2023 STANSW Young Scientist Awards Presentation Ceremony
Scientific Investigations Biology 11-12
Nick Apalis , Gosford High School , Extracellular hyaline mucus allorecognition in Physarum polycephalum
The fascinating slime mould Physarum polycephalum was the subject of Nick ’ s project . His research aimed to investigate the allorecognitional abilities of this slime mould by examining the mould ’ s behaviour given a choice of self and non-self . However , Nick did not find any evidence of allorecognition .
Brooke Lawson , Lambton High School , Allelopathic Effect of Lavandula Species on the Germination and Development of Tagetes sp .
Brooke ’ s project revolved around the allelopathic potential of four different species of lavender . She investigated whether leaf extracts from the species of lavender had an inhibition effect on the germination of marigold . It was determined that the different species of lavender all had differing allelopathic effects on the marigold .
Marieta Van der Merwe , Menai High School , Accelerated aging : the effects of vitamin E and vitamin D3 on telomerase activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells .
Marieta was interested if vitamin E and vitamin D3 had an effect on the enzyme telomerase . Varying concentrations of these vitamins were added to MCF-7 breast cancer cells , and she determined that higher levels of vitamin D3 decreased telomerase activity . On the other hand telomerase showed a polynomial relationship with vitamin E .
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