Department of Biotechnology: Recent submissions
Now showing items 181-200 of 368
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In-silico optimization and molecular validation of putative anti-HIV antimicrobial peptides for therapeutic purpose
(University of the Western cape, 2016)AIDS is considered a pandemic causing millions of deaths worldwide and a cure for this disease is still not available. Failure to implement early treatments due to the poor diagnostic methods and ineffective therapeutic ... -
A comparative proteomic analysis of two contrasting Salvia hispanica L. genotypes under salinity stress
(University of the Western cape, 2016)Salvia hispanica L. is an annual pseudocereal food crop, locally known as chia that has the ability to grow in water stress environments. The importance of chia dates back to the pre-columbian era where it was consumed as ... -
Functional analysis of miRNA regulated genes in prostate cancer as potential diagnostic molecules
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)Prostate Cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in males in the Western world. It is a common biological disease originating from the reproductive system of the male namely, the prostate gland, usually in older ... -
Development of genotyping systems for pharmacogenomics profiling
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)Genetic variability in genes encoding drug metabolizing enzymes, transporters and targets are known to be the main factors of inter-individual differences in therapeutic outcome. Genetic factors are estimated to be responsible ... -
Genomic diversity and functional analysis of the solute carrier genes within indigenous African and Cape Admixed populations
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)Solute carrier transporters belonging to the major facilitator family of membrane transporter are increasingly being recognized as a possible mechanism to explain inter-individual variation in drug efficacy and response. ... -
Development of a high throughput cell-free metagenomic screening platform
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)The estimated 5 × 10³⁰ prokaryotic cells inhabiting our planet sequester some 350–550 Petagrams (1 Pg = 1015 g) of carbon, 85–130 Pg of nitrogen, and 9–14 Pg of phosphorous, making them the largest reservoir of those ... -
The assessment of the bactericidal effect of green synthesized silver nanoparticles against a panel of infectious microorganisms
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)The emergence of multiple drug resistant microorganisms poses a major threat to human life. These microorganisms have made the currently used antibiotics ineffective and therefore continue to thrive. Therefore, there is a ... -
Screening bacterial symbionts of marine invertebrates for ribosomally synthesized natural products
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)Pharmaceutical research and development strategies rely on the constant discovery of novel natural products as potential drugs. Recent studies have shown that the microorganisms associated with sponges are the true producers ... -
Actinobacterial diversity of the Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes
(University of the Western Cape, 2011)The class Actinobacteria consists of a heterogeneous group of filamentous, Gram-positive bacteria that colonise most terrestrial and aquatic environments. The industrial and biotechnological importance of the secondary ... -
Characterisation of a lignocellulosic degrading bacillus strain isolated from thermophilic compost
(University of the Western Cape, 2011)The negative environmental impact of fossil fuels and growing concerns about petroleum supplies has driven the search for alternative, renewable transportation fuels. An 'ideal' fuel replacement would be a biofuel produced ... -
In vitro investigation of putative interactions between the RING finger domain of Retinoblastoma Binding Protein 6 (RBBP6) and various substrates
(University of the Western Cape, 2015)Retinoblastoma Binding Protein 6 (RBBP6) is a RING finger-containing protein which plays a critical role in the 3'-end processing of mRNA transcripts. It is a constituent of the human pre-mRNA processing complex but also ... -
Diversity of Frankia associated with Morella species of the Cape floristic region of Southern Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)Frankia is one of two partners in the globally distributed N2-fixing actinorhizal symbiosis between this filamentous soil-dwelling actinomycete and almost 300 species of host plants from eight diverse angiosperm families. ... -
Characterization of the role of Zea mays burp domain-containing genes in maize drought responses
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)Global climate change has resulted in altered rainfall patterns, causing annual losses in maize crop yield due to water deficit stress. Therefore, it is important to produce maize cultivars which are more drought-tolerant. ... -
Population structure and demographics in Nigerian populations utilizing Y-chromosome markers
(University of the Western Cape, 2014)Nigeria is peopled by ethnically and linguistically diverse populations of which little were known until the last few millennial. The absence of major natural geographical barrier increases the possibility of the populations ... -
Increasing ethanol tolerance through the heterologous expression of the geobacillus thermoglucosiadius heat-shock proteins (GroEL/GroES) in an escherichia coli host
(University of the Western Cape, 2012)Due to economic and environmental concerns associated with use of fossil fuels, humanity is seeking alternative fuels. Ethanol is one of the alternative fuels produced commercially. Current ethanol production technologies ... -
Bioprospecting for bioactive polysaccharides from marine algae endemic to South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)Fucoidan is a marine-derived sulphated polysaccharide with bioactive properties ideal for the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The polysaccharide consists largely of L-fucose, has a highly heterogeneous structure ... -
Characterization of the role of single domain soybean cystatins in regulating drought responses in soybean
(University of the Western Cape, 2015)This study investigated the effects that drought stress imposed on the growth and development of soybean plants. Soybeans were initially observed at the whole-plant level in order to identify the physical changes that had ... -
Proteome signature of breast cancer cells treated with fucoidan
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)Breast cancer is responsible for a large portion of cancer-related deaths. Worldwide, incidence is increasing. Routinely-used treatments for breast cancer are invasive and are associated with a range of side-effects which ... -
Characterisation of N-terminal fragments of Retinoblastoma Binding Protein 6 for structural analysis
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)Retinoblastoma Binding Protein 6 (RBBP6) is a 200 kDa RING finger-containing protein that plays a role in 3'-end poly-adenylation of mRNA transcripts as well as acting as an E3 ubiquitin ligase against a number of proteins ... -
Comparative analysis of molecular and physiological responses of two canola genotypes to drought stress
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)Food security has always been one of the priority concerns in Africa, and it is mostly threatened by drought stress due to climate change. Drought-induced stress is one of the serious limiting factors of plant production, ...