Difference between revisions of "Team:Missouri Rolla"

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{{Missouri_Rolla}}
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<html>
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<html>
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<!-- This is incredibly hacked-together. Proceed at your own risk - mstigem 2015 -->
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<h2> Welcome to iGEM 2015! </h2>
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<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
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<p>Your team has been approved and you are ready to start the iGEM season! </p>
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<style>
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html, body, .wrapper {
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<h4>Before you start: </h4>
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  height: auto;
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<p> Please read the following pages:</p>
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}
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<ul>
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#firstHeading, div.visualClear {
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<li> <a href="https://2015.igem.org/Requirements">Requirements page </a> </li>
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  display: none;
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<li> <a href="https://2015.igem.org/Wiki_How-To">Wiki Requirements page</a></li>
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}
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</ul>
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html, body, #globalWrapper, #content, #bodyContent, #mw-content-text {
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+
  width: 100%;
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<div class="highlightBox">
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  padding: 0;
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<h4> Styling your wiki </h4>
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  margin: 0;
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<p>You may style this page as you like or you can simply leave the style as it is. You can easily keep the styling and edit the content of these default wiki pages with your project information and completely fulfill the requirement to document your project.</p>
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  min-height: 100%;
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<p>While you may not win Best Wiki with this styling, your team is still eligible for all other awards. This default wiki meets the requirements, it improves navigability and ease of use for visitors, and you should not feel it is necessary to style beyond what has been provided.</p>  
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}
 +
p {
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
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 +
}
 +
</style>
 +
<a href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:Missouri_Rolla" onmousemove="mouse(event)"><img id="logo" src = "https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/1/16/Mstigem_logo2015.png" /></a>
 +
<img id="cave" src = "https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/d/d1/Mstigem_cave_background.jpg" alt="Missouri cave photographed by Lynn Dieter" />
 +
<div id="menu">
 +
<a onmousemove="mouse(event)" href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:Missouri_Rolla">Project</a><a onmousemove="mouse(event)" href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:Missouri_Rolla/Practices">Human Practices</a><br class="menu2" /><a onmousemove="mouse(event)" href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:Missouri_Rolla/Parts">Parts</a><br class="menu1" /><a onmousemove="mouse(event)" href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:Missouri_Rolla/Notebook">Notebook</a><a onmousemove="mouse(event)" href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:Missouri_Rolla/Team">Team</a><br class="menu2" /><a onmousemove="mouse(event)" href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:Missouri_Rolla/Safety">Safety</a><a onmousemove="mouse(event)" href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:Missouri_Rolla/Attributions">Attributions</a>
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
<h1 onmousemove="mouse(event)">DEFENDING NORTH AMERICAN BATS FROM THE EMERGING WHITE-NOSE EPIDEMIC</h1>
 +
<div onmousemove="mouse(event)" id="mstigem">
 +
<p onmousemove="mouse(event)">Bats, despite their bad reputation, are vital to the ecosystem and economy of North America. Bats consume enormous numbers of pests, saving agriculture millions of dollars and reducing pesticide use, while serving as the sole pollinators for many plants. Meanwhile, their waste is the main food source for entire cave ecosystems supporting diverse and unique organisms.</p>
 +
<img class="inlinephoto" onmousemove="mouse(event)" src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/6/69/Mstigem-whiteglove-bat.jpg" alt="Northern Long-Eared bat about to be released. Photo credit Scott Bergeson" />
 +
<p onmousemove="mouse(event)">Since 2007, a fungal disease introduced from Europe has been quickly spreading among bat populations in North America. White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), caused by <i>Pseudogymnoascus destructans</i>, is responsible for mortality rates in excess of 90% in some caves. Included among the wide range of species affected by WNS are several already-endangered species. With current trends, entire bat species could become extinct within decades.</p>
 +
<p onmousemove="mouse(event)"><i>P. destructans</i> digests the bat’s skin and awakes bats during their crucial hibernation as their body temperature drops. Ultimately, most infected bats die from starvation or inflammatory shock, and estimates suggest more than 6 million bats have already perished.</p>
 +
<p onmousemove="mouse(event)">Traditional approaches to fungal infections, specifically fungicides, indiscriminately kill beneficial and harmful fungi, while providing strong evolutionary pressure for resistance. We are instead exploring a volatile organic compound, ocimene, which has been shown to slow fungal growth. We are also investigating ways to sense <i>P. destructans</i> to impact the cave environment as little as possible, and compounds that may inhibit metabolism of the bats’ skin. Our hope is that by slowing growth of the fungus, we can defend bats from the disease and give them a chance to recover after hibernation.</p>
 +
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/7/7f/Mstigem_wns_spread_map.jpg"><img class="inlinephoto" src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/d/dd/Mstigem_wns_spread_map_small.jpg" alt="White-Nose Syndrome spread map. Map credit Lindsey Heffernan" /></a>
 +
<p onmousemove="mouse(event)">We designed and attempted to assemble two plasmids encoding the mevalonate pathway, along with the enzyme responsible for (E)-beta-ocimene production. Our plan included characterizing the parts by testing <i>in-vivo</i> production of mevalonate and ocimene in <i>E. coli</i>. We could then proceed to <i>in-vitro</i> testing by GST-tagging ocimene synthase, purifying, and preparing an assay with geranylpyrophosphate and testing ocimene production at various conditions. Both halves of the pathway would be tested independently to find the rate-limiting pathway, to provide direction for future groups wanting to modify the pathway.<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>
 +
</div>
 +
<canvas id="echoes" onmousemove="mouse(event)"></canvas>
 +
<p id="credit" onmousemove="mouse(event)">Missouri cave photo by Lynn Dieter<br />Northern Long-Eared bat photo by Scott Bergeson<br />White-Nose Syndrome spread map by Lindsey Heffernan</p>
  
−
<h4> Editing your wiki </h4>
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<script type="text/javascript">
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<p>On this page you can document your project, introduce your team members, document your progress and share your iGEM experience with the rest of the world! </p>
+
// using setInterval for support in IE8 and 9, rather than requestAnimationFrame
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<p> <a href="https://2015.igem.org/wiki/index.php?title=Team:Missouri_Rolla&action=edit"> Click here to edit this page! </a></p>
+
// ugly nested ifs are a result of mediawiki parsing &&
−
<p>See tips on how to edit your wiki on the <a href="https://2015.igem.org/TemplatesforTeams_Code_Documentation">Template Documentation</a> page.</p>
+
"use strict";
−
 
+
var canvas = document.getElementById("echoes");
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+
var ctx = canvas.getContext("2d");
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<h4>Templates </h4>
+
var mousex;
−
<p> This year we have created templates for teams to use freely. More information on how to use and edit the templates can be found on the
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var mousey;
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<a href="https://2015.igem.org/TemplatesforTeams_Code_Documentation">Template Documentation </a> page.</p>
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var reflectx, reflecty;
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setInterval(sendEcho, 12, canvas, ctx);
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+
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<h4>Tips</h4>
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<p>This wiki will be your team’s first interaction with the rest of the world, so here are a few tips to help you get started: </p>
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<ul>
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<li>State your accomplishments! Tell people what you have achieved from the start. </li>
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<li>Be clear about what you are doing and how you plan to do this.</li>
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<li>You have a global audience! Consider the different backgrounds that your users come from.</li>
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−
<li>Make sure information is easy to find; nothing should be more than 3 clicks away.  </li>
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<li>Avoid using very small fonts and low contrast colors; information should be easy to read.  </li>
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<li>Start documenting your project as early as possible; don’t leave anything to the last minute before the Wiki Freeze. For a complete list of deadlines visit the <a href="https://2015.igem.org/Calendar_of_Events">iGEM 2015 calendar</a> </li>
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<li>Have lots of fun! </li>
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</ul>
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<h4>Inspiration</h4>
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<p> You can also view other team wikis for inspiration! Here are some examples:</p>
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<ul>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:SDU-Denmark/"> 2014 SDU Denmark </a> </li>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aalto-Helsinki">2014 Aalto-Helsinki</a> </li>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:LMU-Munich">2014 LMU-Munich</a> </li>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Michigan"> 2014 Michigan</a></li>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:ITESM-Guadalajara">2014 ITESM-Guadalajara </a></li>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:SCU-China"> 2014 SCU-China </a></li>
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</ul>
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<h4> Uploading pictures and files </h4>
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<p> You can upload your pictures and files to the iGEM 2015 server. Remember to keep all your pictures and files within your team's namespace or at least include your team's name in the file name. <br />
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When you upload, set the "Destination Filename" to <code>Team:YourOfficialTeamName/NameOfFile.jpg</code>. (If you don't do this, someone else might upload a different file with the same "Destination Filename", and your file would be erased!)</p>
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<a href="https://2015.igem.org/Special:Upload">CLICK HERE TO UPLOAD FILES</a>
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      sendEcho.rradius += Math.round(Math.sqrt((canvas.width / 2)*(canvas.width / 2) + (canvas.height / 2)*(canvas.height / 2)) / 284);
 +
    }
 +
    else {
 +
      sendEcho.rradius++;
 +
    }
 +
    if(sendEcho.rradius > Math.sqrt(canvas.width*canvas.width+canvas.height*canvas.height) * 1.3) {
 +
      sendEcho.reflecting = false;
 +
    }
 +
  }
 +
  if(Math.round(sendEcho.radius - Math.sqrt((canvas.width / 2)*(canvas.width / 2) + (canvas.height / 2)*(canvas.height / 2)) / 15) > Math.sqrt((7 * canvas.width / 8)*(7 * canvas.width / 8) + (2 * canvas.height / 3)*(2 * canvas.height / 3))) {
 +
    if(!sendEcho.reflecting) {
 +
      sendEcho.radius = Math.round(Math.sqrt((canvas.width / 2)*(canvas.width / 2) + (canvas.height / 2)*(canvas.height / 2)) / 284);
 +
    }
 +
  }
 +
  if(Math.round(Math.sqrt((canvas.width / 2)*(canvas.width / 2) + (canvas.height / 2)*(canvas.height / 2)) / 284) != 0) {
 +
    sendEcho.radius += Math.round(Math.sqrt((canvas.width / 2)*(canvas.width / 2) + (canvas.height / 2)*(canvas.height / 2)) / 284);
 +
  }
 +
  if(sendEcho.rradius >= Math.sqrt((reflectx - canvas.width / 8)*(reflectx - canvas.width / 8)+(reflecty - 2 * canvas.height / 3)*(reflecty - 2 * canvas.height / 3))) {
 +
    if(sendEcho.rradius <= Math.sqrt(canvas.width*canvas.width+canvas.height*canvas.height)) {
 +
      if(canvas.width > 800) {
 +
        ctx.beginPath();
 +
        ctx.fillStyle = "#d7b351";
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        ctx.globalAlpha = 0.6;
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        ctx.arc(29 * canvas.width / 240, 43 * canvas.height / 63, 2, 0, 2*Math.PI);
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        ctx.fill();
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        ctx.beginPath();
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        ctx.fillStyle = "#d7b351";
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        ctx.globalAlpha = 0.6;
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        ctx.arc(31 * canvas.width / 240, 43 * canvas.height / 63, 2, 0, 2*Math.PI);
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        ctx.fill();
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        ctx.beginPath();
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        ctx.fillStyle = "#d7b351";
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        ctx.globalAlpha = 0.6;
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        ctx.arc(28 * canvas.width / 240, 43 * canvas.height / 63, 1, 0, 2*Math.PI);
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        ctx.fill();
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        ctx.beginPath();
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        ctx.fillStyle = "#d7b351";
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        ctx.globalAlpha = 0.6;
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        ctx.arc(31 * canvas.width / 240, 43 * canvas.height / 63, 1, 0, 2*Math.PI);
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        ctx.fill();
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    sendEcho.radius++;
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  }
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}
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</script>
 
</html>
 
</html>

Latest revision as of 03:23, 19 September 2015

Missouri cave photographed by Lynn Dieter

DEFENDING NORTH AMERICAN BATS FROM THE EMERGING WHITE-NOSE EPIDEMIC

Bats, despite their bad reputation, are vital to the ecosystem and economy of North America. Bats consume enormous numbers of pests, saving agriculture millions of dollars and reducing pesticide use, while serving as the sole pollinators for many plants. Meanwhile, their waste is the main food source for entire cave ecosystems supporting diverse and unique organisms.

Northern Long-Eared bat about to be released. Photo credit Scott Bergeson

Since 2007, a fungal disease introduced from Europe has been quickly spreading among bat populations in North America. White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans, is responsible for mortality rates in excess of 90% in some caves. Included among the wide range of species affected by WNS are several already-endangered species. With current trends, entire bat species could become extinct within decades.

P. destructans digests the bat’s skin and awakes bats during their crucial hibernation as their body temperature drops. Ultimately, most infected bats die from starvation or inflammatory shock, and estimates suggest more than 6 million bats have already perished.

Traditional approaches to fungal infections, specifically fungicides, indiscriminately kill beneficial and harmful fungi, while providing strong evolutionary pressure for resistance. We are instead exploring a volatile organic compound, ocimene, which has been shown to slow fungal growth. We are also investigating ways to sense P. destructans to impact the cave environment as little as possible, and compounds that may inhibit metabolism of the bats’ skin. Our hope is that by slowing growth of the fungus, we can defend bats from the disease and give them a chance to recover after hibernation.

White-Nose Syndrome spread map. Map credit Lindsey Heffernan

We designed and attempted to assemble two plasmids encoding the mevalonate pathway, along with the enzyme responsible for (E)-beta-ocimene production. Our plan included characterizing the parts by testing in-vivo production of mevalonate and ocimene in E. coli. We could then proceed to in-vitro testing by GST-tagging ocimene synthase, purifying, and preparing an assay with geranylpyrophosphate and testing ocimene production at various conditions. Both halves of the pathway would be tested independently to find the rate-limiting pathway, to provide direction for future groups wanting to modify the pathway.



Missouri cave photo by Lynn Dieter
Northern Long-Eared bat photo by Scott Bergeson
White-Nose Syndrome spread map by Lindsey Heffernan