A
student from the University of the Free State (UFS)
has made a ground-breaking discovery in the field
of microbiology by uncovering a series of new compounds
that may in future be used to lubricate man-made
nanorobots.
Mr Olihile Sebolai, a full-time student at the UFS's
Department of Microbial- Biochemical and Food Biotechnology,
made this discovery while working on his M Sc-study
on yeast.
With
this discovery Mr Sebolai will also be awarded
six prestigious prizes during this week's autumn
graduation ceremony at the UFS. This university
has recognised this exceptional achievement as a
build-up to the celebration of national Science and
Technology week next month.
Mr
Sebolai's dissertation on the yeast genus Saccharomycopsis
Schionning has been published in an accredited international
journal of repute.
“Words cannot describe how excited I am. I never
expected to receive such recognition for my studies. I
am humbled by all of this,” said Mr Sebolai.
The
Lipid Biotechnology Group at the UFS recently discovered
that some yeasts produce their own water-propelled
capsules in which they are transported. These
capsules have different shapes and resemble among
others miniature flying saucers, hats with razor
sharp brims etc. “In order to function properly,
parts of the capsules are oiled with prehistoric
lubricants – lubricants that are produced by yeasts
and that probably existed for many millions of years
as yeasts developed,” said Mr Sebolai.
According to Mr Sebolai these capsules are so small
that approximately 300 can be fitted into the full-stop
at the end of a sentence and are therefore invisible
to the naked eye.
“With my studies I discovered many new compounds
that resemble these prehistoric lubricants. These
lubricants may in future be used to lubricate man-made
nanorobots and are similar in size compared to yeast
capsules,” said Mr Sebolai. The nanorobots
are used to perform tasks in places that are invisible
to the naked eye and could one day be used, among
others, to clean up human arteries.
Mr
Sebolai has been interested in the subject of Micro
technology since he was at RT Mokgopa High School
in Thaba ‘Nchu. “I was specifically
interested in the many possible applications the
subject has – in the industry, as well as in medicine,” said
Mr Sebolai.
His next goal is to successfully complete his Ph
D-degree.
The prizes that will be awarded to Mr Sebolai this
week include:
Best Magister student at the UFS (Senate medal and
prize);
Best Magister student in the Faculty of Natural
and Agricultural Science and Dean's medal at the
same faculty;
The
Andries Brink – Sasol-prize for the best M Sc
dissertation in Microbiology;
The JP van der Walt prize for best M Sc dissertation
in yeast science;
The Chris Small prize for an outstanding Master's
dissertation; and
Honorary colours awarded by the UFS Student Representative
Council
Media release
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