Department of Biology

Plans are being finalized for rennovations to the University of Akron Field Station (the Dr. Paul E. Martin Center for Field Studies and Environmental Education). In 2004, in cooperation with Bath Township, the University leased a pre-existing building on the Bath Nature Preserve for use as a field station headquarters. The building is over 6,000 ft2 in size, and will greatly facilitate teaching, research, and outreach in and around the Bath Nature Preserve. To realize this potential, remodeling of the facility is necessary. Supported by a generous grant from the National Science Foundation, this remodeling will create space for teaching and research lab use, upgrade facilities to University and state standards, and improve safety, access, and communications. Throughout, the remodel is emphasizing use of environmentally responsible techniques and materials to serve as a model for green design. The combination of its urban location (midway between Akron and Cleveland, in Northeastern Ohio), and the high quality and diversity of the land, make The Bath Nature Preserve an excellent site in which to study the rapidly disappearing natural habitats of the region. Research at the University of Akron Field Station is active and growing.Over a dozen funded research projects are ongoing and several long-term studies, including amphibian monitoring and wetland restoration, are based at the Field Station.. Education and outreach activities include over 24 courses, an active outreach to K-12 schools and the general community, and an emphasis on connecting students and the public with current research at the station. For more information about the University of Akron Field Station, please visit www3.uakron.edu/biology/fieldstation/

Renovation for the new site of the Department of Biology continues. Construction is expected to be nearing completion by the end of 2008 with the department moving into the new facility spring of 2009.

Recent graduate student, Jonathan Toot, graduated in December 2007 with his PhD and is presently working at WIL Lab in Ashland as a director of Neuropharmacological Research. Here is the abstract of a recently published article from him in collaboration with several UA Biology faculty.
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Testosterone influences renal electrolyte excretion in SHR/y and WKY males

Jonathan Toot^1,2 , Cathy Jenkins^1,2 , Gail Dunphy¹ , Shannon Boehme¹ , Mike Hart¹ , Amy Milsted¹ , Monte Turner¹ and Daniel Ely¹

¹Biology Department, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3908, USA

²School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA

author email corresponding author email

BMC Physiology 2008, 8:5doi:10.1186/1472-6793-8-5

Abstract

Background

The Y-chromosome (Yc) and testosterone (T) increase blood pressure and may also influence renal electrolyte excretion. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine if the Yc combined with T manipulation could influence renal Na and K excretion.

Methods

To investigate the role of the Yc and T, consomic borderline hypertensive (SHR/y) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat strains were used (15 weeks) in three T treatment groups: castrate, castrate with T implant and gonadally intact males. Urine was collected (24 hrs at 15 weeks of age) for Na and K measurements by flame photometry. RT-PCR was used to demonstrate the presence of renal androgen receptor (AR) transcripts. Plasma T and aldosterone were measured by RIA. In another experiment the androgen receptor was blocked using flutamide in the diet.

Results

Na and K excretion were decreased by T in SHR/y and WKY. AR transcripts were identified in SHR/y and WKY kidneys. Plasma aldosterone was decreased in the presence of T. Blockade of the AR resulted in a significant increase in Na excretion but not in K excretion in both SHR/y and WKY males.

Conclusion

T influences electrolyte excretion through an androgen receptor dependent mechanism. There was not a differential Yc involvement in electrolyte excretion between WKY and SHR/y males.

Students from the biology department are traveling to the tropics this May as part of 2 courses: Tropical Field Biology and Tropical Vertebrate Zoology. The first is traveling to Caicos Island in the Caribbean, and the second to the Florida Keys. You can read the student blog at:

http://keys08.blogspot.com/

The prominent pollination ecologist and botanist L. Walter Macior, Distinguished Professor of Biology at the University of Akron died October 5, 2007. Dr. Walt Macior was one of the scientists who invigorated the field of pollination in the 1960’s and 70’s with careful field observations, detailed morphometric measurements, and an emphasis on field work and natural history. His studies were important in providing the context and basic knowledge necessary for the vigorous growth of pollination ecology in the 1980s, and current workers owe him a debt of gratitude for his efforts. Dr. Macior had a special interest in the genus Pedicularis, and spent much of his career (which extended through the 1990s) documenting functional diversity of floral form in that group, and in its bumble bee pollinators. Dr. Macior was also active in dealing with creationism. As a Franciscan priest, Dr. Macior offered a unique perspective on the topic, bridging scientific and theological views. Honored by the University of Akron as both a teacher and researcher, he will be greatly missed.

more information is at: http://www3.uakron.edu/biology/macior/

UA Represented at “Congressional Visits Day” — Dr. Greg Smith (Biology) was one of 35 scientists from around the country who recently converged on Washington, D.C. to promote the continued, and increased, funding for science research and education. Co-sponsored by the Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition (BESC) and the Coalition for Funding Agricultural Research Missions (CoFARM), this annual event provides a forum for the discussion of the vital role of basic research in advancing knowledge, enhancing the quality of life, and preparing students for careers in an increasingly technological job market. Smith met with staff in the offices of Senator Sherrod Brown (D), Senator George Voinovich (R), and Representative Betty Sutton (D-13^th), and encouraged their support for appropriating funds for the National Science Foundation (NSF) at the level authorized in the America Competes Act. This act is designed to improve support for science research and education, an effort intended to make the United States world leaders once again in technological advancements. If appropriated, this funding would double NSF’s budget over the next 7-10 years. All of the offices expressed their strong support of science research and education and were already aware of many of the ways the University of Akron was advancing this mission.

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(SPONSORED BY – THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON – OFFICE OF RESEARCH SERVICES & SPONSORED PROGRAMS, BUTCHTEL COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE, DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY)

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LOCATION – The University of Akron, Quaker Square Ballroom B (135 S. Broadway, Akron OH)
DATE – April 28th

RSVP is required by April 15, Please send an E-Mail to slr@uakron.edu and indicate which session you plan to Attend Morning, Afternoon, Both, Social
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Welcome to the new Dept. of Biology news blog.  Items of interest to students, faculty and alumni can be found here.  If you have news that is relevant to our department please forward it to rjduff@uakron.edu so that it can be  made available here.

Looking down the street in front of the Biology building at the University of Akron.  October 2007