Ron A. Dixon

Population genetic data for 17 Y STR markers from Benghazi (East Libya)

The seventeen Y-STR loci included in the AmpFℓSTR(®) Yfiler™ PCR Amplification kit (DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385a/b, DYS438, DYS439, DYS437, DYS448, DYS458, DYS456, DYS635, and Y-GATA-H4) were used to type a sample population of 238 males from eastern Libya (Benghazi region). Of 238 observed haplotypes, 214 were unique (90%) and 24 (10%) were found more than once. The 17 loci gave a discriminating power of 0.999. DYS458 showed the highest diversity as a single-locus marker (0.73). Allelic frequencies and gene diversities for each Y-STR locus were determined. The high haplotype diversity and discrimination capacity (0.996) demonstrate the utility of these loci for human identification in forensic applications. Comparative analysis with Y-STR datasets of relevant populations and submission of the haplotypes to the Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database (YHRD) was undertaken.

Laser surface modification for the prevention of biofouling by infection causing Escherichia Coli

Bacteria have evolved to become proficient at adapting to both extracellular and environmental conditions, which has made it possible for them to attach and subsequently form biofilms on varying surfaces. This has resulted in major health concerns and economic burden in both hospital and industrial environments. Surfaces which prevent this bacterial fouling through their physical structure represent a key area of research for the development of antibacterial surfaces for many different environments. Laser surface treatment provides a potential candidate for the production of antibiofouling surfaces for wide ranging surface applications within healthcare and industrial disciplines. In the present study, a KrF 248 nm Excimer laser was utilized to surface pattern polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The surface topography and roughness were determined with the use of a Micromeasure 2, 3D profiler. Escherichia coli (E. coli) growth was analyzed at high shear flow using a CDC Biofilm reactor for 48 h, scanning el...

Genetic data provided by 15 autosomal STR loci in the Libyan population living in Benghazi

We undertook research that investigated the genetic diversity of the population of the city of Benghazi. This city is located in the northeast of Libya, on the Gulf of Sidra, a part of the Mediterranean Sea. Libya became independent in 1951 after a brief period as an Italian colony; it was invaded by Italy in 1911. In February 2011, there was an uprising against the Libyan government initiated in the city of Benghazi which led to a revolution that is ongoing. Benghazi is the second largest city in Libya, and the most dominating in the eastern Cyrenaica region, and is the capital of the district of Benghazi. The population of Benghazi was 500, 120 in the 1995 census and increased to 670,797 in the 2006 census. Throughout its history, Benghazi has developed with a certain level of independence from the more Maghreb (west) oriented capital, Tripoli. This has influenced the city and, as such, the cultural atmosphere in Benghazi is more Arab in nature than that in Tripoli. The city of Benghazi was first inhabited by Berbers, followed by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Ottomans. An influx of African, Egyptian, Iraqi, Palestinian, Sudanese and Syrian immigrants has also influenced the citys culture to a certain extent in recent years. This history of different waves of migration (genetic influx) makes Benghazi an interesting city for studies of intrapopulation genetic diversity. The main aim of the this study was to determine the genetic structure of the population of the city of Benghazi using 15 autosomal short tandem repeats (STR) loci and to evaluate the usefulness of these loci for forensic genetic purposes.