Profile Details

Create Project

★★★★★

☆☆☆☆☆

USD 50 /hr

★★★★★

☆☆☆☆☆

Hire Helena T.

USD 50 /hr

Scientific writer with 7 years of experience in antimicrobial peptide and heavy metal cytotoxicity research.

Profile Summary

I have 11 years of experience as a researcher, postgraduate student supervisor and lecturer at a tertiary institution. I have experience writing manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals, proposals, grant applications and research reports. I was previously involved in research on the mechanism of antimicrobial and antifungal killing of antimicrobial peptides, as well as evaluating the stability, cytotoxicity, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. I was also involved in projects evaluating the effect of exposure to various heavy metals on the cellular and tissue level.

Subject Matter Expertise

• ★ Cell-Based Assays
• ★ Electron Microscopy
• ★ Technical & Scientific Writing
• ☆ Biostatistics
• ☆ Biochemistry
• ☆ Oxidative Stress & Mitochondrial Function
• ☆ Molecular Biology
• ☆ Plasmid DNA
• ☆ Cell Biology
• ☆ Histology
• ☆ Microscopy
• ☆ Light Microscopy
• ☆ Fluorescence Microscopy
• ☆ Cell Culture
• ☆ Cytometry
• ☆ Journal Selection
• ☆ Manuscript & Journal Article Writing
• ☆ Experimental Protocols
• ☆ SOP & Protocol Writing
• ☆ Literature Review

Services

• Writing
• Data & AI

Writing Technical Writing, General Proofreading & Editing

Data & AI Statistical Analysis

Work Experience

Lecturer and Senior Lecturer

University of Pretoria

2015 - 2022

Technical assistant

University of Pretoria

2010 - 2014

Technical assistant

University of South Africa

2008 - 2010

Learner Scientist

Genepath genetic laboratory

2006 - 2007

Education

PhD specialisation in Cell Biology (Anatomy)

University of Pretoria

2012 - May 2017

MSc specialisation in Cell Biology (Anatomy)

University of Pretoria

2007 - 2009

BSc(Hons) Human Cell Biology (Anatomy)

University of Pretoria

2006 - 2006

BSc Medical Sciences

University of Pretoria

2003 - 2005

Certifications

• Certification details not provided.

Publications

JOURNAL ARTICLE

L Pretorius, H Taute, M Van Rooy, HM Oberholzer (2022). Investigating the ultrastructural and viscoelastic characteristics of whole blood after exposure to the heavy metals cadmium, lead and chromium, alone and in combination . Ultrastructural Pathology.

Helena Taute, Kabuzi R. Mbuayama, Adam A. Strӧmstedt, Megan J. Bester, Anabella R. M. Gaspar(2022). Antifungal activity and mode of action of synthetic peptides derived from the tick OsDef2 defensin . Journal of Peptide Science. 28. (5). Wiley

PB Maseko, M van Rooy, H Taute, C Venter, JC Serem, HM Oberholzer(2021). Whole blood ultrastructural alterations by mercury, nickel and manganese alone and in combination: An ex vivo investigation . Toxicology and Industrial Health. 37. (2). p. 98--111. {SAGE} Publications

Megan J. Bester, Anabella R.M. Gaspar, Helena Taute(2019). The dual functionality of antimicrobial peptides Os and Os‐C in human leukocytes . Journal of Peptide Science. 25. (4). p. e3156. Wiley

Taute, H., Bester, M.J., Gaspar, A.R.M.(2019). The dual functionality of antimicrobial peptides Os and Os-C in human leukocytes . Journal of Peptide Science.

Oberholzer, H.M., Van Der Schoor, C., Taute, H., Bester, M.J.(2015). A descriptive study to provide evidence of the teratogenic and cellular effects of sibutramine and ephedrine on cardiac- and liver-tissue of chick embryos . Microscopy Research and Technique. 78. (8). p. 737-746.

Venter, C., Oberholzer, H.M., Taute, H., Cummings, F.R., Bester, M.J.(2015). An in ovo investigation into the hepatotoxicity of cadmium and chromium evaluated with light-and transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy . Journal of Environmental Science and Health - Part A Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering. 50. (8). p. 830-838.

Taute, H., Bester, M.J., Neitz, A.W.H., Gaspar, A.R.M.(2015). Investigation into the mechanism of action of the antimicrobial peptides Os and Os-C derived from a tick defensin . Peptides. 71. p. 179-187.

Arbi, S., Eksteen, E.C., Oberholzer, H.M., Taute, H., Bester, M.J.(2015). Premature Collagen Fibril Formation, Fibroblast-Mast Cell Interactions and Mast Cell-Mediated Phagocytosis of Collagen in Keloids . Ultrastructural Pathology. 39. (2). p. 95-103.

Venter, C., Magdalena Oberholzer, H., Taute, H., Jean Bester, M., Van Der Merwe, C.F.(2014). An in Ovo investigation of the ultrastructural effects of the heavy metals cadmium and chromium on liver tissue . Microscopy and Microanalysis. 20. (3). p. 1312-1313.

Venter, C., Frederick van der Merwe, C., Magdalena Oberholzer, H., Bester, M.J., Taute, H.(2013). Feasibility of high pressure freezing with freeze substitution after long-term storage in chemical fixatives . Microscopy Research and Technique. 76. (9). p. 942-946.

Prinsloo, L., Naidoo, A., Serem, J., Taute, H., Sayed, Y., Bester, M., Neitz, A., Gaspar, A.(2013). Structural and functional characterization of peptides derived from the carboxy-terminal region of a defensin from the tick Ornithodoros savignyi . Journal of Peptide Science. 19. (5). p. 325-332.

Pretorius, E., Steyn, H., Engelbrecht, M., Swanepoel, A.C., Oberholzer, H.M.(2011). Differences in fibrin fiber diameters in healthy individuals and thromboembolic ischemic stroke patients . Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis. 22. (8). p. 696-700.