<p>U radu je ispitana zastupljenost azotofiksirajućih cijanobakterija, ukupnog broja algi i ukupnog broja bakterija u različitim tipovima zemlji&scaron;ta na jedanaest lokaliteta u Vojvodini, od čega se sedam nalaze u za&scaron;tićenim prirodnim dobrima. Ispitana je brojnost u zavisnosti od dubine pedolo&scaron;kog profila, kao i od godi&scaron;njeg doba. Izvr&scaron;ena je izolacija sojeva azotofiksirajućih cijanobakterija, određena njihova taksonomska pripadnost i osnovne citolo&scaron;ke karakteristike. Ispitana je ultrastruktura vegetativnih ćelija, heterocista i spoljnih struktura na ćelijama fimbrije i pili, transmisionim elektronskim mikroskopom. Izvr&scaron;ena je genetička karakterizacija izolovanih sojeva azotofiksirajućih cijanobakterija PCR metodom analizom STRR fragmenata DNA.<br />Brojnost azotofiksirajućih cijanobakterija i ukupna brojnost algi je bila znatno veća kod hidromorfnih i halomorfnih zemlji&scaron;ta, nego kod automorfnih zemlji&scaron;ta. Najveća prosečna godi&scaron;nja brojnost azotofiksirajućih cijanobakterija, u povr&scaron;inskom sloju 0-5cm, je utvrđena kod zemlji&scaron;ta fluvisol u SRP &ldquo;Koviljsko petrovaradinskom ritu&rdquo;, 150864 jedinki po gramu apsolutno suvog zemlji&scaron;ta. Zemlji&scaron;te sa najnižom brojno&scaron;ću azotofiksirajućih cijanobakterija, je gajnjača u NP Fru&scaron;ka gora, 1582 jed./gr zemlji&scaron;ta u povr&scaron;inskom sloju.<br />Kod svih ispitivanih zemlji&scaron;ta brojnost azotofiksirajućih cijanobakterija je bila najveća u povr&scaron;inskom sloju zemlji&scaron;ta, 0-5 cm dubine, opadala je sa dubinom zemlji&scaron;ta i bila najmanja u najdubljem sloju, 30 - 60 cm. Kod najvećeg broja ispitivanih zemlji&scaron;ta brojnost azotofiksirajućih cijanobakterija je bila najveća tokom zimskog perioda. Azotofiksirajuće cijanobakterije su dominantne u na&scaron;im zemlji&scaron;tima i zastupljene sa 56.27% u odnosu na druge grupe algi.Izolovano je 30 sojeva azotofiksirajućih cijanobakterija: 19 sojeva Nostoc-a, 4 soja Anabaena, 4 Cylindrospermum, i po jedan soj Calothrix, Tolypothrix i Phormidium. Prosečna zastupljenost heterocista, ćelija koje vr&scaron;e azotofiksaciju, kod roda Nostoc je iznosila 8.28%, Anabaena 4.25%, Cylindrospermum-a 2.93%, Calotrix elenkinii 6.19% i Tolypothrix 7.76%.</p><p>Ultrastrukturnim ispitivanjem, TEM mikroskopom, vegetativnih ćelija azotofiksirajućih cijanobakterija uočili smo inkluzije redovnog pojavljivanja: karboksizome (Cs), cijanoficinkse granule (CG), polifosfatne granule (PG), ribozome (R), lipidne granule (&szlig; &ndash;granule) i tilakoide (T), kao i inkluzije neredovnog pojavljivanja: membranom ograničene kristalne inkluzije.<br />Koristeći TEM i tehniku bojenja ćelija sa RR i ultratankih preseka utvrdili smo prisustvo omotača od fimbrija kod tri soja (A.314, A.azollae i N.302) i tipične fimbrije kod dva soja (N.311 i N.9229). Metodom negativnog bojenja NS PTA uočili smo takođe tipične fimbrije, igličastog-dlakastog izgleda, jasnih granica niti kod tri soja (N.302, N.7901 i N.9229), međutim uočili smo i atipične sluzne fimbrije, koje nemaju jasno izražene granice, ali su veoma moćno ra&scaron;irene oko vegetativnih ćelija, kod tri soja (A.314, A.azollae, N.311).<br />Kod simbiotskih-infektivnih sojeva N.7901 i N.9229 javljaju se samo tipične fimbrije iz prve klase, a kod diazotofnih sojeva i simbiotskog - neinfektivnog soja A.azollae javljaju se atipične-sluzne fimbrije iz druge klase.<br />Za ispitivanje sličnosti cijanobakterija metodom PCR-a pomoću STRR konzervativnih sekvenci DNA genoma kori&scaron;ćeno je 39 sojeva azotofiksirajućih cijanobakterija i kod 38 je utvrđeno njihovo prisustvo. Svi sojevi se mogu podeliti u tri grupe, klastera. Prvi klaster je najveći i obuhvata 24 soja i deli se na dva podklastera: Ia koji obuhvata 12 sojeva gde dominiraju sojevi Nostoc-a (8), i podklaster Ib koji obuhvata takođe 12 sojeva, od čega 6 sojeva pripada rodu Anabaena. Podklaster Ia i podklaster Ib pokazuju različitost od 90%. Sva tri simbiozna, infektivna, soja Nostoc-a se nalaze u klasteru I: N.7901, N.9229 i N. 8001. Svaki simbiozni soj Nostoc-a ima genetske sličnosti sa po jednim diazotrofnim sojem Nostoc-a izolovanim iz zemlji&scaron;ta Vojvodine.<br />Klaster II obuhvata sedam (7) sojeva među kojima dominiraju sojevi Cylindrospermum-a, dok klaster III obuhvata 7 sojeva od čega 6 pripadaju rodu Nostoc, a jedan rodu Rivularia.Detaljno poznavanje svojstava izolovanih azotofiksirajućih cijanobakterija doprineće njihovoj budućoj primeni kako u proizvodnji ratarskih i povrtarskih kultura, tako i u biotehnolo&scaron;koj proizvodnji</p> / <p>In this study examined is the frequency of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, total number of algae and total number of bacteria in different soil types on eleven localities in the Vojvodina Province. Seven out of those eleven localities are found in protected nature reserves. Actually, studied was the number of the cyanobacteria and algae depending on the depth of pedological characterization as well as on season. First, isolated were the types of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, determined was their taxonomic origin and basic cytological characteristics. Also examined was the ultrastructure of vegetative cells, heterocysts and other outer structures on fimbriae and pili cells using TEM, transmission electron microscope. Finally, performed was the genetic characterization of isolated types of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria using the PCR method and analyzing STRR fragments of DNA.<br />The presence of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria and total number of algae was significantly higher with hydromorphic and halomorphic soils than with authomorphic ones. Highest annual average number of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in the topsoil (0-5 cm) was reported with fluvisol soil in Special Nature Reserve &bdquo;Koviljsko petrovaradinski rit&rdquo; (Swamp) and there were 150864 units of bacteria per gram of absolutely dry soil. The soil with the lowest presence of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria recorded was cambisol in National Park &ldquo;Fruska gora&rdquo; with 1582 units per gram of soil in the topsoil.<br />With all the researched types of soils the number of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria was in the topsoil, 0-5 cm of depth and decreased in line with the depth<br />of soil and lowest was at the deepest layer, 30-60cm. The highest frequency of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria was found during the winter season with most of the examined soils. Nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria are the dominant type of bacteria in our soils and are presented with 56, 27% compared to other types of algae.<br />30 strains of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria were isolated: 19 types of Nostoc sp., 4 of Anabaena sp. and one in each genus of Calothrix, Tolypothrix and Phormidium.<br />Using ultrastructural examination and TEM microscope when studying vegetative cells of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria observed were the inclusions of regular frequency: carboxysomes (Cs), cyanophycin granules (CG) , polyphosphate granules (PG), ribosomes (R), lipid granules (SS -granule ) and thylakoids ( T ) as well as the inclusion of irregular occurrence: a membrane-bound crystal inclusions.<br />Using TEM technique and staining the cells with the RR and ultra thin cross section, we determined the presence of depletion of the fimbriae with three strains (A.314, A.azollae and N.302) and typical fimbriae with the two strains (N.311 and N.9229). Applying the method of negative staining NS PTA also noticed were a typical fimbriae, needle-hairy like looks with clear boundaries with the three strains (N.302, N.7901, N.9229). However, also observed were atypical mucous fimbriae, which do not have clearly expressed borders, but they are very strongly spread around the vegetative cells, with the three strains (A.314, A.azollae, N.311).<br />With symbiotic - infective strains N.7901 and N.9229 only typical fimbriae of first class occurred, and in diazotroph strains and symbiotic &ndash; non infectious strain A. azollae found were atypical mucous fimbriae of second class.<br />To test the similarity of cyanobacteria by PCR method and using a STRR - conservative DNA sequence of the genome used were 39 strains fixing cyanobacteria and with 38 established was their presence. All strains can be divided into three groups of clusters. The first cluster is the largest and covers 24 strains, and is divided into two subclusters: Ia which includes 12 strains,where predominant are Nostoc strains ( 8 ) , and subcluster Ib , which also implies 12 strains , out of which 6 strains belong to the genus Anabaena. Subcluster Ia and Ib show a difference of 90 %. All three symbiotic , infectious Nostoc strains are classified in a cluster I: N.7901, N.9229 and N. 8001. Each symbiotic Nostoc strain has a genetic similarity with one di-nitrogen Nostoc strain isolated from a lot of different soils in Vojvodina.<br />Cluster II includes seven (7) strains , including strains among which the predominant are Cylindrospermum ones , while cluster III includes 7 strains of which 6 belong to the genus Nostoc and one to genus Rivularia.<br />Detailed knowledge of the properties of isolated fixing cyanobacteria could contribute to their future application both in the production of field crops and vegetables, as well as in biotechnological production.</p>

Energy resolution characteristics of silicon surface barrier detector signals amplified by different preamplifiers and spectroscopic amplifiers have been studied. The characterization has been done using alpha particles from an 241Am source and spontaneous fission fragments from two Cf sources. The alpha and spontaneous fission activities of the sources have been measured and the isotopic compositions, ages, and initial activities of the two Cf sources have been calculated using the results from the activity measurements. 82.3% and 82.5% of the spontaneous fission activity of the two sources is found to originate from 252Cf. Heavy ion detection properties of two Si detector setups have been determined by measuring spontaneous fission fragments from one of the Cf sources in coincidence. The mass distribution of fission fragments is derived from the pulse spectra of the coincidence measurements. The conditions for future time resolution measurements have been established. Inquiries on commercially available ultra-thin Si detectors have been made. The purpose is to upgrade detector telescopes to lower the energy threshold of ΔE-ΔE-E identification of particles from neutroninduced nuclear reactions. Three manufacturers of Si detectors with thickness 20-25 µm and active area around 450 mm2 have been listed together with properties of the three offered detectors.

Ce travail a porté sur l'étude d'une nouvelle méthode de détection électronique de biopolymères chargés<br />à l'interface solide/liquide en utilisant des réseaux de transistors à effet de champ. Les structures<br />utilisées sont des réseaux d'EOSFET. Ce type de structures semiconductrices opère avec une électrode<br />de référence et possède une surface active dont l'interface est du type électrolyte/oxyde/semi-conducteur.<br />Des micro- ou macro-gouttelettes de solutions contenant des biopolymères chargés sont déposées en des<br />endroits prédéfinis sur les réseaux de transistors. Ces dépôts locaux induisent des variations des caractéristiques<br />courant-tension des transistors ayant été exposés à l'apport de charge. L'étude des variations des<br />caractéristiques DC des transistors après l'adsorption de deux biopolymères de charges globales opposées<br />(la polylysine et l'ADN), ont montré des effets contraires qui correspondent bien à un apport de charges<br />positives pour la polylysine et négatives pour l'ADN. Des expériences de variations en concentration de<br />biopolymères ont permis de mettre en évidence une zone dynamique de détection correspondant à une<br />augmentation du signal électronique en fonction de la concentration en biopolymères déposés jusqu'à une<br />saturation attribuée à la quantité maximale de biopolymères pouvant être adsorbée à l'interface. Des<br />signaux parasites observés sur des tampons servant aux dilutions limitent la détection de basses concentration<br />en biopolymères. Des sensibilités de 10^7 monomères lysines/FET et de 4x10^8 bases d'ADN/FET<br />ont ainsi pu être estimées. Une modélisation de l'écrantage des charges d'interface par l'électrolyte de mesure permet de rendre compte des diminutions des signaux électroniques observés lorsque l'on augmente<br />progressivement la molarité en sel de l'électrolyte de mesure. La détection électronique de l'ADN a été<br />démontrée de manière reproductible pour de courts fragments d'ADN simple brin (oligonucléotides) ainsi<br />que pour des molécules d'ADN double brin issues de synthèses par PCR. En utilisant des ADN marqués<br />par des fluorophores, les signaux électroniques sont comparés avec des mesures de fluorescence locale. La<br />détection d'une mutation ponctuelle a pu être mise en évidence en combinant l'approche électronique<br />avec un protocole d'amplification d'ADN : "allèle spécifique PCR".

Sedimentary characteristics of grainy non-skeletal tidal flats along windward platform margins have not been described in modern environments and may be misidentified or misclassified in the rock record. This study describes the sedimentology of such an environment to aid in accurate identification and characterization in the ancient. At Shroud Cay, a grain-dominated tidal flat is sheltered from the high energy of the shelf by a ring of cemented Pleistocene and partly indurated Holocene eolianite islands separated by several narrow tidal passes. Depositional texture, environment of deposition and geobody mapping, extensive sediment sampling, and vibracoring have shown that, though the cemented island provide a barrier from the high energy of the shelf, a high degree of tidal energy still occurs behind this barrier as indicated by the overwhelmingly grainy nature of all of the tidal flat sub-environments. Intertidal flats comprise the majority of the tidal flat surface. These flats are characterized by patchy Scytonema mats overlying bioturbated peloid-ooid grainstones to packstones with cemented lithoclasts. Three main tidal channels dissect the tidal flat and allow diurnal flow, one of those tidal channels does not exit the tidal flat but dead-ends behind a cemented Holocene beach dune ridge along the eastern side of Shroud Cay. Peloid-ooid-skeletal grainstone tidal bars and peloid-ooid packstones fill much of the channels. Most of the channels are bordered by low-relief grain-rich packstone levees often capped by red mangroves and algal mats. The interior-most supratidal parts of the flat, often in the lee of the windward Holocene ridge, are covered by a thick (5-~25cm) Scytonema microbial mat underlain by grain-rich ooid-peloid packstones. Ancient grain-dominated carbonate tidal flats and eolianite deposits like Shroud Cay?s are the reservoir rocks in some of today?s largest hydrocarbon fields. We develop a model for the evolution of the grain-dominated tidal flat, document and compare differences between the grain-rich tidal flat and surrounding environments of deposition, and develop a set of criteria for recognition. These criteria can be used to more accurately characterize reservoirs such as the Jurassic Smackover fields, to avoid mis-classification of similar settings, and more effectively produce those reservoirs.

Cette thèse préparée au CEA Léti, Minatec Campus, Grenoble, et à l'IMS, Bordeaux, s'inscrit dans le thème du traitement de l'information pour des données protéomiques. Nous cherchons à reconstruire des profils protéiques à partir des données issues de chaînes d'analyse complexes associant chromatographie liquide et spectrométrie de masse. Or, les signaux cibles sont des mesures de traces peptidiques qui sont de faible niveau dans un environnement très complexe et perturbé. Ceci nous a conduits à étudier des outils statistiques adaptés. Ces perturbations peuvent provenir des instruments de mesure (variabilité technique) ou des individus (variabilité biologique). Le modèle hiérarchique de l'acquisition des données permet d'inclure ces variabilités explicitement dans la modélisation probabiliste directe. La mise en place d'une méthodologie problèmes inverses permet ensuite d'estimer les grandeurs d'intérêt. Dans cette thèse, nous avons étudié trois types de problèmes inverses associés aux opérations suivantes: 1) la quantification de protéines cibles, vue comme l'estimation de la concentration protéique, 2) l'apprentissage supervisé à partir d'une cohorte multi-classe, vu comme l'estimation des paramètres des classes, et 3) la classification à partir des connaissances sur les classes, vue comme l'estimation de la classe à laquelle appartient un nouvel échantillon. La résolution des problèmes inverses se fait dans le cadre des méthodes statistiques bayésiennes, en ayant recours pour les calculs numériques aux méthodes d'échantillonnage stochastique (Monte Carlo Chaîne de Markov).

No description available.

Le triméthoprime (TMP) est un antibiotique communément utilisé depuis les années 60. Le TMP est un inhibiteur de la dihydrofolate réductase (DHFR) bactérienne chromosomale. Cette enzyme est responsable de la réduction du dihydrofolate (DHF) en tétrahydrofolate (THF) chez les bactéries, qui lui, est essentiel à la synthèse des purines et ainsi, à la prolifération cellulaire. La résistance bactérienne au TMP est documentée depuis plus de 30 ans. Une des causes de cette résistance provient du fait que certaines souches bactériennes expriment une DHFR plasmidique, la DHFR R67. La DHFR R67 n'est pas affectée par le TMP, et peut ainsi remplacer la DHFR chromosomale lorsque celle-ci est inhibée par le TMP. À ce jour, aucun inhibiteur spécifique de la DHFR R67 est connu. En découvrant des inhibiteurs contre la DHFR R67, il serait possible de lever la résistance au TMP que la DHFR R67 confère aux bactéries. Afin de découvrir des inhibiteurs de DHFR R67, les approches de design à base de fragments et de criblage virtuel ont été choisies. L'approche de design à base de fragments a permis d'identifier sept composés simples et de faible poids moléculaire (fragments) inhibant faiblement la DHFR R67. À partir de ces fragments, des composés plus complexes et symétriques, inhibant la DHFR R67 dans l'ordre du micromolaire, ont été élaborés. Des études cinétiques ont montré que ces inhibiteurs sont compétitifs et qu'au moins deux molécules se lient simultanément dans le site actif de la DHFR R67. L'étude d'analogues des inhibiteurs micromolaires de la DHFR R67 a permis de déterminer que la présence de groupements carboxylate, benzimidazole et que la longueur des molécules influencent la puissance des inhibiteurs. Une étude par arrimage moléculaire, appuyée par les résultats in vitro, a permis d'élaborer un modèle qui suggère que les résidus Lys32, Gln67 et Ile68 seraient impliqués dans la liaison avec les inhibiteurs. Le criblage virtuel de la librairie de 80 000 composés de Maybridge avec le logiciel Moldock, et les essais d'inhibition in vitro des meilleurs candidats, a permis d'identifier quatre inhibiteurs micromolaires appartenant à des familles distinctes des composés précédemment identifiés. Un second criblage virtuel, d'une banque de 6 millions de composés, a permis d'identifier trois inhibiteurs micromolaires toujours distincts. Ces résultats offrent la base à partir de laquelle il sera possible de développer iv des composés plus efficaces et possédant des propriétés phamacologiquement acceptables dans le but de développer un antibiotique pouvant lever la résistance au TMP conféré par la DHFR R67. / Trimethoprim (TMP) is a common antibiotic which is used since the 60's. TMP is an inhibitor of the bacterial chromosomal dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). This enzyme catalyses the reduction of the dihydrofolate (DHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THF) which is essential to the biosynthesis of purines thus to cellular proliferation. Bacterial TMP resistance is documented since about 30 years. One of the cause of this resistance comes from the fact that certain bacteria express a plasmidic DHFR, the R67 DHFR, which confers TMP resistance. The R67 DHFR is not inhibited by TMP and can replace the chromosomal DHFR when the latter is inhibited by TMP. The discovery of R67 DHFR inhibitors would allow to break the trimethoprim resistance granted by R67 DHFR. In order to discover R67 DHFR inhibitors, fragment based design and virtual screening approaches were selected. By fragment based design, seven simple compounds with a low molecular mass which inhibited weakly R67 DHFR (fragments) were identified. From these fragments, more complex and symmetrical compounds inhibiting R67 DHFR in the micromolar range were identified. Kinetic studies showed these inhibitors were competitive and at least two molecules bind simultaneously to the active site of the R67 DHFR. Test of the micromolar inhibitors analog showed that the presence of carboxylate, benzimidazole and the length of the molecule all have an effect on the potency of the inhibitors. Molecular docking of the inhibitors, supported by in vitro data, were used to develop a model which suggest that residue like Lys32, Gln67 and Ile68 would be involved in the binding of the inhibitors to the R67 DHFR. Virtual screening of the 80 000 compound Maybridge library with Moldock software, followed by in vitro test of the best candidate, identified four micromolar inhibitors which are chemically distinct from the inhibitor beforehand identified. A second virtual screening of a 6 million compounds bank identified three micromolar inhibitors which are also distinct from the inhibitor beforehand identified. vi These results offer a basis which will allow further development of more potent inhibitors with more acceptable pharmacologic properties in order to develop an antibiotic which would break the TMP resistance granted by the R67 DHFR.

L'étude de l'irradiation dans le système moléculaire à l'échelle du nanomètre est un domaine d'investigation innovant des sciences des radiations. Le Dispositif d'Irradiation d'Agrégats Moléculaires (DIAM) est conçu en vue les conséquences de l'irradiation dans des petits systèmes moléculaires modèles comme les agrégats d'eau protonés. L'irradiation provoque la fragmentation en plusieurs fragments neutres ou chargés. La technique de spectrométrie de masse COINTOF (Correlated Ion and Neutral Time of Flight) permet la détection corrélées des fragments neutres et chargés issus de la dissociation d'un système moléculaire préalablement sélectionné en masse et en vitesse. Les données collectées sont traitées et structurées pour permettre l'analyse statistique des corrélations sur un grand nombre d'événements de fragmentation. Parallèlement à l'identification des canaux de fragmentation, la technique COINTOF permet la mesure de leur rapport de branchement et de leur section efficace. La méthode est présentée pour la dissociation induite par collision sur un atome d'argon, d'agrégats d'eau protonés H+(H2O)n:[2;7], accélérés à 8keV. L'efficacité de détection, information déterminante pour la production de données quantitatives, est mesurée à partir des données et étudiée en fonction de la distribution l'amplitude des signaux de détection. Enfin, un nouveau système de cible constituée de nanogouttes de gaz rares a été développé

Le Dispositif d'Irradiation d'Agrégats Moléculaires (DIAM) est conçu pour l'étude de mécanismes de dissociation résultant de l'interaction de nanosystèmes moléculaires avec des protons de 20-150 keV. Une technique originale de spectrométrie de masse appelée COINTOF (Correlated Ion and Neutral Time Of Flight) permet la mesure corrélée du temps de vol des fragments neutres et chargés issus de la dissociation d'un système moléculaire sélectionné en masse. Une stratégie de traitement des signaux a été développée afin de pouvoir distinguer des fragments proches en temps (< 1ns). Les données collectées sont structurées dans le logiciel ROOT® pour l'analyse statistique des corrélations. Le fonctionnement de la technique COINTOF est illustré par des expériences de dissociation induite par collision d'agrégats d'eau protonés sur une cible gazeuse. La méthodologie d'analyse des données est exposée à travers l'étude du canal de dissociation du trimère d'eau protoné produisant l'ion chargé H3O+ et deux molécules d'eau. La distribution de la différence de temps de vol entre les deux fragments neutres est mesurée, mettant en évidence une énergie libérée de quelques eV. En parallèle, un second spectromètre de masse à temps de vol adapté à l'évolution du dispositif a été développé. Il associe un temps de vol linéaire et un temps de vol orthogonal et intègre un détecteur à position (ligne à retard). Des simulations ont démontré les potentialités du nouvel analyseur. Enfin, des travaux ont été menés au laboratoire R.-J. A. Lévesque (Université de Montréal) portant sur les capacités d'imagerie de détecteurs à position multi-pixel de la collaboration MPX-ATLAS.

Concern regarding the health effects of indoor air quality has grown in recent years, due to the increased prevalence of many diseases, as well as the fact that many people now spend most of their time indoors. While numerous studies have reported on the dynamics of aerosols indoors, the dynamics of bioaerosols in indoor environments are still poorly understood and very few studies have focused on fungal spore dynamics in indoor environments. Consequently, this work investigated the dynamics of fungal spores in indoor air, including fungal spore release and deposition, as well as investigating the mechanisms involved in the fungal spore fragmentation process. In relation to the investigation of fungal spore dynamics, it was found that the deposition rates of the bioaerosols (fungal propagules) were in the same range as the deposition rates of nonbiological particles and that they were a function of their aerodynamic diameters. It was also found that fungal particle deposition rates increased with increasing ventilation rates. These results (which are reported for the first time) are important for developing an understanding of the dynamics of fungal spores in the air. In relation to the process of fungal spore fragmentation, important information was generated concerning the airborne dynamics of the spores, as well as the part/s of the fungi which undergo fragmentation. The results obtained from these investigations into the dynamics of fungal propagules in indoor air significantly advance knowledge about the fate of fungal propagules in indoor air, as well as their deposition in the respiratory tract. The need to develop an advanced, real-time method for monitoring bioaerosols has become increasingly important in recent years, particularly as a result of the increased threat from biological weapons and bioterrorism. However, to date, the Ultraviolet Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (UVAPS, Model 3312, TSI, St Paul, MN) is the only commercially available instrument capable of monitoring and measuring viable airborne micro-organisms in real-time. Therefore (for the first time), this work also investigated the ability of the UVAPS to measure and characterise fungal spores in indoor air. The UVAPS was found to be sufficiently sensitive for detecting and measuring fungal propagules. Based on fungal spore size distributions, together with fluorescent percentages and intensities, it was also found to be capable of discriminating between two fungal spore species, under controlled laboratory conditions. In the field, however, it would not be possible to use the UVAPS to differentiate between different fungal spore species because the different micro-organisms present in the air may not only vary in age, but may have also been subjected to different environmental conditions. In addition, while the real-time UVAPS was found to be a good tool for the investigation of fungal particles under controlled conditions, it was not found to be selective for bioaerosols only (as per design specifications). In conclusion, the UVAPS is not recommended for use in the direct measurement of airborne viable bioaerosols in the field, including fungal particles, and further investigations into the nature of the micro-organisms, the UVAPS itself and/or its use in conjunction with other conventional biosamplers, are necessary in order to obtain more realistic results. Overall, the results obtained from this work on airborne fungal particle dynamics will contribute towards improving the detection capabilities of the UVAPS, so that it is capable of selectively monitoring and measuring bioaerosols, for which it was originally designed. This work will assist in finding and/or improving other technologies capable of the real-time monitoring of bioaerosols. The knowledge obtained from this work will also be of benefit in various other bioaerosol applications, such as understanding the transport of bioaerosols indoors.