Faculty of Natural Science
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The Faculty of Natural Sciences is developing a reputation as an important centre of research in South Africa. It equips graduates with solid academic and research skills and gives them the ability to succeed in the market place.
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Additional resources are available from the Division For Postgraduate Studies (DPGS).
Research publications are accessible in the Research Repository.
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A study of the pollination biology of the (gyno)dioecious fig, Ficus capreifolia Del. (Moraceae)
(University of the Western Cape, 1994)The pollination biology of Ficus pareidolia Del. was studied. Ficus pareidolia is a (gyno)dioecious species with separate male and female plants bearing male and female syconia respectively. Male syconia had staminate ... -
Computation of the character tables of certain group extensions
(University of the Western Cape, 1997)The work done in this mini-thesis deals mainly with different methods of calculating character tables of split extensions of finite groups. Three of the six character tables that are calculated are done with the use of ... -
Bioactivity guided fractionation of Sutherlandia frutescens extracts for the induction of apoptosis
(University of the Western Cape, 2003)Sutherlandia frutescens popularly known as "cancer bush" or "kankerbos" is indigenous to South Africa and claimed by traditional healers to have wide therapeutic potential, most specifically against cancer. To verify these ... -
Perceptions of first year Biology students at a college of education towards the relevance of population dynamics as prescribed for current biology syllabusses at matriculation level in South African schools
(University of the Western Cape, 1992)Throughout this research, an attempt has been made to assess the perceived relevance, if any, of the Population Dynamics topic of the standard ten Biology syllabus, especially of those standard ten pupils enrolling as ... -
A decision-making framework for groundwater management in arid zones (with a case study in Namaqualand).
(University of the Western Cape, 2004)The main aim of the work on which this thesis is based was to develop a framework for sustainable management of groundwater resources in arid zones with emphasis on Namaqualand in the north western region of South Africa. ... -
The distribution of the desert rain frog ( Breviceps macrops) in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2009)The desert rain frog (Breviceps macrops) is an arid adapted anuran found on the west coast of southern Africa occurring within the Sandveld of the Succulent Karoo Biome. It is associated with white aeolian sand deposits, ... -
Mitigation of salinity stress using exogenously applied molybdenum in sorghum bicolor
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)The agricultural sector is the main producer of food throughout the world. However, the constant changes in environmental conditions, such as extreme weather, droughts, and salinity have impacted this sector negatively ... -
Investigation of common deficiencies observed in scientific assessments and the implementation of a new robust review pathway, the risk-based assessment approach, by the South African Health Regulatory Authority, SAHPRA
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)The main objective of this study is to improve patient access to medicines. The research is two-fold, the first component promotes transparency between the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), ... -
Phytochemical synthesis and antimicrobial application of gold nanoparticles from extract of Artemisia annua
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Metallic nanoparticles synthesized using chemical methods and physical methods are considered toxic to the environment due to the use of toxic solvents. The biological synthesis methods such as the use of plant extracts ... -
An investigation into the impact of training pharmacists' assistants in early recognition and referral procedures on tuberculosis referral rates in the Cape Town metropole
(University of the Western Cape, 2009)Due to the resurgence of TB globally, in 2006 the WHO and the STOP-TB partnership launched a Global plan to STOP TB. This is a l0 year plan which aims to save l4 million lives between 2006 and 2015. Specific targets were ... -
Using CRISPR/Cas9 to construct consolidated bioprocessing strains from natural isolates of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)Saccharomyces cerevisiae has gained much attention as a host for cellulosic bioethanol production using consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) methodologies, due to its high ethanol producing titres, heterologous protein producing ... -
Synthesis of bimetallic immiscible alloy nanoparticles through green and gamma radiolysis approaches for environmental remediation applications
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)The synthesis of bimetallic immiscible alloy nanoparticles (NPs) using versatile routes, is a major concern since physio-chemical methods are not environmentally benign. Breaking down the immiscibility would generate NPs ... -
Development of an operon detection algorithm to analyze gene regulation in drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)In prokaryotes, operon structures often form to allow microorganisms to respond rapidly and efficiently to changing environmental conditions. Operons are sets of neighbouring genes which are co-regulated and co-transcribed. ... -
Next generation sequencing approaches for novel gene discovery in South African Parkinson’s disease families
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)In the last decade, next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches have revolutionised the study of human genomics, particularly aiding the understanding of genetic diseases. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative ... -
Synthesis and evaluation of metformin derivatives for anti-diabetes
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant public health crisis and is placed amongst the top ten leading causes of death worldwide. Metformin is the first-line drug used to treat T2DM, which is mainly attributed to ... -
Synthesis of bimetallic immiscible alloy nanoparticles through green and gamma radiolysis approaches for environmental remediation applications
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)The synthesis of bimetallic immiscible alloy nanoparticles (NPs) using versatile routes, is a major concern since physio-chemical methods are not environmentally benign. Breaking down the immiscibility would generate NPs ... -
Biological and enzymatic activity of actinobacteria associated with aloe ferox
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Antimicrobial resistance is a global crisis that has been on the rise for decades, threatening the health and safety of many nations. This highlights the need to discover novel antimicrobial compounds to combat already ... -
Identification of insertion-induced enhancers linked to gene drivers within non-coding DNA using a pipeline for diffuse large b-cell lymphoma H3K27ac ChIP-seq data
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and incorporates a diverse range of illnesses with varying biology, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic responses. Functional ... -
The evaluation of markers for quality control studies of flavonoid-containing medicinal preparations
(University of the Western Cape, 2004)Medicinal plant products in various forms have been available for the treatment of disease in both developing and developed countries for many years (Chan, 2003). Indigenous knowledge on the use of two plants, Artemisia ... -
Food resources available to juvenile fish (particularly rhabdosargus holubi) in seagrass beds of the swartkops etuary
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Estuarine habitats are critical nursery areas for many species of marine fishes during their early life stages in terms of food availability and structural complexity, which increases survival and growth rates. The Cape ...
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