Typescript (photocopy) / v, 184 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Dept. of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, University of Adelaide, 1982

ii, 194 leaves : ill., graphs / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.) from the Dept. of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, University of Adelaide, 1973

ii, 194 leaves : ill., graphs / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.) from the Dept. of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, University of Adelaide, 1973

The purpose of this thesis is to report the interaction of aromatic hydrocarbons with DNA and to attempt to determine the relative binding affinities. The effect of the hydrocarbons on the continuity of the DNA molecule has been studied also and discussed.

The purpose of this study was twofold. The first was to isolate, purify, and characterize the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of Azotobacter vinelandii ATCO 12837. The second was to determine if there was irreversible binding of homologous 32P labeled DNA to recipient A. vinelandii cells.

The application of Molecular Biochemistry for transfection studies in eukaryotic systems is well documented. Of the numerous methods employed for the introduction of foreign DNA into eukaryotic cells, the use of low density lipoproteins (LDL) as carriers of DNA into cells has not been reported. LDL was isolated, characterized with respect to its protein and lipid components, and then variously modified in an attempt to enhance its affinity for DNA. It was found that both unmodified and modified LDL could interact with DNA, at physiological pH. The carbodiimide modified LDL (ECDI - LDL) showed the greatest affinity for DNA. LDL and ECDI - LDL were used to study LDL receptor binding in skin fibroblasts. This was followed by a study of receptor binding activities of both unmodified LDL and ECDI - LDL complexed to DNA (pBR322). Although the extent of binding of ECDI - LDL and ECDI - LDL - DNA complexes to plasma membranes was greater, the internalization and degradation of both modified and unmodified LDL complexes were equivalent. This additional binding was attributed to non - receptor - specific affinity of the carbodiimide modified complexes for the plasma membrane. The transfection of foreign DNA into eukaryotic cells in culture was monitored by assaying for the expression of the cloning vector, pSV2cat, complexed to LDL or ECDI - LDL and introduced into the cells by LDL receptor - mediated endocytosis. Of the cell lines in which the expression of the pSV2cat recombinant DNA was monitored, the human lung fibroblasts showed the greatest activity of the expressed chloramphenicol acetyl transferase enzyme. Although transfection efficiency was lower than that of the calcium phosphate - DNA coprecipitation procedure, the LDL receptor - mediated transfection of eukaryotic cells was carried out under physiological conditions and may be applicable in vivo. / Thesis (Ph.D)-University of Durban-Westville, 1987.

Typescript (photocopy) / 164 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, 1982

3 articles published by author included in back of book / 115 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, 1976

Prior to 1965 the interactions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) had been but moderately studied. It was concluded that, although a controversy existed, an apparent interaction occurred between DNA and certain aromatic hydrocarbon molecules and that the interaction was not an artifact of the reaction system.

The effects of various concentrations of 2-chloroethylphosphcnic acid (Ethephon), an ethylene-releasing compound, on the total protein, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and ribonucleic acid (RNA) levels in Scenedesmus quadricauda IU 614 were investigated.