Self-assembling materials have gained attention in the field of nanotechnology due to their potential to be used as building blocks for fabricating complex nanoscale devices. The biological world is abundant with examples of functional self-assembling biomolecules. Proteins are one such example, found in a variety of geometries and shapes. This research is focussed on the use of ring-shaped self-assembling proteins, called Lsm proteins, as componentary for applications in bionanotechnology. Lsm proteins were used because of their spontaneous association into stable rings, tolerance to mutations, and affinity to RNA. This thesis primarily focussed on the thermophilic Lsmα (from Methanobacterium. thermoautotrophicum) that assembles as heptameric rings. The oligomeric state of the heptameric protein, and hence the diameter of its central cavity, was manipulated by judiciously altering appropriate residues at the subunit interface. Lsmα presented a complex set of interactions at the interface. Out of the mutations introduced, R65P yielded a protein for which SEC and SAXS data were consistent with a hexameric state. Moreover, key residues, L70 and I71, were identified that contribute to the stability of the toroid structure. Covalent linking of rings provided nanotubular structures. To achieve this, the surface of the Lsmα ring scaffold was modified with Cys residues. This approach led to the formation of novel Lsmα nanotubes approximately 20 nm in length. Importantly, the assembly could be controlled by changing the redox conditions. As an alternative method to manipulate the supramolecular assembly, His6-tags were attached at the termini of the Lsmα sequence. The higher-order organisation of the constructs was influenced by the position of the His6-tag. The N-terminally attached His6-tag version of Lsmα showed a metal-dependent assembly into cage-like structures, approximately 9 nm across. This organisation was highly stable, reproducible, and reversible in nature. The results presented in this thesis aid the understanding of generating complex nanostructures via in vitro self-assembly. The Lsmα rings were assembled into higher-order architectures at the quaternary level by employing protein engineering strategies. Future work is necessary to functionalise these supramolecular structures; however, this study confirms the potential role of Lsmα proteins as a molecular building block in bionanotechnology.

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Robotic automation in apparel manufacturing is reviewed and investigated. Gripper design for separation and de-stacking of batch cut fabric components is identified as an important factor in implementing such automation and a study of existing gripper mechanisms is presented. New de-stacking gripper designs and processes are described together with experimental results. Single fabric component handling, alignment and registration techniques are investigated. Some of these techniques are integrated within a demonstrator robotic garment assembly cell automating the common edge binding process. Performance results are reported.

When Darwin introduced natural selection in 1859 as a key mechanism of evolution, little was known about the underlying cause of variation within a species. Today we know that this variation is caused by the acquired genomic differences between individuals. Polymorphism, defined as the existence of multiple alleles or forms at a genomic locus, is the technical term used for such genetic variations. Polymorphism, along with reproduction and inheritance of genetic traits, is a necessary condition for natural selection and is crucial in understanding how species evolve and adapt. Many questions regarding polymorphism, such as why certain species are more polymorphic than others or how different organisms tend to favor some types of polymorphism among others, when solved, have the potential to shed light on important problems in human medicine and disease research. Some of these studies require more diverse species and/or individuals to be sequenced. Of particular interest are species with the highest rates of polymorphisms. For instance, the sequencing of the sea squirt genome lead to exciting studies that would not be possible to conduct on species that possess lower levels of polymorphism. Such studies form the motivation of this thesis. Sequencing of genomes is, nonetheless, subject to its own research. Recent advances in DNA sequencing technology enabled researchers to lead an unprecedented amount of sequencing projects. These improvements in cost and abundance of sequencing revived a greater interest in advancing the algorithms and tools used for genome assembly. A majority of these tools, however, have no or little support for highly polymorphic genomes; which, we believe, require specialized methods. In this thesis, we look at challenges imposed by polymorphism on genome assembly and develop methods for polymorphic genome assembly via an overview of current and past methods. Though we borrow fundamental ideas from the literature, we introduce several novel concepts that can be useful not only for assembly of highly polymorphic genomes but also genome assembly and analysis in general.

Report (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. M.S. 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 70-74). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 1999. / Includes vita. Bibliography: leaves 109-114.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität München.

Project report (M. Eng.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1990. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-125). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1953. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 288-292 ; "Table of cases": leaves 280-287).

Stuttgart, Univ., Diss., 2004.