My abstract – (Will be presenting my research!!!) March 19, 2010
Posted by RhyanVillanueva in Uncategorized.add a comment
Guys, wanted to let you know that I will be presenting my research on the XV Sigma Xi Student Poster Day. The event will begin at 1:00 P.M. of April 8th and will be located at the lobby of the Chemistry Department of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. Here is my abstract:
SCREENING FOR DNASES AND OTHER BIOACTIVES MOLECULES WITH BIOMEDICAL IMPORTANCE FROM METAGENOMIC LIBRARIES AT TROPICAL AND DRY FORESTS IN PUERTO RICO.
Metagenomics, is a new discipline in biosciences capable of having access and studying microorganisms that are unable to grow in laboratory conditions; 99% of the species belong to this category. Functional metagenomics allows us to test for activities in cultivable hosts which have environmental DNA cloned. This is a powerful research tool for the discovery of bioactive molecules with medical & industrial applications. Antimicrobial agents, proteases & lipases are some of the activities that can be monitored using metagenomics. The forests are excellent environments and resources for the discovery of new microorganisms with bioactive capacities due to their degree diversity.
The main purpose of the research is to monitor a tropical and a dry forest in Puerto Rico, for DNase activity. DNase is an enzyme that breaks down molecules of DNA, and a powerful tool for scientists in Genetic Engineering, and Molecular Genetics. The selection tool being used is the DNase Test Agar with Toluidine Blue (TBA). A positive clone will turn pink the media creating a pink halo around the colony. By using serial dilutions, approx. 1000 clones from the forests metagenomic libraries sub-pools were spreaded on TBA, and incubated at 37°C. Serratia marcescens was used as a positive control. The metagenomic libraries have an a approximate of 800,000 clones contained on 40 different sub-pools. A total of five sub-pools (approx. 40,000 have been already screened under standard conditions without finding a positive clone yet. There are ongoing experiments to complete the rest of sub-pools. I really appreciate the unconditional support that my mentor, Dr. Ríos, has provided me. I want to thank the Bio-Minds Program, which have been an essential part for my development as a young researcher.
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I would love to answer questions that you may have; also to hear comments. Feel free to contact me or to visit me the day of the activity! Look forward to talk to you.
