17 August، 2025

📢 Ph.D. Dissertation Defense in the Department of Biology – College of Science, University of Mosul

On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, the Department of Biology at the College of Science, University of Mosul, held the defense of the Ph.D. dissertation by Marwa Badr Faleh Abdulrahman Al-Abbadi, entitled:
“The Effect of Physical Mutagenesis on the Production of L-Asparaginase Enzyme from Locally Isolated Yeasts and the Study of Some of Its Biological Applications.”

The session was attended by Prof. Dr. Hiyam Adel Ibrahim, Dean of the College of Science, along with her scientific and administrative assistants, the Head of Department, and several faculty members.

🔬 About the Research

  • The study involved the collection, isolation, and identification of yeasts from different fruits, leaves, and soils in Mosul, Iraq, using morphological, biochemical, and molecular methods (PCR).

  • The research successfully registered eight yeast strains for the first time in the NCBI GenBank.

  • The strain M. guilliermondii M120 showed the highest potential for L-Asparaginase production, with improved yields after UV exposure (254 nm).

  • Other strains, including P. kudriavzevil M64, H. uvarum M85, and R. mucilaginosa M92, also exhibited enhanced enzyme production after mutagenesis.

  • The enzyme was extracted, purified, and lyophilized, then tested for several applications:
    ✅ Inhibition of phytopathogenic fungi.
    ✅ Reduction of pathogenic genes (FOW-1 and SIX6) responsible for vascular wilt and root rot.
    ✅ Cytotoxicity evaluation (MTT assay) against cancer cell lines HL-60 and K-562 compared to normal HdFn cells, with K-562 showing the highest sensitivity, later confirmed by High Content Screening (HCS).
    ✅ Evaluation of yeast filtrates on the growth of Geranium plants as eco-friendly growth promoters in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

👩‍🏫 Discussion Committee

  • Prof. Dr. Muthanna Jassim Mohammed Khalaf (Chair)

  • Prof. Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Khalil Ibrahim

  • Asst. Prof. Dr. Wurkaa Saeed Qasim Mohammed

  • Asst. Prof. Dr. Anfal Mueyyad Jalaluddin Suleiman

  • Asst. Prof. Dr. Ramadan Yousif Mohammed Yousif

  • Prof. Dr. Amjad Abdulhadi Mohammed (Supervisor & Member)

  • Asst. Prof. Dr. Badia Abdulrazzaq Jamal (Supervisor & Member)

At the conclusion of the defense, the Dean of the College presented letters of appreciation to Prof. Dr. Muthanna Jassim Mohammed Khalaf (Committee Chair) and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ramadan Yousif Mohammed Yousif from Salahaddin University – Erbil, in recognition of their scientific efforts and dedication.

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