Midwestern Journal of Undergraduate Sciences
Welcome to the Midwestern Journal of Undergraduate Sciences! The Midwestern Journal of Undergraduate Sciences is an online publication that advances knowledge of undergraduate life sciences research through research studies and critical reviews of the literature available in an open access forum. Submissions are invited from diverse disciplines and a range of research paradigms that contribute to scholarship for the undergraduate research community as well as the broader field of biology.
© The Author(s) This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.
The Municipal Farm is a 441-acre site owned by the City of Kansas City, Missouri, located in the heart of the Eastwood Hills neighborhood. Surrounded by important neighborhoods and regional assets, the former municipal jail and working farm property site holds great potential for the community. It is both a historic and environmental asset in Kansas City. Over the years, a range of factors—including accumulated city and industrial uses, and the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances in some areas, known as brownfield sites—have contributed to the site being underutilized. Today, Municipal Farm features a rich mix of natural elements such as waterways, wetlands, wooded areas, striking terrain, and pockets of development. The Municipal Farm site in Kansas City represents a unique opportunity to revitalize a historically significant and environmentally rich area by addressing past contamination concerns and transforming it into a sustainable, community-driven asset that blends ecological restoration, urban development, and public engagement.
Copyright (c) 2025 Katelyn Baska, Kathryn Garey https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Copyright (c) 2025 Arisha Safiq https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Copyright (c) 2025 J. F. Treml https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Modeling human phenotypes in the nematode C. elegans during an undergraduate developmental biology course
Caenorhabditis elegans is a widely used model organism in biomedical research due to its genetic tractability, short life cycle, and conservation of many developmental processes with humans. In this study, undergraduate students conducted nine independent experiments during a Developmental Biology course to model human phenotypes using C. elegans. Each group selected a human phenotype of interest, identified a gene associated with the phenotype, and then determined the orthologous or homologous gene in C. elegans. By obtaining mutants and designing phenotypic assays, students investigated the extent to which the worm models could recapitulate aspects of the human condition. This collective work highlights both the potential and limitations of C. elegans as a model for human phenotypic variation and disease and demonstrates the value of undergraduate inquiry as a catalyst for scientific engagement and research-based learning.
Copyright (c) 2025 Sireen Aburaide, Pader Xiong, Daniel Wolfson, Tashi Wangmo, Anthony Vassallo, DJ Smith, Madeline Shaw, Luis Millan, Samantha Meyer, Bobby Lee, Divine Katasi, Evelyn Juen, Allison Hookam, Ahmed Elewa, Yoskar Deleon, Mason Chamberlain, Ahmed Suad, Lian Yaeger https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Targeting Streptococcus salivarius in Peri-Implantitis
Peri-implantitis, a persistent complication associated with dental implants, is driven by complex, antibiotic-resistant oral biofilms. Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) may represent novel, safe, and effective therapies against Streptococcus salivarius, a key early colonizer in peri-implant biofilms. S. salivarius was isolated and identified by 16S sequencing from human saliva, followed by standardized growth and biofilm assays to establish a physiologically relevant testing model. RR12 is a novel peptide that was rationally designed, synthesized, and characterized for structural integrity for comparison against KR12, a natural LL-37 derivative known to be effective against bacteria. Both peptides demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of S. salivarius biofilm formation, but KR12 consistently achieved superior antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects with lower cytotoxicity. These findings underscore the necessity of biological validation in peptide development and support the use of AMPs as promising alternatives to traditional antibiotics. AMP-based coatings and gels for dental implants could offer localized, resistance-proof infection control.
Copyright (c) 2025 Samia Chergui, Sonia Thomas, Melissa Daggett, Brendan Mattingly, Jack Treml https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Copyright (c) 2025 Jack Treml https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Disparate Biosocial Risk of Malaria andSickle Cell Disease in the United States
Copyright (c) 2025 Sloane Murphy https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Copyright (c) 2025 Yenny Feng https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Reprogramming the Enemy Within: Patient-Derived CAR-T Cells Effectively Target Inflammation-Inducing B cells
Copyright (c) 2025 Isabella Press https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Copyright (c) 2025 Carson Gray https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
A Double Strike Against Tumor Resistance
Copyright (c) 2025 Soham Kawade https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
A Humanizing Rewrite for CAR T Cells in Autoimmune Disease: A StepToward Repeatable, Durable Therapy
Copyright (c) 2025 Samia Chergui https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Research Synthesis of Environmental Health Impacts on Mental & Physical Wellness
Mental health and wellness is one of the single most important indicators of quality of life in human beings, however it is a subject which is still not cohesively quantified against other areas of research. The aim of this assessment was to bridge the gap between mental and environmental health conditions in Olathe, Kansas by synthesizing existing environmental and human health data together to form a narrative about the most important threats to mental and environmental health, their potential mitigation strategies, and the expected impacts of those strategies in the community. The following sections provide a condensed version of the research findings from a separate and more comprehensive capstone project report. The work being done to bring these two areas of research together is of growing importance as we continue to see a rise in climate-related health outcomes and mental health awareness and advocacy reach a wider public audience
Copyright (c) 2025 Robb Morris https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Lipid Peroxidation as a Biomarker for Heavy Metal Stress in Plants
Heavy metal contamination in soil poses a significant threat to plant health, agriculture, and ecological stability. This study investigates the potential of lipid peroxidation, specifically malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, as a biomarker for oxidative stress in plants exposed to heavy metals. Plants were subjected to varying concentrations of Copper Sulfate, and physiological parameters such as root length were recorded to assess growth inhibition. To quantify lipid peroxidation, a thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay was performed, with a standard curve generated using 1,1,3,3-tetramethoxypropane (TMP) as an MDA equivalent. Results revealed a dose-dependent increase in MDA levels correlating with reduced root growth, indicating enhanced oxidative damage under metal stress. These findings support the use of lipid peroxidation as a reliable indicator of heavy metal toxicity and lay the groundwork for its application in phytoremediation studies and environmental monitoring.
Copyright (c) 2025 Soham Kawade, Jack Treml, Sonia Thomas, Melissa Daggett, Brendan Mattingly https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
FCs and CAR Ts teamwork makes the dreamwork
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has recently been a huge topic in cancer immunotherapy, however the effect on solid state tumors remains limited due to poor tumor infiltration and persistence. This review is of a study by sun. et al "Dendritic cell/tumor fusion cell vaccine combined with EGFRvIII-specific nanobody CAR T cells enhances antitumor efficacy against glioblastoma."; this study uses nanobody-based CAR T cells (Nb-CAR Ts), that camelid-derived single-domain antibodies to reduce steric hindrance, which has been shown to improve tumor penetration when compared to traditional CAR receptors. They used EGFRvIII-specific Nb-CAR Ts along with a dendritic cell/tumor fusion cell (FC) to target glioblastoma. EGFRvIII Nb-CAR Ts demonstrated enhanced proliferation, activation, cytokine production, and antigen-specific cytotoxicity in vitro. Key tests showed the effectiveness of the NB CarT cell alone when compared to control groups-- both in vivo and in vitro. NB CarT cell + FC had improved outcomes, both in vivo and in vitro when compared to NB CarT cell alone, FC alone, or NB CarT cell with non fusion dendritic cell. This study shows a promsing method of treating solid state tumors.
Copyright (c) 2025 Yusef Elghzali https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Pro-Apoptotic Effects of Curcumin on HCT116 Colorectal Cancer Cells
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, often originating from benign polyps in the colon and rectum that may become malignant if left untreated. While current treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are effective, they often come with severe side effects that impact patient quality of life. This has spurred interest in natural compounds like curcumin, which may offer therapeutic benefits with fewer adverse effects. Curcumin, the main active compound in turmeric, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties in various studies, suggesting its potential as an adjunct therapy for CRC. This study investigates the effects of curcumin and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapy drug commonly used to treat CRC, on HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. 5-FU works by inhibiting DNA synthesis, ultimately leading to cancer cell death. The cells will be treated with varying concentrations of curcumin and 5-FU, and cell viability will be assessed using MTT assays at 24 hours to evaluate treatment efficacy. Apoptotic effects will be evaluated using the eBioscience™ Annexin V Apoptosis Detection Kit, and morphological changes will be observed under a microscope. The primary goal is to determine the LD₅₀ concentration of curcumin and observe morphological changes at that concentration. This research aims to provide insights into curcumin's potential as a safe adjunct or alternative to current CRC therapies. By identifying effective concentrations and comparing their effects to those of 5-FU, the study seeks to contribute to more informed treatment strategies for CRC.
Copyright (c) 2025 Kuljeet Kaur, Sonia Thomas, Melissa Daggett, Jack Treml https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Giving Cancer Cells a Taste of Their Own Medicine: Lactic Acid from Vaginal Microbiota Protects Against Cancer
Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with cervical cancer ranking among the top four most common malignant tumors in females. Tumor microenvironments surrounding solid tumors, including cervical cancer, have often been found to contain high concentrations of lactic acid due to a preference for aerobic glycolysis, termed the Warburg effect. Several studies have implicated lactic acid in solid tumors’ ability to evade immune defenses, but lactic acid’s role in the human body is far from being one-sided. Lactobacillus species, the most common bacteria in the vaginal tract, have long been known to play a protective role in the vaginal microbiota by secreting lactic acid that inhibits the growth of pathogens. Recent research by Fan et al. uncovered that the beneficial effects of lactic acid produced by Lactobacillus species not only prevent vaginal infections but also protect against cervical cancer by regulating the fucosylation of vaginal epithelial cells. Hence, vaginal Lactobacillus gives cervical cancer cells a taste of their own medicine: using high doses of the very molecule that cancer cells may use to evade the immune system to suppress the cancer cells’ growth.
Copyright (c) 2024 Kaitlyn Si, Jack Treml https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Copyright (c) 2024 Alex Rees, Jack Treml https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), primarily acetate, propionate, and butyrate, have garnered significant attention due to their anti-inflammatory properties within the human body.1 Expanding on these studies, recent research has revealed that SCFAs exhibit selective antitumor effects on colorectal cancer cells (CRC cells). The findings from these investigations have illuminated the influence SCFAs can have on the development and progression of colorectal cancer. These discoveries underscore the therapeutic potential SCFAs might offer in the management and treatment of colorectal cancer.
Copyright (c) 2024 Samia Chergui, Jack Treml https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Copyright (c) 2024 Jack Treml https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Integrative Review of Riparian Buffers Benefits in Urbanized Watersheds
Riparian buffers or riparian corridors are areas of vegetation in the floodplains and areas surrounding a stream. By the early 2000s, numerous national reports and studies of riparian buffer benefits established that vegetation near streams is helpful in protecting the stream from increasing urban runoff, minimizing bank erosion, reducing flooding, and improving overall water quality. However, influential studies concluded that buffer benefits dwindle as urbanization increases, eventually becoming ineffective. This study evaluates more recent research that suggests riparian buffers are more effective at countering urbanization impacts than previously understood, and considers the extent to which we can quantify these benefits and identify the factors that maximize their effectiveness (i.e. greater efficiency based on buffer distance from the stream, extent of stream setbacks, and percentage of impervious cover in the area). Much of the research has been conducted in the Kansas City area in the Blue River Watershed, which begins in Kansas and flows into Missouri River east of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. About 800,000 residents live in the watershed, which includes some of the region’s fastest growing areas. It is critical to protect this major resource, and other regional rivers and streams, for residents of the Kansas City Metropolitan area and the ecosystems that depend on them. It is also critical to provide the latest and best information to the community-of-practice currently updating regional stormwater management planning and design guidance.
Copyright (c) 2024 Paige Denning, Dr. Scott Schulte https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
MicroRNAs, small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, have emerged as key players in immune regulation and disease pathogenesis. Among these, miR-21 is one of the most highly expressed miRNAs in various tissues and has been implicated in modulating numerous inflammatory responses and immune functions. While the impact of miRNAs on bacterial pathogen-host interactions has been extensively studied, our understanding of their role in gastrointestinal (GI) tract immunity, particularly in the context of Tuberculosis (TB), remains limited.
Copyright (c) 2024 Olive Njoroge, Dr. Jack Treml https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The fast-paced digital era has sparked an alarming surge of micro-trends in the fashion industry. Many companies prioritize mass production of textiles to fuel a culture of disposable fashion. This mass production of dyed textiles relies heavily on the use of synthetic azo dyes and, in some processes, the use of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and chromium VI. Consequently, our planet’s landfills are inundated with an overwhelming volume of clothes that can leach toxic or carcinogenic chemicals into the environment. In response, scientists are researching sustainable alternatives that can harness living organisms to produce biosynthetic dyes that have less environmental impact. To contribute to this research effort, I aimed to develop a bioengineered strain of yeast that expresses red pigments called Betalains, a gene derived from beetroots. To achieve this, I will use a plasmid called UBQ: RUBY which is a gene cassette that contains requisite enzymes and promotors to express Betalains in a yeasts model. The expressed biosynthetic dye will then be purified and its fabric-standing properties will be characterized. Ultimately, this bioengineered yeast strain can be used to mass produce the red biosynthetic dye, Betalains, which could replace environmentally harmful synthetic dyes. This research project serves as a proof-of-concept study that could lay the foundation for the broader adoption of more sustainable and ethically conscious textile dyeing processes for decades to come.
Copyright (c) 2024 bridget ruhme, Dr. Jack Treml, Dr. Randall Logan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The crosstalk between microbial sensors ELMO1 and NOD2 shape intestinal immune responses
Microbial sensors are integral to maintaining cellular homeostasis and orchestrating immune responses within the intestinal environment. The mechanisms contributing to differential immune responses and their link to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are not yet fully understood. IBD is an umbrella term used to describe disorders that cause chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. This review explores The crosstalk between microbial sensors ELMO1 and NOD2 shape intestinal immune responses during enteric infections of AIEC-LF82 and Salmonella published in the February 2023 Virulence Journal by Aditi Sharma et al.
Copyright (c) 2024 bridget ruhme, Jack Treml https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Assessing the effects of lactate on the immune responsiveness of T cells in vitro
T cells play a key role in protecting the body from cancer. While T cells are normally effective in destroying abnormal cells, there are times when malignancies grow seemingly unchecked by the immune system. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy implements T cells that have been genetically engineered to recognize and kill cancer cells. While CAR-T cell therapy has demonstrated efficacy in treating hematological malignancies, it has shown less promise in treating solid tumors. A possible explanation for the decreased efficacy of T cells and T cell-based immunotherapies in destroying solid tumors may lie in a phenomenon that scientists have long been aware of. The Warburg effect, first described in 1924, is the observation that cancer cells tend to consume significantly more glucose than other cells due to their shift from aerobic respiration to fermentation, resulting in the accumulation of the waste product lactate in the tumor microenvironment. This research investigated the effects of lactate on the immune responsiveness of T cells, using Jurkat E6.1 cells and human primary T cells as models. The effects of lactate on viability, CD3 surface expression, and proliferation were assessed via flow cytometry. While lactate concentration and exposure time had no significant effects on T cell viability, marked decreases in CD3 surface expression and proliferation were observed following exposure to lactate. These findings may shed light on how solid tumors evade immune detection and immunotherapies and have implications for future approaches to treating solid tumors.
Copyright (c) 2024 Kaitlyn Sy, Dr. Randall Logan, Dr. Jack Treml https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Cell Culture Media Optimization for Increased Production of Recombinant Proteins in Insect Cells
The insect cell/baculovirus expression system (IC-BEVS) has been at the forefront of biotechnological research, and has served as a tool to produce several human therapeutics such as Cervavix ® (preventative vaccine against the human papilloma Virus), Flublok ® (preventative vaccine against seasonal influenza virus), Provenge ® (therapeutic treatment against prostate cancer) and Glybera ® (gene therapy treatment for lipoprotein lipase deficiency). IC-BEVS is an attractive alternative to mammalian cells for biomanufacturing as it offers advantages such as easy adaptation to serum-free media, high levels of protein expression and post-translational modifications, and is appropriately scalable for manufacturing 2. Despite these advantages, the use of IC-BEVS to produce recombinant proteins can be costly and time-consuming. As the demand for new therapeutic increases, efficient, and robust methods to improve the production and screening processes of recombinant proteins in this expression system are necessary to respond to large-scale manufacturing needs. Research has shown that tailored media supplementation and optimization is an efficient, and useful strategy to reach high density cultures and increase protein production in-vitro. Therefore, this project aimed to evaluate the effects of two macromolecules (glucose in high concentration, and glutathione) as potential cell culture additives or boosters to increase the production of therapeutic proteins in the baculovirus/insect cell expression system. It was demonstrated that glutathione addition resulted in a more rapid, universal production of protein compared to minimal media, suggesting this to be a valuable addition to IC-BEVS media.
Copyright (c) 2024 Guenaele Raphael, Randall Logan; Jack Treml https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Analysis of the Antioxidant & Antimutagenic Potential of CGA, a phenolic component of Coffee, in Inhibiting Mutations in Salmonella typhimurium
Excess cellular radical oxygen species are associated with an increase in cellular, including genetic damage. In somatic cells, this may lead to cancer when genes associated with cell growth and reproduction are impacted. Opposing radical oxygen species are antioxidants which can quench free radicals that otherwise may damage a cell’s DNA. The body produces some antioxidants naturally, such as glutathione, while others are obtained through diet, including vitamins C and E. Chlorogenic Acid (CGA) is one example of a polyphenolic compound in coffee with the potential to exhibit antioxidant and antimutagenic properties. The concentration of CGA in a commercially available coffee was measured and its potential to exhibit antioxidant properties was assessed. An extract was prepared in which the spectral properties of CGA were exploited to quantitate its concentration in green coffee extract via HPLC. The antioxidant activity of CGA was characterized by measuring its relative ability to neutralize free radicals using a colorimetric assay vs. a pure vitamin C standard. The antimutagenic activity of CGA was to be assessed via an Ames test using mutant Salmonella strains incapable of producing the amino acid histidine. The results demonstrated a considerable amount of CGA in green coffee extract, that exhibited antioxidant properties. Future work will assess antimutagenic effects of CGA in the extract compared to the antimutagenic effect of vitamin C and pure CGA standards. Overall, these results suggested that coffee beverages may serve as potent antioxidants with the potential to protect consumers from the harmful effects of mutagenic free radicals.
Copyright (c) 2024 Ambreen Niaman, Jack Treml, Randall Logan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Beware the HIV Env, Which Comes to you in Glycosylated Coating
Copyright (c) 2024 Abreen Niaman https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0