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Molecular, Statistical And Genetic Analyses Of Complex Agronomic Traits In Rice, Samuel Agbayani Ordonez Jr. Jan 2009

Molecular, Statistical And Genetic Analyses Of Complex Agronomic Traits In Rice, Samuel Agbayani Ordonez Jr.

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Novel molecular and statistical approaches are needed for identification of DNA markers associated with complex traits in rice. The first research objective was to evaluate mixed-model and multiple regression approaches for their ability to identify molecular markers associated with complex traits in rice. A combined mixed model and multiple regression approach was optimal for selecting the smallest number of DNA markers associated with relatively high R2 values and for consistency with previous mapping studies. Support Vector Regression (SVR) was evaluated in the second research objective for the ability to generate high levels of accuracy and power for markers associated with …

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Integrated Technology: Does It Affect Learner Outcomes?, Adam Ross Barrett Jan 2009

Integrated Technology: Does It Affect Learner Outcomes?, Adam Ross Barrett

LSU Master's Theses

Because technology has become prevalent in classrooms, this study was undertaken to test whether the use of integrated technology, specifically computers and online activities, affects learner outcomes in a classroom setting. The outcomes from classes taught using integrated technology were compared to classes taught with traditional teaching strategies. Students in a 7th grade life-science class were given pre-tests and post-tests to determine their learning gains on the topics of genetics and photosynthesis. Each class was assigned different activities based on the subject. Each unit was covered in four 90 minute periods. When one set of classes was using integrated technology …

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Development And Application Of Dissociable Antibody Microarray (Dama) Staining Technique, Guanyuan Fu Jan 2009

Development And Application Of Dissociable Antibody Microarray (Dama) Staining Technique, Guanyuan Fu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Dissociable Antibody Microarray (DAMA) staining is a novel technique that integrates protein microarrays with conventional immunostaining techniques. It can simultaneously determine the expression and subcellular localizations (SCLs) of hundreds of proteins in cultured cells. I optimized this technology for protein expression and SCL profiling, and generated expression profile data analysis program DAMAPEP, molecular image database management program ChipView and automatic SCL assignment program DAMASCL. We demonstrated the application of this technique in the identification of potential biomarkers for breast cancer. We compared the expression profiles of 312 proteins among ten breast cell lines and identified 10 differentially expressed proteins. Among …

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The Plame Game: Framing A Political Scandal, Misty Dawn Albrecht Jan 2009

The Plame Game: Framing A Political Scandal, Misty Dawn Albrecht

LSU Master's Theses

The media play an important role in society. They interpret political events, actions, policies, and scandals in a manner that citizens can understand. The media use frames to assist in interpretations and descriptions. They may create their own frames or use frames supplied by the political elites. Frames can also lead to biased coverage when used to omit details or present someone in a favorable or unfavorable manner. This study examines the frames the media used during the coverage of President George W. Bush’s first political scandal, the “Plame Game.” On July 14, 2003, Robert Novak exposed the identity of …

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A Garden-Based Nutrition Education Summer Program Positively Impacts The Fruit And Vegetable Preferences Of Inner-City High School Students, Emily K. Neustrom Jan 2009

A Garden-Based Nutrition Education Summer Program Positively Impacts The Fruit And Vegetable Preferences Of Inner-City High School Students, Emily K. Neustrom

LSU Master's Theses

Americans, especially low-income citizens, do not meet the daily USDA recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption. Low fruit and vegetable intake can be associated with several types of chronic diseases. The dietary patterns established at a young age often carry into adulthood, hence the need for nutrition education beginning in youth. Studies have shown that nutrition education coupled with a gardening program can impact youth's nutrition choices and snack preferences. The Summer Experience was an eight-week garden-based nutrition education program designed to teach gardening, cooking, nutrition, business and life skills for inner-city high school students in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The …

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Pore-Scale Analysis Of Dnapl Dissolution And Biomass Distribution, Keegan L. Roberts Jan 2009

Pore-Scale Analysis Of Dnapl Dissolution And Biomass Distribution, Keegan L. Roberts

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

A comparison of equilibrium and non-equilibrium dissolution of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) was conducted to ascertain how PCE saturation, individual blob properties (volume, surface area, sphericity), and PCE occupied pores are affected by two distinct dissolution regimes. One-dimensional columns were imaged at various dissolution stages using high resolution (~10 um) synchrotron x-ray tomography (XT) and image subvolumes were analyzed using a series of grain, pore network structure, and blob analysis algorithms. An analysis of algorithm-generated data was conducted to determine grain and pore statistics, PCE saturation and individual blob properties, and correlations between PCE blobs and pore network structure. Grain and pore …

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Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Qpcr) Assay As A Molecular Tool To Assess Rickettsial Replications In Tick Hosts, Andrea S. Zanetti Jan 2009

Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Qpcr) Assay As A Molecular Tool To Assess Rickettsial Replications In Tick Hosts, Andrea S. Zanetti

LSU Master's Theses

During the past century, many species of the Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia (SFGR)have been described, especially, through the introduction of a variety of molecular techniques applied to detect rickettsiae inside of their host. In this study we developed a quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay (1) to characterize the growth and the distribution of a SFGR of unrecognized pathogenicity in naturally infected Amblyomma americanum ticks during physiological events; and (2) to terminate the influence of the host cell specificity in the replication patterns of recognized and unrecognized SFGR during a reciprocal rickettsiae challenge in both mammalian and tick cell …

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Genome-Wide Mapping Of Beaf Binding Sites In Drosophila Links Beaf To Transcription, Nan Jiang Jan 2009

Genome-Wide Mapping Of Beaf Binding Sites In Drosophila Links Beaf To Transcription, Nan Jiang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Gene expression is regulated by the chromatin environment and various cis-regulatory elements. Gene activators and repressors target specific regulatory elements in the genome to regulate nearby genes. But they function only in limited regions called domains. In each domain, genes are regulated independently without interference from outside. Boundary elements (insulators), binding sites for insulator proteins, are proposed to separate neighboring domains. One function of insulators is to block interactions between an enhancer and a promoter if positioned between them; the second function is to block the spreading of certain chromatin states along chromatin. BEAF-32 (with two 32 kDa variants: BEAF-32A …

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The Effects Of Stat Activators In The Crosstalk Of Gp130 Cytokines In Adipocytes, Ursula Antoinette White Jan 2009

The Effects Of Stat Activators In The Crosstalk Of Gp130 Cytokines In Adipocytes, Ursula Antoinette White

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Obesity is characterized by an overabundance of fat cells, or adipocytes, and is currently a global epidemic. Adipocytes store energy, respond to insulin, and participate in diverse endocrine signaling pathways by secreting adipokines. Obesity leads to the dysregulation of adipocyte function, which could lead to numerous metabolic diseases, such as Type II diabetes. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate adipocyte development and involvement in endocrine signaling will lead to a greater understanding of the importance of fat metabolism in full-body health. Many lines of evidence demonstrate the importance of various transcription factors in regulating adipogenic processes, and one of which is …

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Nitric Oxide Cytotoxicity And Functions Of Iron-Sulfur Enzymes In Escherichia Coli, Binbin Ren Jan 2009

Nitric Oxide Cytotoxicity And Functions Of Iron-Sulfur Enzymes In Escherichia Coli, Binbin Ren

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Iron-sulfur proteins are ubiquitous in biological processes. Here we report that NO, a physiological free radical, can effectively inhibit cell growth of Escherichia coli in minimal medium under anaerobic growth conditions. Fractionation of the cell extracts obtained from NO-exposed cells shows a broad distribution of the protein-bound dinitrosyl-iron complexes (DNICs) formed by NO. On the other hand, the cell growth of E. coli can be restored when NO-exposed cells are either supplemented with the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) anaerobically or returned to aerobic growth conditions. It turns out that dihydroxyacid dehydratase (IlvD), an iron-sulfur enzyme essential for the BCAAs biosynthesis, …

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Quantitative Macro- And Microscale Methods For Characterizing Cell Viability, Julianne Forman Audiffred Jan 2009

Quantitative Macro- And Microscale Methods For Characterizing Cell Viability, Julianne Forman Audiffred

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The goal of this study is to combine molecular and microdevice methods to characterize and quantify viability of single mammalian cells. Fluorescent-based assays were optimized for adherent HeLa and suspension Jurkat cells and were used as a tool for validation of a microfabricated diagnostic device. Cell and substrate/surface interactions were considered for designing a microfluidic device that can be used to characterize cell viability for quantitative biomedical and cell biology applications, which require label-free, real-time monitoring of cells. Several interdisciplinary methods are employed to evaluate electrical impedance differences between live and dead Jurkat cells in a microfluidic device. Biological Micro-Electro-Mechanical …

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Non-Canonical Retrotransposon Insertions: Alternative Pathways To Integration, Deepa Latha Srikanta Jan 2009

Non-Canonical Retrotransposon Insertions: Alternative Pathways To Integration, Deepa Latha Srikanta

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The majority of retrotransposons, mobile elements which move around the genome using an RNA intermediate, insert into their host genomes using target-primed reverse transcription (TPRT). Two of the most well-studied types of active retrotransposons in primates are L1s (Long Interspersed Element-1) and Alu elements. Both preferentially insert using TPRT, and these insertions can create genomic rearrangements and contribute to genome fluidity. Recent analyses have shown that L1s and Alu elements can insert using a variety of non-canonical mechanisms, including a DNA double-strand break repair pathway. Increased understanding of the mechanisms by which mobile elements insert into host genomes can help …

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The Feasibility Of Using Select Landscape Species For Phytoremediation Of Cumene And 4-Cumylphenol Contaminated Groundwater, Kathryn Karsh Fontenot Jan 2009

The Feasibility Of Using Select Landscape Species For Phytoremediation Of Cumene And 4-Cumylphenol Contaminated Groundwater, Kathryn Karsh Fontenot

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Chemical manufactures are often associated with a negative publicity due to chemical spills that can cause human health problems and environmental pollution. Innovative methods such as phytoremediation in lieu of traditional remediation methods are being researched to determine environmentally friendly options for remediation. Phytoremediation was studied as an alternative remediation method for removal of chemicals in a contaminated groundwater plume in Louisiana. The main constituents of concern in the plume were cumene and 4-cumylphenol. Two pilot phytotoxicity studies were funded to determine an optimum tree species for removal and control of the constituents of concern. A greenhouse and hydroponic system …

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Detection Of Stress Biomarkers In Sperm, Embryonic, And Early Larval States Of Aquatic Invertebrates Following Pesticide Exposure, Karen Perry Favret Jan 2009

Detection Of Stress Biomarkers In Sperm, Embryonic, And Early Larval States Of Aquatic Invertebrates Following Pesticide Exposure, Karen Perry Favret

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Current regulatory testing provides the basis for determining acceptable levels of pollutants in the environment, yet these acceptable levels of contaminants have resulted in undesirable consequences to organisms. The purpose of this dissertation was to test the hypothesis that biomarkers of cellular stress could be detected from sub-lethal exposure to pesticides in sperm and early life stages of broadcast spawning invertebrates. Exposures were conducted on oyster (Crassostrea virginica), mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis and Dreissena polymorpha), and sea urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) embryos and larvae for 4 and 24 h to Bayluscide® and Roundup®. DNA fragmentation, a characteristic of apoptotic cells, was detected …

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Essays On Environmental Issues Associated With The Diary Production Region In Louisiana, Larry Michael Hall Jan 2009

Essays On Environmental Issues Associated With The Diary Production Region In Louisiana, Larry Michael Hall

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The Louisiana dairy production region (LDPR) is located in southeast Louisiana and includes five parishes (Tangipahoa, Washington, Livingston, St. Helena, and St. Tammany). It is home to approximately 90% of the state’s dairy industry and is a major contributor to nonpoint source pollution (NPS) in the area’s watershed through nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment effluents. While point source (PS) effluents are easily identified and subject to federal and state regulations, NPS mitigation efforts must address uncertainties such as location of the NPS as well as stochastic parameters such as rainfall and its effect on nutrient and sediment flow. This dissertation presents …

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Function Of Isca In Biogenesis Of Iron-Sulfur Clusters And Repair Of No-Modified Iron-Sulfur Proteins, Juanjuan Yang Jan 2009

Function Of Isca In Biogenesis Of Iron-Sulfur Clusters And Repair Of No-Modified Iron-Sulfur Proteins, Juanjuan Yang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are ubiquitous prosthetic groups that function in diverse fundamental life processes. However, the biogenesis of iron-sulfur clusters in vivo is not a spontaneous process. Previous studies indicated that Fe-S clusters maybe synthesized by three major systems: the Nif, the ISC, and the SUF systems. Among these three systems, IscU, NifU are the scaffold proteins for the Fe-S clusters assembly. IscA and its paralog, SufA are proposed as an alternative iron-sulfur cluster assembly scaffold proteins. The cysteine desulfurases: IscS, NifS and SufS catalyze desulfurization of the L-cysteine and provide sulfide for Fe-S clusters assembly. However, the iron donor …

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Ternary To Binary Converter Design In Cmos Using Multiple Input Floating Gate Mosfets, Josephine Ratna Sathiaraj Jan 2009

Ternary To Binary Converter Design In Cmos Using Multiple Input Floating Gate Mosfets, Josephine Ratna Sathiaraj

LSU Master's Theses

In this work, a ternary to binary converter circuit is designed in 0.5μm n-well CMOS technology. The circuit takes two inputs corresponding to the ternary bits and gives four outputs, which are the binary equivalent bits of the ternary inputs. The ternary inputs range from (-1,-1)3 to (1,1) 3 which are decimal -4 to 4 and the four binary output bits are the sign bit (SB), most significant bit (MSB), second significant bit (SSB) and the least significant bit (LSB). The ternary inputs (-1, 0 and 1) are represented in terms of voltages of -3V, 0V and 3V. Multiple …

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Effects Of Acephate On The Distribution Of Tarnished Plant Bugs Within The Cotton Plant Profile, Kyle Andrew Fontenot Jan 2009

Effects Of Acephate On The Distribution Of Tarnished Plant Bugs Within The Cotton Plant Profile, Kyle Andrew Fontenot

LSU Master's Theses

The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), is a primary pest of cotton in the mid-southern United States. Chemical control strategies are the primary integrated pest management tool used to manage this pest in cotton. A better understanding of tarnished plant bug behavior and distribution on cotton plants is needed to improve the scouting and monitoring protocols used to estimate population and crop injury levels needed to initiate treatments. This pest frequently re-infests fields after insecticide treatments. Sampling protocols should consider the sub-lethal effects of insecticides on migrating populations or on survivors that remain on insecticide-treated plants. Studies …

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Dance Dance Attribution: Exploring The Relationship Between Dance And Attractiveness In Intial Perceptions, Kellie St.Cyr Jan 2009

Dance Dance Attribution: Exploring The Relationship Between Dance And Attractiveness In Intial Perceptions, Kellie St.Cyr

LSU Master's Theses

The current study examines the relationship between attractiveness and dance. By viewing dance as a form of social competence and self-presentation, the study attempts to place dance, a previously understudied area within, the context of communication research. Through the lens of implicit personality theory and the attractiveness stereotype, the paper examines the effects of physical attractiveness on perceived dance ability as well as the effects of dance ability on physical, social, and task attractiveness.

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A Systematic Investigation Into Relationships Within Mexican Pocket Gophers, Thomomys Umbrinus (Rodentia Geomyidae), Amber Gates Jan 2009

A Systematic Investigation Into Relationships Within Mexican Pocket Gophers, Thomomys Umbrinus (Rodentia Geomyidae), Amber Gates

LSU Master's Theses

In the genus Thomomys, external phenotypic differences account for much of the variation among currently named species. Allozyme and mitochondrial studies of the Mexican species, T. umbrinus, have shown strong discordance between genetically defined clades and current species taxonomy. In this study, I analyzed mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences, chomosomes, and morphological characters, and used ecological niche modeling to investigate the phylogenetic status of a phenotypically divergent subspecies of T. umbrinus, T. u. atrovarius. Although quantitative morphometrics provided little discrimination among groups within T. umbrinus, the molecular data indicated that there are three allopatric clades. The Pacific coastal clade (T. …

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The Development Of A Pore Pressure And Fracture Gradient Prediction Model For The Ewing Banks 910 Area In The Gulf Of Mexico, Jeffrey Steven Fooshee Jan 2009

The Development Of A Pore Pressure And Fracture Gradient Prediction Model For The Ewing Banks 910 Area In The Gulf Of Mexico, Jeffrey Steven Fooshee

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this project is to develop a pore pressure and fracture gradient prediction strategy for the Ewing Banks 910 (EW 910) area. Petrophysical and measured pressure data for eight wells previously drilled in the EW 910 area will be examined and reviewed. This strategy will help design future drilling and completion operations in the aforementioned area. Two pore pressure prediction strategies and one fracture gradient prediction strategy will be reviewed and applied to the available data. The first pore pressure prediction strategy reviewed was developed by W. R. Matthews. This strategy utilizes a geologic age specific overlay which …

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Assessing Linkages Between Petroleum Platforms And Pelagic Fishes Using Telemetry With Emphasis On Blue Runner (Caranx Crysos), Harmon Brown Jan 2009

Assessing Linkages Between Petroleum Platforms And Pelagic Fishes Using Telemetry With Emphasis On Blue Runner (Caranx Crysos), Harmon Brown

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Petroleum platforms number greater than 4,200 in the Gulf of Mexico and Caranx crysos (blue runner) is one of the most abundant fish species around these platforms. Forty-six blue runner were tagged with acoustical transmitters in August 2005, though the study was terminated prematurely due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Katrina. Nineteen blue runner were tagged in September 2006 and tracked for up to two months. Blue runner exhibited limited site fidelity around the platforms in 2005. The home range of twenty-three blue runner was calculated in 2005. A significant difference was found between the fork length of the …

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The Indigenous Culture Of School Mathematics In China And The United States: A Comparative Study Of Teachers' Understanding Of Constructivism, Lingqi Meng Jan 2009

The Indigenous Culture Of School Mathematics In China And The United States: A Comparative Study Of Teachers' Understanding Of Constructivism, Lingqi Meng

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study aimed to explore how the indigenous (national) culture of teaching and learning mediates teachers’ understandings of constructivism in China and the U.S. Thirty middle school math teachers who are self-identified with the mathematics teaching reform movement in each country participated in this study (NCTM 2000 Math Standards in the United States or the MOE 2001 Math Standards in China). Both theoretical and empirical methods were adopted for this research. Theoretical analysis led to a new cultural model that helped select appropriate cultural elements for this study. Based on emergence theory, the new model perceives Confucianism and Taoism as …

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Synthesis And Characterization Of Transition Metal And Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Using Dendritic Complexes, Elisabeta Mitran Jan 2009

Synthesis And Characterization Of Transition Metal And Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Using Dendritic Complexes, Elisabeta Mitran

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The research in this dissertation focuses on the synthesis and characterization of metal/metal oxide nanoparticles in solution and on surfaces with a high degree of control over size and size dispersity; such well-defined nanoparticles were made using metal ion-dendrimer complexes and silica-supported organometallic dendrimers. The metal oxide-based materials can be used as laboratory surrogates for combustion-generated nanoparticles to assess their role in mediating pollutant formation. Nickel nanoparticles with low size dispersity were prepared by a dendrimer-ligand-based method employing five generations amine-terminated poly(propylene imine) dendrimer, DAB-Amn. After coordination, borohydride reduction of Ni(II) ion-dendrimer complexes yielded Ni(0) nanoparticles, as determined by X-ray …

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Effect Of Rotational Or Continuous Stocking Method Of Winter Pasture On Beef Heifer Performance, David G. Skeans Jan 2009

Effect Of Rotational Or Continuous Stocking Method Of Winter Pasture On Beef Heifer Performance, David G. Skeans

LSU Master's Theses

Considerable research has been conducted comparing the effect of continuous and some form of rotational stocking method on animal and forage performance, but most research utilizes put-and-take stocking rates. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of 12-paddock rotational stocking method (ROT) or continuous stocking method (CONT) of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) pastures on beef heifer and forage performance while maintaining a continuous stocking rate of 3.7 heifers/ha. Two experiments were conducted and analyzed separately due to confounding year and location. Heifer ADG and WG/ha tended to be increased by ROT compared …

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Expression Of The Edwardsiella Ictaluri Type Iii Secretion System And Its Relationship To The Native Plasmids, Matthew Lee Rogge Jan 2009

Expression Of The Edwardsiella Ictaluri Type Iii Secretion System And Its Relationship To The Native Plasmids, Matthew Lee Rogge

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Edwardsiella ictaluri encodes a type III secretion system (T3SS) required for intracellular replication. Analysis of in vitro gene expression indicates the T3SS translocon proteins express and secrete in acidic pH. Expression of other T3SS genes, however, requires that phosphate be limited in the culture media, in addition to acidic pH. Responses to environmental stimuli are mediated through the T3SS-encoded regulatory proteins EsrA, EsrB, and EsrC. Mutations in these genes result in differing phenotypes. Mutation of EsrA results in moderately reduced expression of T3SS genes, but translocon protein secretion is retained in the mutant. However, the EsrA mutant is attenuated intracellularly …

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Ananda Devi's Narrative Strategies And Subversions., Ritu Tyagi Jan 2009

Ananda Devi's Narrative Strategies And Subversions., Ritu Tyagi

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation proposes a feminist narratological study of texts by Ananda Devi, a contemporary Francophone writer from Mauritius. I examine three principle narrative strategies that allow Devi to challenge the dominant androcentric discourses. These discourses ignore the feminine world of domesticity and impose images of submission on women, thereby curbing feminine expression and quest. Inspired by the efforts of critics such as Alison Case, Robyn Warhol, Susan Lanser to study narrative structures in the context of cultural constructions of gender, I argue that Devi employs narrative strategies that allow her marginalized narrators to intervene in dominant structures of narrative construction …

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Nanoidentation Behavior Of Clay Minerals And Clay-Based Nonstructured Multilayers, Zhongxin Wei Jan 2009

Nanoidentation Behavior Of Clay Minerals And Clay-Based Nonstructured Multilayers, Zhongxin Wei

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Clay minerals, ubiquitous in the geosphere, are hydrous layered silicates or phyllosilicates that are made of nanometer-thick 2:1 or 1:1 layers. Understanding their mechanical properties of clay minerals is of vital importance to a variety of disciplines, such as geomechanics, geophysics, mineral physics, and nanocomposites. Owing to their complex crystal structure and size, however, accurate determination of their mechanical properties is a significant challenge. This dissertation presents the first research effort to study systematically the fundamental mechanical properties along the c-axis (e.g., elastic modulus, hardness) of a wide range of phyllosilicates with varying crystal structure and chemical compositions. To explore …

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Innate Immune Responses In The Central Nervous System Following Toll-Like Receptor (Tlr) 7 And Tlr9 Activation, Niranjan Babu Butchi Jan 2009

Innate Immune Responses In The Central Nervous System Following Toll-Like Receptor (Tlr) 7 And Tlr9 Activation, Niranjan Babu Butchi

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Activation of astrocytes and microglia and the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines are often associated with virus infection in the central nervous system (CNS) as well as a number of neurological diseases of unknown etiology. These inflammatory responses may be initiated by recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns that stimulate toll-like receptors (TLRs). Recent studies demonstrated that TLR9 family receptors play a role in neuropathogenesis and the agonists of these receptors may be used in therapeutics treatment of brain tumors and viral infections. However, we lack the basic understanding of how these receptors function in the CNS. In the present …

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A Multi-Function, Disposable, Microfluidic Module For Mutation Detection, Tae Yoon Lee Jan 2009

A Multi-Function, Disposable, Microfluidic Module For Mutation Detection, Tae Yoon Lee

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Recognition of point mutations in a codon 12 of the K-ras gene, most frequently observed, is considered to be useful in the early diagnosis of several types of the human cancers. We have developed a multifunction, disposable, microfluidic module which detects low-abundant point mutations in human genomic DNA in modular architecture. Each functional component including a microfluidic PCR reactor, a passive diffusional micromixer reactor, and a microfluidic LDR reactor was separately designed and fabricated. Fluidic interconnects were also developed to make a fluidic passage between the functional components. Polycarbonate substrates were micro-molded, using hot embossing with micro-milled brass mold inserts …

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