Western Kentucky University View Institution's Website 4 articles published in JoVE Biology A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits Devesh Shukla1,2, Prabodh Kumar Trivedi2,3, Shivendra Sahi1,4 1Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, 2Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 3Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), 4 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. 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. Medicine A Protocol for Genetic Induction and Visualization of Benign and Invasive Tumors in Cephalic Complexes of Drosophila melanogaster Ajay Srivastava1 1Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University Cooperation between an activated oncogene like RASV12 and mutations in cell polarity genes like scribbled, result in tumor growth in Drosophila where tumor cells also display invasive behaviors. Here a simple protocol for the induction and observation of the benign and invasive tumors is presented. 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.