Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

7-2005

School/College

College of Science, Engineering, and Technology (COSET)

Degree Name

MS in Biology

First Advisor

Olufisayo Jejelowo

Second Advisor

Dr. Nader Pourmand

Abstract

Pyrosequencing is a new DNA sequencing method relying on the sequencing-bysynthesis principle and bioluminometric detection of nucleotide incorporation events. The objective of this thesis is to design a protocol for the improvement of the identification of fungi and mold samples in the outdoors and in enclosed environments. Fungi (mold) and bacteria are naturally present in both indoor and outdoor environments. Pyrosequencing method has been introduced as an alternative detection. Efforts are currently shifting from structural to functional genomics, in which the related functions of genomic sequences are being studied. An· application of this is in determination of potential toxicity of organisms based on the presence or absence of particular genes, which produce enzymes that are necessary in the biosynthetic pathways of the toxins in question. This study will be used as a model to accurately identify Stachybotrys and other fungi using short DNA-sequencing. To test multiple species and subspecies with conventional methods are very labor intensive and time consuming.

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