2008 Kentucky NSF EPSCoR Research Enhancement Grant (REG)
Genetic Analysis of Germline Development in Drosophila
Project Leader : Alexey Arkov (PI)
Institution: Murray State University
Department: Biology
Award Type: Standard (REG Research)
Awarded: June 2008
EPSCoR Support: $25,000
“Germline” is originated from embryonic germ cells very early in an organism’s development process. Primordial germ cells give rise to sperm and egg cells that will ultimately produce the next generation of organisms. Germ cell development remains poorly understood. Dr. Arkov’s research focuses on genetic analysis of a new gene and its products essential for germ cell development in Drosophila. A functional characterization of this novel gene will provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms that govern the organism’s germline development. It’s likely that the results from this research will be applicable to other species and organisms in future research. Dr Arkov will also use this award as a teaching project and involve students in the research.
Acquisition of a New Raman Microscope for Environmental and Materials Science Research and Education
Project Leader: Aaron Celestian (PI)
Institution: Western Kentucky University
Department: Geography and Geology
Award Type:REG Instrumentation
Awarded:June 2008
EPSCoR Support:$61,450
Under the direction of Dr. Celestian, Western Kentucky University (WKU) is acquiring a new Raman microscope for education and research. The microscope system is applicable to the research in many different areas; in particular, it will advance research involving important phase transformations processes during the sequestration of heavy elements; water sorption/desorption of planetary materials; the effect of acid-weathering degradation on everyday materials, such as cement and cosmetics; and moisture retention in soils. This research will enable future research in related areas such as: farmland drought and soil analysis; environmental remediation of toxic heavy and radioactive metals, environmental materials engineering, and planetary material sciences. Dr. Celestian also seeks to educate local area middle school science teachers in academic research to provide them with valuable hands-on experiences that can be brought back to their classrooms.
Acquisition of an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) Element Analyzer
Project Leader : Richard Durtsche (PI)
Institution: Northern Kentucky University
Department: Biological Sciences
Award Type: REG Instrumentation
Awarded: June 2008
EPSCoR Support: $94,188
With the support of the KY NSF EPSCoR, Dr. Durtsche and five of his faculty colleagues in the Department of Biological Sciences at Northern Kentucky University (NKU) will purchase an ICP-OES to conduct biological sampling for a variety of different and diverse research projects. The ICP-OES can process about 10,000 samples a year and analyzes the element content of samples simultaneously—a great advantage in comparison to the department’s previous capabilities. Just a few examples of some of the diverse research projects getting underway with the newly acquired instrumentation include everything from investigations of animal biology, to environmental science/pollution mitigation in Kentucky watersheds, to evaluating algae and diatoms as a “green” source for bio-diesel. The faculty have plans to use the element analyzer for teaching and training purposes also. NKU estimates that about 30 undergraduates per year can be involved in research through these projects. The instruments will also be used in upper-division courses in the department to continue to introduce new students to careers in scientific research.
Acquisition of a Stereology System for Neuroscience Research at Northern Kentucky University
Project Leader : Kristi Haik (PI)
Institution: Northern Kentucky University
Department: Biological Sciences
Award Type: REG Instrumentation
Awarded: June 2008
EPSCoR Support: $93,608
Stereology is an interdisciplinary field that utilizes geometric and statistical methods to construct three-dimensional images of a material or tissue based on measurements made on two-dimensional planar sections. It is commonly used in neuroanatomy and biological research and, in fact, many journals require the use of stereological techniques for publication of neuroanatomical data. Under the direction of Dr. Haik, Northern Kentucky University (NKU) will acquire a stereology system with KY NSF EPSCoR support. The system will primarily support undergraduate research projects as well as education and outreach activities. The addition of stereological capabilities will increase future funding and publication opportunities for NKU students and faculty. The instrumentation will also aid in further developing NKU’s image analysis curriculum, as evidenced by a new histology course.
A Method Employing Transaction Clustering and Traceability Link Mining for Identifying Information Attacks against Database
Project Leader : Yi Hu (PI)
Institution: Northern Kentucky University
Department: Computer Science
Award Type: Standard (REG Research)
Awarded: September 2008
EPSCoR Support: $24,899
With increasing attacks on databases accessible through the Internet, database security relating to online transactions is a big concern. Databases store critical and sensitive information such as customer personal information, financial information, and business transactions. Attackers exploit the vulnerabilities of applications or database systems to bypass access controls, which regulate access to important data. Dr. Hu’s REG research focuses on a new methodology for identifying information attacks against databases. This research will develop new approaches to identify malicious actions launched through a group of database transactions. The project employs data mining methods to cluster transactions and profiles inter-transaction database access patterns for detecting malicious attacks.
Investigating Functional Organo- Nanoclay Synthetic Strategies and Applications as Environmental Adsorbents and Polymer Fillers
Project Leader : Isabelle Lagadic (PI)
Institution: Northern Kentucky University
Department: Chemistry
Award Type: Standard (REG Research)
Awarded: June 2008
EPSCoR Support: $17,696
This research project will investigate synthetic strategies, characterization and functional uses of “organo-nanoclay” materials. Dr. Lagadic and her students will explore various approaches and parameters for the one-step preparation of these organo-nanoclays. Also, they will characterize the material structures and study the potential applications of these materials as environmental adsorbents and sensors as well as polymer fillers. The research activities have been designed to engage first- and second-year college students with limited chemistry backgrounds and to expose them to diverse and integrated scientific fields, such as: materials sciences, surface/nano-scale sciences, as well as inorganic, organic and analytical chemistries. It is envisioned that the research will result in novel materials with valuable applications, such as pollution detection and prevention, as well as strong light-weight material component polymers with coating/transportation applications.
GNM Weighted Superimpositions for Identification of Protein Motions and Domains
Project Leader : Di Wu (PI)
Institution: Western Kentucky University
Department: Mathematics
Award Type: Standard (REG Research)
Awarded: September 2008
EPSCoR Support: $12,491
Structural alignments of protein conformations can be severely affected by their flexible regions, such as random coils and mobile domains, when using RMSD (Root Mean Square Deviation) calculations. As a consequence, the comparisons of these structures may not always provide accurate information about protein motions and biological functions. Dr. Wu’s research focuses on developing a robust and effective computational method to overlay protein conformations by geometric coordinates for studying superimpositions of protein structures, alignments of NMR ensembles, and identifications of protein motions. The approach is developed based on the Kabsch least-squares method and Gaussian Network Model and has the potential to become a powerful technique for experimental or structural biologists to study important biological problems. A software package of DRMSD will be developed and applied to a set of structure modeling problems.
Metalloporphrin Complexes Functionalized with Metal-oxide Clusters: Self-assembly and Photocatalytic Properties
Project Leader : Bangbo Yan (PI)
Institution: Western Kentucky University
Department: Chemistry
Award Type: Standard (REG Research)
Awarded: June 2008
EPSCoR Support: $24,501
Dr. Yan’s research will focus on the self-assembly of metal oxide clusters and transition metal complexes into organic-inorganic composite materials, and to integrate the research activities into the education and training of undergraduate and graduate students. Specifically, he seeks to synthesize new hybrid materials using tungsten oxide cluster units and then analyze their structures and photocatalytic properties. This research will train and educate undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of materials chemistry and solid-state chemistry, and also has important applications relating to energy issues facing the global community.
Photochemical Generation of Highly Reactive Ruthenium (V)-Oxo Intermediates for Oxidation Catalysis with Molecular Oxygen and Visible Light
Project Leader : Rui Zhang (PI)
Institution: Western Kentucky University
Department: Chemistry
Award Type: Standard (REG Research)
Awarded: June 2008
EPSCoR Support: $25,000
With this research, Dr. Zhang hopes to develop a sustainable oxidation catalysis via a highly reactive compound (ruthenium-oxo species) that uses only atmospheric oxygen and sunlight for activation. Using these freely available natural resources makes the catalytic sequence very inexpensive, and also a “green” technology because there are no by-products for the catalytic sequence. The proposed work has a number of important, long-term applications. Oxidation catalysis is a leading technology for chemical synthesis in the petroleum and petrochemicals industry for example. Dr. Zhang will also use the research project as a teaching opportunity for students. Their involvement with the research project will provide students with an important understanding of organic synthesis, photochemistry and kinetic approaches, which are necessary for leading-edge catalysis research.