Department of Biology Graduate Theses
Recent Submissions
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Analysis of Human Thyroid Cancer-1 and Annexin V as Pro-Survival cDNA Sequences in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae
Overexpressing a mouse Bax cDNA in yeast cells induces cell death. When heterologously expressed in yeast cells overexpression of a mouse cDNA encoding Bax, human Thyroid Cancer-1 (TC-1) or annexin V (ANXA5) suppresses ... -
Microalgae Cultivation on Wastewater and Genetic Modifications to Increase Triacylglycerol Production
Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms that can grow in a variety of environments. They have become a popular feedstock for the production of biofuels, high-value chemicals, and nutraceuticals. One of the main products ... -
The Effects of Diluted Bitumen on Developing Fathead Minnow (Pimephales Promelas)
Canada has experienced a significant increase in the transport of diluted bitumen (dilbit), a predominant oil sands product that is created by combining bitumen with diluents derived from oil-gas condensates and other ... -
Phenotypic Plasticity Drives Phenological Change in Mandt's Black Guillemot (Cepphus Grylle MandtII)
The ability of individuals to change breeding time is predicted to be an important aspect of adapting to climate change. Changes in breeding time could occur through either behavioural adjustment of breeding time or ... -
Cladoceran Responses to Environmental Change in High Elevation Andean Lakes
Andean lakes are hotspots of biodiversity and serve as critical freshwater resources for millions of people. However, little information is available regarding their ecological responses to anthropogenic climate change, ... -
Environmental Monitoring of Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms Using Small Unmanned Aerial Systems
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CHABs) degrade water quality and may produce toxins. The distribution of CHABs can change rapidly due to variations in population dynamics and environmental conditions. Biological and ... -
The Relative Importance of Population Size, Colonist Quality, and Colonist Arrival Frequency for Population Success
Successful population establishment, subsequent population dynamics, and extinction have all repeatedly been shown to be affected by the quantity of initial colonists. However, there are other, less studied factors that ... -
Exploring soil nutrient additions: Evaluating effects of long-term fertilization on low-Arctic tundra microbiomes and assessment of nano-phosphate fertilizer on soybean (Glycine max)
Out of necessity, plant nutrient requirements must be locally met, which explains the importance of soil fertility and soil microbial community structure. It is thus vital to understand the impact of climate change and ... -
Should I Stay or Should I Go? Alternative migratory strategies in partially migratory western bluebirds (Sialia mexicana)
Partial migration, which occurs when only some animals in a population migrate, is ubiquitous. However, despite numerous studies investigating how partially migratory systems are controlled, we know relatively little about ... -
The Role of Chironomids as Paleoecological Indicators of Eutrophication in Shallow Lakes Across a Broad Latitudinal Gradient
The aquatic larvae of chironomids (Diptera, Chironomidae) were historically classified according to lake trophic status, and taxa classified as “eutrophic” were labeled as such because of adaptations for surviving hypoxic ... -
Natural Selection on Phenology Across an Elevational Gradient in Seasonality
Many populations are locally adapted to their environment, but across an environmental gradient, trade-offs among phenotypic traits may result in a failure to adapt. Species exist across a seasonal gradient, which can ... -
A 'Jaunt' Across the Pond: Investigating Patterns of Genetic Differentiation and Trans-Atlantic Migration in a Temperate Seabird (Morus Bassanus)
Our understanding of the mechanisms driving population divergence is dependent on our ability to effectively detect and interpret patterns of genetic differentiation. In natural populations, the evolutionary processes ... -
As Above so Below? - Impacts of Water Limitation on Growth and Nutrient Accumulation of a Crop Plant and its Soil Microbes Across a Fertility Gradient
Strategies to increase crop yields and drought stress tolerance are urgently needed to meet future global food demands in a changing climate. Although the effects of fertilizer application and drought stress in agriculture ... -
Parallel Divergence by Allochrony and Cryptic Speciation in two Highly Pelagic Seabird Species Complexes (Hydrobates spp.)
Sympatric speciation, the evolution of reproductive isolation between populations without physical barriers to dispersal, is less likely than allopatric speciation due to the need to overcome potentially homogenizing gene ... -
Analysis of Cisco (Coregonus artedi) Populations in Eastern Lake Ontario
The Cisco (Coregonus artedi) is a cold-water planktivorous fish species that has undergone significant declines within Lake Ontario as a result of over-exploitation and other anthropogenic impacts. The goal of this project ... -
Inducible GAL4 Systems for Gene Expression Control in Adult Drosophila melanogaster
The ability to express a gene of interest in a directed place, time and at a certain level can be achieved by the use of gene expression control tools. The UAS/GAL4 system is by far the most widely used tool in Drosophila ... -
Paleolimnological Assessment of Algal Production During the Holocene Thermal Maximum from the Sediment Record of a Boreal Lake in Northeastern Ontario
The Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM) was a period of enhanced warmth during the early-to- mid Holocene period largely caused by enhanced solar insolation. In northwestern Ontario, the HTM was characterized by a lower abundance ... -
Functional size traits in crowded vegetation: when bigger isn’t better
Why do some species within crowded vegetation have greater numerical abundance than others? Functional traits are often explored as predictors of success under certain habitat conditions, and in the context of competition, ... -
Individual Variation in Glucocorticoid Levels: a Field Study of Repeatability
We readily appreciate the wide phenotypic diversity that distinguishes animal species; however, even within a population of the same species, individuals can express significant phenotypic variation in their behavior, ... -
Autophosphorylation of the Dual-Specificity Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase RcCDPK1 From Castor Oil Seeds
Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) is a tightly-regulated enzyme that plays essential roles in central plant metabolism, particularly in the replenishment of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates withdrawn for ...
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