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Academics

The Effects of D-Glucosamine on Plastmid DNA

Faculty Supervisor:
Gary Histand
Year of Project Completion:
2004
Student:
Otis Beverly

Abstract

From previous research amino sugars have been known to cause virus inactivation, DNA strand scission, or DNA modification. Many have hypothesized that the increase of DNA damage or modification brought about by these amino sugars and their derivatives can lead to mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and biological aging (Morita 449). Since reducing sugars are present in many biological organisms it is only natural that their effects should be investigated. The main focus of my experiment is to investigate the effects of D-Glucosamine on the E. Coli plasmid pAMP. There were two main factors that were examined in this experiment. The first was what effects if any does D-Glucosamine have on plasmid DNA and the second to what degree will it cleave DNA. Gel electrophoresis was used in order to examine the DNA. The only variable that was examined was time. The concentration of both the DNA and amino sugar were held constant.

Related file

Otis_Seminar.doc

About Bethel

As the first Mennonite college founded in North America, Bethel College celebrates a tradition of progressive Christian liberal arts education, diversity within community, and lifelong learning.