The transcriptional promoter sequences for the Rhizobium meliloti
nitrogen fixation genes nifA and nifB were cloned to a β-galactosidase gene
fusion plasmid vector and transferred by homologous recombination to a
specialized transducing phage. The promoter fusions were then transduced
to a recombination deficient strain of Escherichia coli as single-copy
lysogens...
2 -acetylaminofluorene -induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats
proceeds in stages of initiation and promotion, similar to experimental
systems, in mouse skin. In this study promoters of liver
tumorigenesis, phenobarbital, DDT and butylated hydroxytoluene
(BHT), were compared to non-promoters, amobarbital, diphenylhydantoin
(DPH) and benz(a)anthracene (BA), for their ability to
cause liver growth...
Summer mortality of farmed Pacific oysters causes financial losses for shellfish growers, and selective breeding to improve survival of offspring is a promising way to reduce losses. This dissertation has two objectives to assist the development of tools for use in selective breeding programs.
Objective 1: Identify candidate genes for...
There is significant interest in harnessing the biosynthetic capacities of photosynthetic diatom microalgae for the production of unique bioinspired nanomaterials. Specifically, this research focuses on understanding the photoluminescent properties of diatom biosilica and β-chitin nanofiber production in diatoms. Diatoms are single-celled microalgae that possess intricately patterned biosilica shells called, frustules....
Alaska-cedar (Chamaecvparis nootkatensIs (D. Don) Spach) is a
valuable tree that is suffering from a serious decline and mortality of
unknown cause throughout southeast Alaska. Epidemiological and
pathological studies were initiated to determine if a pathogen is the
primary cause of this problem. By examining old aerial photographs and
by...
This paper introduces an alternative technique for the development of
microfluidic systems for biotechnology based on mechanical machining and
ultrasonic welding. Advantages of this approach over existing prototyping
approaches involving the rapid development of tooling include: (a) short cycle
time, (b) design flexibility, and (c) low cost manufacturing. In addition,...
Two improvements to the established procedures for synthesis and response detection of ion-selective optical sensors (optodes) were introduced.
The first improvement addresses the drawback of organic dye (optode-localized chromoionophore) photobleaching. This positively impacts fluorescence response and allows for (1) direct measurement of hydrogen ion activity upon binding with the dye,...
Pesticides are widely used to control undesirable pests and may be applied directly to water or lands directly adjacent to water. There can be unintended consequences, however, to native, threatened, and endangered species. There is little information on the impacts of aquatic pesticides and best management practices (BMPs) to NOAA...