Eastern Student Kevin Connolly of Enfield Presents at Northeast COPLAC Conference

2016 Oct 27

Twelve students from Eastern Connecticut State University presented their research and creative activity at the Northeast Regional Research Conference of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) on Oct. 21-22. Hosted by the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), eight colleges in the COPLAC consortium participated in the undergraduate conference.

Kevin Connolly '17, a Biology major from Enfield, delivered a oral presentation titled "Enhancement of Collagen Production in Skin Cells via Cell Communication Signals." Connolly was mentored by Biology Professor Barbara Murdoch.

"A method to combat wrinkling would be to stimulate collagen production in a patient's skin cells," said Connolly. "It's known that collagen production is stimulated by activation of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-?) pathway. However, which other proteins may enhance collagen production is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that collagen production will be enhanced by the activation of TGF-? signaling when combined with other pathways. In mouse fibroblast cells we altered pathways to test the activation and blockade of TGF-? signaling with and without the activation or blockade of an additional pathway, the p38 kinase cascade, and assessed effects on collagen production. Results indicate that TGF-? activation enhances collagen production compared to controls. This effect is reversed by the blockade of TGF-? signaling. We're now testing effects of p38 activation and blockade independently and in conjunction with TGF-? activation to determine if combined pathways can enhance collagen stimulation and perhaps combat wrinkling."

"We are here to showcase and celebrate the talent, insight, collaborative spirit and inquiry of students from our COPLAC campuses in the Northeast and to recognize the support and guidance they receive from their dedicated faculty," said MCLA President James Birge.

"Undergraduate research is one of the best aspects of an Eastern liberal arts education," said Carmen Cid, dean of Eastern's School of Arts and Sciences. "It provides our students the ability to develop their talents in a meaningful and successful career path. Those who present at COPLAC represent the leaders of tomorrow for Connecticut."

Established in 1987, COPLAC is dedicated to the advancement of high-quality liberal arts education in a public college setting. COPLAC represents a distinguished sector in higher education consisting of 30 colleges and universities in 28 states and one Canadian province. Eastern is Connecticut's designated public liberal arts university and joined COPLAC in 2004.