DEGREE REGISTERED FOR:
Masters in Biotechnology
Supervisor: Dr Earl Prinsloo
CONTACT DETAILS:
Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, P O Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
Email: Julia.vandewalle@gmail.com
EDUCATION DETAILS:
MSc currently - Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
Bsc 2011 & Hons 2012- Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
- Biochemistry tutor Rhodes University 2013
RESEARCH TITLE/PROJECT:
The effect of novel thiazole-derived small molecules on the self-renewal and differentiation of human multipotent neural progenitor cells
(i) RESEARCH IN PROGRESS
This research is looking at the potential of novel thiazole-derived small molecule compounds to be active in the differentiation process of neural progenitor cells. The SH-SY5Y cell line has been used as a ‘base-line’ neuronal differentiation model with which to screen the activity of 30 rationally designed small molecule compounds. Comparable activity of ‘hit’ compounds is to be screened in the human neural progenitor cell line. The ACEA xCelligence Real-Time Cell Analyser SP system is used for compound screening and determination of compound activity in real-time, followed by end-point fluorescent staining to determine cell viability and neurite outgrowth for the identification of differentiated cells. Markers of developing neurons, identified by β-tubulin and Tyrosine hydroxylase expression, are identified using western blotting as well as immunofluorescence microscopy.
PUBLICATIONS/PATENTS:
1. Kadye, R., Kramer, A. H., Joos-Vandewalle, J., Parsons, M., Njengele, Z., Hoppe, H., & Prinsloo, E. (2014). Guardian of the furnace: mitochondria, TRAP1, ROS and stem cell maintenance. IUBMB Life, 66(1), 42–5. doi:10.1002/iub.1234
2. Kramer, A. H., Joos-Vandewalle, J., Edkins, A. L., Frost, C. L., & Prinsloo, E. (2014). Real-time monitoring of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation using a commercially available electric cell-substrate impedance sensor system. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 443(4), 1245–50. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.12.123
Last Modified: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 12:23:36 SAST
