Congratulations to my first Final Year Undergraduate Project students (Yeng Min Yi, Audrey Lau, Ng Chee Ching, Chew Yee Ling), on successfully presenting their projects at the Biosciences and Medical Engineering Conference 2014.
Our first publication on biohydrogen has been published in the Malaysian Journal of Microbiology (MJM). Read the article here.
Abstract
Aims: This study aimed at investigating the various hydrogen-producing bacteria isolated from three different bovine manure samples (dairy cow, feedlot cow and free grazing cow manures).
Methodology and results: Nutrient broth (NB) and Reinforced Clostridium medium (RCM) broth were used for the isolation of facultative and strict anaerobic bacteria. The isolates were subjected to batch fermentation to determine their capability to produce hydrogen (H2) using synthetic starch wastewater as substrate in 60 mL serum bottles. Biogases of interest (hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane) produced were analyzed using a Residual Gas Analyser (RGA), which is a mass spectrometry-based analytical system. A total of 52 isolates were obtained of which 13 of the isolates showed the ability to produce H2, with the NF6 isolate having the highest production of 6.85 × 10-4 % partial pressure [% (pp)].
Conclusion, significance and impact study: From this study, culturable hydrogen-producing bacteria were successfully isolated from the three bovine manures. The results give an insight on the types of H2 producing bacteria present in the manure samples. These isolates will be useful for the further studies of H2 production using waste sources as substrates. The production of H2 by NF6 isolate will be optimized by varying parameters during the batch fermentation.
Congratulations to my students Fatin Hazwani Ibrahim and Ali Hosseinnia on passing their Master of Science (Biotechnology) viva examination!
I know this is a bit too late, but only now I have time to set up a LinkedIn profile. Do check it out here and add me to your network!
p/s: Good luck to all my Genetic Engineering students who are currently sitting for their final exam 🙂
MSc/PhD positions are immediately available on the project entitled “Elucidation of the Human Heat Shock Protein 47 (HSP47) pH-Triggered Release from Collagen via Mutational Analysis“.
This project involves the mutagenesis of mouse/human HSP47 protein towards the elucidation of its binding and release behaviour to collagen. HSP47 is a molecular chaperone that assists collagen folding and transport during biosynthesis in the cell. Knocking out of the mouse hsp47 gene has been shown to lethally impair the development of embryos, preventing the secretion of correctly folded triple helical collagen molecules. Mutations in human hsp47 gene has been reported to be related to the severe form of osteogenesis imperfecta, a disease characterised by bone fragility and fractures that may be accompanied by bone deformity, dentinogenesis imperfecta, short stature, and shortened life span. HSP47 is also a potential target molecule for treatment of collagen-related diseases, such as fibrosis. In order to assist research in treatment strategies, the mechanistic behaviour of HSP47 must be completely solved first.
This project will involve site-directed mutagenesis to investigate HSP47 binding-and-release behaviour to collagen at the molecular level. Mutated proteins will be analysed using a number of techniques, such as binding assay, fluorescence-based pH titration, circular dichroism and collagen antifibrillisation assay.
Candidates are expected to have a strong background in molecular biology and biochemistry, particularly protein expression, purification, and analysis. Graduates with good BSc degree (CPA >3.00) are encouraged to apply. Scholarship is available for Malaysian students only.
Please contact Dr Mohd Firdaus Abdul Wahab (email firdausw@utm.my or office +607-555 7551).
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