Doctoral Degrees (Biochemistry)

Computational modelling of steroid hormone biosynthesis and metabolism

Louw, Carla (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study describes the use of computational modelling and statistical techniques to address three topics in the field of steroid hormone research. The first is the hypocortisolism seen in the South ...

Mathematical modelling of glycolysis in skeletal muscle cells

van Dyk, Jacobus Barend (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Diabetes is a term used to describe a group of metabolic diseases characterised by high blood glucose levels. Regulation of blood glucose levels is facilitated by the insulin stimulation of target tissues, ...

Identification and genomic distribution of select combinatorial post-translational modification patterns of Trypanosoma brucei histones

Maree, Johannes Petrus (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-04)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT:Trypanosoma brucei is a dixenous parasitic protozoan, and the causative agent of African Sleeping sickness, or Human African Trypanosomiasis. Trypanosomes diverged very early on from the main eukaryotic ...

Measuring and Modelling Autophagic Flux

Du Toit, Andre (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction. Autophagy is an evolutionarily-conserved cellular process of self-digestion, wherein cytoplasm and organelles are sequestered and delivered to lysosomes for degradation. Autophagy plays a ...

Strategies for the detection of endocrine disrupting compounds utilising recombinant oestrogen receptor ligand-binding domains and high specificity monoclonal antibodies

Tait, Timo (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: During the last two and a half decades, a large body of research has been amassed which indicate that various compounds capable of inducing hormone-like responses in humans and animals are present ...

Investigating the mechanism of action of hormones used in hormone replacement therapy via estrogen receptor subtypes and the influence of the progesterone receptor

Perkins, Meghan Samantha (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Estrogens and progestins used in conventional menopausal hormone therapy (HT) are associated with increased breast cancer risk. A diverse range of estrogens and progestins are available that mediate ...

Homologous down-regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor is influenced by the dimerization state of the receptor

Wilkinson, Legh (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Glucocorticoids (GCs) remain the mainstay therapeutic choice for the treatment of inflammation, and exert their potent anti-inflammatory effects via the glucocorticoid receptor (GRα). However, the chronic ...

The metabolism of 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione by steroidogenic enzymes yields metabolites contributing to the androgen pool in prostate cancer

Du Toit, Therina (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study describes: • The development and validation of three ultra-performance convergence chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPC2-MS/MS) analytical methods which were applied in the detection ...

The influence of sutherlandia frutescens on adrenal steroid hormones and downstream receptor interactions

Sergeant, Catherine Anne (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study was aimed at: 1. linking anti-stress properties of Sutherlandia frutescens to its influence on adrenal steroid biosynthesis in terms of extracts, sutherlandioside (SU) compounds and ...

Engineering and application of glycosidase derived biocatalysts in the study of mycothiol pathway enzymes

Muneri, Ndivhuwo Olga (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Glycosides are complex carbohydrates that are involved in essential cellular and molecular biological processes within all living organisms. In addition, certain glycosides have anti-cancer, antioxidant, ...

The biochemical study of the R- and S-enantiomers of 2-(4-acetoxyphenyl)-2-chloro-Nmethylethylammonium chloride (Compound A).

Swart, Liezel Maria (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study describes: . The synthesis of a racemic mixture of Compound A (2-(4-acetoxyphenyl)-2-chloro-N-methylethylammonium chloride), a synthetic analogue of the active compound isolated from the African ...

Phylogenetics of the genus Erica and anthocyanin synthesis gene expression in Erica plukenetii

Le Maitre, Nicholas (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The drivers of species radiations are central to questions about the evolution of diversity. The flora of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is particularly diverse, has exceptionally high level of endemism ...

Partial characterization of lentil seed lipoxygenases and their impact in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) bread making

Hayward, Stefan (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study describes: 1. The evaluation of lentil seed flour as an alternative for soybean seed flour; as a source of lipoxygenase during the making of white bread. 2. The development of efficient, and ...

Development of an integrated metabolic analysis toolbox

Christensen, Carl David (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Life is arguably the most complex of all natural phenomena, yet it arises from essentially dead molecular components. The goal of systems biology is to be able to understand how the properties and ...

Biofilms as multifunctional surface coatings and adaptive systems: a biomimetic approach

Loots, Ruenda (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Biomimicry is an emerging scientific discipline that promotes nature-inspired innovation for sustainable solutions. Several patterns and survival strategies are repeated in Nature and these have been ...

A high rate biofilm contact reactor for winery wastewater treatment

De Beer, Danielle Marguerite (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Winemaking produces variable volumes wastewater rich in biodegradable organic material, with fluctuating chemical composition and pH values according to the seasonal activities of the cellar. Releasing ...

Optimised bacterial production and characterisation of natural antimicrobial peptides with potential application in agriculture

Vosloo, Johan Arnold (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT : The loss incurred due to microbial spoilage is a great concern to the agricultural and food industries. Microbial pathogens have typically been controlled through the use of chemical control agents and ...