Computers are being employed in a variety of ways by a variety of individuals to create imagery. Much work has been done to accurately model natural phenomena in the context of computer graphics as well as model specific artists' tools and techniques. Focusing on the dynamics of water flow across surfaces, it is the goal of this work to develop a physically inspired texturing tool that allows artists to create interesting staining and wearing effects on surfaces. Weathering or the wearing down of materials by natural forces can create complex and beautiful patterns on a variety of surfaces. In this process lies the very essence of the creative act. To distill the essence of the elements of the water staining process, we employ a computer generated particle system in a phenomenological model. The motion of these particles is controlled by physically based constraints, such as wind, gravity, mass, etc. The way in which each particle interacts with or modifies the look of the surface is further controlled by parameters such as surface roughness, surface color and surface hardness. Each particle can remove or deposit material as it flows across the surface, creating complex patterns.

Nerve agents (NAs) inhibit the essential enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Classified as chemical weapons, NAs are considered a threat to soldiers on the frontlines of warzones. Current treatments can prevent death from NA poisoning, but are not effective in preventing convulsions, seizures, or subsequent brain damage. Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) binds to NAs, rendering the chemicals harmless to acetylcholinesterase.. Two hundred mg of BChE is the putative prophylactic dose for adult humans, but is difficult to obtain in large quantities from expired human serum. Although recombinant BChE has been expressed in several organisms, the yields are still low. Nicotiana benthamiana is an attractive plant for transient protein production due to its quick growth rate, abundance of tissue, and history of successful recombinant protein production. For this research, N. benthamiana was infiltrated with viral based vectors as well as binary vectors containing the human BChE gene. Multiple assays indicated that binary vector BChE-105-1 + P19 enabled the best expression, producing 26 mg BChE/kg tissue. / Canada Research Chair Program, OMAFRA,

No description available.

The aim of this thesis was to produce DNA expression constructs and use them to investigate the feasibility of recombinantly expression proteins for future interaction studies between human RBBP6 and p53 and pRb proteins.

The correction of human genetic disorders by transfer of genetic material to cells is under intensive investigation in a number of 1aboratories. One possible way of trying to achieve the transfer of nucleic acid is by attaching DNA to a protein which has specific receptors on cells and which undergoes receptor-mediated endocytosis. In order to make use of the ligand protein-receptor approach for DNA transfer, iron-loaded human serum transferrin has been modified with the water soluble carbodiimides N-ethy1-N I -(3-dilllethy1aminopropyl) carbodiimide (CDI) and its quaterary analogue (ECDI) to give modified N-acy1urea transferrins. N-Acy1urea CDI (Fe 3+) transferrin and N-acy1urea CDI (Fe ) transferrin have been found to interact with and bind DNA in a reversible manner which i! dependent on ionic strength. [1251] N-Acy1urea CDI+(Fe3+) transferrin binds to transferrin receptors on Hea cells in culture and undergoes internalization through receptor-mediated endocytosis. Binding of the modified transferrin in the presence of calf thymus DNA to transferrin receptors also takes place. However, although internalization in the presence of DNA doe! appear to take place, the results of the internalization are not fully understood. Transfection studies with N-acy1urea CDI (Fe ) transferrin and plasmid pBR322 DNA as well as plasmid ptkNEO DNA complexes in the HeLa cell system are reported. The results of a number of transfection experiments suggests that N-acy1urea transferrins are capable of transfecting DNA (ptkNEO DNA), carrying genes for resistance to the antibiotic Geneticin (G41S) in the HeLa cell system. However, further development of the transfection system is necessary in order that consistantly reproducible results may be achievd. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1986.

No description available.

Mild hypothermic conditions (30ºC to 33ºC) have previously been shown to increase cell specific productivity (Qp) of recombinant proteins from mammalian cells. However, this is often associated with a lower growth rate which off-sets any potential advantage of higher product titres. This thesis describes the isolation of a novel population of Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells that have been adapted to low temperature growth by continuous subculture at low temperature for a duration of 400 days. This adapted cell population achieved a growth rate 2-fold greater than non-adapted cells under low temperature conditions (32ºC) while maintaining an elevated level of cell specific expression of recombinant beta-interferon. The volumetric titre of beta-interferon was enhanced by 70% in stationary cultures and by more than 2-fold by application of a temperature-shift strategy involving a growth to production phase. However, the low temperature-adapted cells were fragile and demonstrated an increased sensitivity to hydrodynamic stress in agitated cultures. This problem, caused by a weakened vimentin intermediate filament network, was resolved by the use of macroporous microcarriers which were demonstrated to entrap and protect the cold-adapted cells. Cold-adapted microcarrier cultures were able to achieve high cell densities (greater than 5x10^6 nuclei/mL) cultures under hypothermic conditions. This resulted in a 3-fold enhancement of volumetric titre of monomeric beta-interferon compared to the original control culture at 37ºC.

Mild hypothermic conditions (30ºC to 33ºC) have previously been shown to increase cell specific productivity (Qp) of recombinant proteins from mammalian cells. However, this is often associated with a lower growth rate which off-sets any potential advantage of higher product titres. This thesis describes the isolation of a novel population of Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells that have been adapted to low temperature growth by continuous subculture at low temperature for a duration of 400 days. This adapted cell population achieved a growth rate 2-fold greater than non-adapted cells under low temperature conditions (32ºC) while maintaining an elevated level of cell specific expression of recombinant beta-interferon. The volumetric titre of beta-interferon was enhanced by 70% in stationary cultures and by more than 2-fold by application of a temperature-shift strategy involving a growth to production phase. However, the low temperature-adapted cells were fragile and demonstrated an increased sensitivity to hydrodynamic stress in agitated cultures. This problem, caused by a weakened vimentin intermediate filament network, was resolved by the use of macroporous microcarriers which were demonstrated to entrap and protect the cold-adapted cells. Cold-adapted microcarrier cultures were able to achieve high cell densities (greater than 5x10^6 nuclei/mL) cultures under hypothermic conditions. This resulted in a 3-fold enhancement of volumetric titre of monomeric beta-interferon compared to the original control culture at 37ºC.

ClC proteins encompass a large protein family consisting of both voltage-dependent chloride channels and chloride/proton exchangers that are found in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. These proteins mediate Cl- flux across the plasma membrane or intracellular membranes of many cell types including neurons, epithelial cells, and skeletal muscle in mammals. Mutations in genes encoding these channels also contribute to several human diseases. The mechanism of ion conduction through ClC proteins is becoming better defined, largely due to the availability of a crystal structure of a bacterial ClC transporter. Because crystal structures only capture a snapshot a protein in a single conformation, however, the large conformational changes associated with channel opening and closing have remained largely undefined. In the cation channel field, ion conduction and conformational changes that occur during channel gating have been studied using peptide toxin inhibitors isolated from animal venoms. However, only one peptide toxin inhibitor of a chloride channel of known molecular identity has ever been identified. Georgia anion toxin 1 (GaTx1), inhibits the CFTR chloride channel, which is unrelated to ClC proteins on the levels of both three dimensional structure and primary sequence. Here, we describe the characterization of the inhibitory activity of Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus scorpion venom against the ClC-2 chloride channel. We found that the venom from this scorpion contains a peptide component that is capable of inhibiting the ClC-2 chloride channel. This component was isolated using standard chromatography techniques, and found that the active component is a 3.2 kDa peptide composed of 29 amino acids. We showed that the active toxin, Georgia anion toxin 2 (GaTx2), interacts with ClC-2 with an affinity in the picomolar range, and appears to slow channel opening. Finally, GaTx2 is not capable of inhibiting other members of the ClC protein family, other major chloride channels, or voltage-gated potassium channels. This toxin will provide a new tool for structure/function studies of ClC-2, and will hopefully serve as only the first toxin inhibitor available for this protein family.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 137-145). / Also available by subscription via World Wide Web / xiv, 145 leaves, bound ill. (some col.) 29 cm