Assoc. Prof. Anuradha Mathrani

School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences
Massey University
Auckland, New Zealand.

Prof. Chris Scogings

School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences
Massey University
Auckland, New Zealand.

Dr. Bede Amarasekara

School of Engineering and Computer Science
Unitec Institute of Technology
Auckland, New Zealand.

Our Research Areas:

Some of the research projects that are currently underway are listed below.

Online Tracking

We explore different techniques to track online user activity. Our research outputs update the knowledgebase with regard to tracking techniques that are currently relevant and effective, as many tracking techniques that have been known in the past do not function anymore, due to security upgrades of browser technologies.
We also implore privacy issues associated with online tracking that enables regulators, researchers and developers alike to undertake meassures to safeguard online user privacy.

A Python Program – To Identify Silent Mutations for the Introduction of Restriction Sites in Open Reading Frames

For many applications in molecular biology, restriction sites need to be engineered into an open reading frame (ORF), a part of the genetic material that codes for a protein. Importantly, silent mutations need to be performed because only these do not alter the amino acid sequence of the protein. However, finding such silent mutations is a very time-consuming process. We have developed a program which recognizes all silent mutations in an open reading frame (ORF) that each lead to a new restriction site. Our program uses python technologies comprising web crawlers and data analysis libraries to deduce the amino acid sequence coded by an ORF and convert the ORF nucleotide sequence into the amino acid single letter sequence. In doing so, reverse translation back into the nucleotide sequence allows the consideration of all possible nucleotide sequences coding for the same amino acid sequence, which are then compared with the restriction recognition sites of commercially available restriction enzymes, such as from New England Biolabs (e.g., https://www.neb.com/). This allows the identification of restriction sites that can be engineered via silent mutations within the provided DNA input sequences.