Metagenomics based on high throughput sequencing (HTS) has opened a new era of discovery and genomic characterization of viruses associated with a given host or environment. The search for novel viral sequences provides an excellent opportunity to improve early detection of pathogens, and to predict viral hosts and environmental reservoirs …
Permanent magnets are materials that generate a magnetic field in free space without electricity or other external energy sources. They are essential components of modern technologies, used in many electrical devices. Nowadays, they are included in technology for renewable sources of energy, such as electrical vehicles, generators and wind turbines. …
Non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasmas are used in many areas, such as food and agriculture, plasma medicine, plasma surface modification, material synthesis and deposition. Because of their versatility, many plasma setups have been developed. Of greater interest are those that operate at atmospheric pressure, like atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs). Regarding …
The determination of genotoxicity is an important element in the safety assessment of various substances, with the purpose of preventing a number of chemicals from affecting human health. Genotoxicity testing is required for all classes of chemicals, drugs and biological agents, which can lead to a wide range of diseases, …
This doctoral thesis describes the synthesis and characterization of calcium phosphate (CaP) coatings on zirconia ceramics. The main application of coated zirconia is in medicine, particularly in the area of dental bone implants. Due to the favourable biological characteristics of CaP, it can be expected that the application of CaP …
Dielectric materials, used to control and store charges and electric energy, play a key role in modern electronics and electric power systems. Dielectric spectroscopy is a versatile method, well-suited for detection, separation and characterization of various contributions to dielectric response of advanced ceramic and polymeric materials, as it enables understanding …
Laser ablation (LA) is a versatile technique that can be used for the elemental analysis of diverse materials as well as for synthesis purposes, i.e. for pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of a wide range of materials. Analysis and synthesis will only be successful if the ablated material can be stoichiometrically …
In this thesis we present the development of the device for the removal of carbon deposits in fusion reactors. Amorphous hydrogenated carbon deposits (a-C:H) represent a major problem for smooth operation of future fusion reactors with divertors containing carbon tiles, because they cause retention of radioactive tritium. There are techniques …
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules are polymorphic cell surface glycoproteins expressed only on the surface of the professional antigen presenting cells and they play a crucial role in the adaptive immune responses. MHC class II molecules undergo a very complex maturation process. They are synthesized in the endoplasmic …
Plasma glutamate carboxypeptidase (PGCP) is a metalloproteinase. It is able to hydrolyze dipeptides into free amino acids. The enzyme is involved in the release of hormone thyroxin (T4) from Thyroglobulin (Tg), as suggested by thyroid gland studies. Prediction from the primary structure of human PGCP suggests the presence of five …