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In Silico Peptide Selection for Biomining
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- Author / Creator
- Nayebi, Niloofar
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Biomining is an efficient way for improving mineral extraction and remediation processes. Using specific/targeted separation is a promising method to increase purification yield of minerals and metals at low cost. In traditional methods extraction and purification of the desired materials from ores requires extensive processes. Through these processes, tailing streams coming out of a mine are usually discharged into tailing ponds. Presence of toxic and bioavailable elements in tailing ponds causes deleterious long-term consequences on the ecosystem. On the other hand, tailings ponds are usually mineral- and metal-rich environments. Our objective in this study was to consider tailings ponds as secondary sources for minerals and to design methods for the removal of toxic elements to help the environment. To this end, we have introduced a new in silico method to select peptides with high affinity and specificity for a given target material (calcite 104 surface) to use as a recognition block in biomining applications. The selected peptides are proposed to be used as coating on magnetic nanoparticle core. Peptide-based engineered materials will have the ability to detect, bind and extract the target material by using magnetic fields.
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- Subjects / Keywords
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- Graduation date
- Spring 2016
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- Type of Item
- Thesis
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- Degree
- Master of Science
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- License
- This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.