Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, affecting over 250 million people worldwide each year. These parasites use freshwater snails, such as Biomphalaria glabrata, as intermediate hosts to complete their life cycle. There are potential gene candidates of interest that may play a role in the chemosensory attraction of the worms, allowing them to seek out the snail. Current methods for genome editing in B. glabrata are lacking. This research investigates the methodical development of an ex ovo culturing method for B. glabrata embryos and juveniles. Establishing this system is a key step toward future genome editing studies targeting candidate genes in the snail, enabling assessment of how disruption of these proteins may affect worm attraction. If transgenic snails with targeted gene knockdowns that prevent parasite-host recognition were introduced, a gene drive could spread these traits through wild populations, potentially reducing transmission and lowering the burden of schistosomiasis.
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by three parasitic flatworm species, including Schistosoma mansoni, that require a freshwater snail intermediate host. Disrupting parasite host seeking behavior by miracidia, the first larval stage responsible for locating and infecting a snail host, could provide a novel disease control strategy. Praziquantel, the current treatment of choice, targets a transient receptor potential (TRP) channel, though its mechanism is not linked to sensory disruption. However, because TRP channels function broadly as metazoan sensory receptors, we hypothesized that modulating these channels could impair miracidia host seeking abilities. We developed a high throughput phenotypic screening platform using a custom acrylic 96-well screening arena and a high resolution, multicamera wide field imaging system to quantify miracidia behavior. In a primary screen of 128 TRP targeting compounds, 14 hits were identified based on altered motility or behavior. These hits were subsequently evaluated in dose response assays across multiple concentrations. Future studies will characterize the molecular mechanisms of active compounds and evaluate their effects on host seeking and infection. Targeting TRP mediated sensory behaviors may provide a novel strategy to disrupt the schistosome life cycle and reduce infection.
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects over 250 million people worldwide and is caused by parasitic flatworms known as schistosomes. Miracidia, the first larval stage of schistosomes, infect snails as intermediate hosts, where they mature into a larval stage capable of infecting humans. Although it is not definitively known how miracidia locate snails, they have been shown to detect and interpret light to navigate their environment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the movement of Schistosoma mansoni miracidia in response to the presence of light and to different wavelengths of light. Miracidia were loaded onto rectangular arenas and exposed to light gradients, including white, red, blue, and/or green light. The miracidia were recorded for 1 hour and tracked using custom code. As expected, and consistent with previous work, miracidia are photoattracted. Notably, preliminary results indicate that they prefer blue over red light but have no apparent preference between blue and green light. Future experiments will explore the integration of their light and chemical perception. Understanding this sensory coordination could be key to developing new strategies to reduce schistosome populations and the spread of schistosomiasis.
Light is an important resource for plants, as it serves both as energy and as a signal for growth and development. For this reason, plants have evolved a complex system of signaling pathways to sense and react to light in many conditions. Red and far-red light are detected by photoreceptors called phytochromes. The phytochrome phyB has been the target of mutant studies by Gingerich lab. One of the phyB mutant lines isolated by the lab displays an increased response to both red light and blue light. In this line phyB is predicted to contain a change in a single amino acid as a result of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the PHYB gene. To confirm that it is indeed the phyB mutation in this line that is causing the red and blue light phenotypes, we are implementing a CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing system for Arabidopsis in the lab, with the purpose of recapitulating the PHYB SNP of the mutant line in plants that are otherwise wild-type. The specific system we are using is “prime-editing”. We will detail synthesis of the DNA constructs needed to implement the prime editing and our current efforts to transform plants and initiate the editing process.
Plants have evolved a sophisticated set of pathways to detect and respond to light, which allows them to adjust their development in response to changing conditions. Red and far-red wavelengths are detected by photoreceptors called phytochromes (phys), with phyB being the major phytochrome involved in red-light response in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Phytochrome levels are regulated by an E3 ubiquitin-ligase complex that includes the target-adaptor Light-Response BTB1 or BTB2 (LRB1 or LRB2) proteins. The Gingerich lab studies lines of Arabidopsis that contain mutations in the LRB1, LRB2, and PHYB genes. Analysis of growth responses to light and other environmental or physiological factors that intersect with light response helps us better understand how the phytochrome pathway regulates development. Here, we present an analysis of germination responses to red and far-red light and seedling development responses to the hormone methyl jasmonate in our lines. Germination response to red and far-red light is well-studied, and recent analyses have suggested roles for phyB in modulating jasmonate responses; thus, studies of these responses in lines with alterations of the phytochrome pathway might be informative.
Unionidae, also known as freshwater mussels are a surprisingly charismatic species, every step of their life history is strange and intriguing. While odd, freshwater mussels are vital ecosystem engineers and play significant roles in nutrient cycling within their aquatic environments. Due to changing freshwater habitats they are considered to be the most endangered family of animals in North America. Unfortunately, humans have often overlooked them, either when walking through a stream or through gaps in research knowledge. In order to fill in a part of that hole, we conducted qualitative surveys in distinct streams throughout Chippewa county Wisconsin to determine the distribution and composition of the mussel population within the county.We found 17 total species of the 50 previously known species native to the area. These results are the first step towards a holistic picture of the current patterns of mussel distributions within the Chippewa River Watershed.
Understanding how closely related species respond to ecological variation and natural selection is central to predicting evolutionary change, especially under rapidly shifting environmental conditions. This study uses perennial sunflowers (genus Helianthus) in the Upper Midwest as a focal system for examining trait differentiation and selection dynamics across time and species. We established multi-year common gardens at two sites in Eau Claire, WI, to experimentally compare functional traits and fitness responses among three widespread Helianthus species: H. giganteus, H. grosseserratus, and H. maximiliani. These species co-occur across the region and often overlap in distribution, where trait divergence may mediate niche partitioning or reflect variation in selective pressures. Comparing selection patterns across species, sites, and years can help evaluate how evolutionary history, resource availability, and climate variation shape trait evolution in wild sunflower populations. This research contributes to broader ecological and evolutionary questions about phenotypic plasticity, adaptation, and species coexistence, providing a long-term dataset for understanding plant responses to a changing environment.
Fruit agriculture relies on insects to provide the regulating ecosystem service of pollination. For fruit to successfully set, a pollinator must contact the stigma to deposit pollen. Sweet cherry (Prunus avium) is a pollination-dependent fruit cultivated globally and is a growing industry in Australia. Despite this, little work has been done to understand its pollinators which include native bees, hoverflies, and the introduced western honey bee (Apis mellifera). By observing cherry flower pollinator visits, we can document the variety, duration, and frequency of on-flower behaviors, determine which taxa engage in stigmal contact, and investigate vulnerabilities of pollination service to loss of pollinator taxa. In this study, 68 video recordings (2,035 minutes of footage) of two sweet cherry cultivars (Lapins and Ron’s Seedling) in Bilpin and Young, New South Wales, Australia were annotated. Flower visitors were identified to the species level and included the orders Hymenoptera and Diptera. Results were analyzed to create taxon-specific foraging behavior radar charts, assess frequency of stigmal contact, and simulate extinctions. This work informs cherry cultivation and on-farm pollinator conservation.
Managed honeybees (Apis mellifera) are often employed by Wisconsin cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) growers to improve crop yields, however honeybees are unable to perform buzz pollination. For cranberry pollen to be released, the anthers must be vibrated at a specific frequency. Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) can buzz pollinate and are more efficient pollinators of cranberry but are not as commonly utilized for commercial pollination. This study determined the frequency and duration of buzz pollination provided to cranberry flowers by visiting bumblebees in relation to the stigmal status of the cranberry flowers visited and the resource (pollen or nectar) being foraged for. Data was collected during the 2025 bloom period (June 11-July 10) using video and audio recordings to record the foraging behavior of flower visiting pollinators. The videos were then annotated to document flower age, pollinator identity, floral resource foraged for, and frequency and duration of buzz pollination. Bumblebee species B. bimaculatus and B.impatiens buzz pollinated more often than other species observed. Bumblebee species overall buzz pollinated roughly a third of a second longer when the stigma was exposed. By increasing our understanding of pollinator foraging behavior in cranberry, growers can make more informed decisions regarding pollinator management on their farms.
Urbanization can alter soil chemistry, potentially influencing floral nectar composition and pollinator foraging behavior. We examined how two micronutrients commonly associated with urban environments, sodium (Na⁺) and potassium (K⁺), affect pollinator foraging. We conducted 10-minute field observations of pollinator visitation to flowering plants in urban areas on flowers supplemented with nectar (sugar water (15%), with Na⁺ or with K⁺).Next, we performed laboratory foraging studies with butterflies (Vanessa cardui) and bumble bees (Bombus impatiens). Individuals were introduced to a foraging arena containing nectar sources with randomly assigned treatments (sugar water, with Na⁺, or with K⁺). The butterflies foraged from artificial flowers, and bumble bees from blue plastic chips each containing nectar, with treatment placement randomized each trial. Foraging activity was recorded using a video camera, and individuals were allowed to forage for 30 minutes. Afterward, recordings were annotated to quantify foraging activity.To date, we have conducted 15 field observations and 39 butterfly trials; the bumble bee trials are ongoing. We expect differences in visitation and nectar preference among treatments in both field and laboratory settings, including variation between butterflies and bumble bees. This work highlights both the ecological importance of nectar micronutrients and the importance of studying pollinator behavior.
Pollination is essential for farmers to produce high fruit yields in Wisconsin cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) marshes, yet the foraging behavior of key pollinators such as bumblebees (Bombus spp.) and honeybees (Apis mellifera) remains poorly understood. While honeybees are commonly used as managed pollinators in cranberry marshes, limited research has compared their foraging behavior on cranberry flowers to native bumblebees. This study compares the foraging behavior of these two major pollinator groups to assess differences in behaviors like stigmal contact rates, visitation frequency, and changes in visit duration in response to temperature. Behavioral data was collected during the 2025 bloom period (June–July) using video recordings and human observations. Video cameras were set up throughout the marsh and footage was annotated to quantify stigmal contact and visit duration; temperature data was recorded when videos began and ended. Human observations of individual bees through the marsh were used to quantify the number of flowers visited per minute. The analysis showed that bumblebees contacted the stigma more often and had an increased visitation frequency compared to honeybees with temperature not having a significant effect between the species. Our findings inform pollinator management practices and enhance our understanding of species-specific contributions to cranberry pollination.
Azospirillum (AZO) and Gluconacetobacter (GLU) are two genera of naturally occurring bacteria that convert nitrogen, a vital plant nutrient, from its atmospheric form into a form usable by plants. AZO is associative and functions around the plant roots, whereas GLU is endophytic, working within the plant tissue. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are gaining popularity in sustainable agriculture efforts as biofertilizers to provide an alternative to environmentally problematic synthetic fertilizers. Companies such as TerraMax Inc. are interested in finding the most effective bacteria for biofertilizers to optimize crop yield. This research compared the impact on corn growth and function of the more widely used AZO and the novel biofertilizer candidate GLU, both with varying application methods: soil drench, leaf coating, or a combination of those two. The results favor GLU over AZO for increasing nitrogen availability in corn and indicate the potential for GLU to improve yield through significantly increasing leaf net photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, and shoot biomass compared to the control when applied directly to the leaves. These results suggest Gluconacetobacter (GLU) as a promising bacterial candidate for companies like TerraMax Inc. seeking to improve biofertilizer performance, ultimately reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and promoting environmental sustainability.
Vocal responses in animal behavior are important because they are essential for survival, reproduction, and complex social dynamics. We explored how behavioral responses in Gray Wolves (Canis lupus) vary based on members of the Canidae family and members of the wolf pack. We hypothesized that captive gray wolves would vocally respond when exposed to auditory stimuli of other animals within their phylogenetic tree. We predicted wolves would respond to recordings to signal wolf presence or to establish claims on territory. Our second hypothesis and prediction were that a dominant wolf would initiate a howl, where subordinate members would subsequently howl. We played three playback howls each from five species in the Canidae family. We expected a vocal response to auditory stimuli, as wolves in smaller enclosures were more likely to respond to playback howls. We expected the dominant pair to be leading these behaviors, which explains that alpha breeding pairs influence the behaviors of the pack. Our results showed that there was no statistical significance, as phylogenetic distance and social hierarchy did not influence the proportion of vigilance. This may explain that vocal response is shaped by other factors aside from phylogenetic or social rank.
Antibiotic shortages in tandem with the rise of antibiotic resistance pose significant global public health threats. These obstacles emphasize the importance for continued research and support in the search for novel antibiotic-producing bacteria that carry new lines of defense against human pathogens. Soil contains a biodiverse community of microbial species with an extensive range of antibiotic producing pathways. In nutrient-poor soils, competition amongst microbes is enhanced driving the evolution of unique antimicrobial compounds that may be used in the production of novel antibiotics. This study sought to isolate and characterize antibiotic-producing bacteria from nutrient-poor soils. Soil samples were extracted using a core from three sites. The samples were plated to observe microbial growth. Unique colonies varying in morphology, pigmentation, and size were identified and transferred to a separate plate. The unique colonies were tested for antimicrobial activity against four pathogens: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Salmonella typhimurium. Colonies that inhibited the growth of the pathogenic strains were isolated and characterized using the Gram stain procedure. Across the three sites 23 isolates were obtained. The isolates showed resistance to E. coli, S. aureus, and B.subtilis. Further genetic testing will be needed to taxonomically identify novel antibiotic-producing bacteria.
Understanding the effects chemical exposure has on neurodevelopment is crucial for protecting human health and improving environmental policies and safety. Our research uses zebrafish to investigate how environmental and chemical exposures influence early development, as their embryos allow us to observe changes across multiple biological levels. Within our collaborative lab structure, research teams work together to examine how various factors affect development from genes to behavior. My role in the lab includes training in zebrafish-based experimental techniques and beginning to conduct literature analysis to identify candidate chemicals for future experiments.
Methylmercury is a common environmental contaminant in the Great Lakes region of the United States. The glutathione pathway (GSH) involves antioxidant signaling and is responsible for the efflux of toxins such as methylmercury from cells. The object of this study was to verify and characterize mutations in the GSH-associated gene gstp2 in zebrafish. We crossed prospective mutant zebrafish with wildtype zebrafish in an effort to create heterozygous and homozygous mutant zebrafish. To identify mutant zebrafish, we used PCR and restriction enzyme reagents that assess the gstp2 DNA sequence targeted by CRISPR-Cas9 reagents for mutation. Gel electrophoresis was used to visualize the results. This approach was able to identify the presence of mutated gstp2 DNA sequences at the target site. Creation of a homozygous mutant gstp2 zebrafish line will allow for experiments on the influence of gstp2 in embryonic development and developmental toxicity.
In epidemiological studies, prenatal cortisol exposure has been linked to increased autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence. Cortisol is the primary hormone released in the body in response to stress and plays a key role in development. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited form of intellectual disability, and 30–50% of children with FXS are also diagnosed with ASD. FXS is caused by loss of function mutations in the FMR1 gene on the X chromosome. Our objective was to investigate how embryonic cortisol exposure interacts with FMR1 loss by assessing transcriptome changes in cortisol-treated fmr1 knockout zebrafish embryos. Embryos from wild-type zebrafish and fmr1 knockout zebrafish were exposed to 5uM cortisol solution or vehicle solution at 6 hours post fertilization. Total RNA samples were isolated at 24-, 48-, 72-, and 120-hours post-fertilization (hpf). Sample quality was assessed by spectrophotometry, and RNA concentrations were determined by DNA-binding fluorescent dye methods. Samples will be submitted for RNA-seq analysis to test for genotype-dependent, treatment-dependent, and gene x treatment interactions in terms of neurodevelopmental gene expression across timepoints. These results will help characterize the interaction of embryonic cortisol exposure and FXS genotype in terms of gene expression regulation.
