News Archive
Peter Um, a ¾¨Ó㴫ý senior molecular biology major from Gainesville, Va., recently won the Award for Best Poster Presentation in Academia at the 4th International RNAi conference held in Boston.
"Peter has been able to combine his skills and experience as a molecular biology major with his interest in the fields of tissue engineering and prosthetics," said Dr. Joshua Corrett-Bennett, assistant professor of biology and faculty advisor to Um. "Prelimary results from Peter's work suggests that a new molecular technique called ribonucleic acid interference, or RNAi, is capable of temporarily shutting down defense mechanisms of some pathogenic bacteria, possibly making them more susceptible to antibiotics or the body's own immune response."
Um was recently awarded a Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Undergraduate Research Travel/Presentation Grant.
"The research grants for projects and creative activities must be conducted under the mentorship of ¾¨Ó㴫ý faculty," said Dr. Virginia Tomlinson, director of the Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at ¾¨Ó㴫ý. "Funding may include supplies, equipment, travel to libraries and data sources, and travel to make presentations. In order to apply for research support, the student must have a research proposal completed as a degree-seeking student at ¾¨Ó㴫ý, and be in good academic standing."
Um is a son of Kyo Ho and Chang Nam Um, Gainesville, Va. and a graduate of W.T. Woodson High School. The title of his research is "Inhibition of Operon Based Biofilm Synthesis of Staphylococcus aureaus Using Hybrid Mediated Silencing."
"Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of nosocomial infections. Its virulence is partially attributed to its ability to produce a biofilm, which facilitates in immunoresponse evasion and promotion of cellular adhesion. The genes affiliated with biofilm production – icaA, icaD, icaB, and icaC respectively– are located in the ica operon. I hypothesized that suppression of these genes using post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) could statistically reduce biofilm formation. Drawbacks to using PTGS in prokaryotic systems include difficulty with passive transformation of RNA molecules and the fact that eukaryotic homologs of silencing proteins have not yet been identified in prokaryotes. Research at Livermore National Laboratory suggests that molecules known as siHybrids-double stranded RNA:DNA duplexes-can successfully transform and silence prokaryotic genes. For this study, siHybrid silencing was applied to the ica operon of S. aureus in order to confirm passive transformation and detect threshold levels of PTGS in a prokaryotic system. Results indicated a significant decrease in biofilm synthesis when all genes encoded in the operon were simultaneously co-suppressed (sense and antisense) with siHybrids. These findings suggest that siHybrid technology may have the potential to help combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens," wrote Um.
Contact Coreette-Bennett at (724) 946-7208 or e-mail corretjc@westminster.edu for more information.
Dr. Sandra Webster, professor and chair of psychology at ¾¨Ó㴫ý, will speak at a Psychology Colloquium Thursday, Oct. 25, at 7:30 p.m., in Phillips Lecture Hall of the Hoyt Science Resources Center.
Leslea Newman, activist, poet, and author of over 200 books, will talk about homophobia, censorship, and family values in teaching tolerance, Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. in Wallace Memorial Chapel.
¾¨Ó㴫ý will honor its academic achievers at the Spring Honors Convocation Saturday, April 26, at 11 a.m. in Orr Auditorium.
The program will begin with special music from the ¾¨Ó㴫ý Horn Choir and from Dr. Elizabeth Harrison, college organist. After an invocation from the Rev. Steve Allen, College chaplain, and a welcome from R. Thomas Williamson, president of ¾¨Ó㴫ý, Dr. Jesse T. Mann, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, will recognize the Dean's List Scholars, recipients of scholarships, prizes and awards, and students who have completed the College Honors Program.
Dr. Bryan Rennie, ¾¨Ó㴫ý Vira L. Heinz Chair in Religion and associate professor of religion, will speak at Faculty Forum Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 11:40 a.m. in the Sebastian Mueller Theater in the McKelvey Campus Center.
Dr. Deborah Mitchell, ¾¨Ó㴫ý associate professor of English, has earned the 2008-2009 Henderson Lectureship Award.
Dr. Bryan Rennie, ¾¨Ó㴫ý Vira I. Heinz professor of religion, is the author of "Mircea Eliade: 'Secular Mysticism' and the History of Religions" that was published in the journal Religion, vol. 38, #4.
The Jake Erhardt International Film Series will show the Mexican film Sin Nombre (Without Name) Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. in the Sebastian Mueller Theater in the McKelvey Campus Center.
The ¾¨Ó㴫ý Psychology Preschool Lab will celebrate Week of the Young Child through April 17 with a variety of activities to honor young children and those who make a difference in children's lives.
Three ¾¨Ó㴫ý elementary education majors presented "The Classroom as Gracious Space" at the Pennsylvania Council for Exceptional Children conference Nov. 11-12 in State College.
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