Alan White, Ph.D. - US grants

The Department of Biological Sciences recently has implemented a curriculum revision involving the creation of three core courses for all majors - namely - Genetics, Ecology and Cell Biology. Of these, Cell Biology had not existed on this campus in the past and Genetics had been in need of revision. Instruments procured through this project are being used to provide current technology to the laboratory portions of both of these core courses. Included among the new instruments are teaching and instructor's microscopes equipped with phase-contrast optics that provide for more effective observation of living cells, and an ultracentriguge. The instruments are enhancing both laboratory teaching and student research projects by making the modern techniques of Light Microscopy and of Molecular Genetics (especially methods of isolating cellular components) available to undergraduates.

There are many unanswered fundamental questions in plant biology including the extent of influence cell wall biogenesis has over plant growth and development. The proposed research offers an opportunity for progress in this area. Xyloglucans are an important component of plant cell walls and there is evidence they may serve as signaling molecules in plants. Increased knowledge about the enzymes and genes that are responsible for xyloglucan biosynthesis will add significantly to understanding of cell wall polysaccharides and the process of cell wall synthesis. In addition, the proposed research will increase knowledge of the structure and functional organization of the plant Golgi apparatus. This proposal describes a program of research designed to complete purification of xyloglucan glucosyltransferase (XGT). Major objectives include: 1. Purification of XGT enzyme. 2. Reaction product characterization. 3. Accepter molecule requirements. 4. Characterization and enzyme kinetics of XGT. Beyond the scope of this proposal, we plan eventually to use purified XGT as an avenue to determi ne patterns of subcellular localization, spaciotemporal expression patterns, and molecular genetic control of the xyloglucan synthesis enzyme system. A fundamental understanding of the plant cell wall's role in regulating plant growth and development will be necessary to meet the practical goals of future plant biology research, namely, genetically engineered agricultural plants, increased crop yields and productivity, improved stress tolerance, and improved resistance to attack by disease organisms. %%% One of the fundamental differences between animal cells and plant cells is that each plant cell is surrounded by a cell wall made primarily of polysaccharides. Most of these polysaccharides are manufactured inside the cell in the membranes of the Golgi apparatus, and then are packaged and secreted to the wall outside the cell membrane. None of the plant cell wall polysaccharide- synthesizing enzymes has ever been purified for detailed biochemical study. This project has the goal of purifying xyloglucan glucosyltransferase (XGT), the enzyme responsible for synthesis of the glucan backbone of the polysaccharide xyloglucan. Xyloglucans are an important component of plant cell walls and there is evidence they may serve as signaling molecules in plants. Increased knowledge about the enzymes and genes that are responsible for xyloglucan biosynthesis will add significantly to understanding of cell wall polysaccharides and the process of cell wall synthesis. In addition, the proposed research will increase knowledge of the structure and functional organization of the plant Golgi apparatus. A more complete understanding of cell wall synthesis is crucial to an understanding of the plant cell wall's role in regulating plant growth and development.

Abstract Fawley

Modern instrumentation in support of research in plant cellular and molecular biology will be housed in the Department of Botany/Biology, North Dakota State University, Fargo. Specifically, a research microscope, a high-speed centrifuge, an ultracentrifuge, rotors, a scintillation counter, and culture equipment will be used in a variety of botanical studies.
Four researchers will be the primary users of this equipment. Dr. Marvin Fawley is investigating the phylogeny of green algae and the molecular diversity of coccoid green algae. The equipment will support efforts to describe new species of coccoid green algae, and continuing investigations of coccoid green algal diversity. Dr. Karen Phillips is studying phytoplankton communities and population dynamics using molecular techniques and light microscopy. For this project, her work will focus primarily on winter phytoplankton communities
and population dynamics of freshwater coccoid green algae. Dr. Marc Anderson is studying the influence of environmental stress on metabolic processes in plants. Dr. Anderson will investigate the response of maize seedlings to chilling-induced oxidative stress, specifically focusing on processes in the mitochondria. Dr. Alan White is investigating the biosynthesis of cell wall polysaccharides in plant Golgi membranes. This equipment will support his efforts to purify enzymes involved in the synthesis of xylogulcans in the Golgi, specifically xyloglucan glucosyltransferase and xyloglucan xylosyltransferase.
The results of this work will have significant impact on several areas of plant biology. Work on coccoid algae and phytoplankton population dynamics will help revise old dogmas on the diversity of coccoid algae and the dynamics of phytoplankton under the ice in winter. Research will also lead to an understanding of the mechanism(s) (e.g. induced transcription, protein modification, etc.) by which enzyme activities are enhanced during chilling stress. Finally, an increased understanding of xyloglucan biosynthesis will add significantly to our understanding of cell wall polysaccharides, the process of cell wall synthesis, and the structure and functional organization of the plant Golgi apparatus. Biology students and other investigators will have full access to this equipment for their research and training

The World Wide Web Instructional Committee at North Dakota State University is expanding its existing set of animation-based modules, the Virtual Cell (V Cell) animations available at (http://vcell.ndsu.edu/animations), to include 27 animation-based modules that depict major molecular and cellular biology processes. In addition they are implementing a dissemination system that ensures rapid load time for the large-sized animations files and using the animations as research tools to determine the aspects of animations that best support learning. Seven institutions are helping test these modules by using them in their science courses: North Dakota State University, East Carolina University, Marquette University, Onondaga Community College, University of Colorado, Denver, University of Washington, and Utah Valley State College. These institutions are serving as tests sites to measure the impact of these animation modules on student learning. The studies are specifically focusing on the effectiveness of animation in learning biological processes. The major product developing from this project is an on-line dissemination site that is rich with high quality graphical materials that supports student learning of molecular and cellular biology processes.

The intellectual merit of this project resides in its efforts to improve student learning of complex processes, a major theme in science education. The project is addressing questions relating to the role of animation in supporting learning. Also being researched are the best technologies to deliver complete suites of modern educational modules in a seamless manner to both instructors and students.

The broader impact of this project resides in the development of world-class animation-based modules that support the learning of molecular and cellular processes. The modules have the potential to change the manner in which these processes are taught. The project is also testing the utility of WWW-based and peer-to-peer delivery of educational materials.

This National Science Foundation (NSF) Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) project at the University of South Carolina (USC) will increase the number of students with demonstrated financial need who complete undergraduate geoscience degrees within the School of the Earth, Ocean, and Environment (SEOE). The program will encourage applications from individuals belonging to groups currently underrepresented in the geosciences and from first generation college students. In addition to conducting outreach activities and providing scholarships, the project will employ evidenced-based program practices that are built upon existing successful programs at USC. These practices include a summer orientation, mathematics skills improvement, and a common course program. The program will help students to persist in geosciences majors and graduate in a timely manner. Providing scholarships to academically strong STEM students, who may not otherwise be able to afford college, will increase the number of STEM graduates prepared to fill the needs of national, regional, and local industries.

The GEO-Scholar program at the University of South Carolina will increase student exposure to the geosciences by developing an outreach program that results in increased interest, knowledge, and performance from targeted students. Each year scholarships will be awarded to 6 to 8 academically talented students majoring in the geosciences who demonstrate financial need. The project will increase recruitment and retention of students majoring in the geosciences by adding new programs and institutionalizing geoscience modifications to programs that currently exist at USC. The student support services will include an emphasis on improving mathematics skills, participation in a common course during the first year, and a summer orientation program. GEO-Scholars at USC will increase the number of well-prepared and skilled employees in the geosciences by working with faculty and public and private sectors to provide research, internship, and work opportunities that further familiarize participants with career opportunities in the geosciences. Assessment and evaluation will provide insight into the retention benefits of student scholarships, career development activities, and faculty mentoring and advising. Lessons learned and effective practices that emerge from the program evaluation data will be disseminated widely to the STEM education community and help increase widespread understanding of the attributes and practices of successful student scholarship and support programs.