Browsing Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Biotechnology) by Title
Now showing items 1-20 of 100
-
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 ... -
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 ... -
Analysis of the early events in the interaction between Venturia inaequalis and the susceptible Golden Delicious apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.)
(University of the Western Cape, 2014)Apple (Malus x domestica) production in the Western Cape, South Africa, is one of the major contributors to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the region. The production of apples is affected by a number of diseases. One ... -
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 ... -
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, ... -
Bioactive actinobacteria associated with two South African medicinal plants, Aloe ferox and Sutherlandia frutescens
(University of Western Cape, 2021)Actinobacteria, a Gram-positive phylum of bacteria found in both terrestrial and aquatic environments, are well-known producers of antibiotics and other bioactive compounds. The isolation of actinobacteria from unique ... -
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 C-economy, nutritional benefits and symbiotic performance of dual inoculated Phaseolus vulgaris (L.) plants, under variable nutrient conditions
(University of the Western Cape, 2010)The tripartite symbiosis between Phaseolus vulgaris, arbuscular-mycorrhiza and the nodule bacteria, Rhizobia have been the focus of many studies ranging over a number of decades, however these studies have failed to answer ... -
Characterisation of AtPNP-A - a novel arabidopsis thaliana gene with role in water and salt homeostasis
(University of the Western Cape, 2009)Plant natriuretic peptides (PNPs) are a novel class of extracellular, systemically mobile molecules that elicit a number of plant responses important in homeostasis and growth. Natriuretic peptides were first identified ... -
Characterisation of microbial communities associated with hypolithic environments in Antarctic Dry Valley soils
(University of the Western Cape, 2008)The Eastern Antarctic Dry Valley region is a polar desert, where conditions of extreme aridity, high temperature fluctuations and high irradiation levels make it one of the most extreme environments on earth. Despite the ... -
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 ... -
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. ... -
Characterization of two Arabidopsis thaliana genes with roles in plant homeostasis
(University of the Western Cape, 2004)Plants are continuously exposed to varying conditions in their environment, to which they have to adapt by manipulating various cellular processes. Environmental (abiotic) and pathogen (biotic) stress are challenges against ... -
Cloning, expression and characterization of Novel Lipase and Esterases from Burkholderia multivorans UWC10
(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 ... -
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 ... -
Comparative analysis of sugar-biosynthesis proteins of sorghum stems and the investigation of their role in hyperosmotic stress tolerance
(University of the Western Cape, 2015)Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench is an important cereal crop currently explored as a potential bio-energy crop due to its stress tolerance and ability to ferment soluble sugars. Physiological studies on sorghum varieties have ... -
Comparison of actinobacterial diversity in Marion Island terrestrial habitats
(University of the Western Cape, 2008)The major aim of this study is to determine and compare the distribution of bacteria and actinobacteria in Marion Island terrestrial habitats. -
A computational framework for transcriptome assembly and annotation in non-model organisms: the case of venturia inaequalis
(University of the Western Cape, 2014)In this dissertation three computational approaches are presented that enable optimization of reference-free transcriptome reconstruction. The first addresses the selection of bona fide reconstructed transcribed fragments ... -
Deciphering the determinants of molecular physiological responses to drought and heat stress in sorghum lines contrasting in stress tolerance via a proteomics approach
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)Sorghum is an important crop in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The predicted rise in global temperatures will increase the probability of exposing sorghum to heat waves in combination with drought. Thus, production ... -
Defining the African green monkey (Chlorocebus Aethiops): expression behaviour of selected lipid metabolism genes in response to niacin
(University of Western Cape, 2012)In this century most major medical advances have resulted in part from research on animals and non-human primates such as the African green monkey and therefore often serve as a critical link between basic research and ...
