Effect of organic solvents on cell stability

Many existing and novel approaches to bioprocessing using different types of reaction media have evolved in recent years involving biocatalysis of poorly water soluble compounds eg water-miscible cosolvent aqueous, aqueous-organic biphasic, reversed micellar and super critical fluid media. Commercial exploitation of the appropriate media and its engineering characteristics will require detailed knowledge of the media and its engineering characteristics with regards to biocatalyst stability. This thesis examines the effect of membrane integrity as measured by the capacitance from cell beta-dispersion. It relates this to methods of determining cell viability, reactor mixing, and the effect of organic solvents with similar hydrophobic characteristics, as measured by the log of partitioning (log P) between octanol and water, which has become the standard approach. The effect of organic solvents on endogenous uptake rate is also considered. These factors are related to the transfer of organic solvent into the cell. The test organisms selected were: two yeast strains, a bacteria, a fungus and an animal cells line

Ambient games, revealing a route to a world where work is play?

A novel way of playing games called ambient gaming is defined and described. Growing out of ideas in ambient music, ambient gaming is defined as “ignorable as it is interesting” after Brian Eno's description of ambient music. Ambient gaming is set in the context of existing games. Further, ambient games are set in a technological context, showing that the technology enabling their development is now becoming available. The specification and implementation of an ambient game prototype, Ambient Quest, are described. Finally, future directions leading to work enhancing games are suggested

Contextual Inquiry: A systemic support for student engagement through reflection

Much research has been published which attests to desire felt by educators to improve the quality of student reflection, and engagement with learning, through processes of assessment. This paper describes how research in Systems Analysis is being transformed and applied to educational practice. Staff considered that methods were needed to stimulate students to reflect and engage in higher orders of learning in order to help them to experience ‘success’ in their assessments. The paper describes the background to a Systems Analysis approach and its specific adaptation for support in student learning in the field of creative technologies