Category Archives: Biology

Engineers to build cyborg locusts, study odor-guided navigation … – Washington University in St. Louis

The inviting smell of a freshly baked cookie immediately triggers a motor response to search for the source of that smell. Often the cookie can be easily found.

This everyday event that we perform without a thought is an amazing feat that combines our superior ability to smell the cookie and computational prowess to determine the direction to move toward the cookie. Robots that possess similar capabilities are yet to be developed as the basic biological principles that are needed to perform this task are yet to be fully understood.

The ability to study neural responses in behaving insects is essential to understanding the robust solutions that biological systems have developed for several engineering problems. Researchers at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis have long sought to understand locusts and their power of sensing, computing and locomotory capabilities.

Barani Raman, a professor of biomedical engineering at the McKelvey School of Engineering, is leading a multidisciplinary team to study how the locust brain transforms sensory input into behavior with a four-year $4.3 million grant from the National Science Foundations Integrative Strategies for Understanding Neural and Cognitive Systems program. The grant converges years of research in Ramans lab with that of his longtime WashU collaborators, including McKelveys Shantanu Chakrabartty, a professor of electrical and systems engineering, Srikanth Singamaneni, a professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, and Alexandra Rutz, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering, as well as Yehuda Ben-Shahar, a professor of biology in Arts & Sciences.

Insects are an engineering marvel, Raman said. They possess diverse sensing modalities and locomotory responses yet contained in such a small package. We want to engineer tools to study the amazing capabilities of these relatively simpler organisms.

The research brings together Washington Universitys strengths in neural engineering, integrated circuits, biomaterials, synthetic biology and genetic engineering to understand how the insects use olfactory cues to navigate toward an odor source, which could potentially be used for various applications, such as detecting gas left on in the kitchen or as the proverbial canary in the coal mine to test spaces for hazardous chemicals.

In 2024, the team plans to launch the first-of-its-kind Center for Cyborg and Biorobotics Research (CyBoR) to formally conduct the research.

The team plans to study the neural response in the locusts brains by having the locusts follow a specific odor on a specially built treadmill while walking on a foam ball and while flying in a wind tunnel. By studying their movements and neural activity in the brain in response to these odors, the team can process the information using a custom microchip to develop a cyborg, or mobile robot or drone, that can mimic the locusts behaviors. They also aim to augment the locusts ability to detect certain odors over others.

Nature already has endowed this organism with various capabilities, so why not understand and augment those capabilities using synthetic mechanisms? asked Chakrabartty, whose expertise is in sensors and integrated circuits. Ultimately, our goal is to design a completely synthetic system that has similar remarkable capabilities.

Insects are an engineering marvel.

While the team already joined forces to create recording instruments and nanomaterials to manipulate neural and behavioral responses, they will continue to improve on those as they develop the bio-hybrid and mobile robotic systems.

One of the important challenges in these studies is the limited stability of the neural recording and stimulation electrodes and interfaces over a long period, said Singamaneni, whose expertise is in novel bio- and nanomaterials. We aim to design and realize novel anti-inflammatory electrodes and biointerfaces that will enable stable long-term neural recording and stimulation.

Previously, the research team developed a miniature backpack containing sensors that recorded the locusts brain activity when exposed to odors. However, the existing backpack is too heavy for the locusts to wear while flying, so the team will work to reduce its weight.

At Washington University, the research is underway in a state-of-the-art CyBoR facility that includes the habitat for the locusts, the treadmill, the wind tunnel, specialized microscopes and space for visiting researchers as well as for visitors interested in learning about the insects. WashU students also will be included in the research as well as students from the community through various outreach programs.

Other co-investigators include Alper Bozkurt, a distinguished professor of electrical and computer engineering at North Carolina State University, who will lead efforts on instrumentation for navigation control; Sawyer Fuller, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Washington, who will lead efforts to build miniaturized robots that incorporate both biological and engineering elements; and Nabil Imam, an assistant professor of computational science and engineering at Georgia Tech, who will lead the development of neuromorphic algorithms and hardware in the bio-hybrid and robotic systems.

Originally published on the McKelvey School of Engineering website

Read this article:

Engineers to build cyborg locusts, study odor-guided navigation ... - Washington University in St. Louis

BIOTECHNOLOGY in the Future: 2050 (Artificial Biology) | by … – Medium

The fusion of biology and technology promises to be a transformative force, offering us the power to reshape life as we know it. This brave new world of bio-technology is teeming with astonishing possibilities, challenging our understanding of what it means to be human. As we delve into this uncharted territory, were bound to witness remarkable developments.

Human Organ Farms and Artificial Wombs: A Future in the Making One profound consequence of this amalgamation is the emergence of human organ farms, a revolutionary solution to the perennial shortage of donor organs. Artificial wombs are being employed by governments to replenish dwindling populations, raising profound ethical questions about the nature of our species.

Robots with Biological Components: A Symbiotic Future The melding of machines and biology is yielding robots with biological parts. These bio-mechanical beings are poised to play pivotal roles in various aspects of our lives, from healthcare to industry.

Genetically Enhanced Humans: Healing Through Touch and Beyond Within the realm of bio-technology, we encounter genetically modified humans capable of healing through touch, exemplifying the potential for life-altering medical breakthroughs. The line between science fiction and reality is blurred as these capabilities unfurl.

Environmental Implications: Humans as the Invasive Species Yet, with great power comes great responsibility. As humans begin engineering life, concerns arise about our impact on the environment. Are we becoming an invasive species, disrupting the delicate balance of nature? The consequences of our actions remain uncertain.

The Enigma of Underground Bio-Hackers Hidden from the purview of regulations, underground bio-hackers are conducting mysterious experiments in labs that challenge the status quo. What could these renegades be concocting, and what does it mean for the future of bio-technology?

The Evolution of Humanity: Redefined by Bio-Printing At the heart of this transformation lies bio-printing, a technology that transcends traditional 3D and 4D printing. Rather than plastics or metals, bio-printing employs living cells known as bio-inks. These bio-inks are printed layer by layer, giving rise to intricate biological structures and objects.

Breathing Life into Objects: The Alchemists Dream Realized Bio-printing is akin to the alchemists dream brought to life. Its applications range from bioprinted eyeball corneas and hair follicles for hair loss to personalized cosmetic testing and combat wound healing. The potential is vast, with bio-printed coral reefs and space stations on the horizon.

Bioprinted Organs: Overcoming the Dearth of Donor Organs To address the persistent shortage of donor organs, bioprinted organs are cultivated on organ farms. Moreover, miniaturized organs, or organoids, are crafted using a patients cells for medical testing, offering hope for innovative treatments.

Cybernetics: Merging Electronics and Bioprinted Pieces In the field of cybernetics, electronics are integrated into bioprinted pieces, leading to the creation of advanced cybernetic organs that surpass their natural counterparts. Examples include bio-printed lungs with built-in sensors and nanofilters and bionic eyeballs with enhanced vision capabilities.

The Unforeseen Consequences: Paranormal Visions and Ethical Dilemmas With these advancements come unexpected consequences, as some recipients of experimental bionic enhancements claim to experience paranormal visions. Meanwhile, bio-printed skin emerges as a lifeline against a deadly disease, igniting debates about what it means to be human.

Living Architecture: Buildings with a Biological Twist The concept of living architecture is transforming how buildings are constructed. Bio-engineered materials enable structures to self-repair, cleanse the air, and absorb pollutants. Gecko-inspired adhesives and eco-concrete inspired by coral reefs are revolutionizing the construction industry.

The Dark Side of Living Buildings: Forced Obsolescence However, the innovative living architecture movement faces challenges, including concerns about forced obsolescence. Companies are accused of engineering biomaterials to deteriorate, compelling consumers to frequently replace their living building components.

Bio-Art: Living Tissue as Canvas Artists explore the possibilities of living tissue and bioprinters to create ever-evolving works of bio-art. Luxury apartments feature these stunning creations, while living sea walls of genetically engineered corals and muscles protect coastal cities from rising sea levels.

Bio-Luminescent Innovations: Nature-Inspired Lighting Bio-luminescent lights, plants, bacteria, and algae are bio-engineered to glow in the dark, offering eco-friendly alternatives to conventional street lighting. However, when a bio-luminescent ecosystem suddenly falters, a town is plunged into darkness, sparking intrigue and conspiracy theories.

Bio-Hybrid Robots: Blurring the Lines Between Nature and Machine The future heralds a multi-trillion-dollar industry in bio-hybrid robots, combining biological tissue with robotics for enhanced flexibility and energy efficiency. While these innovations promise environmental monitoring and research, concerns about invasive species and espionage linger.

Bio-Hybrid Robots in Espionage and Environmental Cleanup Bio-hybrid robots, designed to mimic animals, raise concerns about potential espionage, border breaches, and harmful biological agents. Nevertheless, they emerge as saviors in the aftermath of bio-waste catastrophes, capable of scavenging resources, rescuing survivors, and restoring extinct species.

The Neo-Humans: A New Species on the Horizon In this bold new era of bio-technology, a breed of individuals known as Neo-Humans emerges. These bio-hackers have transcended the boundaries of humanity, blurring the lines between humans and something altogether different. They wield unique abilities, from warding off insects with bio-engineered pheromones to becoming living musical instruments.

A World of Possibilities: Bio-Engineering at its Peak Bio-technology is rewriting the rules of what is possible. People are defying aging with manipulated telomeres, splitting their consciousness, and even healing others through touch.

As we traverse this uncharted terrain, we redefine our understanding of what it means to be human and embrace the boundless potential of bio-technology in our ongoing evolution.

Thanks for reading this blog.

Read more from the original source:

BIOTECHNOLOGY in the Future: 2050 (Artificial Biology) | by ... - Medium

Post-doctoral Fellow in Bioinformatics in the Cancer Biology … – Times Higher Education

Work type:Full-time Department:Department of Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine (21200) Categories:Senior Research Staff & Post-doctoral Fellow

Applications are invited for appointment asPost-doctoral Fellow in bioinformatics in the Cancer Biology Laboratory(Ref. 523403),to commence as soon as possible for three years, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. degree, preferably in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Sciences, Biological Science, or a related discipline. Applicants should be familiar with, UNIX environment, computer programming and R language. Preference will be given to those with strong experience in cancer biology, genome biology, and next-generation sequencing analysis. Applicants should be self-motivated, organized and able to work independently as well as in a team. The appointee will work with Dr. Carmen Wong on liver cancer projects with NGS and single cell RNA sequencing analysis. Enquiries about the post should be sent to Dr. Carmen Wong atcarmencl@pathology.hku.hk. Further details about the research team can be find in our webpage (www.carmenwong-lab.com).

A highly competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered, in addition to annual leave and medical benefits.

The University only accepts online application for the above post. Applicants should apply online and upload an up-to-date C.V. Review of applications will start on October 20, 2023 and continue untilDecember 31, 2023, or until the post is filled, whichever is earlier.

See the article here:

Post-doctoral Fellow in Bioinformatics in the Cancer Biology ... - Times Higher Education

Research Fellow, Biology job with MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY | 354742 – Times Higher Education

Department : Biology Vacancy ID : 025483 Closing Date : 05-Nov-2023

Maynooth University is committed to a strategy in which the primary University goals of excellent research and scholarship and outstanding education are interlinked and equally valued.

The Family Genomics research group led by Dr Lorna Lopez, in collaboration with behavioural neuroscientist Professor Andrew Coogan at Maynooth University invite applications for the position of Research Fellow on our Ambient-BD research project.

This project is led by the University of Edinburgh with co-investigators at Maynooth University, Ireland and the Technical University of Munich, Germany. It is funded by the Wellcome Trust (2023-2028).The purpose of Ambient-BD is to investigate the role of variability in long-term circadian rhythms in the trajectory of disease in people with bipolar disorder.

The initial development and validation studies will be carried out in Maynooth University and the clinical studies in people with bipolar disorder completed at the University of Edinburgh. There will be considerable collaboration between the two research sites throughout the project.

Bipolar disorder is defined by extreme variability in mood, activity, sleep and circadian timing recurring over weeks and months. The purpose of Ambient-BD is to optimise innovative ambient and passive methods for collection of circadian data and to test their feasibility and performance against gold standards. A lived experience advisory panel will help us to identify and prioritise clinical and functional outcome measures to co-produce low intensity methods for collecting these outcomes. In parallel, we will develop a data collection and data management system to support data collection and optimise data sharing with patients, clinicians and the research community. Our goal is to identify causal mechanisms by which sleep and circadian disruption leads to relapse in bipolar disorder. We will also deliver an innovative programme of knowledge exchange and dissemination in collaboration with Bipolar Scotland

We are seeking an enthusiastic and ambitious research fellow to join our research team to manage studies to develop novel methods for assessment of circadian rhythms. The successful candidate will work with us on cutting-edge research projects that focus on understanding how changes in the variability of circadian rhythms relate to human health and disease.

The research fellow will find ample opportunities to collaborate via our membership of circadian research collaborations in the UK, https://www.circadianmentalhealth.org/. They will be given support to develop their independent research career, including help with fellowship applications, building collaborations and research placements in other research groups.

This position is embedded in a collaboration across genetics, data science, chronobiology and psychiatry and the successful candidate will become a part of a large team of lived-experience advisors, patient advocates, PIs, postdocs, PhD students and research assistants working together to drive the field of chronopsychiatry forwards.

Salary

Research Fellow (2023): 61,318 63,096 p.a. pro-rata. (2 points with increment)

Appointments will be made in accordance with public sector pay provisions

Closing Date: 23:30hrs (local Irish time) on Sunday, 05th November 2023.

Please note all applications must be made via our Online Recruitment Portal at the following link: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/human-resources/vacancies

Please apply with your CV and a Cover letter that includes a brief summary of the following:

Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified above. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Maynooth University is an equal opportunities employer

The position is subject to the Statutes of the University

Read more:

Research Fellow, Biology job with MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY | 354742 - Times Higher Education

Lakebound but Unbroken: Jason Voorhees’ Biological Resilience … – The Rampage

Imagine the icy grip of Crystal Lake's water enveloping you as you wade deeper. The moonlight barely pierces the surface, casting eerie shadows on the lake bed. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. Your foot brushes against something unsettling below. You lock eyes with a hollow gaze behind a hockey mask. Your heart pounds. Welcome back to Fear By the Numbers, where we dissect the science behind your darkest fears. Today, we're diving into the enigmatic Jason Voorhees of the Friday the 13th franchise, exploring how this horror icon could theoretically survive underwater for extended periods in the depths of Crystal Lake.

Before becoming the embodiment of nightmares, Voorhees was a child with physical and mental impairments, shunned by society. Been thought to have drowned two decades prior, Voorhees emerges from the lake to exact his machete-wielding revenge upon his tormentors.His near-drowning at Camp Crystal Lake was a pivotal moment, setting the stage for his transformation into an unyielding force of terror.

Crystal Lake is no ordinary body of water. The lake's water is as murky as its history, a dark abyss that seems to swallow light itself like a living entity, silently aiding his transformations

Its unique ecosystem, characterized by low oxygen levels and high sediment concentration, is a breeding ground for extremophiles organisms that thrive in extreme conditions.

But what transpired during those submerged years? Could his physiology have adapted in ways that defy our understanding of human biology and could we all harbor a dormant monster within us? Can science explain the inexplicable?

The idea of rapid healing has always fascinated me. Given the unique conditions of Camp Crystal Lake, could Voorhees cells be mutating, evolving and becoming something not entirely human? Are human cells capable of that? In Biomolecular Action of Ionizing Radiation by Shirley Lehnert, she explains that ionizing radiation, commonly used during X-rays, can cause significant changes at the cellular level with extended exposure, affecting DNA structure and repair mechanisms.

Further, a study by Coralie Trentesaux and colleagues titled Essential role for autophagy protein ATG7 in the maintenance of intestinal stem cell integrity discusses DNA damage repair and survival under stress conditions. These ideas could explain how the distinct conditions of Camp Crystal Lake have influenced Voorhees' microbiota the community of microorganisms living inside him to adapt. This adaptation could enable him to survive with low levels of oxygen, much like certain deep-sea creatures. If he can survive with minimal oxygen, what's stopping him from lurking in your closet, silently waiting? It's a question that makes me double-check my locks at night.

Now, let's get into a probability model I've developed known as the "Voorhees Viability Index" to calculate the likelihood of human survival under extreme conditions. Utilizing Bayesian probability, which uses expectation or personal belief in calculating probabilities, the VVI takes into account the unique environmental factors of Crystal Lake. It also factors in human physiology, drawing from documented cases of extreme survival.

According to the VVI, the probability of a human adapting to such conditions is a staggering 0.0001%. To put this in perspective, using this model, the odds of being struck by lightning are 0.0002%. While these numbers may seem minuscule, they are not zero. In the realm of theoretical biology, that's enough to keep me and hopefully you wondering.

Jason Voorhees is not a static character; he's an evolving entity. From a vengeful son to an almost supernatural force, his character arc could be a reflection of his biological evolution. Each resurrection might not just bring him back but make him stronger, more resilient, and more adapted to extreme conditions.

As we dissect the biological possibilities behind Jason Voorhees, we're reminded that science can be as fascinating as it is unsettling. The line between scientific curiosity and morbid fascination blurs, leaving us with questions that might be better left unanswered. While we may never fully decode the mystery of his survival, one thing is clear: the next time you find yourself near Crystal Lake, you'll think twice before venturing into its depths. And even then, will you ever be truly alone? What if the science we trust to explain the world around us is the very thing that unlocks doors best left sealed, inviting nightmares into our reality that we can never escape?

See the rest here:

Lakebound but Unbroken: Jason Voorhees' Biological Resilience ... - The Rampage

The new human pangenome could help unveil the biology of everyone – Science News Magazine

More than 20 years after people got a peek at the first draft of the human genome, our genetic instruction book, researchers have unlocked the next level: the human pangenome.

In four studies published May 10 in Nature, researchers describe the achievement, how the pangenome was built and some of the new biology scientists are learning from it.

The more complete reference book, which includes almost all the DNA of 47 people, will allow researchers to explore types of variation that could never be examined before, such as large chunks of duplicated, lost or rearranged DNA. That work could possibly reveal more details about the genetic underpinnings of heart diseases, schizophrenia and various other diseases and disorders.

The pangenome adds 119 million DNA bases the information-carrying units of DNA not present in the existing human genome, called the reference genome. Much of that DNA is in never-before-explored parts of the genome containing multiple copies of genes that are duplicated from originals elsewhere in the DNA.

Those duplicated parts are changing faster than nonduplicated portions of the genome, says Evan Eichler, a human geneticist at the University of Washington in Seattle and one of the leaders of the Human Pangenome Reference Consortium. Whats more, when Eichler and colleagues examined the types of variants that arise in these duplicated regions, they found a very strong signal that the mutations that are occurring are fundamentally different from [mutations in] the rest of the genome, he says.

Some of these duplicated regions include ones implicated in humans large brains relative to other species and other traits that set humans apart from other primates. Others have been implicated in certain traits or diseases.

Conversely, another study found that the very short arms of certain chromosomes, including chromosomes 13, 14 and 21, are becoming more like each other as they swap DNA. Those short arms are important because they contain genes for making ribosomal RNAs, which serve as the scaffolds for ribosomes, the machinery responsible for building every protein in the body.

But perhaps the biggest achievement of the pangenome project is that it is finally giving researchers a more complete look at the full spectrum of human genetic diversity.

The roughly two-decade-old human reference genome derives mostly from one man, but is a patchwork quilt of more than 60 peoples DNA (SN: 3/4/21). It has been restitched and added to over the years but still has holes.

Last year, the first fully complete human genome was announced (SN: 3/31/22). That genome contains all of the DNA from tip to tip, or telomere to telomere, of each human chromosome. Except that genome wasnt from a person. It came from a type of tumor known as a hydatidiform mole. These unusual tumors result when a human sperm fertilizes an empty egg and the fathers chromosomes are duplicated.

The genetic information from such tumors represents not even one individual. Its from one half of one individual, says human geneticist Timothy OConnor of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore who was not involved in either project.

The new pangenome draft is from actual people and contains almost complete DNA from 47 anonymous individuals from different parts of the world. That diversity is important because it helps us to understand ourselves as a single human species, as a single human race, OConnor says.

Past genetics research has been criticized for relying too heavily on DNA from people of European heritage. Studying just one population of people could mean missing genetic variants that have arisen in specific populations, OConnor says. Having a pangenome reference allows us to assess that population-specific variation in a much more detailed way. And hopefully, that will then lead to greater insight into the biology of everyone.

While the pangenome is a great first step to better represent all human genetic diversity, OConnor says, it still is missing key groups in the world. Its still underrepresenting Latin Americans and Indigenous Americans, and theres nobody included from Oceania. Theres still a lot more variation that needs to be added to the pangenome to really, truly be representative of everyone.

Added diversity is coming, human geneticist Karen Miga of the University of California, Santa Cruz said during a May 9 news conference. The consortium plans to complete a total of 350 genomes, including these 47, by mid-2024. The first phase of the project was aimed at developing the technology to build the pangenome.

Now, the consortium is in talks with Indigenous groups and scientists from around the world about trying to develop a shared framework, so that its not the U.S. trying to set the table. Its really providing a table and inviting other stakeholders who see the value in creating this type of reference resource to join us, said Miga, who helped lead the pangenome project.

Having a more complete understanding of human genetic diversity could help researchers begin to unravel the genetic underpinnings of various diseases and disorders.

Whats more, new DNA deciphering technologies have allowed pangenome researchers to examine types of genetic variants that have been difficult to study before.

In particular, duplicated regions of the genome were hard to study because researchers previously could read only short pieces of DNA. There was no way to tell where in the vast puzzle of the human genome those nearly identical pieces fit. Newer long-read DNA deciphering, or sequencing, technology makes it possible to read stretches of DNA many thousands of bases long (SN: 2/22/21).

Being able to assess where some people have extra DNA and others are missing DNA, called structural variants, adds a more nuanced view of human genetics, OConnor says, revealing more of its complexity (SN: 4/10/09).

For instance, researchers used the pangenome map to trace how chromosomes fold up so that different parts are touching each other. Scientists could see some folds and chemical marks in structural variants that may affect how genes are turned on and off. That could affect traits or health. Eichlers group also mapped one version of a gene that has converted another copy into its own image. These gene conversions were surprisingly common with each person having, on average, more than 2,000 instances of them.

With this more nuanced and complex view of human genetics comes a promise for improved genetics-based medicine. But it may take a while before the pangenome makes a difference in medical clinics, Eichler says.

Researchers hope the pangenome will help them more easily diagnose the genetic changes that contribute to rare diseases and find treatments for common disorders, he says. Once that happens, clinicians may start incorporating data from the pangenome in their practices.

See the original post here:

The new human pangenome could help unveil the biology of everyone - Science News Magazine

Bringing the power of molecular biology to environmental science – Science Business

A first-of-a-kind research expedition is pioneering the use of mobile laboratories to understand how Europes coastal ecosystems are impacted by environmental factors such as pollution, loss of biodiversity, and climate change.

The mobile truck laboratories will bring state of the art equipment and technologies to over 100 locations along the coast in 24 countries, where scientists will collect samples and analyse them directly on site. This will be the first time researchers have been able to carry out such detailed molecular biology research in the field.

Studying the ocean has always been more difficult than studying the land. Some of the challenges include a lack of visibility, pressure changes, salinity that can wreak havoc with equipment, and tides. Compounding this is a lack of standardisation of hardware, surveying methodologies and systems for recording data.

Carrying out molecular biology research in coastal ecosystems is even more challenging. Organisms die in transit to central laboratories, and thats why the Traversing European Coastlines (Trec) project has developed mobile laboratories to take the complex technology needed to analyse samples into the field.

We realised that today we have the technologies and the power to explore these land/water interface ecosystems in a completely new way, said Edith Heard, director general of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), which is coordinating Trec with Frances Tara Ocean Foundation and the European Marine Biological Resource Centre.

We are bringing technologies to where life is happening, and where the scientists want to use them, as opposed to always having to rely on shipping things back to some place that has the right material, the right machines, Heard said.

The project, which stated last month, involves 120 different sampling stops along the EU coastline, starting at Roscoff in France. At each site, the team will lay transects from the Tara foundations schooner at anchor, to the shore. A variety of soil, sediment, and water samples will be taken.

These will be analysed in mobile labs equipped with microscopes, freezers, and equipment to prepare samples for imaging, genomic and metabolomic analysis, which will travel between sites.

Protein complexes

The approach is already delivering results. We can see the ultrastructure of dinoflagellates as never seen before, with many new organelles not known before, for which it will take us years to unravel their functions, said Detlev Arendt, senior scientist at EMBL. We also expect that new protein complexes will be described in the next couple of years thanks to the field data that is being generated.

While in fields such as healthcare, mobile labs are becoming commonplace, they are not yet mainstream in environmental science. One aim of Trec is that this way of working will become the standard amongst molecular biologists working in the field.

Based on first experiences, mobile laboratories can make a very important contribution to data collection methodologies, especially in implementing quality assurance and quality control protocols, says Giuseppe Manzella, co-founder of OceanHis, a company that manufactures mobile mini-labs that collect ocean data in real-time.

The mini-labs can be installed on different kinds of boats, and use a range of sensors to collect physical, geochemical and biological data, such as temperature, salinity, chlorophyll levels, blue algae, oxygen levels, conductivity and turbidity.

The method is completely different from the classic method of collecting samples and analysing them in the laboratory, Manzella said.

The research being carried out by the Trec project will add to knowledge about the sections of the European coastline that will be surveyed, said Kate Larkin, head of the European Marine Observation and Data Network. By combining the Trec data with the wide range of data available in existing European Marine Observation and Data Network (Emodnet) datasets, new insights will be unlocked.

This type of data is valuable, but if you imagine lots of different point data being put together, you suddenly start getting a real picture, Larkin said.

Although originally focused on physical and chemical data, work is ongoing to incorporate more biological and genetic information into Emodnets vast databases.

Joining up the dots between the different forms of data is essential to give researchers a clear picture of whats going on, notes Larkin. People dont just want to know the spatial distribution of killer whales. They also want to know whats in the water column and whats on the seafloor, she said.

EMBL hopes the mobile labs will set a new standard for environmental molecular biology and that the results of the TREC expedition will become a reference point for other researchers.

Were not just doing experiments in our research. Were providing infrastructure. And we provide all our data resources openly, said Heard. As a research infrastructure, we have to rise up to the next challenges. We need to do [this] now because climate change is hitting fast.

The Trec project is not part of the Horizon Europe Oceans Mission, but it is complementary, Heard said. There will be cross-benefits between Trec and a project that is part of the Oceans Mission that EMBL is also involved in, called BIOOcean5D, which will investigate marine biodiversity on a large scale. BIOOCean5D is working on the standardisation of protocols for environmental data collection, which will feed into Trec.

See the original post here:

Bringing the power of molecular biology to environmental science - Science Business

Warren High biology teacher accused of inappropriate relationship – San Antonio Express-News

A Warren High School biology teacher is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Stephanie Woods, 28, turned herself in Thursday and was charged with improper relationship between educator and student. She was released Friday after posting bail, which was set at $50,000.

READ ALSO: Teachers child sex case all over Snapchat months after OConnor HS decided not to tell parents

Principal Melissa Hurst said in a letter that Woods was placed on administrative leave when the allegation was brought to district officials attention. The principal said there is limited information to share as the investigation continues, adding that investigators have no reason to suspect that other students are involved.

The relationship came to light when the student involved, a 17-year-old girl, told a therapist about the matter, an affidavit supporting Woods arrest states.

On Wednesday, the teen told police that she was afraid to speak because Woods would get in trouble. She said their relationship started in December and that she spent nights with Woods.

READ ALSO: San Marcos teacher arrested, accused of inappropriate relationship with student

The teen would tell her parents that she was going to a friends house, but she was at Woods place, according to police.

Hurst said that incidents involving the safety of the school, students or staff may be reported via theNorthside Independent School Districts safeline at 210-397-7233.

jbeltran@express-news.net

Go here to read the rest:

Warren High biology teacher accused of inappropriate relationship - San Antonio Express-News

Evolutionary cell biology study shows how energy production can be optimized to ensure rapid growth without respiration – Phys.org

This article has been reviewed according to ScienceX's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

peer-reviewed publication

trusted source

proofread

In a paper published today, researchers from the Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics and The Crick use an evolutionary cell biology approach in two related fission yeasts, one that acquires energy by respiration and one that doesn't, to find the critical points at which respiration feeds into central carbon metabolism.

Establishing the rules of carbon metabolism, which produces biomass and energy, is critical for our understanding of life, from evolution to development to disease. Glycolysis is an ancient metabolic pathway that doesn't need oxygen. One molecule of glucose is used to produce two molecules of ATPthe "energy currency" of the celland two molecules of pyruvate, an intermediate molecule that can be metabolized further in respiration. Respiration is the most efficient way of generating ATP (overall producing up to 36 ATPs/glucose in mammals) and regenerating the electron carrier NAD+, which is required for growth.

Most eukaryoteslike animals, fungi or plantslive in environments with lots of oxygen, and respire. Yet, rapidly growing human cancer cells and single cell organisms, such as yeasts, often choose glycolysis over respiration, even when oxygen is available. We know little about the metabolic rewiring required to cope with the lack of respiration.

The authors of the new paper, published in Current Biology, show how both ATP production and NAD+ regeneration can be optimized to ensure rapid growth without respiration, and discuss possible trade-offs of choosing between respiration and glycolysis.

The researchers are convinced that understanding the plasticity of metabolism may ultimately aid in explaining organismal ecology and the evolution of higher-level cellular features, such cell size and growth rate. The principles uncovered in this study can be potentially generalized to the reprogramming of energy metabolism in human aging and disease, and point out new ways to improving microbial performance in biotechnological applications.

More information: Snezhana Oliferenko, Optimisation of energy production and central carbon metabolism in a non-respiring eukaryote, Current Biology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.046. http://www.cell.com/current-biology/f 0960-9822(23)00528-6

Journal information: Current Biology

Read more from the original source:

Evolutionary cell biology study shows how energy production can be optimized to ensure rapid growth without respiration - Phys.org