scholarly journals CBMNet: the ‘Crossing Biological Membranes’ network in industrial biotechnology and bioenergy

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 871-875
Author(s):  
Jen Vanderhoven ◽  
Jeffrey Green ◽  
Gavin H. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Biological Membranes ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Feasibility Studies ◽  
Responsible Innovation ◽  
Industrial Biotechnology ◽  
Membrane Function ◽  
Cell Factories ◽  
Almost All

The ∼1300 academic and industry members of the BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) Network in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (NIBB) Crossing Biological Membranes Network (CBMNet) are motivated to explore how knowledge of the roles of biological membranes can be exploited to enhance the productivity of cell factories. Improving existing, and developing new, cell factories requires a deep understanding of the mechanisms by which substances are transported into, within, and out of the cells. Embedding consideration of membrane function into the design of cell factories is crucial for the future of almost all cell-based Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (IBBE) applications. CBMNet provides a forum for: knowledge exchange between academics and companies; developing new interactions in the context of responsible innovation; forming, and then supporting, new multi-disciplinary teams to develop innovative membrane-based solutions to overcome IBBE bottlenecks; and funding consortia to carry out feasibility studies with the target of generating competitive bids for further research funding. More broadly, CBMNet is working with other NIBB to raise the profile of IBBE among policymakers and develop a national strategy for IBBE in the U.K.

Mythological Subtext as a Specificity of the Writer’s Idiostyle (Based on the Example of Yuri Polyakov’s Novel “The Mushroom Tsar”)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3-2) ◽  
pp. 337-347
Author(s):  
Larisa Zakhidova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Literary Text ◽  
Cultural Traditions ◽  
Literary Process ◽  
Associative Connection ◽  
Deep Layers ◽  
History Of ◽  
Almost All ◽  
History Of Literature ◽  
The 19Th Century

The best works of modern literature often have mythological overtones that allow us to raise the deep layers of human experience. Mythologism of the XX - XXI centuries is a wide, complex and contradictory phenomenon, requiring also serious penetration into the linguistics of the text of the studied work. The analysis of the literary process, from the 19th century to the 21st century, clearly shows that it is traditional to have vocabulary referring the reader to various cultural subtexts, which we call mythopoetic paradigms that have an associative connection with mythological images and are a means of creating mythological subtext, as well as a means of enriching a literary text with additional meanings. Mythopoetic paradigms help in creating the subtext of a work by their ability to evoke certain models, images, whole cultural traditions in the reader’s mind. A.A. Potebnya believes that the doctrine of ‘mythological devices’ of thought should be given a place in the history of literature: if the previous content of our thought is not a subjective means of cognition, but its source, and the image (being recognized as ‘objective’) is completely transferred into meaning, then in this the case the researcher comes across myth-making. Many myths are generated by the external and especially the internal form of the word. The research of Yu. M. Polyakov’s texts convincingly shows a mythopoetic type of thinking of this writer, since mythopoetic paradigms are cross-cutting and cover almost all of the author’s texts. In this regard a novel “The Mushroom Tsar” by Yu. M. Polyakov is especially specific. Yu. M. Polyakov’s works are rich in mythologemes of various types that allows us to talk about his texts within the framework of the neo-mythological tradition, which provides a deep understanding of the writer’s texts and the system of his idiostyle as a whole.

scholarly journals Special Issue: Recombinant Protein Expression in Microorganisms

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 355
Author(s):  
Trygve Brautaset ◽  
Svein Valla
Keyword(s):  
Recombinant Protein ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Recombinant Protein Expression ◽  
Sustainable Production ◽  
Industrial Biotechnology ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Cell Factories ◽  
Wide Range

Microorganisms are widely used in industrial biotechnology as cell factories for the sustainable production of a wide range of compounds and chemicals [...]

Metabolic responses to anabiosis in the fourth stage juveniles of Ditylenchus dipsaci (Nematoda)

1982 ◽  
Vol 216 (1203) ◽  
pp. 159-177 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽  
Lag Phase ◽  
Heat Output ◽  
Fourth Stage ◽  
Membrane Function ◽  
Metabolite Profiles ◽  
Ditylenchus Dipsaci ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle Intermediates

The fourth stage juveniles of the stem nematode Ditylenchus dipsaci can lose almost all of their body water and survive in an anabiotic state for long periods of time. Desiccation of the juveniles does not seem to result in any appreciable denaturation of the metabolic enzymes. Comparison of the metabolite profiles of active and anabiotic juveniles shows a decrease in the content of the glycolytic intermediates in the anabiotic stages, but little change in the tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. The adenylate charge is greatly reduced in the anabiotic state, but ATP is still present in measurable amounts. The dry anabiotic juveniles of D. dipsaci are permeable to water and hydrate rapidly, although there is a lag phase of 2-3 h after hydration before spontaneous activity starts. Metabolism, as judged by heat output, oxygen uptake or 14 CO 2 production from labelled substrate begins immediately after hydration. The metab­olite levels also recover quickly; the ATP levels, however, do not return to normal for several hours and there is evidence that for some time after hydration the mitochondria are essentially uncoupled. During the dehydration-hydration cycle of the juveniles, membrane function is disrupted and the lag phase following hydration may result from the time required for the re-establishment of ionic and metabolic gradients within the tissues.

Research is not a ‘scary’ word: Registered nurses and the barriers to research utilisation

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce Hendricks ◽  
Vicki Cope
Keyword(s):  
Registered Nurses ◽  
Common Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Research Abstract ◽  
Research Articles ◽  
Research Knowledge ◽  
Prevalence Survey ◽  
Peripheral Hospital ◽  
Almost All ◽  
User Friendly

The aim of this study was to find out whether registered nurses read research articles, understand them and translate the research to practice. There is a problem with research knowledge translation in the clinical setting. Despite exposure to research, registered nurses often distance themselves from reading nursing research. A point-prevalence survey was conducted on a sample of registered nurses in a peripheral hospital in Western Australia. The survey was distributed to all wards of the hospital ( n = 7). One-hundred and five ( n = 105) registered nurses were eligible to participate. Ninety-five ( n = 95) completed and the survey. The survey consisted of 11 general questions and an open-ended question. The majority of registered nurses in clinical practice found research articles difficult to understand because of research jargon. Most indicated that they sometimes or never understood what they are reading. Almost all nurses revealed that if research articles were in a ‘simpler’ language they would read them more and apply what they had learned. Promoting a common, user-friendly language in a research abstract or summary which is targeted to the registered nurse audience may assist in finding a common knowledge exchange between researchers and nurses and so help bridge the gap between research and practice.

scholarly journals In Silico Design for Systems-Based Metabolic Engineering In Escherichia Coli for The Bioconversion of Aerobic Glycerol to Succinic Acid

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Enrique Tafur Rangel ◽  
Wendy Lorena Rios Guzman ◽  
Carmen Elvira Ojeda Cuella ◽  
Daissy Esther Mejia Perez ◽  
Ross Carlson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Metabolic Engineering ◽  
Succinic Acid ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Industrial Biotechnology ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cell Factories ◽  
Transcriptomics Data

Abstract BackgroundGlycerol has become an interesting carbon source for industrial processes as consequence of the biodiesel business growth since it has shown promising results in terms of biomass/substrate yields. Selecting the appropriate metabolic targets to build efficient cell factories and maximize the desired chemical production in as little time as possible is a major challenge in industrial biotechnology. The engineering of microbial metabolism following rational design has been widely studied. However, it is a cost-, time-, and laborious-intensive process because of the cell network complexity; thus, to be proficient is needed known in advance the effects of gene deletions.ResultsAn in silico experiment was performed to model and understand the effects of metabolic engineering over the metabolism by transcriptomics data integration. In this study, systems-based metabolic engineering to predict the metabolic engineering targets was used in order to increase the bioconversion of glycerol to succinic acid by Escherichia coli. Transcriptomics analysis suggest insights of how increase the glycerol utilization of the cell for further design efficient cell factories. Three models were used; an E. coli core model, a model obtained after the integration of transcriptomics data obtained from E. coli growing in an optimized culture media, and a third one obtained after integration of transcriptomics data obtained from E. coli after adaptive laboratory evolution experiments. A total of 2402 strains were obtained from these three models. Fumarase and pyruvate dehydrogenase were frequently predicted in all the models, suggesting that these reactions are essential to increasing succinic acid production from glycerol. Finally, using flux balance analysis results for all the mutants predicted, a machine learning method was developed to predict new mutants as well as to propose optimal metabolic engineering targets and mutants based on the measurement of importance of each knockout’s (feature’s) contribution.ConclusionsThe combination of transcriptome, systems metabolic modeling, and machine learning analyses revealed versatile molecular mechanisms involved in the utilization of glycerol. These data provide a platform to improve the prediction of metabolic engineering targets to design efficient cell factories. Our results may also work a guide platform for the selection/engineering of microorganisms for production of interesting chemical compounds.

scholarly journals Direct label-free imaging of nanodomains in biomimetic and biological membranes by cryogenic electron microscopy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick A. Heberle ◽  
Milka Doktorova ◽  
Haden L. Scott ◽  
Allison Skinkle ◽  
M. Neal Waxham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Biological Membranes ◽  
Single Component ◽  
Membrane Thickness ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Direct Imaging ◽  
Membrane Function ◽  
Unsaturated Lipids

ABSTRACTThe nanoscale organization of biological membranes into structurally and compositionally distinct lateral domains is believed to be central to membrane function. The nature of this organization has remained elusive due to a lack of methods to directly probe nanoscopic membrane features. We show here that cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) can be used to directly image coexisting nanoscopic domains in synthetic and bio-derived membranes without extrinsic probes. Analyzing a series of single-component liposomes composed of synthetic lipids of varying lengths, we demonstrate that cryoEM can distinguish bilayer thickness differences as small as 0.5 Å, comparable to the resolution of small-angle scattering methods. Simulated images from computational models reveal that features in cryoEM images result from a complex interplay between the atomic distribution normal to the plane of the bilayer and imaging parameters. Simulations of phase separated bilayers were used to predict two sources of contrast between coexisting ordered and disordered phases within a single liposome, namely differences in membrane thickness and molecular density. We observe both sources of contrast in biomimetic membranes composed of saturated lipids, unsaturated lipids, and cholesterol. When extended to isolated mammalian plasma membranes, these methods reveal similar nanoscale lateral heterogeneities. The methods reported here for direct, probe-free imaging of nanodomains in unperturbed membranes open new avenues for investigation of nanoscopic membrane organization.SIGNIFICANCEWe have used cryoEM to achieve direct, probe-free imaging of lateral domains in biomimetic lipid membranes under native conditions and to characterize differences in their structures. First, measurements of membrane thickness in laterally uniform single-component membranes show that cryoEM is capable of sub-angstrom resolution of interleaflet membrane thickness. All-atom simulations are used to predict the cryo-EM appearance of submicron domains in vesicles with coexisting liquid domains and these are quantitatively validated by direct imaging of phase separated membranes. We then extend this approach to observe nanoscopic domains in isolated cellular membranes, comprising the first direct imaging of nanodomains in biomembranes.

scholarly journals Direct label-free imaging of nanodomains in biomimetic and biological membranes by cryogenic electron microscopy

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (33) ◽  
pp. 19943-19952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick A. Heberle ◽  
Milka Doktorova ◽  
Haden L. Scott ◽  
Allison D. Skinkle ◽  
M. Neal Waxham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Biological Membranes ◽  
Membrane Thickness ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Membrane Function ◽  
Unsaturated Lipids ◽  
Angle Scattering ◽  
Chain Lengths

The nanoscale organization of biological membranes into structurally and compositionally distinct lateral domains is believed to be central to membrane function. The nature of this organization has remained elusive due to a lack of methods to directly probe nanoscopic membrane features. We show here that cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) can be used to directly image coexisting nanoscopic domains in synthetic and bioderived membranes without extrinsic probes. Analyzing a series of single-component liposomes composed of synthetic lipids of varying chain lengths, we demonstrate that cryo-EM can distinguish bilayer thickness differences as small as 0.5 Å, comparable to the resolution of small-angle scattering methods. Simulated images from computational models reveal that features in cryo-EM images result from a complex interplay between the atomic distribution normal to the plane of the bilayer and imaging parameters. Simulations of phase-separated bilayers were used to predict two sources of contrast between coexisting ordered and disordered phases within a single liposome, namely differences in membrane thickness and molecular density. We observe both sources of contrast in biomimetic membranes composed of saturated lipids, unsaturated lipids, and cholesterol. When extended to isolated mammalian plasma membranes, cryo-EM reveals similar nanoscale lateral heterogeneities. The methods reported here for direct, probe-free imaging of nanodomains in unperturbed membranes open new avenues for investigation of nanoscopic membrane organization.

GST complexities in Malaysia: views from tax experts

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naailah Nutman ◽  
Khadijah Isa ◽  
Salwa Hana Yussof
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Subject Matter Experts ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Diverse Backgrounds ◽  
Tax Complexity ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation in Malaysia had raised various responses from many parties involved when the new tax was introduced in 2015 until its abolishment in 2018. GST complexity has been stated as part of the reasons for its resistance and abolishment. The purpose of this paper is to identify causes of GST complexities during its implementation in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on causes of tax complexity from previous studies and conducted semi-structured interviews with tax experts. The respondents comprised of subject matter experts in GST and the findings are based on their numerous years of experiences handling clients with diverse backgrounds. Findings Findings from this study are categorised into legal complexity and declarative complexities. Almost all the causes of complexities from prior studies were encountered by Malaysian businesses. This study concluded that the most likely reasons for the abolishment of GST in Malaysia are: numerous rules and exception to the rules (e.g. 35 tax codes, gifts rules, 21-day rules), frequent changes of GST rulings and guidelines, GST computations that were too difficult for mixed supply and process of GST refund that were onerous and lengthy. Research limitations/implications Limitations of this paper include reliance on the respondents’ ability to accurately and honestly recall details of their experiences, circumstances, thoughts or behaviours that are being asked. Practical implications Despite the abolishment of the GST in Malaysia, it is pertinent to identify the causes of GST complexities that can be learnt by the relevant authorities. Measures can be formulated to mitigate the identified GST complexities to ensure high compliance among businesses with other existing taxes or new taxes (if any) to be introduced in the future. This includes addressing the competency of RMCD officers and businesses on the rules and regulations, minimal rules and exception to the rules, a simplified GST computations for mixed supply and a systematic refund process. Originality/value The research method used is a flexible and powerful tool to capture the voices and the ways respondents make meaning of their experience dealing with the GST matters. The findings reveal a deep understanding of the issues from the views of the experts in the field.

Introductory remarks

1974 ◽  
Vol 268 (891) ◽  
pp. 3-3
Keyword(s):  
Royal Society ◽  
Biological Membranes ◽  
Transport Mechanisms ◽  
Recent Discussion ◽  
Membrane Flow ◽  
Membrane Function ◽  
Membrane Morphology ◽  
The World ◽  
To Come

The purpose of this discussion meeting was to consider in depth the structures of some selected biological membranes and envelopes - in particular, those with marked, morphological substructure. Where such substructure could be related to function, this also was considered, the aim being to illustrate by multidisciplinary techniques the interdependence of membrane morphology and physiology. Inevitably, as the discussion was restricted to two days, with such a ubiquitous and pantomorphic subject as biological membranes, the field had to be strictly limited. Some of the most important aspects of membrane function, including bioenergetics, transport mechanisms and membrane flow, were deliberately excluded, largely because they have been the subjects of recent discussion meetings either at the Royal Society or elsewhere. Despite such restrictions, we had a distinguished field of research workers from whom to select our speakers. We were indeed fortunate, that so many were able to come, from many parts of the world, and contribute to this meeting.

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