Department of Biotechnology: Recent submissions
Now showing items 1-20 of 368
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Metagenome sequencing and in silico gene discovery: From genetic potential to function
(University of the Western Cape, 2012)In a previous study, metagenomic DNA extracted from Antarctic Dry Valley soils was used to construct a large contig bacterial shotgun fosmid library (Anderson, 2008). In the current study, clones were selected based on ... -
Cloning, expression and characterization of novel lipase and esterases from burkholderia multivorans UWCIO
(University of the Western Cape, 2005)An esterase and lipase producing Burkholderia multivorans strain was isolated by culture enrichment strategies. A shotgun library of Burkholderia multivorans genomic DNA (prepared in E. coli/pUC18) was screened for lipase ... -
Engineering robust yeast strains for the conversion of xylose derived from lignocellulosic biomass to xylitol
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)To achieve a sustainable and economically viable 2G biofuels industry, biorefineries must co-produce high-value, low-volume bioproducts alongside high-volume, low-value cellulosic ethanol. This can be realised with the ... -
Engineering antimicrobial strains of saccharomyces cerevisiae as industrial platform for non-sterile bioprocesses
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Microbial contamination is a major challenge in fuel ethanol facilities, especially during the fermentation stage. Bacterial contaminants compete with yeast for fermentable sugars and nutrients, which obstructs starch to ... -
Identification of a transducin (beta)-like 3 protein as a potential biomarker of prediabetes from rat urine using proteomics
(University of the Western Cape, 2010)Obesity is a globally increasing disease particularly in developing countries and among children. It is mainly caused by intake of diets high in fat and the lack of physical activity. Obesity is a risk factor for diseases ... -
Biogenic silver nanoparticles synthesized using eucomis autumnalis bulb aqueous extract, their characterization and in vitro antibacterial activity
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global problem that poses a significant threat to public health. AMR arises when microorganisms become resistant to drugs that were initially designed to kill them. The application ... -
Novel DyP-type peroxidases from actinobacteria: a genome mining approach
(University of the Western Cape, 2024)Twenty-one whole genome actinobacterial sequences were obtained from strains previously isolated from various environments. A genome-mining approach was applied to identify the presence of Dye-decolourising (DyP-type or ... -
Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles from the cocktail of capparis sepiaria-tabernaemontana elegans extracts and assessment of their biological effects in vitro.
(University of the Western Cape, 2024)Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a global crisis that develops when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites adapt and multiply in the presence of drugs that once negatively affected them. AMR infections are commonly caused ... -
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Indian hawthorn (rhaphiolepis indica) and the investigation of their antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic effects
(University of Western Cape, 2024-01-08)The global health concern pertaining the rapid spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has led to a rise in mortality rate caused by infectious diseases that have become difficult to treat due to the misuse and lack ... -
Domestic greywater systems: a potential reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes transfer
(University of the Western Cape, 2024)During the Western Cape drought from 2015 to 2018, the use of greywater to alleviate pressure on the limited potable water available in the province was encouraged. Greywater, however, has the potential to harbour residual ... -
Actinobacteria associated with two diverse soil environments and their multicopper oxidase diversity
(University of the Western Cape, 2024)The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is a biodiverse region boasting unique plant diversity with a rich concentration of endemic plants. Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos) is an indigenous plant that grows in the Clanwilliam region ... -
Biochemical characterisation of an alpha-amylase with pullulan hydrolase type III characteristics derived from a hot spring metagenomics library
(University of the Western Cape, 2024)The field of metagenomics has provided biotechnological researchers with new enzymes and insight into previously unknown enzyme families with potential for novel modes of action and being able to function under extreme ... -
Valorisation of brewers’ spent grain: enzymatic hydrolysis in the production of xylooligosaccharides
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)The beverage industry constitutes approximately 26% of all food wastes, making it one of the largest contributors in this waste segment. By utilising waste or by-products from agriculture and food production in manufacturing ... -
Antibacterial effects of biogenic silver nanoparticles synthesized using manihot esculenta (cassava) leaf aqueous extract
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health concern that poses a serious threat to the health of humans, animals, and plants. The major public health problem of AMR is primarily caused by the incorrect use ... -
South African medicinal plant extracts used in the treatment of fungal infections.
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)The incidence of fungal skin infections is increasing at an alarming rate, especially in people with underlying immunosuppressive conditions. Currently, the most used methods of treatment are in the azole group of synthetic ... -
Evaluation of the anticancer and molecular effects of green synthesized silver nanoparticles
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Globally, cancer is considered the second leading cause of death with a staggering tally of 10 million deaths. Breast, lung, colon, rectum and prostate cancers are amongst the most commonly diagnosed cancers. The current ... -
Biosurfactant screening through metagenomic and culture-based approaches
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)The biosurfactant market is still predominantly represented by the three main products: surfactin, sophorolipids, and rhamnolipids, mainly as a result of the high cost and low yield associated with biosurfactant production. ... -
The molecular characterization of trichoplusia ni single nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus: a study on early regulatory features
(University of the Western Cape, 2003)With the development of biological insecticides, many research efforts have been made in baculoviruses to investigate fundamental molecular aspects of these viruses, such as the function and regulation of genes, genome ... -
Isolation, identification and characterization of novel actinomycetes from Antarctic soil samples
(University of the Western Cape, 2008)Actinomycetes are Gram-positive bacteria that form filamentous branching hyphae with asexual spores. They occur in a variety of environments and are important industrially and pharmaceutically. The aims of this study were ... -
Reconstruction of major male and female lineages of the kensington Muslim community
(University of the Western Cape, 2010)The earliest Cape Muslims were brought to the Cape from Africa and Asia from 1652 to 1834. They were part of an involuntary migration of slaves, political prisoners and convicts, and they contributed in the ethnic diversity ...