Browsing by Author "de Silva, K.M.N."

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    Model for Integration of Technology in Authentic Education-An interpretation of a literature Review
    (Faculty of Computing and Technology (FCT), University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Manjaree, Bhagya; Liyanage, Laalitha S.I.; Rupasinghe, Thilini P.; Tillekaratne, Aashani; de Silva, K.M.N.
    This literature review is conducted to identify, appraise and synthesize empirical evidence of a filtered list of recent literature regarding methods in which technology could be integrated to facilitate authentic learning pedagogy. A protocol was developed to carry out a search for screening[1]. iDiscover search engine of University of Cambridge library was used for selection and filtering of the articles for their appropriateness. Critical appraisal was performed and data was extracted to map, conceptualize and synthesize the proposed tripod model for integration of technology in authentic education. This model depicts the findings in three zones namely, foundational layer, operational layer and the stage which is the platform for authentic education. Understanding the landscape of the tripod model for integration of technology in authentic education could be quite decisive in selecting the best-fit technological tool. This article argues about how technological interventions could enhance the outcomes of authentic education and the need of an appropriate pedagogical strategy to align such interventions to the elements of authentic education.
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    Validation and calibration of a novel GEM biosensor for specific detection of Cd2+, Zn2+, and Pb2
    (BioMed Central, 2023) Herath, H.M.L.P.B.; de Silva, W.R.M.; Dassanayake, R.S.; Gunawardene, Y.I.N.S.; Jayasingha, J.R.P.; Gayashan, M.K.; Afonso, L.O.B.; de Silva, K.M.N.
    BACKGROUND In this study, we designed a novel genetic circuit sensitive to Cd2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ by mimicking the CadA/CadR operon system mediated heavy metal homeostasis mechanism of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The regular DNA motifs on natural operon were reconfgured and coupled with the enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (eGFP) reporter to develop a novel basic NOT type logic gate CadA/CadR-eGFP to respond metal ions mentioned above. A Genetically Engineered Microbial (GEM)-based biosensor (E.coli-BL21:pJET1.2-CadA/CadR-eGFP) was developed by cloning the chemically synthesised CadA/CadR-eGFP gene circuit into pJET1.2-plasmid and transforming into Escherichia coli (E. coli)-BL21 bacterial cells. RESULTS The GEM-based biosensor cells indicated the reporter gene expression in the presence of Cd2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ either singly or in combination. Further, the same biosensor cells calibrated for fuorescent intensity against heavy metal concentration generated linear graphs for Cd2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ with the R2 values of 0.9809, 0.9761 and 0.9758, respectively as compared to non-specifc metals, Fe3+ (0.0373), AsO4 3− (0.3825) and Ni2+ (0.8498) making our biosensor suitable for the detection of low concentration of the former metal ions in the range of 1–6 ppb. Furthermore, the GEM based biosensor cells were growing naturally within the concentration range of heavy metals, at 37 °C and optimum pH=7.0 in the medium, resembling the characteristics of wildtype E.coli. CONCLUSION Finally, the novel GEM based biosensor cells developed in this study can be applied for detection of targeted heavy metals in low concentration ranges (1–6 ppb) at normal bacterial physiological conditions.