Western Kentucky University

3 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Immunology and Infection

Finger-stick Blood Sampling Methodology for the Determination of Exercise-induced Lymphocyte Apoptosis

James Navalta¹, Brian McFarlin^*2, Richard Simpson², Elizabeth Fedor¹, Holly Kell¹, Scott Lyons¹, Scott Arnett¹, Mark Schafer¹

¹Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport, Western Kentucky University, ²Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston

Exercise is capable of inducing apoptosis in immune cells. There are various measurement limitations, particularly relating to the amount of time required to isolate and treat a blood sample prior to the assessment. Demonstrated is a rapid and minimally invasive procedure for the analysis of exercise-induced lymphocyte apoptosis.

Chemistry

Microbubble Fabrication of Concave-porosity PDMS Beads

John R. Bertram¹, Matthew J. Nee¹

¹Department of Chemistry, Western Kentucky University

Procedures used to generate microstructured concave-porosity polydimethylsiloxane beads are presented. Effects of electrolyte concentration and identity within the aqueous phase are particularly emphasized.

Biology

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits

Devesh Shukla^1,2, Prabodh Kumar Trivedi^2,3, Shivendra Sahi^1,4

¹Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, ²Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, ³Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), ⁴Department of Biology, St. Joseph's University

We use simple laboratory tools to examine the root system architecture (RSA) of Arabidopsis and Medicago. The plantlets are grown hydroponically over mesh and spread using an art brush to reveal the RSA. Images are taken using scanning or a high-resolution camera, then analyzed with ImageJ to map traits.