Chemistry Commons^™

Effect Of Low Endogenous Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels On Striatal Dopamine Dynamics, Francis Kabui Maina

Wayne State University Dissertations

Many neurological diseases and disorders are a result of alterations with neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and/or proteins. Specifically, one protein that has been linked to numerous neurological diseases and disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, addiction, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). As a trophic factor, BDNF role is to assist in the growth, survival, and differentiation of neurons. However, there is increasing evidence that BDNF may mediate neurotransmitter dynamics. Our goals were to understand how endogenous BDNF levels and aging modulate the dopamine (DA) dynamics in the mouse striatum. Two complementary neurochemical techniques, slice …

Single Molecule Studies Of Rna-Target Interactions, Sharla Leann Wood

Wayne State University Dissertations

We have used FRET, single molecule spectroscopy, and several other biophysical techniques to study how the folding of RNA allows it to perform its various functions by recognizing and binding a target ligand. We have shown that the c-di-GMP riboswitch undergoes a large, global conformational change upon binding of the ligand. The folding dynamics of the c-di-GMP riboswitch upon Mg2+ binding help to pre-organize the aptamer for efficient ligand binding and ultimately efficient gene expression. We have also investigated two instances, a fluorophore-binding aptamer and molecular beacon, where the folding of RNA can be used to detect an analyte. We …

Determination Of Descriptors By Liquid-Liquid Partition And Chromatographic Methods, Thushara Namal Karunasekara

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

DETERMINATION OF DESCRIPTORS BY LIQUID-LIQUID PARTITION AND CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHODS

by

THUSHARA KARUNASEKARA

September 2012

Advisor: Prof. Colin F. Poole

Major: Chemistry (Analytical)

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Partition coefficients for varied compounds were determined for several totally organic biphasic systems using formamide, propylene carbonate, ethylene glycol or dimethyl sulfoxide as the base solvent and n-heptane, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1-octanol or isopentyl ether as the counter solvent. These partition coefficient databases are analyzed using the solvation parameter model facilitating a quantitative comparison of these systems with other totally organic and water-based partition systems. These totally organic biphasic solvent systems offer a complementary approach …

Techniques For Sensor-Integrated Robotic Systems: Raman Spectra Analysis, Image Guidance, And Kinematic Calibration, Luke Anthony Reisner

Wayne State University Dissertations

Robotics and sensor technology have made impressive advancements over the years. There are now robotic systems that help perform surgeries or explore the surface of Mars, and there are sensors that detect trace amounts of explosives or identify diseased human tissue. The most powerful systems integrate robots and sensors, which are natural complements to each other. Sensors can provide information that might otherwise be unavailable due to indirect robotic manipulation (e.g., images of the target environment), and robots can provide suitably precise positioning of an analytical sensor.

To have an effective sensor-integrated robotic system, multiple capabilities are needed in the …