesis where methyl (+)catechin, produced by murine levier cells, reaches a steady state concentration within 48 hours while glucuronidated (+)catechin concentration increases over a period of 72 hours. Harvesting these metabolites and subjecting them to HPLC analysis will provide the necessary data to validate or negate my hypothesis.
To determine what compound(s) are interfering with the isolation and purification of our flavonoid metabolites. The aromatic amino acids are the prime candidates as interfering compounds, so various separation and isolation techniques will be applied to them to determine if they are actually producing an interference.