Post Graduate Candidates

Transcription

1 Post Graduate Candidates Research Project: Microbial degradation of chlorinated organic compounds My research is focused on the degradation of 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4 dichlorophenol and 1,2 dichloroethane by indigenous bacterial strains and deciphering the degradation pathway. This is achieved by studying degradation of compounds by bacterial cultures and analysis by Agilent GC Quadropole MS/MS system and identification of compounds in NIST and PBM library. The study is also aimed to clone, over express, purify and characterize the enzymes involved in the degradation pathways. The ultimate aim is to immobilize the enzymes on for application in bioremediation of polluted sites. Dr. Ajit Kumar (PhD), Post Doctoral Fellow BSc Medical Sciences (M.D. University, Rohtak, India), MSc Genetics (M.D. University, Rohtak, India), Ph.D. Biotechnology (National Chemical Laboratory, Pune University, Pune, India) Telephone: Research project: Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Escherichia coli isolates recovered from treated wastewater effluent and receiving aquatic milieu in Durban, South Africa Leanne Pillay (PhD Candidate) BMed Sci (University of KwaZulu Natal), BSc Hons Microbiology (University of KwaZulu Natal) Surface waters used by informal settlement dwellers in Durban are largely contaminated by inadequately treated wastewater, industrial effluent and agricultural runoff. This necessitates the need for monitoring of indicator organisms such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) which are potentially pathogenic and drug resistant. The current study aim to evaluate the prevalence of E. coli in treated wastewater effluent and receiving surface waters as well as their antibiogram and virulence gene profiles. The genetic fingerprint profiles of integron positive isolates as well as the presence of ESBL production and 16S methylase genes will also be determined. The relationship between the presence of aminoglycoside resistance genes and ESBL production will also be determined. The study is further aimed to characterize the E. coli isolates into their respective pathotypes and phylogenetic groups

2 Research Project: Biological Treatment of Lipid-rich Wastewater The discharge of lipid-rich wastewater to the environment increases every year due to rapid urbanization and industrial growth, causing serious hazards to the normal operations of ecosystems. Biological treatment technique, involving the use of hydrolytic enzymes and bioemulsifiers, offers a great promise for the degradation of organic compounds present in lipid-rich wastewater. This project focus on bioremediation of lipid-rich wastewater, mainly from dairy and poultry processing industries, with the view of promoting wastewater management and reuse. Adegoke Adetunji (PhD Candidate) BSc Microbiology (University of Ibadan, Nigeria), BSc Hons Microbiology (University of Ibadan) MSc Microbiology (University of Ibadan, Nigeria), Telephone: @ukzn.ac.za Research Project: Biodegradation of chlorophenols This project is aimed at isolating and identifying bacteria capable of metabolizing chlorophenols as their sole carbon source, determine growth and degradation kinetics, optimize degradation process, evaluate substrate range for the bacteria isolates, examine metabolite and endproduct of biodegradation for pathway mapping. The research is also aimed to investigate the ability of the isolates to degrade chlorophenol in soil, PCR amplify enzyme encoding genes, cloning, expression and purification of the enzymes involved in biodegradation and relative expression studies of catabolic genes and proteins. Oladipupo Abiodun AREGBESOLA (PhD Candidate) BSc Hons Microbiology (University of Ado Ekiti, Nigeria), MSc Microbiology (Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria), (s) Dr P Mokoena Telephone: @ukzn.ac.za

3 Research Project: Microbial conversion of wastewater into value added products Microalgae has emerged as an alternative feedstock for biofuel production and valuable bioactive compounds. Bioprospecting is seen as the first step in discovering novel microalgae with desirable characteristics for biotechnological application. The project is aimed to provide a general overview of the community structure and identity of dominant microalgae in various aquatic ecosystems including freshwater, brackish and marine ecosystems in Durban using molecular techniques. The project is also aimed to isolate and evaluate the lipid, carbohydrate and protein accumulation potential of these organisms as well as investigate their potential use in wastewater remediation. Ejovwokoghene Collins Odjadjare (PhD Candidate) BSc Microbiology & Biochemistry (University of Fort Hare), BSc Hons Microbiology (University of Fort Hare) MSc Microbiology (University KwaZulu Natal), Telephone: @ukzn.ac.za (s) Dr. Mutanda T. Prof. Chen YF Research Project: Metagenomic insight into the phylogenetic and functional diversity of hydrocarbon degrading microbial communities in contaminated groundwater Ashmita Arjoon (PhD Candidate) BSc Microbiology and Biochemistry (University of KwaZulu Natal), BSc Hons Microbiology (University of KwaZulu Natal), MSc Microbiology (University of KwaZulu Natal) Telephone: ashmita.arjoon@gmail.com Groundwater contamination poses a serious threat to the environment. This study aims to monitor the shift in microbial community dynamics and functional diversity in two hydrocarbon contaminated groundwater sites over time. A metagenomic approach will be used to identify microorganisms and functional genes linked to biodegradation of some important hydrocarbons as well as to provide an insight into the microbial communities in the contaminated boreholes. Furthermore, the microbial structural and functional changes in contaminated groundwater will be determined using microarrays. Understanding the responses of degrading microbial communities to hydrocarbon pollution is critical for designing bioremediation strategies in contaminated groundwater. (s) Prof A.O. Olaniran Prof B. Pillay

4 Research project: Assessment of constructed wetlands for municipal wastewater treatment The project is aimed at optimizing the microcosm constructed wetlands for effective treatment of municipal wastewater. Factors to be optimized include hydraulic retention time, macrophytes and flow rate. The removal efficiency will also be evaluated. The influent and effluent samples will be analyzed for physicochemical parameters including biochemical and chemical oxygen demand, Dissolved oxygen, ph, temperature, total nitrogen and phosphorus. It will also be screened for bacteriological analysis of indicator organisms and pathogens including Salmonella and Shigella. The microbial community structure of the optimal microcosm constructed wetland will also be determined using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis. Noxolo Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi (MSc Candidate) BSc Biochemistry & Microbiology (UKZN), BSc Hons Biochemistry (UKZN) Research project: Prevalence of antibiotic resistant Acinetobacter spp in treated wastewater effluent and receiving aquatic milieu in Durban. The emergence of antibiotic resistance is of global health concern. Wastewater treatment plants are considered to be hotspots for the spread of antibiotic resistance amongst several pathogenic microorganisms. Acinetobacter has become an important pathogen due to it s remarkable ability to develop resistance to different antibiotics and express multidrug resistance rendering several antimicrobial therapies ineffective. This study is aimed at investigating the prevalence, antibiogram, virulence signatures and genetic diversity of Acinetobacter spp. in treated effluent of some wastewater treatment plants and the respective receiving surface water. Rajnitha Magraj (MSc Candidate) BSc Microbiology and Biochemistry (University of KwaZulu Natal), BSc Hons Microbiology (University of KwaZulu Natal) MSc Microbiology (University of KwaZulu Natal), Prof A.O. Olaniran rajnithamagraj@gmail.com

5 Research project: Prevalence, antibiogram and molecular characterization of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus recovered from treated wastewater effluent and receiving surface water. (Max. 100 words) Kerisha Ramessar (MSc Candidate) BSc Microbiology and Genetics (University of Kwa Zulu Natal, Westville), BSc Hons Microbiology (University of Kwa Zulu Natal, Westville) Prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in wastewater will be determined at designated points of some wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Durban area. The efficiency of these WWTPs in removing MRSA will be assessed by comparing the concentration of MRSA and meca gene present in the influent and effluent samples. Presumptive MRSA strains will be recovered from treated effluent and receiving surface water, purified and identified. Antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates will be characterized and correlated with antibiotic resistance genes present. Prevalence of virulence genes will be carried out in identified strains, while genetic diversity amongst selected strains will be determined using pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Research Project: Assessing the role of ballast water in the spread of antimicrobial resistance Melissa D. Bengu (MSc Candidate) BSc Biochemistry & Microbiology (University of KwaZulu Natal) The spread of antimicrobial resistance is an emerging global health concern. Water bodies have been identified as a source of antimicrobial resistance genes and may have a role in their global proliferation. Ballast water can be a potential vector for antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The need to monitor and control the biological material carried in ballast water has been highlighted. This study will investigate microbial communities in ballast, harbor and sea water to assess the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria and their corresponding ARGs, and determine the role of ballast water in the transport of antimicrobial resistance. BSc Hons Microbiology (University of KwaZulu Natal) Telephone: @stu.ukzn.ac.za

6 Research project: Prevalence, antibiogram and virulence signatures of vancomycin resistant Enterococci and detection of selected vancomycin resistance genes in treated wastewater effluent and receiving surface water Jeresa Govender (BSc Honours candidate) BSc Genetics and Microbiology (UKZN) Wastewater treatment plants have been identified as one of the important hotspots for antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes. This study is aimed at establishing the prevalence of vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE) in treated effluent of wastewater treatment plants and the receiving rivers in Durban area. Specific vancomycin resistance genes (vana, vanb and vanc) will be quantified using real time PCR and correlated with the prevalence of the VRE. Antibiotic resistance profiles and virulence gene signatures of the identified VRE isolates will also be determined. Prof A. O. Olaniran Research project: Treatment of lipid rich wastewater using whole cell and immobilized bacterial culture This project focusses on treatment of lipid rich wastewater from dairy and poultry processing industries with the ultimate purpose of effectively removing organic pollutants from the wastewater. This becomes imperative owing to the various environmental and health hazards associated with the discharge of untreated and inadequately treated lipid rich wastewater. Adoption of biological approach involving the use of free and immobilized cells offers a cost effective, sustainable, eco friendly and effective approach for the bioremediation of lipid rich wastewater. Physicochemical parameters for optimum biodegradation of organic pollutants in the wastewater will also be established. Lungelo T Mdluli (Hons Candidate) BSc. Microbiology and Biochemistry (University of the Free State) Prof A.O. Olaniran @stu.ukzn.ac.za