Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2004. / Advisor: Dr. Alan G. Marshall, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Jan. 12, 2005). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisor: Rebecca Richards-Kortum. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI company.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves : 94-97).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1997. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-115). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves: 53-55)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2006. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-111). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains v, 218 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 280-284).

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The discovery of cell free foetal DNA (cffDNA) in 1997 allows for the combination of accuracy as well as non-invasiveness for prenatal diagnosis. This non-invasive genetic test requires only a maternal blood sample from which the cffDNA can be isolated and analysed. In this work cffDNA was isolated from a maternal blood sample using a micro-fluidic device which was fabricated using hot embossing and laser ablation techniques. The DNA sample was first pre-concentration by electrokinetic trapping (EKT) and then isotachophoresis (ITP). The concentrated sample was then separated by size using capillary electrophoresis (CE), all in a single device. All parameters and processes concerned with the micro-fluidic device were optimised sequentially. These parameters include both the chemical components as well as the physical processes which occur. The DNA used for the optimisation protocol was analysed using fluorescence spectroscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis as well as an Agilent Bioanalyser. The optimised protocol included a 9% acrylamide/pDMA matrix, 3 M N,N-dimethylurea as a denaturing agent, with tris based buffers for pre-concentration steps and 1X TBE (tris/borate/EDTA) buffer for capillary electrophoresis. The applied voltage of ITP was 300 V and CE was carried out at 180 V. The timing at which DNA was extracted from the device was kept at time = 60 s intervals. The optimised protocol was then used for real sample analysis and these samples were obtained from mothers pregnant with male foetuses. The DNA extracted from the micro-fluidic device was then analysed using real time PCR (RT-PCR) in order to distinguish which was maternal and which was foetal. This was carried out by amplification of male and general (present in male and female) genes respectively. RT-PCR results confirmed that only the male specific gene was amplified in initial samples exiting the device and it was thus successful in isolating cffDNA from a maternal plasma sample.

Over fifty structurally diverse, novel fluorinated heteroarenes, have been successfully synthesised by SNAr reaction of a range of fluorinated arenes including pentafluoropyridine, hexafluorobenzene, and methyl pentafluorobenzoate by introduction of a range of groups such as imidazole, triazole, benzimidazole, benzotriazole, and carbazole. Different water solubilising side chains were introduced to some of the successfully synthesised fluorinated heteroarenes to improve water solubility and potential biological activity. X-ray crystal structures of over 10 compounds were obtained including those of two macrocyclic compounds containing 21- and 24-membered rings. The synthesised compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H and 19F spectroscopy and high resolution mass spectrometry. These compounds have been screened for their biological activities and possible interaction with DNA by methods including UV-visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, co-crystallization for X-ray diffraction analysis, and antimicrobial activity. A number of the fluoroaryl benzimidazole derivatives have been tested against K-562 and MCF-7 cell lines and G361 and HOS cell lines. From the all tested compounds three tethered fluoroaryl benzimidazole derivatives demonstrated micromolar inhibition against K-562 and MCF-7 cell lines. These compounds, in addition to 1-tetrafluoropyrid-4-yl-2-tetrafluoropyrid-4-ylsulfanyl-1H-benzimidazole, also demonstrated micromolar inhibition against G361 and HOS cell lines. Two of the compounds were found to activate caspases leading to apoptosis.