Life Sciences Commons^™

Carotenoids Identified From Slipper-Shaped Oyster Magallana Bilineata Powder Residue Exhibit Potent Biological Activities, Rhoda Mae C. Simora, Raymund B. Parcon, Andrea Roxanne J. Anas, Tatsufumi Okino

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Carotenoids are a diverse class of biologically active compounds that contribute significantly to human health, serving vital functions in nutrition and overall well-being. Magallana bilineata, a commercially important oyster species, yields a shelf-stable powder residue possessing bioactivities with unknown specific compounds. Carotenoids are key marine bioactive compounds, but their presence in oysters remains underexplored. The present study aimed to identify the bioactive compounds from oyster powder residue through mass spectrometry for optimum utilization and value creation as a biomedical resource. The study employed solvent extraction of oyster powder residue, followed by fractionation using octadecylsilyl (ODS) column chromatography, liquid chromatography-mass …

Selective Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter Two Inhibitor Empagliflozin Ameliorates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy By Activating The Ampk/Tfeb Signaling Pathway., Man-Chen Hsu, Ru-Wen Chang, Mu-Chun Wang, Chia-Hui Chen, Wen-Hua Chen, Tzong-Shyuan Lee, Chih-Hsien Wang

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

The highly selective SGLT2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) is reported to have beneficial effects on diabetic cardiac hypertrophy; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the cardioprotection of SGLT2i are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the impact of the SGLT2 Inhibitor empagliflozin (EMPA) on diabetic hearts and its regulatory mechanisms in high-fat-diet (HFD)- and streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats. Male rats orally administered HFD/STZ treatment for eight weeks, with or without EMPA (10 mg/kg), were used as our in vivo model. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used for histological examination. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the expression of …

Targeting Chemical Carcinogenesis: Α-Pinene And D-Limonene As Chemopreventive Agents Against Nnk/ Tcdd- And Urethane-Induced Lung Tumorigenesis, Kuo-Ching Huang, Vui-Hyen Chew, Yu-Ying Chen, Huey-Jen Su, Hao-Ting Chang, Rong‑Jane Chen, Ying‑Jan Wang

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, driven by carcinogens such as tobacco-derived nitrosamines, dioxins, and urethane. This study evaluated the chemopreventive effects of two monoterpenes, α-pinene and D-limonene, using NNK/TCDD- and urethane-induced lung tumor models and A549 lung cancer cells. Both compounds significantly reduce tumor number and size, with enhanced effects when combined. Mechanistic studies revealed suppression of PRC1, β-catenin, and c-Myc, alongside activation of p53, Bax, and caspase-3, indicating inhibition of the PRC1—Wnt/β-catenin pathway and induction of apoptosis. These findings suggest α-pinene and D-limonene as safe, promising agents for lung cancer chemoprevention.

Fish Oil Rich In Ω-3 Fatty Acid Alleviates Long-Term High Fructose Consumption-Induced Fatty Liver And Kidney Dysfunction In Rats, Shing-Hwa Liu, Ruoh-Wenn Hung, Ting-Yu Chang, Meng-Tsan Chiang

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Excessive fructose intake leads to fatty liver and kidney dysfunction, with associated inflammation and metabolic disturbances. This study evaluated the effects of fish oil rich in ω-3 fatty acid on these conditions in rats fed a high- fructose diet. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: normal diet, high-fructose (HF) diet, and high- fructose diet with 5% fish oil supplementation. The experiment lasted for 21 weeks. Fish oil supplementation significantly reduced blood levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in HF-fed rat. It also improved liver function markers and kidney function indicators. Mechanistically, fish …

Effects Of Chamomile And L-Theanine Beverage On Menstrual Pain, Menstrual Symptoms, Mood, And Sleep Quality In Young Women Experiencing Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study, Ziqing Soh, Soo Cing Tan, Tak Hiong Wong, Seok Tyug Tan, Seok Shin Tan, Chin Xuan Tan

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most common complaints among young women. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chamomile and L-theanine beverage intake on menstrual symptoms, pain intensity, mood, and sleep quality in young adult females with primary dysmenorrhea, using a two-phase continuous study design. In the first phase, a cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea. In the second phase, participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n =15), which consumed chamomile and L- theanine beverage (CTT), or the control group (n =15), which consumed chamomile-flavored beverage (non-CTT). Beverages …

Cordycepin In Cancer Therapy: A Bibliometric Analysis And Review Of Mechanisms, Zhiwei Ouyang, Yufei Zhang, Jianghan Ning, Yayi Tu, Bin He

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Cordycepin (3’-deoxyadenosine), a major bioactive component derived from fungi of the genus Cordyceps, has garnered significant attention in recent years for its potent antitumor properties. Drawing on literature indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection from 2004 to 2025, this study employs bibliometric tools―specifically CiteSpace and VOSviewer―to systematically examine developmental trends, research hotspots, and emerging frontiers in the field of cordycepin-related cancer research. The analysis maps a shift in focus from early-stage pharmacological validation to more advanced investigations into molecular mechanisms, with particular emphasis on cell cycle regulation. Keyword burst analysis highlights bursts in terms such as “apoptosis,” “cell …

Distinguishing Avocado Oil Quality Based On Fatty Acid Profile Using Pca: A Review Of Influencing Factors And Research Gaps, David Fernando, Ali Ridho Arif Madja, Nur Azizah, Agustina Ari Murti Budi Hastuti, Abdul Rohman

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

The quality of avocado oil is influenced by multiple factors, including cultivar, growing region, drying method, harvest season, fruit maturity, extraction technique, and storage conditions. This review aims to show how fatty acid profiles (FAP), combined with principal component analysis (PCA), can be used to characterize avocado oil based on various established factors. A total of 23 peer-reviewed articles were included, encompassing 143 data points. PCA was applied as an exploratory tool to reduce dimensionality and visualize patterns in the data. Among the evaluated variables, the fruit part emerged as the most influential determinant, allowing clear categorization of avocado oils …

Cv: Sarah Powers (Biology), Sarah Powers

Biology Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Clerodendrum Kelli (Lamiaceae), A New Species From Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, And Lectotypification Of Clerodendrum Mindorense, David Justin R. Ples, Jacek Patykowski, John Charles A. Altomonte, Adriene B. Tobias, Rene Alfred Anton Bustamante

Biology Faculty Publications

Clerodendrum kelli (Lamiaceae), a new species from the montane forests of Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, is described and illustrated. The species shares morphological features with Clerodendrum quadriloculare and C. mindorense, but differs in inflorescence structure, corolla tube length, and calyx shape and color. A lectotype for C. mindorense is also designated. Preliminary conservation assessment places C. kelli in the Critically Endangered category (CR B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)). This study contributes to Philippine plant biodiversity knowledge and informs conservation strategies.

Effects Of Compound Protease Fermentation On The Industrial-Scale Production Of Very High Gravity Brewing Beer, Zongming Chang, Guangfeng Liu, Li Fang, Jiajie Zhang, Hua Yin

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to address the technical problems of insufficient nitrogen content and an imbalanced amino acid composition in very high gravity wort produced with high-level syrup adjuncts.[Method ] This study investigated the effect of protease-assisted saccharification on wort protein composition.Then,a comprehensive evaluation was conducted on the brewing performance during 22 ° P very high gravity beer production.[Result ] During the proteolysis stage of saccharification,a synergistic addition of neutral protease and flavourzyme protease at a mass ratio of 6∶4 enabled efficient directed hydrolysis of malt proteins.In the wort,the α-amino nitrogen mass concentration was increased by 30%,while the mass …

Rapid Detection Of Aflatoxin B 1 Contamination Levels In Peanuts Based On Dual-Band Hyperspectral Imaging And Machine Learning, Lu Ren, Shuyue Shen, Wanrong Shi, Chuang Rui, Maofeng Dong, Tingting Li

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to achieve rapid detection of AFB 1 contamination levels in peanuts through dual-band hyperspectral imaging and machine learning.[Method ] A peanut AFB 1 contamination level warning model was constructed via a dual-band hyperspectral imaging system consisting of visible near-infrared spectroscopy at 400~1 000 nm and short-wave near-infrared spectroscopy at 900~1 700 nm,combined with machine learning.Peanut samples with four contamination levels were collected,in which the mass fraction of AFB 1 was determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.The effects of four pretreatment methods [first derivative,second derivative,multiplicative scatter correction,and standard normal variate (SNV )],two characteristic wavelength …

Effects Of Aerated Storage On The Microbial Community And Functional Genes Of Pickles, Hengye Jing, Wei Deng, Fuliang Qi, Kun Tan, Rong She, Xiaoyan Yang

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to investigate the effects of aeration on the microbial community structure and metabolic functional genes in pickles.[Method ] Amplicon sequencing was carried out for the 16S rRNA and ITS rRNA gene fragments from three groups (aerated group,sealed group,and the initial group ) within the same pickle system.The EasyAmplicon pipeline and PICRUSt 2 were employed to assess bacterial and fungal community diversity,composition,and functional gene variations.[Result ] Compared with the initial group,the sealed group showed only minor changes in microbial diversity,whereas the aerated group exhibited significant microbial divergence from the initial group.After aeration,the number of rare taxa …

Protective Effects Of Ovalbumin-Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose Colloidal Particles On Fish Oil Emulsions, Weichun Pan, Ya Wen, Huabin Liao, Feina Gu, Qiuping Zhang, Fuge Niu

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aimed to investigate the impact of curcumin-loaded ovalbumin (OVA )-carboxymethylcellulose (CMC ) (OVA -CMC-Cur ) colloidal particles on the stability of fish oil emulsions.[Method ] The OVA -CMC-Cur colloidal particles were prepared with OVA and CMC at varying mass ratios and pH.The colloidal particles were then used as the stabilizer to prepare fish oil emulsions.The structural characteristics,stability,and digestive behaviors of the emulsions were investigated.[Result ] At the OVA -CMC mass ratio of 2∶1,the OVA -CMC-Cur particle-stabilized fish oil emulsions exhibited smaller particle sizes.These particles formed a dense,compact interfacial film at the oil-water interface,resulting in more uniform …

Research Progress In The Regulation Of Intestinal Stem Cell Homeostasis By Dietary Patterns, Haichao Zhang, Qi Sun, Yumei Qin, Yanpei Gu, Jianzhong Han

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

Intestinal stem cells (ISCs ) located at the bottom of intestinal crypts are the key factors driving the repair and rapid renewal of the intestinal epithelium.Their proliferation and differentiation are finely regulated by the microenvironment of the niche.ISCs,as dietary nutrient sensors,can respond to different dietary signals to regulate intestinal homeostasis.The author systematically summarizes the main signaling pathways involved in the regulation of ISCs and reviews the effects and functioning mechanisms of dietary patterns such as high-fat diets,intermittent fasting,calorie restriction,and ketogenic diets on the homeostasis of ISCs,aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the development and application of dietary intervention strategies …

Therapeutic Mechanisms Of A Lilium Brownii -Plantago Asiatica L.Compound Solid Beverage Against Hyperuricemia, Feng Li, Jiawei Huang, Xiaowen Guo, Lulu Jiang, Hongyan Zhao, Qiang Li, Chenxiang Sun, Shuying Feng, Qianqian Wang

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to investigate the ameliorative effects of a Lilium brownii -Plantago asiatica L.compound solid beverage on hyperuricemia and to elucidate its potential mechanisms.[Method ] Network pharmacology was employed to screen the active constituents,potential targets,and related pathways.Key targets were identified based on a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network.Molecular docking was conducted between the key proteins and active constituents.An animal experiment was performed to validate the effects of the compound solid beverage on serum uric acid levels,renal function indices,activities of uric acid-producing enzymes,and the levels of renal urate transporters.[Result ] Network pharmacology analysis indicated that Lilium brownii and Plantago …

First_Page Settings Order Article Reprints Open Accessarticle Quantitative Detection Of Salmonella Typhimurium In Ground Chicken Using A Surface Plasmon Resonance (Spr) Biosensor, Sandhya Thapa, Fur-Chi Chen

Food and Animal Sciences Faculty Research

Regulatory agencies worldwide have implemented stringent measures to monitor and reduce Salmonella contamination in poultry products. Rapid quantitative detection methods enable producers to identify contamination early, implement corrective actions, and enhance food safety. This study aimed to develop and optimize a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor for the quantitative detection of Salmonella Typhimurium in ground chicken. The sensor surface was functionalized with a well-characterized monoclonal antibody specific to Salmonella flagellin, and an SPR workflow was established for quantitative analysis. Ground chicken samples were inoculated with four S. Typhimurium strains at contamination levels ranging from −0.5 to 3.5 Log CFU/g and …

Research Progress In Enrichment Of Trace Elements Zinc And Selenium In Pleurotus Spp., Jing Zhang, Mengmeng Xu, Liting Zhao, Cui Li, Lei Chen, Song Ming, Zhongyang Ding

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

Zinc and selenium are essential trace elements for maintaining human normal physiological function.Deficiency of zinc or selenium can result in immune dysfunction,chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and hyperlipidemia,and even increase the risk of cancer.The human body cannot independently synthesize these trace elements,which can only be obtained from the daily diet.However,natural food sources have low content of zinc and selenium,which is insufficient to meet the bod y’s needs.Therefore,developing fortified foods with trace nutrients is an important approach to meeting residents ’ requirements.Edible fungi serve as natural carriers for enriching trace elements and ideal dietary supplements.Pleurotus spp.,as a typical example,not only …

Construction And Optimization Of An Efficient Tyrosol Biosynthesis System In Escherichia Coli, Yizhe Xiong, Shougang Wang, Zhiming Rao, Meijuan Xu

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] An efficient biosynthetic system was constructed in Escherichia coli to achieve high-yield production of tyramine and its key derivative tyrosol.[Method ] Through the analysis of protein expression,enzymatic properties,and whole-cell catalysis results,tyrosine decarboxylase (TDC ) derived from Enterococcus faecalis was selected as the key enzyme for tyramine synthesis.Subsequently,tyramine oxidase (TYO ) was introduced to construct the TDC-TYO pathway for tyrosol production.Meanwhile,the LAAD-PDC pathway for tyrosol synthesis was established.A dual-enzyme co-expression system was established,and the effects of tandem enzyme order,production pathways,and key enzyme sources on tyrosol yield were analyzed.The recombinant strain B 1,carrying the plasmid pET 28a-EfTDC-TYO,was obtained through whole-cell …

Promoting The Synthesis Of Salicylic Acid In Escherichia Coli Based On Metabolic Engineering And Multi-Enzyme Cascade Strategy, Kai Wang, Xuewei Pan, Taowei Yang, Zhiming Rao

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] The production of the aromatic compound salicylic acid (SA) is limited by its inhibitory effects on enzymes related to cellular energy metabolism.This study aims to develop a strategy for avoiding the impact of SA on enzymes related to cellular energy metabolism and increase the yield of SA.[Method ] A highly efficient Escherichia coli strain was designed to improve SA production by optimizing metabolic pathways and enzyme systems.[Result ] The genome-scale metabolic model GEMS 1515 was employed to predict the key bottle necks in the phosphoenolpyruvic acid (PEP) pathway and SA biosynthesis pathways.The SA yield was successfully increased from …

Fermentation Technology Of L-Lysine Production By Immobilized Corynebacterium Glutamicum, Qingguo Liu, Hanjie Ying, Wenjun Sun

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of the fermentation process for L-lysine production by immobilized Corynebacterium glutamicum.[Method ] Firstly,the effects of different volume fractions of seed medium on the fermentation stability of immobilized Corynebacterium glutamicum were examined.Subsequently,the impacts of immobilization carriers with different specifications on the fermentation performance were analyzed.Finally,a comparative analysis was conducted on the differences between the fermentation processes with free and immobilized Corynebacterium glutamicum.[Result ] The addition of 5% volume fraction of seed medium adequately sustained the growth and metabolic activities of Corynebacterium glutamicum.Higher volume fractions diverted carbon sources towards bacterial growth,thereby limiting product …

Reduction Of Methanol Content By Protoplast Fusion In Fruit Wine Yeast, Huixiang Zhang, Nan Lin, Jiaru Wu, Xin Cheng, Weiwu Liang, Shijun Yang

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to breed a fruit wine yeast strain with low methanol production by protoplast fusion.[Method ] With yeast strains LAB and XR as parents,protoplast fusion was employed to breed the yeast strains for fruit wine fermentation with a low mass concentration methanol and a high volume fraction ethanol.The process of yeast protoplast preparation was optimized by single factor and orthogonal experiments with the formation rate,regeneration rate,and preparation rate of protoplasts as indicators.The parental protoplasts were inactivated by ultraviolet radiation and heating,and 35 g/dL PEG- 6000 was used for chemical fusion after inactivation.[Result ] The optimum conditions …

Effects Of Metschnikowia Pulcherrima And 24-Epibrassinolide On Postharvest Preservation Of Grapes, Jiayan Qu, Huiping Niu, Bowen Li, Xiao Wang, Lujun Wang, Zhumei Xi, Xuefei Wang

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to investigate the effects of different treatments on the postharvest preservation of grapes.[Method ] The impacts of 0.4 mg/L 24-epibrassinolide (EBR ),1×109 CFU/mL Metschnikowia pulcherrima,and their combination (YBR ) on postharvest storage of ‘Shine Muscat ’ grapes were evaluated.[Result ] Compared with the control (CK) group,EBR,Metschnikowia pulcherrima,and YBR treatments effectively reduced the water loss rate,maintained the firmness,and delayed the declines in protopectin and stem chlorophyll content of grape.In the later storage stage,YBR treatment delayed the decrease in flavonoid mass fraction,which was 12.95% higher than that of CK group.At the same time,YBR treatment reduced the mass …

Application Of A Rapid Test Strip Method In Quantitative Detection Of Microorganisms In Chilled Meat, Yanzhen Zhang, Ning Liu, Wei Wang, Xianqi Yao, Laixue Ni, Yunguo Liu

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of using the rapid test strip method for detecting key microbial quality control indicators in chilled meat,specifically the total plate count and Escherichia coli /coliforms.[Method ] The performance of the rapid test strip method was assessed through repeatability tests,and the national standard plate count method was used as the reference for method comparison.Statistical significance of the quantification results was analyzed by a t-test,and linear regression was adopted to analyze the correlation.[Result ] The repeatability deviation of the rapid test strip method (r≤0.25) met the requirements of ISO 4833—1:2013.No significant difference was …

Effects Of Single And Mixed Fermentation On Flavor , Composition , And Antioxidant Activity Of Soybean Whey, Taotao Wei, Qian Chen, Xiangjie Tao, Bin Tang, Fusheng Ren, Ping Hu

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to explore the impacts of single strain fermentation and mixed fermentation on the flavor,composition,and antioxidant activity of soybean whey.[Method ] Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS ) was coupled with E-nose and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC ) to a nalyze the flavor and function of soybean whey fermented by the single and mixed strains.[Result ] Compared with single-strain fermentation by Limosilactobacillus fermentum HJS- 1 or Kluyveromyces marxianus HJS- 2,mixed fermentation (Limosilactobacillus fermentum HJS- 1 + Kluyveromyces marxianus HJS- 2) effectively improved the levels of functional substances and antioxidant activity of soybean whey.Compared with non-fermented soybean whey,mixed …

Efficient Catalytic Synthesis Of 5-Methylpyrazine- 2-Carboxylic Acid By Recombinant Escherichia Coli, Luxi Gan, Heng Gong

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aimed to improve the yield and conversion rate of 5-methylpyrazine- 2-carboxylic acid (MPCA ) through biocatalysis.[Method ] Escherichia coli (E.coli）was used as the model organism to construct an MPCA synthesis system,and the whole-cell catalytic reaction conditions of recombinant E.coli were optimized.In addition,the parental host strain was subjected to ultraviolet mutagenesis for the screening of host strains tolerant to high mass concentrations of 2,5-dimethylpyrazine (DMP ).[Result ] The recombinant mutagenized strain could completely convert 10 g/L DMP to MPCA within 12 h in a 10 mL reaction system,achieving a yield of 12.9 g/L and a corresponding molar …

Goat Milk Formula Powder Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Intestinal Inflammation, Yi Shan, Xiaoling Liu, Shumei Wang

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aimed to investigate the effects of goat milk formula powder on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal inflammation and barrier impairment in mice.[Method ] Histopathological observation,real-time quantitative PCR,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to assess changes in intestinal inflammation levels and barrier function-related indicators in mice following intervention with goat milk formula powder.Additionally,the composition of the gut microbiota was analyzed to elucidate its potential mechanisms of action.[Result ] Goat milk formula powder alleviated intestinal histopathology and increased the number of goblet cells.Compared with the model group,the goat milk formula powder intervention reduced the mass fractions of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF- …

Design , Expression , And Stability Evaluation Of A Superoxide Dismutase-Catalase Fusion Protein, Zhuo Jiang, Weina Lu, Qi Lin, Zhan Luo, Zhengbin Lyu, Zuoming Nie

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to design a fusion protein with high activities and high stability of superoxide dismutase (SOD ) and catalase (CAT ).[Method ] Using AcSOD 11 and FeCAT proteins as the research subjects,three fusion proteins of SOD and CAT were designed:AcSOD 11-(GGGGS )*3-FeCAT,FeCAT-(GGGGS )*3-AcSOD 11,and FeCAT- (EAAAK )*3-AcSOD 11,which were named AcSOD 11-G3-FeCAT,FeCAT-G3-AcSOD 11,and FeCAT-E 3-AcSOD 11,respectively.Soluble expression of these three fusion proteins was achieved in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3).The thermal stability and pH stability of the three fusion proteins were then assessed.[Result ] The three fusion proteins showed no significant difference in the specific activity of SOD,while …

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Concerning Water, Sanitation, And Hygiene And Related Diseases Among University Students In Malaysia, Renee Ng Jeffrey, Aida Soraya Shamsuddin, Farah Diyana Ariffin, Aziemah Zulkifli

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices are fundamental components of public health, being crucial in preventing disease transmission and promoting healthy living environments. In this context, university students play an essential role as future professionals and community advocates in fostering proper hygiene behaviors and preventing disease outbreaks. Understanding knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in regard to WASH among individuals, particularly university students, is crucial for promoting proper hygiene behaviors. This study aimed to assess the KAP in regard to WASH and related diseases among undergraduate students from the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

Methods: …

Rab32c Mediates Osmoregulation And Calcium Homeoastasis In Dictyostelium Discoideum, Ashley Esparza

Theses and Dissertations

Vesicular trafficking is a fundamental process essential to cell viability and dictates roles in both cellular and tissue function in multicellular organisms. To further understand various vesicular trafficking processes, our lab focuses on the moderators of these processes, Rab GTPases, using the model organism Dictyostelium discoideum. This dissertation focuses explicitly on the uncharacterized protein Rab32C, a homolog of human Rab32. While several Rab family members have been well defined, the functionality of Rab32C remains poorly understood. This project investigated both the subcellular localization and functional role of Rab32C with biochemical, imaging, and molecular assays. Results from this study provide evidence …

Plant Preservation: The Contribution Of Bacteriophage And Transposons To Pathogenic Xanthomonas Evolution, And The Demographic And Reproductive Analysis Of Castilleja Parvula, Ciara A. Green

Theses and Dissertations

Plant preservation, whether through disease research or endemic extinction analyses, plays an important role in the relationship between humans and our surrounding environment. In these analyses, both the role of mobile elements in the evolution of pathogenic Xanthomonas sp. bacteria, and the demographic and reproductive analysis of Castilleja parvula, an imperiled alpine plant, are evaluated. Xanthomonas species are one of the top agricultural threats, and are known to evolve rapidly. Until now, the contributions of mobile elements and particularly bacteriophage have not been thoroughly evaluated. The contribution of these agricultural diseases to food insecurity and the devastation of crops that …