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Full-Text Articles in Biotechnology

Algal Biomass As A Binding Agent For The Densification Of Miscanthus, Sunil Thapa, Daniel B. Johnson, Peter Ping Liu, Thomas Canam Feb 2015

Algal Biomass As A Binding Agent For The Densification Of Miscanthus, Sunil Thapa, Daniel B. Johnson, Peter Ping Liu, Thomas Canam

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Purpose: Lignocellulosic biomass has been regarded as an important future energy source due to its excessive availability; however, the wide application of this material for many applications is restricted by the high costs associated with densification, transportation, thermo-chemical pretreatment and conversion. In order to increase the density of lignocellulosic biomass, it is typically compressed into pellets or briquettes. This frequently requires the addition of additives, which may negatively impact the economics of the process. Environmentally-friendly binding agents that can be obtained inexpensively are therefore desirable. This study examines the change in physicochemical properties of densified Miscanthus straw where algae were …


Algal Biomass As A Binding Agent For The Densification Of Miscanthus, Sunil Thapa, Daniel Johnson, Peter Liu, Thomas Canam Feb 2015

Algal Biomass As A Binding Agent For The Densification Of Miscanthus, Sunil Thapa, Daniel Johnson, Peter Liu, Thomas Canam

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Purpose: Lignocellulosic biomass has been regarded as an important future energy source due to its excessive availability; however, the wide application of this material for many applications is restricted by the high costs associated with densification, transportation, thermo-chemical pretreatment and conversion. In order to increase the density of lignocellulosic biomass, it is typically compressed into pellets or briquettes. This frequently requires the addition of additives, which may negatively impact the economics of the process. Environmentally-friendly binding agents that can be obtained inexpensively are therefore desirable. This study examines the change in physicochemical properties of densified Miscanthus straw where algae were …


Cryopreservation Of Hepatocyte (Hepg2) Cell Monolayers: Impact Of Trehalose, Blake Stokich, Quinn Osgood, David Grimm, Shhyam Moorthy, Nilay Chakraborty, Michael A. Menze Aug 2014

Cryopreservation Of Hepatocyte (Hepg2) Cell Monolayers: Impact Of Trehalose, Blake Stokich, Quinn Osgood, David Grimm, Shhyam Moorthy, Nilay Chakraborty, Michael A. Menze

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

A simple method to cryogenically preserve hepatocyte monolayers is currently not available but such a technique would facilitate numerous applications in the field of biomedical engineering, cell line development, and drug screening. We investigated the effect of trehalose and dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) in cryopreservation of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells in suspension and monolayer formats. HepG2 cell monolayers were incubated for 24 h at varying concentrations of trehalose (50–150 mM) prior to cryopreservation to identify the optimum concentration for such preincubation. When trehalose alone was used as the cryoprotective agent (CPA), cells in monolayer format did not survive freezing while …


Know Where To Go, Kirstin Duffin Mar 2014

Know Where To Go, Kirstin Duffin

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Assessing library article databases for efficient access to multidisciplinary research – A case study in bioenergy


Isolation And Characterization Of Galactinol Synthases From Hybrid Poplar, Faride Unda, Thomas Canam, Lindsay Preston, Shawn Mansfield Jan 2012

Isolation And Characterization Of Galactinol Synthases From Hybrid Poplar, Faride Unda, Thomas Canam, Lindsay Preston, Shawn Mansfield

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The raffinose family of oligosaccharides (RFOs) serve as transport carbohydrates in the phloem, storage compounds in sink tissues, and putative biological agents to combat both abiotic and biotic stress in several plant species. To investigate further the functional roles of this class of compounds in trees, two cDNAs encoding galactinol synthase (GolS, EC 2.4.1.123), which catalyses the first step in the biosynthesis of RFOs, were identified and cloned from hybrid poplar (Populus alba3grandidentata). Phylogenetic analyses of the Populus GolS isoforms with other known GolS proteins suggested a putative role for these enzymes during biotic or abiotic stress in hybrid poplar. …


Isolation And Characterization Of Galactinol Synthases From Hybrid Poplar, Faride Unda, Thomas Canam, Lindsay Preston, Shawn D. Mansfield Jan 2012

Isolation And Characterization Of Galactinol Synthases From Hybrid Poplar, Faride Unda, Thomas Canam, Lindsay Preston, Shawn D. Mansfield

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The raffinose family of oligosaccharides (RFOs) serve as transport carbohydrates in the phloem, storage compounds in sink tissues, and putative biological agents to combat both abiotic and biotic stress in several plant species. To investigate further the functional roles of this class of compounds in trees, two cDNAs encoding galactinol synthase (GolS, EC 2.4.1.123), which catalyses the first step in the biosynthesis of RFOs, were identified and cloned from hybrid poplar (Populus alba3grandidentata). Phylogenetic analyses of the Populus GolS isoforms with other known GolS proteins suggested a putative role for these enzymes during biotic or abiotic stress in hybrid poplar. …


Quantitative Analysis Of Lignocellulosic Components Of Non-Treated And Steam Exploded Barley, Canola, Oat And Wheat Straw Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, P. Adapa, L. Schonenau, Thomas Canam, T. Dumonceaux Jan 2011

Quantitative Analysis Of Lignocellulosic Components Of Non-Treated And Steam Exploded Barley, Canola, Oat And Wheat Straw Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, P. Adapa, L. Schonenau, Thomas Canam, T. Dumonceaux

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Rapid and cost effective quantification of lignocellulosic components (cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin) of agricultural biomass (barley, canola, oat and wheat) is essential to determine the effect of various pre-treatments (such as steam explosion) on biomass used as feedstock for the biofuel industry. Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was considered as an option to achieve this objective. Regression equations having R2 values of 0.89, 0.99 and 0.98 were developed to predict the cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin compounds of biomass, respectively. The average absolute difference in predicted and measured cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in agricultural biomass was 7.5%, 2.5%, and 3.8%, respectively.


Quantitative Analysis Of Lignocellulosic Components Of Non-Treated And Steam Exploded Barley, Canola, Oat And Wheat Straw Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, P. K. Adapa, L. G. Schonenau, Thomas Canam, T. Dumonceaux Jan 2011

Quantitative Analysis Of Lignocellulosic Components Of Non-Treated And Steam Exploded Barley, Canola, Oat And Wheat Straw Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, P. K. Adapa, L. G. Schonenau, Thomas Canam, T. Dumonceaux

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Rapid and cost effective quantification of lignocellulosic components (cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin) of agricultural biomass (barley, canola, oat and wheat) is essential to determine the effect of various pre-treatments (such as steam explosion) on biomass used as feedstock for the biofuel industry. Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was considered as an option to achieve this objective. Regression equations having R2 values of 0.89, 0.99 and 0.98 were developed to predict the cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin compounds of biomass, respectively. The average absolute difference in predicted and measured cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in agricultural biomass was 7.5%, 2.5%, and 3.8%, respectively.


Chemical Characterization And In Vitro Fermentation Of Brassica Straw Treated With The Aerobic Fungus, Trametes Versicolor, J. E. Ramirez-Bribiesca, Y. Wang, L. Jin, Thomas Canam, J. R. Town, A. Tsang, T. J. Dumonceaux, T. A. Mcallister Jan 2011

Chemical Characterization And In Vitro Fermentation Of Brassica Straw Treated With The Aerobic Fungus, Trametes Versicolor, J. E. Ramirez-Bribiesca, Y. Wang, L. Jin, Thomas Canam, J. R. Town, A. Tsang, T. J. Dumonceaux, T. A. Mcallister

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Brassica napus straw (BNS) was either not treated or was treated with two strains of Trametes versicolor; 52J (wild type) or m4D (a cellobiose dehydrogenase-deficient mutant) with four treatments. Glucose was provided to encourage growth of the mutant strain. All treatments with T. versicolor decreased (P<0.05) neutral-detergent fibre and increased (P<0.05) protein and the concentration of lignin degradation products in straw. Ergosterol was highest (P<0.05) in straw treated with B-52J, suggesting it generated the most fungal biomass. Insoluble lignin was reduced (P<0.05) in straw treated with B-52J and B-m4D, but not with B-m4Dg. Mannose and xylose concentration were generally higher (P<0.05) in straw treated with fungi, whereas glucose and galactose were lower as compared with C-BNS. The four treatments above were subsequently assessed in rumen in vitro fermentations, along with BNS treated with 5 N NaOH. Concentrations of total volatile fatty acids after 24 and 48h were lower (P<0.05) in incubations that contained BNS treated with T. versicolor as compared with C-BNSor NaOH-treated BNS. Compared with C-BNS, in vitrodry matter disappearance and gas production were increased (P<0.05) by NaOH, but not by treatment with either strain of T. versicolor. Although treatment with T. versicolor did release more lignin degradation products, it did not appear to provide more degradable carbohydrate to in vitro rumen microbial populations, even when a mutant strain with compromised carbohydrate metabolism was utilized. Production of secondary compounds by the aerobic fungi may inhibit rumen microbial fermentation.


Chemical Characterization And In Vitro Fermentation Of Brassica Straw Treated With The Aerobic Fungus, Trametes Versicolor, J. Ramirez-Bribiesca, Y. Wang, L. Jin, Thomas Canam, J. Town, A. Tsang, T. Dumonceaux, T. Mcallister Jan 2011

Chemical Characterization And In Vitro Fermentation Of Brassica Straw Treated With The Aerobic Fungus, Trametes Versicolor, J. Ramirez-Bribiesca, Y. Wang, L. Jin, Thomas Canam, J. Town, A. Tsang, T. Dumonceaux, T. Mcallister

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Brassica napus straw (BNS) was either not treated or was treated with two strains of Trametes versicolor; 52J (wild type) or m4D (a cellobiose dehydrogenase-deficient mutant) with four treatments. Glucose was provided to encourage growth of the mutant strain. All treatments with T. versicolor decreased (P<0.05) neutral-detergent fibre and increased (P<0.05) protein and the concentration of lignin degradation products in straw. Ergosterol was highest (P<0.05) in straw treated with B-52J, suggesting it generated the most fungal biomass. Insoluble lignin was reduced (P<0.05) in straw treated with B-52J and B-m4D, but not with B-m4Dg. Mannose and xylose concentration were generally higher (P<0.05) in straw treated with fungi, whereas glucose and galactose were lower as compared with C-BNS. The four treatments above were subsequently assessed in rumen in vitro fermentations, along with BNS treated with 5 N NaOH. Concentrations of total volatile fatty acids after 24 and 48h were lower (P<0.05) in incubations that contained BNS treated with T. versicolor as compared with C-BNSor NaOH-treated BNS. Compared with C-BNS, in vitrodry matter disappearance and gas production were increased (P<0.05) by NaOH, but not by treatment with either strain of T. versicolor. Although treatment with T. versicolor did release more lignin degradation products, it did not appear to provide more degradable carbohydrate to in vitro rumen microbial populations, even when a mutant strain with compromised carbohydrate metabolism was utilized. Production of secondary compounds by the aerobic fungi may inhibit rumen microbial fermentation.


Sucrose Phosphate Synthase Expression Influences Poplar Phenology, Thomas Canam, Ji-Young Park, Kyu-Young Kang, Faride Unda, Shawn D. Mansfield Jan 2009

Sucrose Phosphate Synthase Expression Influences Poplar Phenology, Thomas Canam, Ji-Young Park, Kyu-Young Kang, Faride Unda, Shawn D. Mansfield

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The objective of this study was to manipulate the intracellular pools of sucrose, and investigate its role in regulating plant growth, phenology (leaf senescence and bud break) and fibre development. This objective was achieved by differentially expressing an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana L. Heynh.) sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) gene in hybrid poplar (Populus alba · Populus grandidentata Michx.), a model system for tree biology with substantial industrial relevance in the context of short rotation forestry and a target bioenergy crop. Phenotypic differences were evident in the transgenic trees, as both the timing of bud flush and leaf senescence were altered compared …


Sucrose Phosphate Synthase Expression Influences Poplar Phenology, Thomas Canam, Ji-Young Park, Kyu-Young Kang, Faride Unda, Shawn Mansfield Jan 2009

Sucrose Phosphate Synthase Expression Influences Poplar Phenology, Thomas Canam, Ji-Young Park, Kyu-Young Kang, Faride Unda, Shawn Mansfield

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The objective of this study was to manipulate the intracellular pools of sucrose, and investigate its role in regulating plant growth, phenology (leaf senescence and bud break) and fibre development. This objective was achieved by differentially expressing an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana L. Heynh.) sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) gene in hybrid poplar (Populus alba · Populus grandidentata Michx.), a model system for tree biology with substantial industrial relevance in the context of short rotation forestry and a target bioenergy crop. Phenotypic differences were evident in the transgenic trees, as both the timing of bud flush and leaf senescence were altered compared …


Spatial And Temporal Expression Profiling Of Cell-Wall Invertase Genes During Early Development In Hybrid Poplar, Thomas Canam, Sarah Mak, Shawn Mansfield Jan 2008

Spatial And Temporal Expression Profiling Of Cell-Wall Invertase Genes During Early Development In Hybrid Poplar, Thomas Canam, Sarah Mak, Shawn Mansfield

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Cell-wall invertase genes are spatially and temporally regulated in several plant species, including Daucus carota L., Lycopersicon esculentum L. and Solanum tuberosum L. However, few studies of cell-wall invertase genes of trees have been conducted, despite the importance of trees as a source of lignocellulosic biopolymers.We identified three putative cell-wall invertase genes in hybrid poplar (Populus alba L. × grandidentata Michx.) that showed higher homology to each other than to cell-wall invertases of other dicotyledonous species, with two of the genes (Pa×gINV2 and Pa×gINV3) appearing as a genomic tandem repeat. These genes are more similar to each other than to …


Spatial And Temporal Expression Profiling Of Cell-Wall Invertase Genes During Early Development In Hybrid Poplar, Thomas Canam, Sarah W.Y. Mak, Shawn D. Mansfield Jan 2008

Spatial And Temporal Expression Profiling Of Cell-Wall Invertase Genes During Early Development In Hybrid Poplar, Thomas Canam, Sarah W.Y. Mak, Shawn D. Mansfield

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Cell-wall invertase genes are spatially and temporally regulated in several plant species, including Daucus carota L., Lycopersicon esculentum L. and Solanum tuberosum L. However, few studies of cell-wall invertase genes of trees have been conducted, despite the importance of trees as a source of lignocellulosic biopolymers.We identified three putative cell-wall invertase genes in hybrid poplar (Populus alba L. × grandidentata Michx.) that showed higher homology to each other than to cell-wall invertases of other dicotyledonous species, with two of the genes (Pa×gINV2 and Pa×gINV3) appearing as a genomic tandem repeat. These genes are more similar to each other than to …


Over-Expression Of Udp-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase In Hybrid Poplar Affects Carbon Allocation, Heather Coleman, Thomas Canam, Kyu-Young Kang, David Ellis, Shawn Mansfield Jan 2007

Over-Expression Of Udp-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase In Hybrid Poplar Affects Carbon Allocation, Heather Coleman, Thomas Canam, Kyu-Young Kang, David Ellis, Shawn Mansfield

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The effects of the over-expression of the Acetobacter xylinum UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase) under the control of the tandem repeat Cauliflower Mosaic Virus promoter (2335S) on plant metabolism and growth were investigated in hybrid poplar (Populus alba3grandidentata). Transcript levels, enzyme activity, growth parameters, leaf morphology, structural and soluble carbohydrates, and soluble metabolite levels were quantified in both transgenic and wild-type trees. Transgenic 2335S::UGPase poplar showed impaired growth rates, displaying reduced height growth and stem diameter. Morphologically, 2335S::UGPase trees had elongated axial shoots, and leaves that were substantially smaller in size when compared with wild-type trees at equivalent developmental stages. Biochemical analysis …


Over-Expression Of Udp-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase In Hybrid Poplar Affects Carbon Allocation, Heather D. Coleman, Thomas Canam, Kyu-Young Kang, David D. Ellis, Shawn D. Mansfield Jan 2007

Over-Expression Of Udp-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase In Hybrid Poplar Affects Carbon Allocation, Heather D. Coleman, Thomas Canam, Kyu-Young Kang, David D. Ellis, Shawn D. Mansfield

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The effects of the over-expression of the Acetobacter xylinum UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase) under the control of the tandem repeat Cauliflower Mosaic Virus promoter (2335S) on plant metabolism and growth were investigated in hybrid poplar (Populus alba3grandidentata). Transcript levels, enzyme activity, growth parameters, leaf morphology, structural and soluble carbohydrates, and soluble metabolite levels were quantified in both transgenic and wild-type trees. Transgenic 2335S::UGPase poplar showed impaired growth rates, displaying reduced height growth and stem diameter. Morphologically, 2335S::UGPase trees had elongated axial shoots, and leaves that were substantially smaller in size when compared with wild-type trees at equivalent developmental stages. Biochemical analysis …


Selective Male Mortality In The Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis Invicta, Gary Fritz, Robert Vander Meer, Catherine Preston May 2006

Selective Male Mortality In The Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis Invicta, Gary Fritz, Robert Vander Meer, Catherine Preston

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Males in polygyne populations of Solenopsis invicta are primarily sterile diploids and thought to not express the Gp-9 gene coding for a pheromone-binding protein affecting complex social behavior.We examined an aspect of the breeding system hitherto not considered—male Gp-9 genotypes in relation to sperm stored in queens. Four sites with varying frequencies of sympatric monogyne and polygyne colonies were sampled, including sexuals, workers, and broods from four colonies. Most queens were heterozygotes storing B sperm. Although predicted to be common, only 14 of 504 males were B or BB genotypes, suggesting strong selection. Increased frequency of polygyne colonies at each …


Selective Male Mortality In The Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis Invicta, Gary N. Fritz, Robert K. Vander Meer, Catherine A. Preston May 2006

Selective Male Mortality In The Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis Invicta, Gary N. Fritz, Robert K. Vander Meer, Catherine A. Preston

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Males in polygyne populations of Solenopsis invicta are primarily sterile diploids and thought to not express the Gp-9 gene coding for a pheromone-binding protein affecting complex social behavior.We examined an aspect of the breeding system hitherto not considered—male Gp-9 genotypes in relation to sperm stored in queens. Four sites with varying frequencies of sympatric monogyne and polygyne colonies were sampled, including sexuals, workers, and broods from four colonies. Most queens were heterozygotes storing B sperm. Although predicted to be common, only 14 of 504 males were B or BB genotypes, suggesting strong selection. Increased frequency of polygyne colonies at each …