Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), when released from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, bind to macrophages, inducing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediator molecules. In addition, associated overproduction ...

With the emergence of drug resistant bacteria, the need for new antimicrobial agents is growing. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are natural antibiotics which have a broad spectrum of activity and also due to a great diversity ...

Mans (2002) hypothesized that the two domains of savignin interact with each other, giving a globular form in the absence of thrombin. Binding of the C-terminal domain of the inhibitor to the fibrinogen-binding site of ...

First year students at tertiary institutions find themselves in an environment that is both exciting and intimidating. This study explores the dynamics of the classroom where biology students meet an experienced and a ...

Development of disease in the gastrointestinal tract is predominantly due to oxidative damage, infection and inflammation which if left unresolved lead to conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. Functional foods can ...

Haemostasis is a highly regulated system, involving a myriad of cell types (endothelium, immune cells, platelets, etc.), proteins (enzymes, receptors, etc.) and signalling molecules (sterols, nucleotides, etc.). Haematophagous ...

Ticks are blood feeding ectoparasites that ingest large volumes of vertebrate blood. They are the most important arthropods that are capable of transmitting pathogens which cause disease in humans and domestic animals. ...

In this study the structural characteristics and antibacterial activities of two peptides derived from the carboxy-terminal of a tick defensin were investigated. Two defensin isoforms (OsDef1 and OsDef2) were previously ...