Undergraduate Research projects – 2018
- In search of wood rotting enzymes from macro-fungi.
Student name – A.M.Erandi
Supervisor(s) – Dr.Chandrika.M.Nanayakkara, Dr.N.V.Chandrasekaran
Topic overview – Macro fungi fruit bodies will be collected from selected forest patch. Identification is done using classical (morphology) and molecular methods. Molecular method is based on amplifying and sequencing ITS (internal transcibed spacer) region to identify species level. The pure cultures produced will be screened for industrial important enzymes.
- Determining the genetic basis for thyroid hormone resistance among suspected cases in Sri Lanka.
Student name – R.Varsha
Supervisor(s) – Prof. Deepthi de Silva, Dr. Gayathri Silva
- Normal distribution of Methylene tertrahydrofolate Reductase polymorphisms in the Sri Lankan population.
Student name – H.A.A.Harshani
Supervisor(s) – Prof. Deepthi de Silva, Dr. Gayathri Silva
Topic overview – Collected blood samples of normal people in Sri Lankan population belong to main ethnic groups are subjected to DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction using high resolution melt technique to find polymorphisms related to methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency. And statistically evaluate the normal distribution of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms in different ethnic groups in Sri Lankan population.
- Characterization of T1 transgenic tomato plants for the presence of 16D10 parasitism gene.Student name – W.L.D.S.Maleesha
Supervisor(s) – Dr.Chamari Hettiarachchi, Prof.R.S.Dassanayake,Ms.U.Rajapakse
Topic overview -Characterization of transgenic tomato plants for the presence of 16D10 nematode parasitism gene & qualitative and quantitative analysis of transcript abundance via qPCR and southern blotting. With the aim of establishing da effect of HIGS on the lowered infection rate of roots by the RKN.
- Designing and validation of a novel transgenic DNA cassette construction to transfect in Zebrafish: Toward a Zebrafish biosensor for heavy metal water contamination detection.Student name – J.R.P.Jayasinghe
Supervisor(s) – Prof. R.S.Dassanayake, Prof.Y.I.N.S.Gunawardena,Dr.R.de Silva,Prof.K.M.N.de Silva.
Topic overview -We have to design a novel transgenic DNA cassette construction with a heavy metal sensitive promoter which should be microinjected into both wild type and transparent mutant fish and validate with behavioral and molecular assays. Project ultimate goal is to generate a reliable, cost effective and real-time detection method to appraise the bio available level of heavy metal in Sri Lankan water reservoirs by using the ability of transgenic fish to produce measurable signals when in contact with the heavy metal.
