Voltammetry plays a crucial role in modern scientific research by offering valuable insights into the electrochemical properties of materials, with wide-ranging applications in fields such as... Show moreVoltammetry plays a crucial role in modern scientific research by offering valuable insights into the electrochemical properties of materials, with wide-ranging applications in fields such as materials science, energy storage, corrosion studies, and sensor development.Gold, known for its exceptional inertness, provides a unique platform for studying intricate electrochemical processes due to its stability and slow electrochemical behavior. However, certain questions regarding gold voltammetry have remained unresolved throughout history. To address these gaps, our research employed a combination of electrochemical cyclic voltammetry and advanced in situ techniques like surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), Rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE), and Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM).Through our investigations, we not only redefined the mechanism of gold oxide formation but also uncovered the reasons behind the structural reconstruction of gold oxide. Additionally, we elucidated the electrochemical interfacial structure on gold from a novel perspective focusing on charge distribution.The significance of these findings lies in their fundamental nature, with the potential to inspire researcher to reconsider interpretations of voltammetry behaviors across various materials and research fields. We anticipate that our work will stimulate further exploration and innovation in the realm of electrochemistry, paving the way for new discoveries and advancements. Show less
In this thesis I studied the functions of the zebrafish orthologs of the human TLR5 and TLR2 genes that were shown to be responsible for recognition of bacterial flagellin and a broad spectrum... Show moreIn this thesis I studied the functions of the zebrafish orthologs of the human TLR5 and TLR2 genes that were shown to be responsible for recognition of bacterial flagellin and a broad spectrum of bacterial cell wall components, respectively. One of the focal points of this thesis is the difference at the transcriptomic level of the downstream pathway of the TLR5 and TLR2 receptors and the roles of TLR signaling in host innate immune responses to infection by Mycobacterium marinum, a close relative to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and a natural pathogen of zebrafish. The new possibilities for analysis of transcriptomes using RNA deep sequencing make it highly attractive to analyze the responses of an entire test animal model at the system biology level. Furthermore, we used genetic knockdown and knockout tools to further analyze the function of TLR5 and TLR2 and downstream signaling partners in innate immunity, infectious disease and insulin resistance. Show less