School of Science

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Research at AUT's School of Science is focused on key scientific issues with regional and global significance. The common theme connecting all research areas is sustainability – in the broadest sense as it relates to environmental and human health. Our research is closely allied to teaching and learning opportunities at undergraduate and postgraduate level within the school. Research is organised in three thematic areas:

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A Comprehensive Chemical Analysis of New Zealand Yacon Concentrate
(MDPI, ) Chessum, Keegan; Kam, Rothman; Chen, Tony; Yan, Mary
Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is an ancient Andean crop, traditionally used for both food and medicinal purposes, which was first introduced to New Zealand in the 1980s. In recent years, there has been growing global interest in yacon due to its potential as a functional food, which could be related to its unique profile of bioactive compounds, including prebiotic compounds, such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and phenolic compounds, which may have a range of activities, including antioxidant ones. FOS are non-digestible prebiotic carbohydrates, providing low calorific value and a positive impact on gut microflora. Our objective was to conduct a comprehensive chemical analysis of New Zealand yacon concentrate (NZYC, a sweet syrup produced from juice extracted from New Zealand grown yacon roots). Analysis included proximate composition, mineral, sugar, phenolic, amino acid, and organic acid profiles as well as antioxidant activity. The major mineral identified in NZYC was potassium (658 ± 6 mg/100 g), with significant concentrations of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and iron also determined by microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The FOS content of NZYC ranged from 17.6 ± 0.3 to 52.7 ± 0.8 g/100 g as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), coupled with an evaporating light scattering detector (ELSD). The total phenolic content of NZYC ranged from 565 ± 9 to 785 ± 43 mg gallic acid equivalents per 100 g by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid were quantified as the major phenolic compounds. The major amino acids quantified were L-arginine, L-glutamic acid, L-proline, L-aspartic acid, and asparagine. The major organic acids quantified were citric, malic, quinic, and fumaric acids. The antioxidant activity of NZYC was determined by the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, cupric ion-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assay, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and it was several times higher than both Manuka honey and goji berries by the basis of weight. These results support the classification of New Zealand yacon concentrate as a nutraceutical food product and its use in further development of novel food products.
Advanced Photogrammetry to Assess Lichen Colonization in the Hyper-arid Namib Desert
(Frontiers Media, 2017-10-27) Hinchliffe, G; Bollard-Breen, B; Cowan, DA; Doshi, A; Gillman, LN; Rios-Murillo, A; Maggs-Kolling, G; Pointing, SB
The hyper-arid central region of the Namib Desert is characterised by quartz desert pavement terrain that is devoid of vascular plant covers. In this extreme habitat the only discernible surface covers are epilithic lichens that colonise exposed surfaces of quartz rocks. These lichens are highly susceptible to disturbance and so field surveys have been limited due to concerns about disturbing this unusual desert feature. Here we present findings that illustrate how non-destructive surveys based upon advanced photogrammetry techniques can yield meaningful and novel scientific data on these lichens. We combined ‘structure from motion analysis’, computer vision and GIS to create 3-dimensional point clouds from two-dimensional imagery. The data were robust in its application to estimating absolute lichen cover. An orange Stellarangia spp. assemblage had coverage of 22.8% of available substrate, whilst for a black Xanthoparmelia spp. assemblage coverage was markedly lower at 0.6% of available substrate. Hyperspectral signatures for both lichens were distinct in the near-infra red range indicating that Xanthoparmelia spp. was likely under relatively more moisture stress than Stellarangia spp. at the time of sampling, and we postulate that albedo effects may have contributed to this in the black lichen. Further transformation of the data revealed a colonisation preference for west-facing quartz surfaces and this coincides with prevailing winds for marine fog that is the major source of moisture in this system. Furthermore, a three-dimensional ‘fly through’ of the lichen habitat was created to illustrate how the application of computer vision in microbiology has further potential as a research and education tool. We discuss how advanced photogrammetry could be applied in astrobiology using autonomous rovers to add quantitative ecological data for visible surface colonisation on the surface of Mars.
Age, Growth and Reproductive Characteristics of the Blue-barred Parrotfish Scarus Ghobban From Taiwan and Solomon Islands
(Fisheries Society of the British Isles (FSBI), 2017-07-03) Visconti, V; Li-shu, C; Sabetian, A
Age, size, growth and sex ratio of the Blue barred parrot fish Scarus ghobban were investigated from Taiwan and Solomon Islands. While both populations exhibited similar rapid early growth, the longevity, maximum size and asymptotic length of S. ghobban in Taiwan were significantly higher than in the Solomon Islands. Gender analysis showed the oldest and largest size classes from the Solomon Islands to be males, while S. ghobban from Taiwan exhibited persistence of females in the oldest age classes, indicating that not all females in this protogynous hermaphrodite changed sex to males. The drivers for sex change in t this protogynous hermaphrodite may be more a function of genetics and longevity, and less so due to fishing pressure.
Aidi Injection, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Extract, Reverses Gefitinib Resistance in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
(Elsevier BV, 2021) Biswas, R; Yang, C-M; Lu, W; He, J; Chen, T; Tian, F; Li, Y
Introduction Aidi injection is a traditional Chinese medicine containing multiple anti-tumour and immunomodulatory phytochemicals. While it synergistically enhances the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), its effect on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) sensitivity in NSCLC remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanisms of Aidi injection on the sensitivity of human NSCLC cell lines to gefitinib. Methods Effect of Aidi injection on gefitinib sensitivity was assessed by MTT, colony formation and apoptosis assays in three NSCLC cell lines (A549, HCC827 and H1975). The association between the expression of genes and the overall survival was analysed by accessing TCGA lung adenocarcinoma datasets. The effect of Aidi injection on multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2, encoded by ABCC2 gene) function and gefitinib sensitivity was compared between parental HEK293 cell and HEK293 overexpressing MRP2 cells (HEK/MRP2). The principle components of Aidi injection were determined by LC-MS/MS and the interaction of Aidi components with MRP2 protein explored using molecular docking. Results Aidi injection enhanced gefitinib sensitivity (P < 0.05) and increased gefitinib-induced apoptosis rate (P < 0.05) in three NSCLC cell lines. Analysis of TCGA lung adenocarcinoma dataset showed that patients with a high expression of ABCC2 had significantly poorer survival (P = 0.007546). Aidi injection inhibited MRP2 activity in a concentration-dependant manner in HEK/MRP2 cells (P < 0.05). The combination of gefitinib with Aidi injection gave additive or weakly synergistic growth inhibition in HEK/MRP2 cells but exhibited antagonistic cytotoxicity in HEK293 cells. There were 11 main chemical components contained in Aidi injection, including astragalosides II and IV, cantharidin, etheutheroside E, ginsenosides Rb1, Rc, Rd, Re and Rg1, isofraxidin, and syringin. Docking studies showed strong affinity of Ginsenoside_Re towards MRP2. Conclusions Aidi injection may have the potential to be an adjuvant regimen to prevent and/or reverse common gefitinib resistance in NSCLC. The in silico and principle component analyses gives insight on ginsenoside_Re being a potential MRP2 inhibitor in Aidi injection.
Alkyl Linker Effects on the Coordination Topology of Ditopic Di(2-pyridylmethyl)amine Carboxylate Ligands with Znˡˡ and Cuˡˡ: Polymers Vs. Macrocycles
(The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2015) Rodpun, K; Blackman, AG; Gardiner, MG; Tan, EW; Meledandri, CJ; Lucas, NT
A series of ditopic ω-di(2-pyridylmethyl)amine carboxylic acid ligands incorporating a range of n-alkyl linkers (CnCOOH, n = 3-5, 7, 10 and 11) have been synthesised. Solution phase studies showed a 1:1 coordination stoichiometry between the ligands and M(ClO4)2·6H2O (M = ZnII or CuII) in all cases. The ZnII and CuII complexes were subsequently crystallised by liquid-liquid diffusion and the solid-state structures investigated by X-ray crystallography. The crystal structures obtained are entirely consistent with the 1:1 metal-ligand ratio of the solution-phase adducts. However, the coordination geometries and complex topologies are dependent on the alkyl chain length of the ligand CnCOOH. The ZnII and CuII complexes of the short alkyl chain ligands (n ≤ 5) exhibit 1D coordination polymeric structures with somewhat different conformations for {[Zn(C3COO)(H2O)](ClO4)·3.5H2O}n (1), {[Zn(C4COO)(H2O)]4(ClO4)4·1.5H2O}n (2), {[Zn(C5COO)(H2O)](ClO4)}n (3), {[Cu(C3COO)](ClO4)·MeOH}n (4), {[Cu(C4COO)(H2O)]2(ClO4)2·2H2O}n (5) and {[Cu(C5COO)(H2O)](ClO4)·2H2O}n (6). In contrast, the ligands with longer alkyl chains (n ≥ 7) participate in Zn2L2 metallomacrocyclic structures {[Zn(C7COO)(H2O)](ClO4)}2 (7), [Zn2(C10COO)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2·2H2O·MeOH (8) and {[Zn2(C11COO)2(H2O)2][Zn2(C11COO)2](ClO4)4·H2O}n (9). The formation of metallomacrocycles instead of the 1D coordination polymers is a persistent trend and, with identical crystal growth conditions and a non-coordinating anion employed, appears to be an effect of the longer alkyl chain.
Analysing Civilian Video Footage for Enhanced Scientific Understanding of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, Japan, with Implications for PNG and Pacific Islands
(MDPI AG, 2023-07-03) Mcdonough-Margison, Caitlin; Hinchliffe, Graham; Petterson, Michael G
Approximately 70% of global tsunamis are generated within the pan Pacific Ocean region. This paper reports on detailed analysis of civilian video footage from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, Japan. Comprehensive scientific analysis of tsunami video footage can yield valuable insights into geophysical processes and impacts. Civili22an video footage captured during the 2011 Tohoku, East Honshu, Japan tsunami was critically examined to identify key tsunami processes and estimate local inundation heights and flow velocity in Kesennuma City. Significant tsunami processes within the video were captured and orientated in ArcGIS Pro to create an OIC (Oriented Imagery Catalogue). The OIC was published to ArcGIS Online, and the oriented imagery was configured into an interactive website. Flow velocity was estimated by quantifying the distance and time taken for an object to travel between two known points in the video. Estimating inundation height was achieved by taking objects with known or calculable dimensions and measuring them against maximum local inundation height observations. The oriented imagery process produced an interactive Experience Builder app in ArcGIS Online, highlighting key tsunami processes captured within the video. The estimations of flow velocity and local inundation height quantified during video analysis indicate flow speeds ranging from 2.5–4.29 m/s and an estimated maximum local run-up height of 7.85 m in Kesennuma City. The analysis of civilian video footage provides a remarkable opportunity to investigate tsunami impact in localised areas of Japan and around the world. These data and analyses inform tsunami hazard maps, particularly in reasonably well-mapped terrains with remote access to landscape data. The results can aid in the understanding of tsunami behaviours and help inform effective mitigation strategies in tsunami-vulnerable areas. The affordable, widely accessible analysis and methodology presented here has numerous applications, and does not require highly sophisticated equipment. Tsunamis are a significant to major geohazard globally including many Pacific Island states, e.g., Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Tonga. Video footage geoscientific analysis, as here reported, can benefit tsunami and cyclone storm surge hazards in the Pacific Islands region and elsewhere.
Anti-proliferation Potential and Content of Fucoidan Extracted From Sporophyll of New Zealand Undaria Pinnatifida
(Frontiers Media S. A., 2014) Mak, W; Wang, SK; Liu, T; Hamid, N; Lu, J; Li, Y; White, WL
Undaria pinnatifida is a species of brown seaweed known to contain rich amounts of fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide known to possess various biological activities. We isolated crude fucoidan (F0) from the sporophylls of U. pinnatifida grown in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. Sulfate content, uronic acid content, and molecular weight of F0 were 15.02, 1.24, and >150 kDa, respectively. F0 was fractionated to yield three further fractions: F1, F2, and F3. Cytotoxicity of two major fractions was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The algal fucoidans specifically suppressed the proliferation of three cancer cell lines with less cytotoxicity against the normal cells. Selective cytotoxicity could relate to the distinctive structures of each fucoidan fraction. Results from this study provide evidence that fucoidan, especially from U. pinnatifida grown in New Zealand, possesses great potential to be used as a functional food to reduce cancer risk or supplement cancer treatment.
An Appeal for a Code of Conduct for Marine Conservation
(Elsevier, 2017-07-01) Bennett, NJ; Teh, L; Ota, Y; Christie, P; Ayers, A; Day, JC; Franks, P; Gill, D; Gruby, RL; Kittinger, JN; Koehn, JZ; Lewis, N; Parks, J; Vierros, M; Whitty, TS; Wilhelm, A; Wright, K; Aburto, JA; Finkbeiner, EM; Gaymer, CF; Govan, H; Gray, N; Jarvis, RM; Kaplan-Hallam, M; Satterfield, T
Marine conservation actions are promoted to conserve natural values and support human wellbeing. Yet the quality of governance processes and the social consequences of some marine conservation initiatives have been the subject of critique and even human rights complaints. These types of governance and social issues may jeopardize the legitimacy of, support for and long-term effectiveness of marine conservation. Thus, we argue that a clearly articulated and comprehensive set of social standards - a code of conduct - is needed to guide marine conservation. In this paper, we draw on the results of an expert meeting and scoping review to present key principles that might be taken into account in a code of conduct, to propose a draft set of foundational elements for inclusion in a code of conduct, to discuss the benefits and challenges of such a document, and to propose next steps to develop and facilitate the uptake of a broadly applicable code of conduct within the marine conservation community. The objectives of developing such a code of conduct are to promote fair conservation governance and decision-making, socially just conservation actions and outcomes, and accountable conservation practitioners and organizations. The uptake and implementation of a code of conduct would enable marine conservation to be both socially acceptable and ecologically effective, thereby contributing to a truly sustainable ocean.
Application of CRISPR-Cas9 System to Study Biological Barriers to Drug Delivery
(MDPI AG, ) He, J; Biswas, R; Bugde, P; Li, J; Liu, D-X; Li, Y
In recent years, sequence-specific clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated (Cas) systems have been widely used in genome editing of various cell types and organisms. The most developed and broadly used CRISPR-Cas system, CRISPR-Cas9, has benefited from the proof-of-principle studies for a better understanding of the function of genes associated with drug absorption and disposition. Genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 knockout (KO) screen study also facilitates the identification of novel genes in which loss alters drug permeability across biological membranes and thus modulates the efficacy and safety of drugs. Compared with conventional heterogeneous expression models or other genome editing technologies, CRISPR-Cas9 gene manipulation techniques possess significant advantages, including ease of design, cost-effectiveness, greater on-target DNA cleavage activity and multiplexing capabilities, which makes it possible to study the interactions between membrane proteins and drugs more accurately and efficiently. However, many mechanistic questions and challenges regarding CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing are yet to be addressed, ranging from off-target effects to large-scale genetic alterations. In this review, an overview of the mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas9 in mammalian genome editing will be introduced, as well as the application of CRISPR-Cas9 in studying the barriers to drug delivery.
Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization Identifies a Heterozygous Deletion of Exon 3 of the RYR2 Gene
(Taylor & Francis, 2015) Leong, IU; Sucich, J; Prosser, DO; Skinner, JR; Crawford, JR; Higgins, C; Love, DR
Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a heritable cardiac disorder characterized by life-threatening ventricular tachycardia caused by exercise or acute emotional stress. The standard diagnostic screening involves Sanger-based sequencing of 45 of the 105 translated exons of the RYR2 gene, and copy number changes of a limited number of exons that are detected using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA).
Aspect Has a Greater Impact on Alpine Soil Bacterial Community Structure Than Elevation
(Oxford University Press (OUP), 2017-01-01) Wu, J; Anderson, BJ; Buckley, HL; Lewis, G; Lear, G
Gradients in environmental conditions, including climate factors and resource availability, occur along mountain inclines, providing a ‘natural laboratory’ to explore their combined impacts on microbial distributions. Conflicting spatial patterns observed across elevation gradients in soil bacterial community structure suggest that they are driven by various interacting factors at different spatial scales. Here, we investigated the relative impacts of non-resource (e.g. soil temperature, pH) and resource conditions (e.g. soil carbon and nitrogen) on the biogeography of soil bacterial communities across broad (i.e. along a 1500 m mountain elevation gradient) and fine sampling scales (i.e. along sunny and shady aspects of a mountain ridge). Our analysis of 16S rRNA gene data confirmed that when sampling across distances of < 1000 m, bacterial community composition was more closely related to the aspect of a site than its elevation. However, despite large differences in climate and resource-availability factors across elevation- and aspect-related gradients, bacterial community composition and richness were most strongly correlated with soil pH. These findings highlight the need to incorporate knowledge of multiple factors, including site aspect and soil pH for the appropriate use of elevation gradients as a proxy to explore the impacts of climate change on microbial community composition. NOTE: The publisher regrets that an error was introduced in the values of the color key of figure 2a. These values have now been corrected [Erratum doi: 10.1093/femsec/fix032]
Assessing the Sulfide Footprint of Mussel Farms With Sediment Profile Imagery: A New Zealand Trial
(PLOS, 2015) Wilson, PS; Vopel, K
Growing numbers and increased stocking of marine mussel farms make reliable techniques for environmental effect assessment a priority. Previously, we showed how the color intensity of soft sediment could be used to estimate its acid volatile sulfide (AVS) content, a product of the anaerobic microbial degradation of organic matter deposits. We then proposed to include assessments of the AVS farm footprint in marine farm monitoring, in particular, to investigate temporal changes in the extent of the seafloor area of elevated sediment AVS content. Such assessment requires accurate detection of the AVS footprint boundary. Here, we demonstrate how to detect this boundary with analyses of sediment color intensity. We analyzed 182 sediment profile images taken along three transects leading from approximately 50 m inside to 200 m outside a long-line mussel farm in New Zealand and found that the mean sediment color intensity inside the farm boundary was almost one third lower than that of the sediment distant from the farm. Segmented regression analysis of the combined color intensity data revealed a breakpoint in the trend of increasing grey values with increasing distance from the farm at 56 ± 13 m (± 95% confidence interval of the breakpoint) outside the mussel farm. Mapping of grey value data with ArcMap (ESRI, ArcGIS) indicated that the extent of the color intensity footprint is a function of water column depth; organic particles disperse further in a deeper seawater column. We conclude that for soft coastal sediments, our sampling and data analysis techniques may provide a rapid and reliable supplement to existing benthic surveys that assess environmental effects of mussel farms.
Author Correction: Behaviour Reactions of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops runcatus) to Multirotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
(Springer Nature, 2020)
This Article contains an error. The following sentence in the Introduction, “In the absence of previously studies in the peer reviewed literature dedicated to the UAV disturbance assessment, this study is the first to specifically assess UAV disturbance levels on the behaviour of a cetacean species.” should read: “With limited previous work1 in the peer reviewed literature dedicated to the UAV disturbance assessment, this study is among the first to specifically assess UAV disturbance levels on the behaviour of a cetacean species”.
Bacterial and Fungal Communities Respond Differently to Varying Tillage Depth in Agricultural Soils
(PeerJ, 2017-01-01) Anderson, C; Beare, M; Buckley, HL; Lear, G
In arable cropping systems, reduced or conservation tillage practices are linked with improved soil quality, C retention and higher microbial biomass, but most long- term studies rarely focus on depths greater than 15 cm nor allow comparison of microbial community responses to agricultural practices. We investigated microbial community structure in a long-term field trial (12-years, Lincoln, New Zealand) established in a silt-loam soil over four depth ranges down to 30 cm. Our objectives were to investigate the degree of homogenisation of soil biological and chemical properties with depth, and to determine the main drivers of microbial community response to tillage. We hypothesised that soil microbiological responses would depend on tillage depth, observed by a homogenisation of microbial community composition within the tilled zone. Tillage treatments were mouldboard plough and disc harrow, impacting soil tõ20 and ~10 cm depth, respectively. These treatments were compared to a no-tillage treatment and two control treatments, both permanent pasture and permanent fallow. Bacterial and fungal communities collected from the site were not impacted by the spatial location of sampling across the study area but were affected by physicochemical changes associated with tillage induced soil homogenisation and plant presence. Tillage treatment effects on both species richness and composition were more evident for bacterial communities than fungal communities, and were greater at depths < 15 cm. Homogenisation of soil and changing land management appears to redistribute both microbiota and nutrients deeper in the soil profile while consequences for soil biogeochemical functioning remain poorly understood.
Behaviour Reactions of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to Multirotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
(Nature Publishing Group, 2019) Fettermann, T; Fiori, L; Bader, M; Doshi, A; Breen, D; Stockin, KA; Bollard, B
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) represent a novel and cost effective research tool to investigate cetacean behaviour, as conventional aircraft are expensive, limited in the altitude they can fly at and potentially disturb sensitive wildlife. In addition, the aerial observation from the UAVs allows assessment of cetacean behaviour from an advantageous perspective and can collect high spatial and temporal resolution data, providing the opportunity to gather accurate data about group size, age class and subsurface behaviour. However, concerns have been raised about the potential risks of disturbance to animals caused by the UAV’s visual and acoustic stimuli. Boat-based surveys were conducted to assess the short-term behavioural responses of resting bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to a lightweight Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV flown at 10, 25, and 40 m altitude. Changes in group swim direction and frequencies of surface and aerial behavioural events were recorded from an anchored research vessel before (control) and during the aerial survey. The number of reorientation and tail slap events increased significantly between controls and flights when the UAV was flown at 10 m over the animals. In contrast, no significant differences were detected when the aircraft was flown at 25 and 40 m altitude. However, a precautionary approach is recommended for research applications requiring lower flight altitudes, with further research recommended to assess how different cetacean species and age class may respond to the UAV presence.
Beyond Carbon Sequestration: Opportunities for Multifunctionality of Woody Vegetation on New Zealand Sheep and Beef Cattle Farms
(Elsevier BV, 2023-12) Suryaningrum, Febyana; Case, Bradley S; Jarvis, Rebecca; Buckley, Hannah L
Bioactive Components and Anticancer Activities of Spray-Dried New Zealand Tamarillo Powder
(MDPI AG, 2022) Liu, Q; Hamid, N; Liu, Y; Kam, R; Kantono, K; Wang, K; Lu, J
Tamarillo fruit contains many phytochemicals that have beneficial therapeutic and nutritional properties. Spray-drying is widely used to preserve fruit puree in powder form. However, to obtain high-quality fruit powder, the optimisation of spray-drying conditions is necessary, as a high drying temperature can damage sensitive bioactive compounds. This study investigated the effects of spray-drying on the microstructure, polyphenolics, total flavonoids, total carotenoids, antioxidant activity, and anticancer capacity of tamarillo powder. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimise the spray-drying process to produce tamarillo powder. The independent variables were inlet drying temperature (120–160 °C), flow rate (1–5 g/mL), and maltodextrin concentration (0–10%). These variables influenced the microstructural attributes, bioactive components, and cytotoxicity of the spray-dried tamarillo powder. The increase in polyphenols and antioxidant activities were favoured under high-temperature spray drying conditions and a low carrier concentration. The optimised spray-drying conditions for producing tamarillo powder with high antioxidant and anticancer activities, high yield, and stable bioactive compounds were found to be at 146.8 °C inlet temperature, and a flow rate of 1.76 g/mL.
Biomass Assessment of Geoduc (Panopea zelandica) From Northern Golden Bay in Fishing Management Area 7
(AUT Institute for Applied Ecology New Zealand, 2017-11-09) White, W; Slater, A; Millar, R
Biotin-kodecytes - novel function-spacer-lipid (FSL) modified cells capable of being recovered from the circulation after 3 days
(John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2010-06) Oliver, C; Blake, D; Ferguson, S; Bovin, N; Henry, S
The ability to modify a population of blood cells with both an antigen of interest and an identification-recovery label, infuse them into the circulation of an animal, and then visualize or recover a sample of the infused cells some hours-days later for analysis, is now possible through the use of FSL (function-spacer-lipid) constructs. FSL constructs are analogous in structure to a flower and consist of three components; a functional head group (like the flower head), a pacer (like a stalk) and a diacylipid tail (the anchoring roots). All FSLs are biocompatible and allow users to introduce novel functional moieties to the membrane surface of living cells.
Blood Group O→A Transformation by Chemical Ligation of Erythrocytes
(John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2018)
Agglutination of red blood cells (RBCs) remains the only practical method for routine use for ABH typing in clinical practice. However, exact mechanistic details of agglutination are not yet thoroughly studied. In this research, RBCs of blood group O were converted to blood group A through two approaches: by chemical ligation of the cells’ glycocalyx with synthetic blood group A tetrasaccharide, and by insertion of synthetic glycolipid carrying the same A antigen into the cells’ membranes. The O→A ligated RBCs and natural A RBCs showed comparable agglutination characteristics with antibodies. As expected, RBCs with inserted glycolipid showed lower agglutination scores. This approach could help cell biologists in site-specific and cell-friendly modification of glycocalyx by other ligands.

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