https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Index ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 Biotechnology from bench to market: the design, scale-up and commercialisation strategy development of a disruptive bioprocess for potable ethanol production https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:26750 Wed 20 Jul 2022 08:42:27 SAST ]]> Characterization of termite Trinervitermes trinervoides metagenome-derived glycoside hydrolases, the formulation of synergistic core enzyme sets for effective sweet sorghum and corncob saccharification, and their potential industrial applications https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:30044 Wed 15 Mar 2023 13:14:02 SAST ]]> Ectomycorrhizal fungal assessment of South African Pinus patula seedlings and their biological control potential to enhance seedling growth https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:29167 Wed 15 Mar 2023 11:50:00 SAST ]]> Isolation, identification and genetic characterisation of a microsporidium isolated from the carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28075 Wed 12 May 2021 23:29:16 SAST ]]> Structural bioinformatics studies and tool development related to drug discovery https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4164 Wed 12 May 2021 23:22:32 SAST ]]> The development of biodegradable aerogel scaffolds for the generation of vascularised 3D adipose tissue models https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27492 Wed 12 May 2021 23:07:32 SAST ]]> The effect of GH family affiliations of mannanolytic enzymes on their synergistic associations during the hydrolysis of mannan-containing substrates https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4148 Wed 12 May 2021 22:47:13 SAST ]]> Preliminary investigation of the molecular pathogenicity determinants of Xanthomonas campestris pv. zeae https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4066 Wed 12 May 2021 22:37:55 SAST ]]> The pineal gland as a model to elucidate the primary mode of action of sympathoactive agents https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:3876 Wed 12 May 2021 22:31:12 SAST ]]> Comparative localization studies of P.falciparum ADP-ribosylation factor proteins in P.falciparum parasites and hela cells using GFP tagged constructs https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:20519 Wed 12 May 2021 22:26:56 SAST ]]> Thermophilic lignin degrading enzymes from actinomycetes for biotechnological applications https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4085 Wed 12 May 2021 20:21:15 SAST ]]> Analysis of the human HSP70-HSP90 organising protein (HOP) gene - characterisation of the promoter and identification of a novel isoform https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28296 Wed 12 May 2021 20:04:41 SAST ]]> Investigating the use of Arbuscular Mycorrhizas and Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria to improve the drought tolerance of maize (Zea mays L.) https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:26591 Wed 12 May 2021 20:00:07 SAST ]]> Bacteriophage growth on stationary phase achromabacter strains https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4125 Wed 12 May 2021 19:54:17 SAST ]]> Studies on an autolysin produced by clostridium acetobutylicum https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:3893 Wed 12 May 2021 19:43:56 SAST ]]> A dynamics based analysis of allosteric modulation in heat shock proteins https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:34273 Wed 12 May 2021 19:20:56 SAST ]]> Capillary membrane-immobilised polyphenol oxidase and the bioremediation of industrial phenolic effluent https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4095 Wed 12 May 2021 19:10:05 SAST ]]> An investigation into the synergistic action of cellulose-degrading enzymes on complex substrates https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4154 Wed 12 May 2021 19:07:50 SAST ]]> Investigating soil microbial interactions of Portulacaria afra https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:26592 Wed 12 May 2021 19:00:54 SAST ]]> Biochemical characterization of the β-mannanase activity of Bacillus paralicheniformis SVD1 https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:29112 Wed 12 May 2021 18:53:14 SAST ]]> Comparison of protein binding microarray derived and ChIP-seq derived transcription factor binding DNA motifs https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4146 Wed 12 May 2021 18:41:14 SAST ]]> An in-silico investigation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman accessible heterocyclic analogues for applications as novel HIV-1 C protease inhibitors https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4152 Wed 12 May 2021 18:36:22 SAST ]]> The independent high rate algal pond as a unit operation in tertiary wastewater treatment https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4092 Wed 12 May 2021 18:30:08 SAST ]]> Identification of potential novel roles for Hsp70/Hsp90 organising protein (Hop) using proteomic analysis in human cells https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28598 Wed 12 May 2021 18:27:23 SAST ]]> Hybridization studies within the genus Kluyveromyces van der Walt emend. van der Walt https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4123 Wed 12 May 2021 18:24:18 SAST ]]> Comparative analysis of existing pipelines for assessment of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal biodiversity in natural and commercial rooibos (aspalathus linearis) and honeybush (cyclopia intermedia) soil samples https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:20342 Wed 12 May 2021 18:22:41 SAST ]]> In silico characterization of plasmodial transketolases as potential malaria drug target https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28433 Wed 12 May 2021 17:54:50 SAST ]]> Algal biotechnology and the beneficiation of saline effluent wastes https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4135 Wed 12 May 2021 17:44:30 SAST ]]> Identification of novel SNPSTRs by 454 sequencing in Nguni and Sotho-Tswana populations https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:26752 Wed 12 May 2021 17:42:52 SAST ]]> Comparative study of the effect of silver nanoparticles on the hexokinase activity from human and Trypanosoma brucei https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4149 Wed 12 May 2021 17:35:42 SAST ]]> Combined in silico approaches towards the identification of novel malarial cysteine protease inhibitors https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:20679 Wed 12 May 2021 17:17:50 SAST ]]> The effect of extracellular Hsp90β and TGF-β1 on colon cancer biology https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:26753 Wed 12 May 2021 16:45:09 SAST ]]> In silico analysis of plasmodium falciparum Hsp70-x for potential binding sites and hits https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27435 Wed 12 May 2021 16:40:58 SAST ]]> The development of biological tools to aid in the genetic investigation of the black (Diceros bicornis) and white (Ceratotherium simum) rhinoceros mitochondrial genomes https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:26769 Wed 12 May 2021 16:25:40 SAST ]]> The characterization of DNAJC3: elucidating the function of the TPR domains https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:26751 Wed 12 May 2021 16:19:00 SAST ]]> Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as a bio-indicator of soil health under agricultural management practices in South Africa https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:30011 Wed 12 May 2021 16:12:08 SAST ]]> Development of a high-throughput bioassay to determine the rate of antimalarial drug action using fluorescent vitality probes https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28542 Wed 12 May 2021 16:09:18 SAST ]]> Bio-prospecting a Soil Metagenomic Library for Carbohydrate Active Esterases https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4172 Wed 12 May 2021 16:06:18 SAST ]]> Genetic and biological characterisation of a novel South African Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV-SA) isolate https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:20503 Wed 12 May 2021 16:03:21 SAST ]]> Biological generation of reactive alkaline species and their application in a sustainable bioprocess for the remediation of acid and metal contaminated wastewaters https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:21049 Cu > Zn >>Fe. The binding capacity of the Spirulina for each of the metals was relatively low when compared to a range of other biosorbents. The toxicity thresholds of the algae was determined for copper and zinc. These were low (10umoles/g) and as such, the algae were not suitable for application in a treatment system in which they came into direct contact with the toxic metals. The algae were able to increase the pH of the surrounding medium. This occurred as a result of the accumulation of inorganic carbon, from bicarbonate, as a response to low concentrations of carbon dioxide in the medium. The resulting release of a hydroxide ion into solution led to the increase in pH. The increase in pH was shown to be due to a reduction in acidity, rather than an increase in alkalinity. The enzyme carbonic anhydrase was shown to be pivotal in this system. Attempts to determine the enzyme activity directly were unsuccessful, due to the inherent inaccuracy of the assay system. An indirect method of determining enzyme activity, by measuring changes in the carbonate species equilibrium, was developed. Under optimal conditions Spirulina was able to reduce the acidity by an amount equivalent to the addition of 3670umoles NaOH g·' h·'. Predictive modelling showed that this enhanced the potential of the medium to effect metal precipitation. For the algal system to be sustainable, a readily available source of bicarbonate was needed. This was achieved by the oxidation of organic carbon, under sulphidogenic conditions, by a bacterial consortium isolated from the anaerobic component of a facultative pond. The consortium was shown to consist of sulphate reducing (most likely Desulvovibrio and Desulfotomaculum)and acetogenic bacteria. Sulphate removal rates of 500mg 1·' day·' and 135mg 1·' day·' were achieved in a 21 agitated and 281 upflow reactor respectively. The bicarbonate generation rate in the 281 reactor was calculated as 4033umoles 1·' day·', which proved sufficient to act as a feed for the algal system. Sparging the anaerobic digester overflow with air and nitrogen resulted in a reduction in the aqueous sulphide concentration. Using nitrogen, a 70% recovery of sulphide, as H2S gas, was achieved in 60 minutes, while with air, this dropped to 40%, due to the oxidation of the aqueous sulphide. The stripping ofH2S resulted in an increase in pH. The H2S gas was used for the selective precipitation of copper and lead in the integrated system. The dynamics of metal precipitation was investigated. For simple reactions, between individual IV metal and base species, it was possible to generate an accurate predictive model and confirm the precipitating species using wavelength dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (WDS). In more complex systems, where precipitation of the artificial acid mine drainage was examined, the predictive modelling and WDS could not accurately describe the system. The addition of aqueous sulphide to copper and iron resulted in the formation of metastable, amorphous precipitates, which remained in suspension. Ageing of the copper precipitate resulted in the evolution of a stable crystalline structure (covellite) and the aggregation and settling of the precipitate. In the case of iron, the amorphous precipitate underwent oxidation before a stable iron sulphide could evolve and the settled precipitate was an iron oxide or oxyhydroxide. The artificial acid mine drainage was treated with sulphide, hydroxide, anaerobic digester overflow and algal overflow. The best metal removal was achieved with the sulphide and hydroxide, while the algal overflow outperformed the anaerobic digester overflow. The precipitate generated by the addition of sulphide was the most compact, followed by the algal overflow, the anaerobic digester overflow and the hydroxide. Efficient precipitation of all the heavy metals, except manganese, was achieved using the algal overflow at an acidity to alkalinity ratio of 1 :2. This ratio was selected for use in the pilot system. The Spirulina based pilot system was effectively used to treat an effluent from the Black Mountain base metal mine. The necessity to maintain the algae in suspension and avoid biomass washout were practical considerations which counted against this system. The replacement of the Spirulina by Oscillatoria, which adhered to a solid support, overcame these problems. The integrated biological system was able to effectively treat an artificial acid mine drainage for 90 days, reducing the concentration of all metals, except manganese, to below the acceptable environmental risk levels. The treatment of the final effluent in a second anaerobic digester reduced the manganese concentration to 4.5uM and proved that the sulphate reducing bacteria could be cultivated on enriched, partially treated acid mine drainage. The integrated biological treatment system performed well, effectively treating an effluent modelled closely on the quality of the water being discharged from the East Rand Basin. The cost of such a system would be considerably less than a "high tech" physico-chemical system. This, coupled with the potential long term sustainability of a biological system, would make it a potentially attractive option for the treatment of future acid mine drainage discharges.]]> Wed 12 May 2021 16:00:34 SAST ]]> Identification of SNPs within the CYP2A6 enzyme of TNBC cell lines and the resulting change in activity https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28536 Wed 12 May 2021 15:52:54 SAST ]]> Comparative study of clan CA cysteine proteases: an insight into the protozoan parasites https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4165 Wed 12 May 2021 15:45:50 SAST ]]> Investigating the expression of three small open reading frames encoded on Helicoverpa armigera stunt virus RNA 1 https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27448 Wed 12 Apr 2023 14:17:39 SAST ]]> Establishment of human OCT4 as a putative HSP90 client protein: a case for HSP90 chaperoning pluripotency https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45415 Tue 25 Apr 2023 09:58:18 SAST ]]> The isolation, genetic characterisation and biological activity of a South African Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus (PhopGV-SA) for the control of the Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4147 Tue 15 Aug 2023 11:05:20 SAST ]]> Baculovirus synergism: investigating mixed alphabaculovirus and betabaculovirus infections in the false codling moth, thaumatotibia leucotreta, for improved pest control https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28061 Tue 15 Aug 2023 11:05:18 SAST ]]> Yeast-baculovirus synergism: investigating mixed infections for improved management of the false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28347 Tue 14 Mar 2023 10:19:10 SAST ]]> Vachellia erioloba (camel thorn) and microbial interactions https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28475 Tue 14 Mar 2023 08:48:02 SAST ]]> The investigation of type-specific features of the copper coordinating AA9 proteins and their effect on the interaction with crystalline cellulose using molecular dynamics studies https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27230 Thu 22 Jul 2021 14:38:29 SAST ]]> Investigation of the causative agents of the 1982 Gazankulu poliomyelitis outbreak, using four biochemical techniques https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:3878 Thu 13 May 2021 10:53:07 SAST ]]> Isolation, expression and purification of the hydantoin hydrolysing enzymes of agrobacterium tumefaciens https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4140 Thu 13 May 2021 09:31:13 SAST ]]> Genetic studies and physiological responses to ultraviolet radiation in the Bacteroides fragilis group https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4072 Thu 13 May 2021 08:50:19 SAST ]]> Analysis of predictive power of binding affinity of PBM-derived sequences https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4161 Thu 13 May 2021 08:18:59 SAST ]]> In silico analysis of the effects of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms on the human macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene and their possible role in human African trypanosomiasis susceptibility https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:20355 Thu 13 May 2021 08:11:45 SAST ]]> In silico study of Plasmodium 1-deoxy-dxylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR) for identification of novel inhibitors from SANCDB https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28523 Thu 13 May 2021 07:20:26 SAST ]]> Nanofiber immobilized cellulases and hemicellulases for fruit waste beneficiation https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4153 Thu 13 May 2021 07:14:07 SAST ]]> Chitin hydrolysis with chitinolytic enzymes for the production of chitooligomers with antimicrobial properties https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:29165 Thu 13 May 2021 07:11:47 SAST ]]> The development of an immobilised-enzyme bioprobe for the detection of phenolic pollutants in water https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4069 Thu 13 May 2021 07:10:21 SAST ]]> An investigation into the use of anaerobic digestion for the treatment of tannery wastewaters https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4059 Thu 13 May 2021 06:25:55 SAST ]]> Synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their role against human and Plasmodium falciparum leucine aminopeptidase https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4150 Thu 13 May 2021 06:17:59 SAST ]]> Prediction of interacting motifs within the protein subunits of Picornavirus capsids https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4151 Thu 13 May 2021 06:08:57 SAST ]]> Towards a Mobile Bioethanol Unit for point of source conversion of sugar sources to bioethanol: design and feasibility study for South Africa https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27439 Thu 13 May 2021 06:06:15 SAST ]]> The pineal gland as a model to elucidate the primary mode of action of sympathoactive agents https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4279 Thu 13 May 2021 05:55:08 SAST ]]> A computational analysis to decipher the pathways of stability, uncoating and antigenicity of human enterovirus capsids https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:34035 Thu 13 May 2021 05:52:57 SAST ]]> Development and evaluation of a web application employing artificial neural networks to facilitate the prediction of antiretroviral drug resistance in patients infected with HIV-1 subtype B https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28406 Thu 13 May 2021 05:46:15 SAST ]]> Molecular cloning and expression of equine CYP1A2 in Escherichia coli https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:20734 Thu 13 May 2021 05:08:47 SAST ]]> The Rhodes BioSure process in the treatment of acid mine drainage wastewaters https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4077 Thu 13 May 2021 04:40:54 SAST ]]> Bioinformatics tool development with a focus on structural bioinformatics and the analysis of genetic variation in humans https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27820 Thu 13 May 2021 04:39:10 SAST ]]> Localizing selected endocytosis protein candidates in Plasmodium falciparum using GFP-tagged fusion constructs https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:20316 Thu 13 May 2021 04:32:33 SAST ]]> Changes in the aerobic saprophytic microbial flora during biltong production with special reference to the micrococcaceae https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4120 Thu 13 May 2021 04:30:31 SAST ]]> A case-control approach to assess variability in distribution of distance between transcription factor binding site and transcription start site https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:20808 Thu 13 May 2021 04:26:39 SAST ]]> In silico analysis of human Hsp90 for the identification of novel anti-cancer drug target sites and natural compound inhibitors https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4162 Thu 13 May 2021 04:21:21 SAST ]]> Synthesis and biological evaluation of anti-HIV-I integrase agents https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27479 Thu 13 May 2021 04:15:02 SAST ]]> The detection of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides in water, using nanotechnology https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4163 Thu 13 May 2021 03:59:49 SAST ]]> Structural analysis of proteases from South African HIV-1 (subtype C) patients undergoing Lopinavir treatment, using comparative modeling, ligand-docking and molecular dynamics https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:20744 Thu 13 May 2021 03:51:11 SAST ]]> Characterization of the co-chaperones of Hsp70 and Hsp90 in Trypanosoma brucei and their potential partnerships https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:26583 Thu 13 May 2021 03:30:11 SAST ]]> Bacterial degradation of fossil fuel waste in aqueous and solid media https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:26588 Thu 13 May 2021 03:30:04 SAST ]]> The microbial production of polyphenol oxidase enzyme systems and their application in the treatment of phenolic wastewaters https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:21060 Thu 13 May 2021 03:04:21 SAST ]]> Using bioinformatics tools to screen for trypanosomal cathepsin B cysteine protease inhibitors from the SANCDB as a novel therapeutic modality against Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:20470 Thu 13 May 2021 02:38:32 SAST ]]> The relationship between OCT4 and an aggressive phenotype in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27477 Thu 13 May 2021 02:25:16 SAST ]]> Characterisation of the HSP70-HSP90 organising protein gene and its link to cancer https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:26764 Thu 13 May 2021 02:18:22 SAST ]]> The development of techniques for the identification of novel viruses associated with acute infantile gastroenteritis in South Africa https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:24725 Thu 13 May 2021 01:59:17 SAST ]]> Studies on the completely mixed activated sludge treatment of fellmongery and tannery lime-sulphide effluents https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4112 Thu 13 May 2021 01:56:11 SAST ]]> The diversity of root fungi associated with Erica species occurring in the Albany Centre of Endemism https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4160 Thu 13 May 2021 01:48:27 SAST ]]> Biological properties and interactions of Kalaharituber pfeilii https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:30022 Thu 13 May 2021 01:46:09 SAST ]]> Citizen science, treatment and microbial compliance monitoring in rainwater harvesting in Namibia https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28105 Thu 13 May 2021 01:32:49 SAST ]]> An investigation into the potential immunogenicity of various extracts of the South African bont tick Amblyomma hebraeum https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4127 Thu 13 May 2021 01:14:51 SAST ]]> Regulation of cell biology by extracellular species of the Hsp90- Hsp70 organising protein (Hop) https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27465 Thu 13 May 2021 00:47:31 SAST ]]> The Role of HOP in Emerin-Mediated Nuclear Structure https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27485 Thu 13 Apr 2023 12:46:26 SAST ]]> An investigation into the bacterial communities associated with pyrroloiminoquinone-producing South African latrunculid sponges https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28128 Thu 09 Mar 2023 13:00:25 SAST ]]> Bioprospecting for amylases, cellulases and xylanases from ericoid associated fungi, their production and characterisation for the bio-economy https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28533 Thu 09 Mar 2023 09:44:15 SAST ]]> Development and optimisation of a novel Plasmodium falciparum Hsp90-Hop interaction assay https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28216 Thu 01 Jun 2023 09:58:06 SAST ]]> Production, purification, and characterisation of proteases from an ericoid mycorrhizal fungus, Oidiodendron maius https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28298 Sat 01 Jul 2023 12:28:13 SAST ]]> The role of Stress Inducible Protein 1 (STI1) in the regulation of actin dynamics https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45409 Mon 24 Apr 2023 15:12:54 SAST ]]> Soil microbial properties and apple tree performance under conventional and organic management https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28557 60 cm in well-prepared soils, microbial enzyme activities in the soil depth intervals corresponding to the lower rootzone, were also investigated. This research was carried out in a randomized field trial. Finally, to gain a broader understanding of the effects of contrasting soil management systems on soil microbiology under a greater variety of environmental conditions, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal dynamics were explored in a survey of commercial apple orchards. These orchards were selected to span the range of environmental conditions that occur in the apple production areas of the Western Cape. Orchard soils under ORG management promoted richer microbial ecosystems, and appeared to be better able to sustain community metabolic diversity and, by inference, the functions mediated by soil microbial communities, than those under CON management. This implies that ORG approaches possibly afford a better option to sustain critical ecosystem functions than CON management. This possibly explains why use of straw mulches and compost in accordance with ORG practices, compared with CON practices, promoted β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase and urease activities rather than affecting the abundance of the micro-organisms that produce these enzymes. Enzyme activities in the 0–30 cm soil intervals were also more effectively promoted by ORG than CON practices, although no differences were observed at lower depth intervals. ORG practices promoted functional AM associations more effectively than CON practices, but the abundance of glomalin, a beneficial by-product of AM fungi, was unaffected. The greater enzyme activities and higher root colonisation levels in the ORG treatments probably contributed to improved nutritional effects that caused greater vegetative growth, but lower yields, in the ORG treatments. Yield suppression was conceivably due to excessive vegetative growth induced by oversupply of compost and the mineral nutrients contained therein. The survey of Western Cape apple orchards suggested that neither glomalin nor root colonisation bore any specific relationship to production area, cultivation practice, scion x rootstock combination, or, in the case of root colonisation, with any chemical parameters. However, the effect of season on glomalin was conclusively shown, being higher in summer than in spring, as was the lack of any effect of year on glomalin and root colonisation. Collectively, these results showed that ORG soil management promote soil microbiology, soil nutrient status, and apple tree performance compared to CON management.]]> Mon 24 Apr 2023 10:18:55 SAST ]]> Human FN1 is regulated by the heat-shock response https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45336 Mon 22 Nov 2021 14:59:04 SAST ]]> Interaction of catechol O-methyltransferase with gold and silver nanoparticles https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28063 90%) sequence similarity between BSCOMT and human soluble COMT (HSCOMT). BSCOMT was partially purified to 7.78 fold, 1.65% yield and had a specific activity of 0.052 U/mg. It had pH and temperature optima of 8.5 and 40oC, respectively. The Km, Vmax, Kcat and Kcat/Km towards esculetin methylation were respectively 1.475±0.130 pM, 0.0353±0.001 pmol/ml/min, 1.748 x 10-2±5.0x10-4 min-1 and 1.18x10-2 M-1. min-1. HSCOMT was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) which showed optimal activity for esculetin methylation at pH and temperature of 7.0 and 30°C, respectively. It was purified to 5.62 fold, 22.6% yield with a specific activity of 3.85 U/mg. HSCOMT kinetic plots, upon incubation of the reaction mixture at 30°C for 5 min before addition of SAM was hyperbolic with Km, Vmax, Kcat and Kcat/Km values of 1.79 pM, 0.412 pmol/ml/min, 2.08 min-1 and 1.165 M-1. min-1, respectively. AuNPs and AgNPs showed a concentration dependent inhibition of HSCOMT activity upon increasing the 5 min incubation time to 1 h. Interestingly, HSCOMT kinetics, with 1 h incubation at 30°C, showed a sigmoidal curve, as well as increased activity. Incubation of the reaction mixture in the presence of 60 pM AuNPs and/or AgNPs for 1 hreversed the observed sigmoidal to a hyperbolic curve, with kinetic parameters comparable to those of 5 min incubation. SDS-PAGE analyses of HSCOMT after the kinetic experiments showed the enzyme incubated for 5 min as a monomer, while that which was incubated for 1 h migrated substantially as dimer. However, the HSCOMT incubated for 1 h in the presence of 60 pM AuNPs and/or AgNPs migrated as a monomer. This indicated that the extension of the incubation period allowed the dimerization of HSCOMT, which exhibited sigmoidal kinetics and higher activity. The presence of NPs impeded the HSCOMT dimerization which decreased the activity. Varying the concentration of SAM suggested that SAM had an allosteric modulatory effect on HSCOMT. Absorption spectroscopy indicated adsorption of HSCOMT on the gold and silver NP surfaces and the formation of NPs-HSCOMT corona. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the interaction of HSCOMT with both gold and silver NPs was governed by a static quenching mechanism, implying the formation of a non-fluorescent fluorophore-NP complex at the ground state. Further fluorometric analyses indicated that both gold and silver NPs had contact with Trp143; that the interactions were spontaneous and were driven by electrostatic interactions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies showed the adsorption of HSCOMT of the NPs surfaces to cause relaxation of the enzyme’s B-sheet structures. Molecular docking studies indicated involvement of largely hydrophilic amino acids, with the interacting distances of less than 3.5A. These findings signify the potential of nanotechnology in the control of COMT catalytic activity for the management of the COMT-related disorders.]]> Mon 13 Mar 2023 14:31:23 SAST ]]> An investigation into the bacterial biosynthetic origins of bioactive natural products isolated from South African latrunculid sponges https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28065 Mon 05 Jun 2023 15:41:21 SAST ]]> Formulation of an enzyme cocktail, HoloMix, using cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzyme core-sets for effective degradation of various pre-treated hardwoods https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28297 Fri 10 Mar 2023 12:46:15 SAST ]]> Development of an enzyme-synergy based bioreactor system for the beneficiation of apple pomace lignocellulosic waste https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:19947 Fri 06 Aug 2021 11:40:35 SAST ]]>