Browsing Newly Added Theses by Author "Department of Biological Sciences"
Now showing items 1-20 of 21
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Analysis of the pattern and trend of human genomic variations in the form of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and small insertions and deletions (INDELs)
chundi, vinay kumarSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and small insertions/deletions (INDELs) are the most common genetic variations in the human genome. They have been shown to associate with phenotype variation including genetic disease. ... -
Behavioural Thermoregulation and Escape Behaviour: Investigating the Thermal Biology of Round Gobies
Bridgeman, JustinThe invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) has successfully colonized all of the Great Lakes since its discovery in the region in 1991, yet little is known about its thermal biology. The focus of this thesis was to ... -
Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Retinoic Acid-Induced Growth Cone Guidance During Neuronal Regeneration
Johnson, AlyshaDuring the period of neuronal development, neurons must make correct synaptic connections with their appropriate targets. The intricate connections of the nervous system are established in part by growth cones, located at ... -
ENDOCANNABINOID REGULATION OF ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT IN MALE AND FEMALE RATS
Simone, JonathanThe present thesis investigated the contributions of adolescent endocannabinoid signalling to brain and behaviour development in male and female rats. In chapter 2, daily administration of the CB1 antagonist AM251, alone ... -
Engineering Optogenetic Control of Endocytic Recycling: Controlling Rab11 Function in Drosophila melanogaster using Engineered Light-Responsive Nanobodies
Ward, DevinThe regulated transport of materials in cells is an essential function of all living organisms. In eukaryotes, one main family of transport regulators is the Rab GTPases. Rab GTPases utilize GTP to move materials throughout ... -
Examining the Roles of Octopamine and Proctolin as Co-Transmitters in Drosophila melanogaster
Kornel, AmandaThe nervous system is a highly complex and intricate system that interacts with and controls nearly all the other body systems. The basic functions of nerve cells are conserved across most species and are very similar ... -
Exploring Diversified Vineyard Ecological Soil Management Strategies: Impacts of cover cropping, Spanish River Carbonatite, and smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus) interactions on an agroecosystem
VanVolkenburg, HeatherAgroecosystems are one of the most heavily managed ecosystems that provide essential services for human well being. Intense management of agroecosystems has led to global degradation of soil and reduced biodiversity, ... -
Functional antagonism of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system on mesolimbic cholinergic system in the vocal expression of an emotional state
Silkstone, MichaelThe overarching goal of this thesis was to determine if the initiation of a positive emotional state could antagonize the expression of a negative emotional state in rats. The hypothesis of the thesis argued that the ... -
Identification and characterization of polymorphic mobile elements (MEs) in humans
Dahi, ZakiaRetrotransposons are mobile elements (MEs) that propagate in a “copy and paste” fashion in the genomes via RNA intermediates. In the human genome, retrotransposons consist of long terminal repeats (LTRs), long interspersed ... -
Identifying the effect of clone and rootstock on viticultural performance, fruit composition and winemaking potential for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling, in Niagara, Ontario.
Barker, AndreaPrevious research globally has demonstrated that the performance of grapevine clone and rootstock combinations on vine performance and fruit quality are region-specific. Consequently, it is imperative for the Ontario wine ... -
Influence of adolescent social instability stress on the intake of ethanol and sucrose in a rodent model
de Lima Marcolin, MarinaAdolescence is a sensitive period in which the effects of stress and alcohol can have long-lasting impacts. Social instability stress in adolescent rats (SS; postnatal day 30-45, daily 1 hour isolation + new cage partner) ... -
Proximate influence on eusocial caste behaviour
Awde, David NQueens and workers of eusocial sweat bee species are morphologically and developmentally similar, which means that each female is capable of behaving as a queen or a worker. However, few females lay eggs and behave as ... -
Quantification of gamma-secretase activity in an endogenous context reveals biphasic GSI-mediated Notch/APP selectivity switch and the novel detection of potential proteolytic cleavage fragments of the Notch Intracellular Domain
Mueller, Matthew CraigGamma-secretase is a promiscuous intra-membrane protease implicated in the proteolytic processing of two notable substrates: amyloid-precursor-protein (APP), in which gamma-secretase will irreversibly cleave to produce ... -
Reproductive behaviour of male Xylocopa virginica and the influence of body size, nestmates, and siblings on territory defence
Duff, LyndonMales of Xylocopa virginica are territorial like many other bee species. Males interact aggressively to displace other males from territories. Body size is known to influence resource holding potential in many other ... -
Role of Exopolysaccharide in Pantoea agglomerans Interactions with Bacteriophages
Zaprzala, PatrickFire blight is the common name given to a disease caused by phytopathogen, Erwinia amylovora. This pathogen infects plants belonging to the rosaceous family, particularly the commercially grown apple and pear cultivars in ... -
The role of mobile elements in recent primate genomes
Tang, WanxiangfuMobile elements (MEs), which constitute ~50% of the primate genomes, have contributed to both genome evolution and gene function as demonstrated by ample evidence discovered over the last few decades. The three studies in ... -
Stress and the Development of Social behaviour in Adolescent Female Rats
Asgari, PardisAdolescence is a critical time of brain development for regions governing social behaviour and social learning. In adolescence, social experiences may influence the ongoing maturation of the neural structures involved in ... -
Taste responsiveness and beer behaviour
Small-Kelly, StephanieOrosensory perception strongly influences food and beverage liking and consumption. Variation in the perception of these oral sensations presents an opportunity to conceptualise and commercialise products based on consumers’ ... -
Testosterone’s regulation of the HPA axis differs for adolescent and adult male rats
Zeidan, MostafaStress hormones such as corticosterone (CORT), enables rodents to cope and meet the demands of their environment. In adult male rats, CORT release in response to stressors is dampened by the gonadal hormone testosterone. ... -
Thermal Preference and Habitat Use of Eastern Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) in a Southern Ontario Peatland
Abney, CurtisGarter snakes are the most widespread reptile in North America. Despite occupying vastly different biogeoclimatic zones across their range, evidence suggests that the thermal preference (Tsel) of garter snakes has not ...