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The current thesis presents work on the structure and dynamics of oligosaccharides and polysaccharides as well as the free energetics of carbohydrate-protein interactions. By applying various computational tools such as molecular dynamics simulation, our in-house fast sugar structure prediction software, replica exchange molecular dynamics, homology modeling, umbrella sampling, steered molecular dynamics as well as the thermodynamic integration formalism, we have been able to study the role of water on the surface of homopolysaccharides as well as complex oligosachharides, we have been able to produce a prediction of the bound structure of triantennary oligosaccride on the asialoglycoprotein receptor, we have been able to estimate the free energy of binding of ManΑ1→2Man to the HIV-1 inactivating protein, Cyanovirin-N as well as the relative binding free energies of mutants of Cyanovirin-N to the same ligand.

<p> This research was designed to gain a better understanding of the relationships between nutrition, aging and oogenesis. Cohorts of 1800 inbrod, adult house flies were maintained on various undefined and chemically defined diets. From these flies samples for histology were removed periodically, and the rest were analyzed for their survival and their ability to develop and lay viable eggs. The survival of the females was more affected by nutrition and other factors than that of the males. In females fed sugar water, oogenesis was arrested at an early stage, but survival was lower than on a milk diet. From adult emergence until the completion of one or more ovarian cycles, the larval and adult fatbodies and the ovary were compared as to their histology, histochemistry and cytology. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Bellbirds (Anthornis melanura) are one of two endemic honeyeaters in New Zealand. They are still common in many parts of the country, but also rare and absent in some areas where they were abundant before. Together with tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandia) bellbirds are responsible for avian pollination of several native plants in New Zealand. Habitat fragmentation and geographical constraints prevent bellbirds from re-occupying formerly inhabited areas. After translocations birds often disperse; some just disappear, some are thought to fly back to their source site and probably many die. Supplementary feeding provides energy rich food, which helps to ensure birds are well-nourished until they can discover natural food sources at the release sites. Conspecific song playback as an attractant for many bird species can be used as public information about high habitat value and additionally lure birds to good food sources and nest sites. Artificial feeding stations were set up at 18 locations in Kennedy's Bush, Port Hills, Canterbury, New Zealand. Feeders filled with sugar water were available for five to six consecutive days and during observation hours the effect of song playback was tested. Variation in bird numbers resulting from experimental treatments was recorded using five-minute bird counts prior to treatments and additional counts every minute of observation time. Bellbird numbers varied strongly with habitat types, showing highest numbers for dense and tall bush areas and close to creeks and lowest for open areas besides pasture and in post-flowering flax fields. Bellbird numbers increased when song was broadcast, with the strongest effect in areas where bellbird numbers were moderate or low, but not in areas where bellbirds were absent. Feeding stations were not observed to be used by bellbirds. The strong response in bellbird numbers to conspecific song playback proved the attractiveness of song for bellbirds. Nevertheless, its function as a lure for bellbirds to artificial feeding stations was not shown. This contrasting result indicates that the use of bellbird song as an enticement for bellbirds has to be investigated further.