background : we investigated whether the c-819t snp of the ctla4 gene is associated with type 1 diabetes (t1d) for the egyptian population, a multi-ethnic group.  we determined if expression of the c-819t snp correlated with onset of t1d for egyptian children and the prevalence of this polymorphism with respect to gender. methods: the association of the c-819t snp in intron 1 of the ctla-4 gene...

2003 PREFACE Chapters two and three in this dissertation were co-authored and previously submitted for publication. Copyright permissions for the reproduced manuscripts were obtained from the publishers and are indicated on the first page of both chapters. Furthermore, the inclusion of reproduced manuscripts in this dissertation is permitted by the In the cases for both manuscripts, I was the p...

The aim of this work is to present a critical review on slurry bioreactors (SB) and their application to bioremediation of soils and sediments polluted with recalcitrant and toxic compounds. The scope of the review encompasses the following subjects: (i) process fundamentals of SB and analysis of advantages and disadvantages; (ii) the most recent applications of SB to laboratory scale and comme...

Free DNA in the circulation is increased five-to ten-fold in patients with solid tumours compared to healthy controls. A range of tumor-specific mutated DNA has been shown to be readily extractable and possible to analyse from plasma and serum in these patients. K-ras oncogene mutations are an early event in a subset of colorectal tumors and have been found in 30-60% of patients with colorectal...

Microorganisms interact with plants because plants offer a wide diversity of habitats including the phyllosphere (aerial plant part), the rhizosphere (zone of influence of the root system), and the endosphere (internal transport system) [3, 5]. Interactions of epiphytes, rhizophytes or endophytes may be detrimental or beneficial for either the microorganism or the plant and may be classified as...

Gut microbes are key players in host immune system priming, protection and development, as well as providing nutrients to the host that would be otherwise unavailable. Due to this importance, studies investigating the link between host and microbe are being initiated in farmed fish. The establishment, maintenance and subsequent changes of the intestinal microbiota are central to define fish phy...

DNA sequencing methods used for whale product identification are limited because such methods are expensive and time consuming. As a result, the number of samples that can be processed and analyzed in each survey is too small given the need for genetic surveys of current and emerging whale product markets. Using high-throughput genetic typing technology, we are developing more rapid and costeff...