Includes bibliographical references (leaves 195-202). / xi, 205 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Scaevola spinescens is an Australian native plant, found widely in the arid to semi-arid regions of South Australia and through into most other states. Aboriginal people of Hawker in South Australia have traditionally used it as a natural medicine to treat a variety of symptoms. The thesis aims to extract, isolate and determine the structure of organic compounds from Scaevola spinescens. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Adelaide University, Dept. of Chemistry, 2001

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Orchid habitat has been destroyed for centuries and as a result many species, some not even discovered yet, have been lost. From the orchid hunters of the 17th and 18th centuries to the deforestation and reckless collection of orchid species today, orchids and their habitats have continued to be at risk. Efforts such as in situ conservation, an approach to protecting orchids in their natural habitat, and ex situ conservation, the protection and propagation of orchids outside their natural habitat in places such as seed banks, laboratories, herbariums, and botanic gardens, have helped to preserve orchid species all over the world. This work includes the design of a botanic garden centred on orchids and their conservation. Situated in Ecuador, the garden design incorporates research, education, and conservation in a way that is inspiring and delightful to the visiting public. Orchids are featured in the design of the garden, and the conservation of this plant family is emphasized. A history of botanic gardens explores the evolution of this specific type of garden, providing a background for modern-day design. Case study analyses of contemporary botanic gardens provides additional information and insight into the changing role of botanic gardens in the 21st century. This Practicum explores the creation of an educational garden that is also entertaining and challenges the notion of what a botanic garden is today and what it can be in the future.

Orchid habitat has been destroyed for centuries and as a result many species, some not even discovered yet, have been lost. From the orchid hunters of the 17th and 18th centuries to the deforestation and reckless collection of orchid species today, orchids and their habitats have continued to be at risk. Efforts such as in situ conservation, an approach to protecting orchids in their natural habitat, and ex situ conservation, the protection and propagation of orchids outside their natural habitat in places such as seed banks, laboratories, herbariums, and botanic gardens, have helped to preserve orchid species all over the world. This work includes the design of a botanic garden centred on orchids and their conservation. Situated in Ecuador, the garden design incorporates research, education, and conservation in a way that is inspiring and delightful to the visiting public. Orchids are featured in the design of the garden, and the conservation of this plant family is emphasized. A history of botanic gardens explores the evolution of this specific type of garden, providing a background for modern-day design. Case study analyses of contemporary botanic gardens provides additional information and insight into the changing role of botanic gardens in the 21st century. This Practicum explores the creation of an educational garden that is also entertaining and challenges the notion of what a botanic garden is today and what it can be in the future.

Botanic gardens, as outdoor education settings, combine educating about the interdependence of people and plants, and the importance of protecting their habitats so that people’s willingness to protect the environment is enhanced. This research has been conducted within a renewed interest in the educational significance of learning beyond the classroom in the UK, and considers that botanic gardens – school collaborations have the potential to overcome barriers to the provision of outdoor education. Additionally, such collaborations offer appropriate grounds to investigate the relationship of school-based and outdoor learning. This research looks for the factors that militate in favour of successful collaborations between botanic gardens and schools, and explores how such collaborations shape pupils’ environmental learning experiences in the school and in the gardens. My research entails an ethnographic multi case study of collaborations between Wakehurst Place and three local primary schools. I conducted my fieldwork during the school year 2006-2007, and my research techniques included participant observation, semi-structured interviews, informal talks, keeping fieldnotes, and collecting documents and artifacts. Data were analysed using thematic analysis techniques. My research shows that the history of collaboration between the gardens and local schools, the organisations’ interdependency, and the development of professional relationships between the individuals involved, are the overarching factors that contribute to the success of collaborations. In addition, acknowledging that experience can be conceptualised in different ways, this research has shown that successful botanic gardens – school collaborations can result in pupils’ linking their environmental learning experiences across settings. Arguing that pupils merge the learning they acquire from different sources into a whole unit, and taking into account that individual behaviours are influenced by a variety of factors, it is suggested teachers and educators need to focus on encouraging pupils’ critical thinking on environmental issues through environmental learning experiences in the gardens and at school.

In the past decade Arabidopsis thaliana has become an important system for studying meiosis in flowering plants. The identification of meiotic mutants has provided an important approach to studying plant meiosis. The availability of the Arabidopsis genome sequence together with developments in proteomics and bioinformatics provides an additional route for the identification of meiotic proteins and analysis of their functional interrelationships. This study has used a proteomics approach to identify a member of the SWI2/SNF2 chromatin remodelling gene family (Atchr24). Although a variety defects was observed in Atchr24 male meiocytes cytogenetic, at least two T-DNA insertion lines on this gene appear normal. Secondly, this research has also used a bioinformatics approach to identify a potential orthologue of Pch2/TRIP13 in Arabidopsis. PCH2 (Pachytene checkpoint 2) is a member of the AAA+ ATPase family of proteins. This study reveals that AtPCH2 plays an essential role in the controlled formation of meiotic crossovers (COs). Cytogenetic analysis of two Atpch2 T-DNA insertion lines revealed a high frequency of univalents at MI. The number of chiasmata (COs) is reduced to ~ 70% of wild-type (WT). Genetic analysis revealed that Atpch2 has significantly weaker CO interference than WT leading to a redistribution of COs along the chromosomes. The recombination defect is accompanied by incomplete chromosome synapsis. Immunolocalisation of the chromosome axis protein AtASY3 and cohesin, AtSYN1 appears normal. However in contrast to WT, AtASY1 co-localises with the synaptonemal protein AtZYP1 in ii Atpch2 rather than becoming depleted in regions of synapsis and the meiotic progression of Atpch2 is delayed during pachytene by ~5 hours. These observations suggest a defect in remodeling of the chromosome axes and highlight how this process is essential for normal CO control.

Museum techniques of presentation are reviewed for the possibility of use in contemporary botanic gardens. Supporting evidence suggests that these techniques are being successfully applied in some botanic gardens around the world. Institutions that have adopted museum techniques have been found to operate efficiently, whilst providing increased levels of enjoyment and education for visitors. Cultural differences between various countries have small influences on the most effective presentation techniques used, but further local research is required to uncover visitor preferences and use patterns in Australian botanic gardens. General principles of design that work well in the indoor environments of international musuems apply well in the outdoor environments of botanic gardens. Therefore greater use should be made of existing international museum research into visitor patterns of behaviour where it is locally appropriate.

The botanic garden is a space of leisure, scientific endeavour, passive recreation, education and conservation. These roles are contradictory, yet coexist 'happily' in a single space. The central aim of this thesis is to investigate the diversity of spaces and meanings in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens from the perspectives of both users and producers of this space. The fieldwork component involves interviews with staff members of the Botanical Services Team at the Gardens, and selected people at the Christchurch City Council offices who were connected with the Gardens in various ways. Additionally, I use the data gathered during my participation in tours of the Gardens. This thesis is both an historical and contemporary analysis of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. In a general history of the Western botanic garden, I show how colonialism, the Garden City movement and science shaped how botanic gardens functioned in society. This discussion contextualises the history of Christchurch's Botanic Gardens, which I compiled using archival material based on site, and the social practices that take place in this space. Using Foucault's concept of the heterotopia, I analyse the multiple and seemingly conflicting sites that exist inside the boundaries of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. I explain how these sites are able to coexist inside what Foucault terms a 'happy, universalizing' heterotopic space. I conclude that conflicts between science and leisure, and colonial spaces are not experienced inside the Gardens by visitors. In reality, for visitors to the Gardens, the paradoxical nature of the space and the resulting tension deriving from its multi-faceted role in society continue to exist in harmony. However, conflict between science and leisure is claimed by those who produce the Gardens. This is because the producers are conscious of the competing roles of the Gardens yet are involved in creating a space that caters for a diverse group of visitors.

Cancer and malaria are among the most life-threatening diseases globally. Cancer is responsible for about 125,000 annual deaths globally. In 2015, the World Health Organization report estimated that 236000-635000 people died of malaria. These diseases are complicated by the development of resistance to available chemotherapeutic agents. Natural products have been recognized for their major applications in the identification of drug leads in drug discovery. Viola philippica Car, Viola yedoensis Makino (Violaceae), Triclisia subcordata Oliv (Menispermeaceae) and Cyclicodiscus gabunensis Harms (Fabaceae) are medicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases including malaria or cancer in China and West Africa. However, the bioactive compounds are unknown. Therefore, this study evaluated the in vitro anticancer and antimalarial activities of the four medicinal plants and searched their bioactive compounds. The in vitro anti-ovarian cancer and antimalarial assays were demonstrated respectively using sulforhodamine B dye and Syber green 1 fluorescence assay methods. Bioassay-guided fractionation and purification were performed. Structural elucidation was performed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry analysis. Results revealed the anticancer and antimalarial activities of T. subcordata; V. philippica, and V. yedoensis to be bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids (cycleanine, isochondodendrine and 2′-norcocsuline) and/or cyclotides. The cycleanine analogues were synthesized and found to be more potent than cycleanine. Induction of apoptosis by these alkaloids has also been determined. This study could serve as basis for the support of use of these plants in cancer and/or malaria treatment. The BBIQ alkaloids and analogues could serve as lead compounds in drug discovery. Future in vivo studies need to be carried out on these alkaloids to get drug approval.

Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea tree oil) is commonly used by the general public in the treatment of superficial dermatological conditions. There is a growing body of evidence to support its use as an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent. However, there is little evidence of the in vivo penetration of components of the oil through the skin, imperative to ensure its use is directed appropriately and safely. Furthermore the extent of TTO’s ability as an anti-inflammatory agent and its potential mode of action are not know. This thesis describes the adaption and validation of the method in vivo dermal microdialysis in order to identify and quantify components of tea tree oil present at the dermal epidermal junction following the topical application of 100% TTO. In vitro investigations identified that the addition of hydroxypoply –β-cyclodextrin to the perfusate, the adjustment of flow rate and the use of cuprophan membranes ensured optimal recovery of components. Furthermore tape stripping was utilized to identify components present within the stratum corneum (SC). These methods were coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and were successful in the identification and quantification of terpinen-4-ol, 115.64±28.1 (ng±SEM) and 1,8 cineole, 15.05±2.6 at the dermal epidermal junction (n=10). Also the presence of 9 hydrophilic and lipid components (overall subjects) were observed within this top layer of epidermis (n=7). In addition the potential anti-inflammatory action of TTO and its component T-4-ol is investigated in vitro using the HaCaT cell line (model keratinocytes) including exploration of a potential mode of action. An inflammatory action was induced using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the cell supernatant analysed using the MSD™ electronchemiluminesence assay. A statistically significant increase in the release of IL1β was observed when non-stimulated HaCaT cells were incubated with TTO (not T-4-ol alone), compared to control (medium alone). Furthermore a statistically significant increase in IL6 was observed when non-stimulated HaCaT cells were incubated with TTO and T-4-ol compared with the incubation of stimulated HaCaT cells with the oil and its component. Investigation into the effect of TTO and T-4-ol on the transcription factor NFқB demonstrated that the oil and its component did not exert its effect by initiation of this pathway. The findings of this research have implications for clinical practice, particularly in the use of TTO on areas of dermatological inflammation and its use on ‘healthy’ skin.