Energy and metabolism

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis A. Ieropoulos ◽  
Pablo Ledezma ◽  
Giacomo Scandroglio ◽  
Chris Melhuish ◽  
John Greenman
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
Living System ◽  
Main Process ◽  
Mechatronic System ◽  
Energy Devices ◽  
Biological Inspiration ◽  
Artificial Symbiosis ◽  
Living Entity ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Multicellular Organisms

Energy resulting from metabolism is essential for any living system—from single-cell to multicellular organisms. This also applies to symbiotic robots (SymBots), which function utilizing the energy (electricity) generated by living microorganisms. In the context of living technologies, artificial symbiosis between the living and the artificial entities of the machine becomes vital for the whole system. If the living entity stops generating energy, the mechatronic system ceases to work yet it is the mechatronic system that provides the microbes with food, and gets rid of their waste. This chapter presents and discusses SymBots, based on EcoBots that operate using Microbial Fuel Cells as onboard living energy devices. The interface between science and engineering is exemplified through the study and optimization of MFCs, producing the necessary data for technological implementation. Biological inspiration stems from living organisms metabolizing and adapting to the environment (homeostasis), which is the main process transferred to engineering.

The biological impact of superflares on planets in the Habitable Zone

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (S345) ◽  
pp. 176-180
Author(s):  
Adriana Valio ◽  
Raissa Estrela ◽  
Luisa Cabral ◽  
Abel Grangeiro
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rates ◽  
Shallow Waters ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Habitable Zone ◽  
Biological Impact ◽  
Solar Type ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Multicellular Organisms ◽  
The Impact ◽  
M Dwarf

AbstractYounger and fully convective stars are much more active than our Sun, producing many superflares. Here we estimate the impact of the superflares UV radiation on living organisms on the surface of orbiting planets in the habitable zone of the star. For this we study two active stars, Kepler-96 (solar type) and TRAPPIST-1 (M dwarf). Kepler-96, with an age of 2.4 Gyr, is at the same stage of the Sun when the first multicellular organisms appeared on Earth. The biological impact of super flares are studied on a hypothetical Earth at 1AU of Kepler-96 and on planets TRAPPIST-1e, f, and g for three atmospheres scenarios: an Archean and Present-day atmospheres with and without ozone. We estimated the survival rates of two bacteria and concluded that life would only survive on the surface of these planets if their atmosphere had an ozone layer, or in shallow waters of an ocean.

Generic tools for conditionally altering protein abundance and phenotypes on demand

2014 ◽  
Vol 395 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 737-762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederik Faden ◽  
Stefan Mielke ◽  
Dieter Lange ◽  
Nico Dissmeyer
Keyword(s):  
Protein Stability ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Protein Abundance ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Conditional Gene Expression ◽  
Tissue Specific Promoter ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Multicellular Organisms

Abstract Conditional gene expression and modulating protein stability under physiological conditions are important tools in biomedical research. They led to a thorough understanding of the roles of many proteins in living organisms. Current protocols allow for manipulating levels of DNA, mRNA, and of functional proteins. Modulating concentrations of proteins of interest, their post-translational processing, and their targeted depletion or accumulation are based on a variety of underlying molecular modes of action. Several available tools allow a direct as well as rapid and reversible variation right on the spot, i.e., on the level of the active form of a gene product. The methods and protocols discussed here include inducible and tissue-specific promoter systems as well as portable degrons derived from instable donor sequences. These are either constitutively active or dormant so that they can be triggered by exogenous or developmental cues. Many of the described techniques here directly influencing the protein stability are established in yeast, cell culture and in vitro systems only, whereas the indirectly working promoter-based tools are also commonly used in higher eukaryotes. Our major goal is to link current concepts of conditionally modulating a protein of interest’s activity and/or abundance and approaches for generating cell and tissue types on demand in living, multicellular organisms with special emphasis on plants.

scholarly journals Electron Microscopy Analysis of Multilamellar Vesicles Prepared from Synthetic Lipids: A Model System for Studying Membrane Structure in the Molecular Cell Biology Classroom and Laboratory

2004 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 40-45
Author(s):  
Russell R. Camp ◽  
Jungsoo Byun ◽  
Robert Jacob
Keyword(s):  
Cell Biology ◽  
Model System ◽  
Signaling Cascades ◽  
Considerable Research ◽  
Electron Microscopy Analysis ◽  
Microscopy Analysis ◽  
Molecular Cell Biology ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Multicellular Organisms ◽  
Flow Of Information

The cell is the fundamental unit of all living organisms, ranging from the unicellular archaea and bacteria (prokaryotes) to higher multicellular plants and animals (eukaryotes). All cells are bounded by a complex and dynamic plasma membrane, which functions principally to maintain cellular and organismal steady state by performing complex energy transformations and regulating the flow of information for the cell. The cell membrane also performs a number of vital housekeeping functions, which include control of the transport of substances between extracellular and intracellular environments, participation in cell signaling cascades by hosting receptors of extracellular ligands, and facilitating critical cell-to-cell communications in multicellular organisms (Karp, 2005).Considerable research over the last fifty years has significantly increased our understanding of cell membranes and their structural organization. Every membrane is fundamentally comprised of a dynamic lipid bilayer that supports a variety of transmembrane and membraneassociated proteins.

Biomolecular Photonic Device Consisting of Chl a/Chl b/Phycoerythrin/Phycocyanin Hetero Structure

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 3526-3531
Author(s):  
Jeong-Woo Choi ◽  
Yun-Suk Nam ◽  
Jong-Min Kim ◽  
Jin Seok Kim
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Living System ◽  
Hetero Structure ◽  
Photonic Device ◽  
Chl A ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Photocurrent Generation ◽  
Solid Substrates ◽  
Assembly Technique ◽  
Living Organisms

In living organisms the photosynthesis involves the absorption of light by the light-harvesting (LH) antenna complexes. By mimicking the photosynthesis process the artificial photonic device composed of bio-molecular hetero structure is developed. The proposed photonic device is composed of Chl a, Chl b, phycoerythrin and phycocyanin. To fabricate the highly ordered structure of biomolecules, the deposition of ordered Chl a/Chl b molecules onto solid substrates was done by the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique, and the self-assembly technique was used for the deposition of phycocyanin molecule. To optimize the photocurrent generation, the photoelectric response characteristics of Chl a and Chl b LB films were measured according to the number of deposition layers, and effects of phycocyanin layer and various phycoerythrin concentrations on the photocurrent generation were analyzed. The biophotonic device was fabricated by the combination of the hetero biofilms and the photocurrent generation of the proposed device was observed. It was observed that the photocurrent generation of the proposed biodevice was improved by using the appropriate biopigments to be selected. The proposed artificial biophotonic device consisting of biopigments can be used to generate photocurrent by mimikng the photosynthesis in living system.

scholarly journals BACTERIAL Cr (VI) REDUCTION AND ITS IMPACT IN BIOREMEDIATION

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Pramono ◽  
MMA Retno Rosariastuti ◽  
N Ngadiman ◽  
Irfan D Prijambada
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Zea Mays ◽  
Concentration Level ◽  
Living System ◽  
High Solubility ◽  
Partial Sequencing ◽  
Reduction Activity ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
16Srrna Gene

ABSTRACTChromium is hazardous pollutant for ecosystem caused chromium especially inhexavalent form is very toxic, has high solubility and mobility, teratogenicity, mutagenicity andcarcinogenicity to living system related with its oxiding power. Remediation of soilcontaminated of heavy metals was important caused soil as medium for food producing.Conventional methods for heavy metals remediation consist of physical and chemical processbut these applications were costly and less effective. One of the remediation technologies is theusing living organisms such as microorganisms, because they have ability to reduce Cr(VI) intonon toxic form, Cr(III). The aims of this research were to evaluate the reduction activity ofrhizobacterial isolate and to identify the isolate which take a role in reducing chromiumabsorption by plant. The results showed that Isolate 39 was able to grow on LB mediumcontaining 200 ppm Cr(VI). Isolate 39 reduced Cr(VI) up to 15 ppm concentration level inminimal medium. Isolate 39 has ability to reduce Cr(VI) both at growing cells and resting cellsconditions up to 100% and 51% within 18 hours, respectively. Isolate 39 increased thephytostabilization ability of chromium by Zea mays at 30 days after seeding 3.8 timescompared than control. Based on physiological characteristics and partial sequencing of 16SrRNA gene, Isolate 39 was identified as Agrobacterium sp.Key words : Agrobacterium sp, hexavalent chromium, reduction, Zea mays

scholarly journals Ion Channels in Microbes

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 1449-1490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Martinac ◽  
Yoshiro Saimi ◽  
Ching Kung
Keyword(s):  
Ion Channels ◽  
Biological Macromolecules ◽  
Structural Studies ◽  
Cellular Membranes ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Microbial Cells ◽  
Laboratory Environment ◽  
Evolutionary Relatedness ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Multicellular Organisms

Studies of ion channels have for long been dominated by the animalcentric, if not anthropocentric, view of physiology. The structures and activities of ion channels had, however, evolved long before the appearance of complex multicellular organisms on earth. The diversity of ion channels existing in cellular membranes of prokaryotes is a good example. Although at first it may appear as a paradox that most of what we know about the structure of eukaryotic ion channels is based on the structure of bacterial channels, this should not be surprising given the evolutionary relatedness of all living organisms and suitability of microbial cells for structural studies of biological macromolecules in a laboratory environment. Genome sequences of the human as well as various microbial, plant, and animal organisms unambiguously established the evolutionary links, whereas crystallographic studies of the structures of major types of ion channels published over the last decade clearly demonstrated the advantage of using microbes as experimental organisms. The purpose of this review is not only to provide an account of acquired knowledge on microbial ion channels but also to show that the study of microbes and their ion channels may also hold a key to solving unresolved molecular mysteries in the future.

scholarly journals Towards Bio-Hybrid Energy Harvesting in the Real-World: Pushing the Boundaries of Technologies and Strategies Using Bio-Electrochemical and Bio-Mechanical Processes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2220
Author(s):  
Abanti Shama Afroz ◽  
Donato Romano ◽  
Francesco Inglese ◽  
Cesare Stefanini
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Power Sources ◽  
Energy Harvesters ◽  
Living Organisms

Sustainable, green energy harvesting has gained a considerable amount of attention over the last few decades and within its vast field of resources, bio-energy harvesters have become promising. These bio-energy harvesters appear in a wide variety and function either by directly generating energy with mechanisms similar to living organisms or indirectly by extracting energy from living organisms. Presently this new generation of energy harvesters is fueling various low-power electronic devices while being extensively researched for large-scale applications. In this review we concentrate on recent progresses of the three promising bio-energy harvesters: microbial fuel cells, enzyme-based fuel cells and biomechanical energy harvesters. All three of these technologies are already extensively being used in small-scale applications. While microbial fuel cells hold immense potential in industrial-scale energy production, both enzyme-based fuel cells and biomechanical energy harvesters show promises of becoming independent and natural power sources for wearable and implantable devices for many living organisms including humans. Herein, we summarize the basic principles of these bio-energy harvesting technologies, outline their recent advancements and estimate the near future research trends.

scholarly journals What defines biomimetic and bioinspired science and engineering?

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Rybicka-Jasińska ◽  
James B. Derr ◽  
Valentine I. Vullev
Keyword(s):  
Charge Transfer ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Structure Function ◽  
Living Systems ◽  
Biological Structure ◽  
Science And Engineering ◽  
Biological Inspiration ◽  
Biological Structures ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Energy Engineering

Abstract Biomimicry, biomimesis and bioinspiration define distinctly different approaches for deepening the understanding of how living systems work and employing this knowledge to meet pressing demands in engineering. Biomimicry involves shear imitation of biological structures that most often do not reproduce the functionality that they have while in the living organisms. Biomimesis aims at reproduction of biological structure-function relationships and advances our knowledge of how different components of complex living systems work. Bioinspiration employs this knowledge in abiotic manners that are optimal for targeted applications. This article introduces and reviews these concepts in a global historic perspective. Representative examples from charge-transfer science and solar-energy engineering illustrate the evolution from biomimetic to bioinspired approaches and show their importance. Bioinspired molecular electrets, aiming at exploration of dipole effects on charge transfer, demonstrate the pintail impacts of biological inspiration that reach beyond its high utilitarian values. The abiotic character of bioinspiration opens doors for the emergence of unprecedented properties and phenomena, beyond what nature can offer.

Enhanced bioelectricity generation of double-chamber air-cathode catalyst free microbial fuel cells with the addition of non-consumptive vanadium(v)

RSC Advances ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (39) ◽  
pp. 32940-32946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaxin Li ◽  
Baogang Zhang ◽  
Qinan Song ◽  
Alistair G. L. Borthwick
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
Cathode Catalyst ◽  
Air Cathode ◽  
Energy Devices ◽  
Bioelectricity Generation ◽  
Catalyst Free ◽  
Double Chamber

Improvement of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) via bioelectricity recovery is urgently needed in micro-energy devices nowadays.

scholarly journals Stress-induced collective behavior leads to the formation of multicellular structures and the survival of the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix de Carpentier ◽  
Alexandre Maes ◽  
Christophe H Marchand ◽  
Celine Chung ◽  
Cyrielle Durand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Collective Behavior ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Abiotic Stress Response ◽  
Collective Behaviors ◽  
Defense Systems ◽  
Toxic Environment ◽  
Response To Stress ◽  
Unicellular Organisms ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Multicellular Organisms

Depending on their nature, living organisms use various strategies to adapt to environmental stress conditions. Multicellular organisms implement a set of reactions involving signaling and cooperation between different types of cells. Unicellular organisms on the other hand must activate defense systems, which involve collective behaviors between individual organisms. In the unicellular model alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the existence and the function of collective behavior mechanisms in response to stress remain largely unknown. Here we report the discovery of a mechanism of abiotic stress response that Chlamydomonas can trigger to form large multicellular structures that can comprise several thousand cells. We show that these aggregates constitute an effective bulwark within which the cells are efficiently protected from the toxic environment. We have generated the first family of mutants that aggregate spontaneously, the socializer mutants (saz), of which we describe here in detail saz1. We took advantage of the saz mutants to implement a large scale multiomics approach that allowed us to show that aggregation is not the result of passive agglutination, but rather genetic reprogramming and substantial modification of the secretome. The reverse genetic analysis we conducted on some of the most promising candidates allowed us to identify the first positive and negative regulators of aggregation and to make hypotheses on how this process is controlled in Chlamydomonas.

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