Biotechnology Commons^™

Naturify 2300, Yarina Yiwei Dai

Masters Theses

In my art practice, I explore the interplay between human desires to manipulate and anthropomorphize nature, as seen in the technological augmentation of plants and living entities. This investigation delves into how this intersection, alongside empathy towards these creations, contributes to fears of uncontrollability and the risks of addiction and excessive dependence on technology.

Bioengineering and genetic modification have cultivated unprecedented developments, allowing humans to manipulate the fundamental building blocks of life. My research speculates on this technology further, modifying the genetic code of organisms and creating bioengineered wearable entities with enhanced traits or entirely new functionalities. The primary objective …

The Impact Of A Non-Ionic Adjuvant To The Persistence Of Pesticides On Produce Surfaces, Daniel Barnes

Masters Theses

Adjuvants can enhance the performance of the pesticide active ingredients in many ways including decreasing surface tension and reducing evaporation. Understanding how adjuvants effect pesticide behavior (e.g., surface persistence) is crucial for developing effective pesticide formulations, as well as facilitating the development of effective approaches to reduce pesticide residues from the surface of fresh produce post-harvest. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of a non-ionic surfactant, Surf-Ac 910, on the persistence of two model pesticides, thiabendazole and phosmet on apple surfaces. The result shows that the addition of Surf-Ac 910 increased both the maximum wetted area …

Exploring A Medicinal Strain Of White-Rot Fungus For Biofuel Applications, Kortney L. Lucius

Masters Theses

The major limitation to producing biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass, such as miscanthus straw, is the difficulty in accessing fermentable carbohydrates encased in lignin. Traditional methods for separating lignin are economically and environmentally costly. Biological pretreatment using white-rot fungi, such as Trametes versicolor, has been demonstrated to potentially reduce the need for harsh chemical and physical pretreatment methods. Despite these efforts, the process of converting lignocellulose to ethanol remains financially challenging. To explore a potential co-product for the process, this study evaluated the efficacy of T. versicolor strain CM-101, known for producing the valuable medicinal macromolecule polysaccharide-K (PSK), as a …