Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Biotechnology): Recent submissions
Now showing items 21-40 of 100
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Investigating the antimicrobial potential of Thalassomonas actiniarum
(University of the Western Cape, 2020)bioassay guided isolation approach was then used to isolate the high molecular weight antibacterial compound (50kDa-100kDa) from T. actiniarum fermentations. With common protein isolation, purification and detection methods ... -
Investigating the antimicrobial potential of Thalassomonas actiniarum
(University of Western Cape, 2020)The World Health Organisation predicts that by the year 2050, 10 million people could die annually as a result of infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria. Individuals with compromised immune systems, caused by ... -
Biological approach to improving the evaporation rates of mine wastewater desalination brine treated in evaporation ponds
(University of the Western Cape, 2021)The disposal of brine effluent from inland wastewater desalination plants is a growing global problem with adverse economic and environmental implications because of the substantial cost associated with its disposal and ... -
The role of p-coumaric acid on physiological and biochemical response of chia seedling under salt stress
(University of the Western Cape, 2020)The role of phenolic acids in mitigating salt stress tolerance have been well documented. However, there are contradicting reports on the effect of exogenously applied phenolic acids on the growth and development of various ... -
Identification and Molecular validation of Biomarkers for the accurate and sensitive diagnosis of bacterial and viral Pneumonia
(University of Western Cape, 2019)Pneumonia remains the major cause of death in children and the elderly and several efforts have been intensified to reduce the rate of pneumonia infection. The major breakthrough has been the discovery of certain biomarkers ... -
Characterization and engineering of Bacillus megaterium AS-35, for use in biodegradation of processed olive wastewater
(University of Western Cape, 2005)The popularization and health benefits associated with the "Mediterranean diet" saw a world wide increase in the production and consumption of processed olives and olive oil. During the brining of table olives large ... -
Proteomic and functional characterisation of biofilm formation in Xylophilus ampelinus
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)Xylophilus ampelinus, the causal agent of bacterial blight of grapevine, inhabits the vascular tissues of infected plants where the cells appear to form assemblages resembling biofilms. Bacterial blight of grapevine ... -
An investigation into the antimicrobial and immune modulatory effects of Sutherlandia frutescens and Salvia africana-lutea extracts and their respective biogenic nanoparticles
(University of the Western Cape, 2020)The prevalence of cancer and antibiotic-resistant microbes has led to the necessity of affordable, efficacious, non-toxic and easily accessible therapeutic approaches. There is numerous anecdotal evidence that African ... -
MicroRNAs as predictive biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer using in silico approaches
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)Colorectal cancer (CRC) is referred to as cancers that arise in the colon or rectum. Rectal cancer is most often defined as cancers originating within 15 cm from the anal verge. The crude incidence of CRC in sub-Sahara ... -
The detection of meningococcal disease through identification of antimicrobial peptides using an in silico model creation
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)Neisseria meningitidis (the meningococcus), the causative agent of meningococcal disease (MD) was identified in 1887 and despite effective antibiotics and partially effective vaccines, Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) ... -
Analysis, expression profiling and characterization of hsa-miR-5698 target genes as putative dynamic network biomarkers for prostate cancer: a combined in silico and molecular approach
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)2018, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) estimated that prostate cancer (PCa) was the second leading cause of death in males worldwide. The number of deaths are expected to raise by 50 % in the next ... -
Green synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles from South African plants and their biological evaluations
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)The field of nanotechnology continues to offer solutions for biotechnologists whose target is to improve the quality of life by finding new therapies to combat diseases. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been showing great ... -
Aptamer selection against GFRa1 for its application in the prognosis of breast cancer
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)Breast cancer is the second most common cancer amongst South African women. Despite ongoing efforts to combat breast cancer, current prognostic and/or therapeutic monitoring methods are limited since very little improvement, ... -
Validation and application of a highly discriminating and rapid 10-locus Y-STR DNA profiling system
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)DNA profiling the male specific region on the Y-chromosome is fundamental to forensic practise. Its recognised as a powerful analytical tool for investigation of sexual assault when the DNA evidence is highly admixed. ... -
Molecular analysis of red colouration in 'Bon Rouge' pear (Pyrus communis L.)
(University of the Western Cape, 2018)The 'Bon Rouge' pear cultivar was developed from a bud mutation on a 'Bon Chretien' pear tree. The latter is characterised by green fruit skin and leaves, while 'Bon Rouge' is characterised by red leaves and red fruit skin ... -
Investigation of Guayule's Agronomic Performance and Agro-processing in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)Guayule (Parthenium argentatum) is grown for its high quality hypoallergenic natural rubber latex production. The plant is native to the Chihuahua desert of North America and successful trials have been done in Europe, the ... -
The effects of high temperature stress on the enzymatic antioxidant system in Zea mays
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)High temperature stress is synonymous with the attenuation of plant growth, metabolism and eventually death resulting in major loss of crop productivity worldwide. Part of the metabolic perturbations associated with heat ... -
Proteomic and metabolomic characterisation of novel wine yeasts: towards the evaluation and improvements of their ability to produce aromatic sauvignon blanc wines
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)Wine yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and wild yeasts e.g. Torulaspora delbrueckii forms an integral part of wine production by converting relatively 'neutral' flavoured Sauvignon blanc grape must into varietal aromatic ... -
Engineering Parageobacillus thermoglucosidans as a robust platform for bioethanol production
(University of the Western Cape, 2018)Parageobacillus thermoglucosidans is a promising “platform” organism to use in the production ofa range of useful metabolites with demonstrated ability to produce ethanol, isobutanol and polylactic acid for bio-degradable ... -
3,3' Diindolylmethane mediated signalling and its role in Brassica napus L. responses to vanadium
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)Anthropogenic activities such as mineral mining, improper watering practices, and the use of heavy metal contaminated fertilizers have caused an influx of heavy metals into arable lands. These heavy metals may have a ...