Genome to phenome: DNA-protein interactions involved in butterfly wing colored development
Michelle Borrero, University of Puerto Rico
We are interested in understanding the genomic mechanisms underlying morphological differences within species. We will use the wing color pattern of Heliconius erato as a model. We have developed a Course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) that will engage undergraduate biology majors in the identification and purification of transcription factors in butterfly wing development. Through this experience students will be able to use the knowledge and concepts from the literature to make and defend decisions, explain the role of DNA binding proteins in the genome to phenome relationship and recognize the application and utility of the techniques used in the research for their career development.

BigDBee: A Big Data approach to honey bees temporal behavior.
Isada Claudio-Ford, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus; Jose L. Agosto Rivera, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus
Abstract questions and purposes

CREARE 2.0
Juan Ramirez Lugo, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus
How do corals respond to environmental challenges? How do corals modulate their gene expression to respond to environmental change?

Environmental Science and Justice Using Brownfields as a Model
Tara Holmberg, Northwestern Connecticut Community College

Metagenomics revealing the fecal fungibiome from Ancient Cultures
Jelissa Reynoso Garcia, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus
Paleomicrobiology is the study of the microbiota in ancient specimens as coprolites, which are contributing information of the microbiome of ancient cultures in the Caribbean. In this CURE we want to analyze coprolites of two ancient cultures (Saladoid and Huecoid) form Vieques, Puerto Rico to determine the fungibiome and the possible presence of phytopathogenic fungi to infer their the feeding habits. After ancient DNA (aDNA) extraction, Shotgun Metagenomics sequencing with Miseq was performed, allowing us to sequence most of the aDNA within the sample. The analysis with the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) rwill be carry out to show sequences homology. The study can provides an insight into these ancient cultures diets, health and lifestyle. Phytopathogenic fungi sequences might able us to also determine the presence of nuisance plagues in the foods used by ancient populations. This in turn may also give us insights on extant nuisance plant plagues and the geographic space where it is distributed. The study can reveals the importance of paleomicrobiology to better understand differences between ancient cultures.

Characterization of the impact of microbiota and the immune process in behavioral responses.
Claribel Luciano-Montalvo, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus
This CURE project will expose students to analyze the effect of immunity and the role of microbiota in organism health. The project will develop the students critical thinking and analytical skills through scientific experiences that they will develop, conduct and analyzed with constant mentoring. Immune cells can a profound impact in overall health. The notion that immunity only is related to disease is changing dramatically. The immune system can alter the expression of microbiota which can have profound impact in the health of individuals. It is clear that symbiotic microbial communities have a major impact on their host's behavior, and that the composition of these communities could in turn be dramatically altered by behavior patterns of the host. Despite the major impact that understanding these host-microbe interactions will have on the fields of microbiology, animal behavior, physiology and evolution, only few behavioral phenotypes have been examined and characterized at the cellular and molecular level. A number of studies in multiple organisms, have shown that for example sleep behavior is increased upon microbial infections and helps the immune system to combat these infections. Despite the fact that animals have millions of resident microbes lining the walls of their intestines and other tissues], the role of microbial communities and the effect of immunity in behavioral aspects remains to be elucidated.

Microbial ecology
Cesar Perez Fernandez

Changes in Gene Expression of Breast Cancer Cells Exposed to Cannabinoids.
Edgardo Colón, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus
It has been seen that Science, Engineered, Technology and Mathematics major students that engage in real research experience are more likely to proceed to complete graduate studies. To aid students in their careers we have outlined a project to identify changes in gene expression of breast cancer cells exposed to cannabinoids. This research program focuses on broadening the knowledge of the effects of cannabinoid in gene expression of breast cancer cells which could potentially lead to the discovery of regulation points in cancer development pathways. In addition, this program allows students to be exposed to a real scientific research experience which will impact their future STEM career decisions.

Mammalian cell division: Do we need septins?
Esther Peterson, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus

Pyk2 promotes glioma growth and cell motility
Kimberleve Rolon-Reyes, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus