Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download PG Candidates - UKZN`s School of Life Sciences
Document related concepts
no text concepts found
Transcript
Algal Technologies Lab Please fill in the information for the headings below. Only once you have all the information, please send to [email protected] Please fill in details below: Towards understanding thermal stress tolerance mechanisms of zooxanthellae in South African corals The present study is aimed at investigating the aspects of the physiology and morphology as well as genetic identification of zooxanthellae in response to increasing temperatures and light intensities in the intertidal rocky pools of KwaZulu Natal coastline. This project explores the devastating effects of coral bleaching associated with rising sea surface temperatures and light due to climate change and other anthropogenic activities. Coral bleaching has become a major global threat to reefs. In corals, both coral animal and the zooxanthellae play critical roles in resilience Siviwe E. Babane (MSc. Candidate) and resistance to bleaching. Details of these roles are still poorly understood. BSc Biological Sciences Walter Sisulu University (Unitra), BSc Hons. Zoology Walter Sisulu University (Unitra), MSc. Marine Biology University of KwaZulu Natal (Life Sciences) Supervisor(s) Telephone: 031 260 1634 Cellphone: 073 012 0167 Email: [email protected] Dr. Aluwani Nemukula Dr. David Glassom Study of Microbial Communities in Brine Evaporation Ponds: Analysis and Identification of the TOC Problem This study aims to identify the cause of the increased numbers of the green algae Dunaliella salina (D. salina) cells in the brine evaporation ponds at the Botash Production site. The D. salina cells are causing an increase in Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in the final products of salt and soda ash produced at the site which prevents these products from being sold as the TOC levels are above the stipulated limit. This project will aim to identify the exact Vrishthi Rambaran (MSc Candidate) cause of the increase in the amount of D. salina cells present in the ponds and also determine if there are any BSc Microbiology and Genetics (University of the Witwatersrand) other casuists of the TOC problem besides the algae cells. BSc Hons Microbiology (University of the Witwatersrand) Supervisor(s) MSc Biological Sciences (University of Kwa Zulu Natal) Dr. Aluwani Nemukula Prof Y Naidoo Telephone: 031 260 1634 Cellphone: 084 752 4609 Email:[email protected] Dr. Paul Joslin High-value products from microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) Chlorella vulgaris is a freshwater species of algae which produces highly valuable compounds. These compounds possess immense potential the medical, cosmetic, culinary spheres and has been shown to be viable environmentally friendly source of energy. The following study aims to analyze the various high value metabolites found in the biomass of Chlorella vulgaris. Chlorella vulgaris will be subjected to culturing in a BG-11 before harvesting and extracting the various compounds. It will also be introduced in a medium which contains sodium acetate to view the impact on lipid concentrations present Reuben Riley Rampersad (Hons Candidate) BSc Biological Science (University of Kwa-Zulu Natal), Telephone: 031 260 1634 Email:[email protected] Supervisor(s) Dr Aluwani Nemukula Development of Genetic Engineering Techniques in Dunaliella salina This study aims to determine the potential of Dunaliella salina as a candidate for genetic engineering by applying techniques previously used on other microalgae species. D. salina is a microalga that thrives in salt evaporation ponds and is one of the best sources of beta-carotene in the world, a valuable natural product. It can cause problems for salt and soda ash producers by contaminating and lowering the quality of their products and its biomass is costly to remove. Brendan Sean Stanley (Hons. Candidate) Through the use of genetic engineering techniques, BSc Marine Biology (University of Kwa-Zulu Natal) the beta-carotene production of D. salina could be Telephone: 031 260 1634 maximised, creating a new revenue source for Cellphone: 083 540 8955 these same companies. Email: [email protected] Supervisor(s): Mr. Aluwani Nemukula
