all of you have been instrumental in extending crucial technical help in a timely manner in my day-today research work. Dr. Yu was always around to help me in protein purification, characterization, gene cloning and all other microbial analysis techniques. Dr. Louie and Dr. Summers were always prompt in reciprocating to discussions concerned with this research of any related advanced molecular bio-techniques. Dr. Das and Dr. Gopishetty were active in providing inputs in terms of organic/analytical chemistry and structural analysis, including, but not limited to any technical questions pertaining to high-end instruments like LC-MS, NMR, etc. I will always be thankful to my previous co-workers, Bhavita Bhatt and Kaitlin Louie, for their diligent support in organizing and maintaining the daily chores of the lab which further facilitated me in conducting experiments without interruptions. And last, but not the least, Dr. Todor Genkov, whose charming discussions kept my spirits high and my mind productive through the toil of many workaday routines. I would like extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Santhana Velupillai, and Prof. Amnon Kohen and his student Eric Kohen in the Chemistry Department, for helping me with various experiments which were conducted in their respective laboratories. Our department secretaries-Linda Wheatley, Natalie Potter, Kay Spidle, Wendy Meyers-all deserve my deepest gratitude for their warm help within all student-related activities and their promptness in helping me in processing orders. Being an international student, it would have been impossible to even be functional in graduate school without their unwavering efforts in undergirding the university machinery. Last, but not the least, I would like to thank my parents, my teachers, and all my friends who have always extended their constant encouragement towards academic excellence. I will always be thankful to all of them and obliged, for their contribution in my academic success.