Current Search: De Bekker, Charissa (x)
View All Items
- Title
- SPLIT DEOXYRIBOZYME PROBE FOR EFFICIENT DETECTION OF HIGHLY STRUCTURED RNA TARGETS.
- Creator
-
Solarez, Sheila Raquel, Gerasimova, Yulia, De Bekker, Charissa, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are known for their role as adaptors during translation of the genetic information and as regulators for gene expression; uncharged tRNAs regulate global gene expression in response to changes in amino acid pools in the cell. Aminoacylated tRNAs play a role in non-ribosomal peptide bond formation, post-translational protein labeling, modification of phospholipids in the cell membrane, and antibiotic biosynthesis.[1] tRNAs have a highly stable structure that can present a...
Show moreTransfer RNAs (tRNAs) are known for their role as adaptors during translation of the genetic information and as regulators for gene expression; uncharged tRNAs regulate global gene expression in response to changes in amino acid pools in the cell. Aminoacylated tRNAs play a role in non-ribosomal peptide bond formation, post-translational protein labeling, modification of phospholipids in the cell membrane, and antibiotic biosynthesis.[1] tRNAs have a highly stable structure that can present a challenge for their detection using conventional techniques.[2] To enable signal amplification and lower detection limits, a split probe - split deoxyribozyme (sDz or BiDz) probe, which uses a double-labeled fluorogenic substrate as a reporter - has been introduced. In this project we developed an assay based on sDz probe to detect yeast tRNA[Phe] as a proof-of-principle highly structured target. An sDz probe was designed specific to tRNA[phe] that could efficiently unwind stable secondary and tertiary structure of the target RNA thereby providing an efficient tool for tRNA detection.[3] The efficiency of the developed sDz probe was compared with a currently used state-of-the-art hybridization probe - molecular beacon probe. The results obtained in the project further demonstrate the power of sDz probes for the detection of highly structured RNA analytes. The split probes show signal amplification capabilities in detection of structured analytes, which will benefit diagnostics, fundamental molecular biology research and therapeutic fields.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000311, ucf:45728
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000311
- Title
- Fear and Loathing in the Super Organism: Foraging Strategy Doesn't Change Forager Response in a Landscape of Fear.
- Creator
-
Schadegg, Philip, King, Joshua, De Bekker, Charissa, Fedorka, Kenneth, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Understanding how predators impact keystone species, like ants, is very important for our understanding of ecology because of ants' importance in shaping community dynamics and ecosystem functions. In this thesis I present research investigating the role of the ant-specialized spider Anasaitis canosa in influencing the foraging behavior of four ant species (Formica pallidefulva, Odontomachus ruginodis, Pheidole obscurithorax (&) Solenopsis invicta). Collectively, these four species use...
Show moreUnderstanding how predators impact keystone species, like ants, is very important for our understanding of ecology because of ants' importance in shaping community dynamics and ecosystem functions. In this thesis I present research investigating the role of the ant-specialized spider Anasaitis canosa in influencing the foraging behavior of four ant species (Formica pallidefulva, Odontomachus ruginodis, Pheidole obscurithorax (&) Solenopsis invicta). Collectively, these four species use foraging strategies exhibited by most ants. I conducted two experiments to quantify the impacts of spider predation on ant prey. The first used forty colonies of four ant species to investigate how A. canosa changed foraging behavior at both the individual and colony level. The second used 27 lab-reared S. invicta colonies to see if there was any evidence for innate predatory avoidance in foragers and if predatory avoidance was influenced by learning. A field study observed the density and prey choices of A. canosa in 3 sites within the UCF arboretum. In sum, no consistent change in foraging occurred in the presence of A. canosa, over time scales sufficient to detect colony-level impacts and thus colonies as a whole appear to be risk insensitive. Na(&)#239;ve colonies had more ants beginning foraging before a single ant would return in their first trial compared to the second trial. This suggests forager learning occurs as foragers respond to the perception of a predator, and that S. invicta can reduce individual risk through increasing forager numbers. A. canosa predation rates and density were calculated and based on these estimates an approximate impact upon a colony was made. Most importantly, 13 foragers/m2 inside each foraging cohort can be expected to have prior experience with the spider.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007859, ucf:52792
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007859