These brief descriptions of projects will hopefully provide current and prospective students a sense of the possibilities that exist in KU undergraduate research.
Sugar Sensing based on Gold Nanoparticles
2009 Benjamin Harris
2009 Patrick McCaffrey
2008 Louis Groff
2007 Jessica Pietruch
We are derivatizing gold nanoparticles with a functional group that binds sugars. We can then use fluorescence to detect when a sugar binds to the group on the gold nanoparticle. We have been using steady-state and dynamic fluorescence to investigate each step in the construction of this sensor.
Evaluation of the Bitterness of Hops using HPLC
2006
Leyna Force,Ken Petersen andTravis Danenhower
Kinetics
of the Isomerization of
alpha-Acids to iso-alpha-Acids in Hops
2008 Channasai Hun
In order to add bitter flavor to brewed beverages, alpha-acids from hops need to be heated to encourage a thermal isomerization. We basically set up a brew pot with hops in water, and used HPLC to monitor the conversion of alpha-acids to iso-alpha-acids over time.
2007 Samaher Makhoul
Working with Dr. Matt Junker's lab, we are interested in using fluorescence anisotropy to investigate the controlled creation of protein dimers using a Hap1-DNA binding scheme. Fluorescence anisotropy measurements are capable of tracking molecular rotations. We used a small strand of DNA that was labeled with a fluorescent dye. The small strand of DNA will be able to rotate quickly in a buffer, and will exhibit a low fluorescence anisotropy. If the DNA binds to a much larger protein, the rotation of the DNA will slow, and cause an increase in the anisotropy. Using anisotropy we were able to determine the extent of binding, and whether protein dimers form.
2006 Jessica Pietruch
We analyzed nectar from flowers of a series of related plants for sucrose, fructose and glucose using HPLC to help Dr. Chris Sacchi (Biology Dept.) determine if there is a significant difference in the sugar content that impacts pollinator visitation frequency. So far we have analyzed nectar from Rhododendron maximum and Rhododendron ornamental, Lonicera japonica and Lonicera sempervirens, Penstemon digitalis, and Pinxter flower. We have detected no statistically significant difference in sugar content of the Rhododendron or Lonicera flowers pairs..
Investigation of Epoxy Curing using a Variety of Fluorescence Techniques
2005 Michael Kosalko
Mike followed up on some earlier work using a set of related epoxy formulations to compare several fluorescence techniques to monitor rates of curing epoxies. One of those techniques is based on the fact that the fluorescence of DMANS increases as it becomes less flexible. As an epoxy cures, it reduces the flexibility of DMANS, and fluorescence increases. Another technique involves monitoring the rotation of another fluorescent dye, BODIPY. As the epoxy cures, the rotation of BODIPY slows. This slowing of rotational motion can be monitored using fluorescence anisotropy. Mike presented this work at the KU Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Development of Forensic Laboratory Exercises
2005 Natalie Barto and Jordan Leinbach
Natalie and Jordan worked on troubleshooting and implementing a series of laboratory experiments that were used in a course designed to introduce forensic techniques to middle and high school science teachers. They identified glass fragments by density and refractive index, used film casting techniques to obtain microscopic images of hair cuticles, built an inexpensive gel electrophoresis apparatus, developed spot tests for dugs using over the counter products, developed fingerprinting skills, identified fibers using polarized light microscopy, worked out a series of blood spatter experiments, and created two crime scene scenarios that were used in the course,.
