Natural antimicrobial extracted from medicinal plants

The aim of our project was to discover a new antimicrobial extracted from some medicinal plants. We choose Thymus vulgaris, Thymus capitatus and Melaleuca alternifolia. Then we extracted the essential oils from these plants by means of steam distillation. We discovered that there is no synergy between these three plants and that they are powerful bactericides, both on Gram+ and …

Biochemical Characterization and Imaging of Arc: Insights into Neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s Development

Alzheimer’s Disease is characterized by extracellular Beta-Amyloid (βA) Plaques. Beta-Amyloid are produced by the sequential cleavage of amyloid precursor protein by Y-secretase. Arc, a ~50 kDa IEG protein, may regulate Y-secretase activity. For this study, Unilaminar Vesicles acted as Cell Membranes, as FCS studies were done to quantify Arc’s interactions with lipids. HEK cells were transfected with EGFP-Arc to identify …

Shining a Light on the Blind: Evolutionary Regression and Adaptive Progression in the Micro-vertebrate Ramphotyphlops braminus, a Model for Understanding Brain Organization and Complex Neurological Disorders

Many current efforts aim at understanding the depth of our nervous systems. However, complexity imposes impediments, while simpler systems can provide fundamentally important insight. The brahminy blindsnake (Ramphotyphlops braminus) is among Earth’s smallest vertebrates, and has a tiny central nervous system (CNS). This study produced a R. braminus brain atlas, assessed its eye architecture, and determined the effects of light …

How extreme was climate change in South Wales at the end of the last glacial period?

During the most recent Ice Age, the majority of the UK, all the way down to South Wales, was covered in ice. Records across Britain show many climatic changes since then. This project finds evidence for abrupt climate change in South Wales by analysing sediment from Llangorse Lake, a source that provides a record for the past 16 000 years. …

David’s Wheels; a disability accessible and driveable hot rod for social and physical mobility

Inspired by the team leader’s younger brother who has Down Syndrome along with various health and mobility issues, this wheelchair-accessible, hand-controlled hot rod has been designed and built in roughly three months. This unique vehicle will enable paraplegic drivers to try driving a form of transport (and ultimately motorsport) which they would normally struggle to access due to limited accessibility …

Comparative analysis of fatty acids composition of cruciferous plant oil as a perspective biofuel source and eco-friendly biodiesel production from camelina

With the increasing needs in the alternative fuels scientists offer new sources to obtain biodiesel. To evaluate potential of tyfon, oilseed radish and camelina (false flax) forms and varieties of Ukrainian breeding their seed oil content, fatty acid composition and oil yield were determined. Basing on fatty acid composition camelina form FEORZhYaFD was chosen as best biodiesel source, which exceed …

Universal platform with voice control

Easy-to-manage universal platform is required to develop robots for everyday housework, for using by disability persons, etc. To create such platform prototype was the project’s goal. Special (distribution) gearbox is installed and put into practice in the platform prototype in order to use motors that move driving wheels to perform other (additional) functions. The system of gears provides transmission both …