Date of Award

6-16-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Materials Science

Department

Department of Engineering Physics

First Advisor

Douglas Lewis, PhD.

Abstract

Multiple strains of Deinococcus radiodurans were transformed, creating knockout mutations in genes responsible for manganese ion transport, manganese and copper/zinc super-oxide dismutase, and bacillithiol synthesis. These mutated strains were then irradiated with ~20,000 Gys. The results showed that the mutated strains had a higher sensitivity to ionizing radiation, those responsible for bacillithiol synthesis having an increase in sensitivity 3000 times more than wild type Deinococcus radiodurans. In addition to radiation the mutated strains were also exposed to paraquat, an oxidizing herbicide. Strains missing manganese super-oxide dismutase showed increased sensitivity.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENP-MS-16-J-017

DTIC Accession Number

AD1054219

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