scholarly journals Complex Adaptive Matter: Emergent Phenomena in Materials

MRS Bulletin ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 425-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel L. Cox ◽  
David Pines

AbstractIn the study of matter, both living and inanimate, the breakthrough discoveries and most scientists' intellectual obsessions often flow from what we call emergent behavior: phenomena not readily predictable from a detailed knowledge of the material subunits alone. We call systems that display emergent behavior complex adaptive matter, and their relevant organizing principles are unique to their scales of length and time. This issue of MRS Bulletin provides an overview of the aggregate of research on complex adaptive matter through a survey of five examples, ranging from intrinsically disordered electron matter in high-temperature superconductors to protein aggregates in amyloid diseases like Alzheimer's. We explain the philosophy and motivation for this research, noting that the study of emergent phenomena complements a globally reductionist scientific approach by seeking to identify, with intellectual precision, the relevant organizing principles governing the behavior. Our authors focus on the character of emergence for their particular systems, the role of materials research approaches to the problems, and the efforts to identify the organizing principles at work.

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 615
Author(s):  
Dirk K. Hincha ◽  
Ellen Zuther ◽  
Antoaneta V. Popova

Cells of many organisms and organs can withstand an (almost) total water loss (anhydrobiosis). Sugars play an essential role in desiccation tolerance due to their glass formation ability during dehydration. In addition, intrinsically disordered LEA proteins contribute to cellular survival under such conditions. One possible mechanism of LEA protein function is the stabilization of sugar glasses. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Here we used FTIR spectroscopy to investigate sucrose (Suc) glass stability dried from water or from two buffer components in the presence of four recombinant LEA and globular reference proteins. Buffer ions influenced the strength of the Suc glass in the order Suc < Suc/Tris < Suc/NaP. LEA proteins strengthened the sugar H-bonded network and the molecular structure in the glassy state. The position of νOH peak and the wavenumber–temperature coefficient (WTCg) provided similar information about the H-bonded network. Protein aggregation of LEA proteins was reduced in the desiccation-induced Suc glassy state. Detailed knowledge about the role of LEA proteins in the stabilization of dry sugar glasses yields information about their role in anhydrobiosis. This may open the possibility to use such proteins in biotechnical applications requiring dry storage of biologicals such as proteins, cells or tissues.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Wellmann

AbstractThroughout human history, most further developments or new achievements were accompanied by new materials or new processes that enabled the technologic progress. With concrete devices and applications in mind, synthesis and subsequent treatment of materials naturally went along with the progress. The aim of the underlying article is to spot the role of optimization, of discovery, of trial-and-error approaches, of fundamentals and curiosity driven design and development. In a consecutive examination, five missions addressing the challenges facing our world (identified by the European Council) will be cross linked with seven topical areas from materials science defined by the European Materials Research Society. The scope of this examination is to identify approaches and methods to further develop and innovate materials which form the basis of the anticipated solutions.


Author(s):  
M. Fayyaz Rehman ◽  
M. Jeeves ◽  
E. I. Hyde

AbstractIncC from the low-copy number plasmid RK2, is a member of the ParA family of proteins required for partitioning DNA in many bacteria and plasmids. It is an ATPase that binds DNA and its ParB protein partner, KorB. Together, the proteins move replicated DNA to appropriate cellular positions, so that each daughter cell inherits a copy on cell division. IncC from RK2 is expressed in two forms. IncC2 is homologous to bacterial ParA proteins, while IncC1 has an N-terminal extension of 105 amino acids and is similar in length to ParA homologues in other plasmids. We have been examining the role of this extension, here called IncC NTD. We present its backbone NMR chemical shift assignments and show that it is entirely intrinsically disordered. The assignments were achieved using C-detected, CON-based spectra, complemented by HNN spectra to obtain connectivities from three adjacent amino acids. We also observed evidence of deamidation of the protein at a GNGG sequence, to give isoAsp, giving 2 sets of peaks for residues up to 5 amino acids on either side of the modification. We have assigned resonances from around the position of modification for this form of the protein.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lasse Staby ◽  
Katrine Bugge ◽  
Rasmus Greve Falbe-Hansen ◽  
Edoardo Salladini ◽  
Karen Skriver ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Signal fidelity depends on protein–protein interaction–‘hubs’ integrating cues from large interactomes. Recently, and based on a common secondary structure motif, the αα-hubs were defined, which are small α-helical domains of large, modular proteins binding intrinsically disordered transcriptional regulators. Methods Comparative structural biology. Results We assign the harmonin-homology-domain (HHD, also named the harmonin N-terminal domain, NTD) present in large proteins such as harmonin, whirlin, cerebral cavernous malformation 2, and regulator of telomere elongation 1 to the αα-hubs. The new member of the αα-hubs expands functionality to include scaffolding of supra-modular complexes mediating sensory perception, neurovascular integrity and telomere regulation, and reveal novel features of the αα-hubs. As a common trait, the αα-hubs bind intrinsically disordered ligands of similar properties integrating similar cellular cues, but without cross-talk. Conclusion The inclusion of the HHD in the αα-hubs has uncovered new features, exemplifying the utility of identifying groups of hub domains, whereby discoveries in one member may cross-fertilize discoveries in others. These features make the αα-hubs unique models for decomposing signal specificity and fidelity. Using these as models, together with other suitable hub domain, we may advance the functional understanding of hub proteins and their role in cellular communication and signaling, as well as the role of intrinsically disordered proteins in signaling networks.


2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Bertolaso ◽  
Antonio Capolupo ◽  
Christian Cherubini ◽  
Simonetta Filippi ◽  
Alessio Gizzi ◽  
...  

ARGOMENTI ◽  
2009 ◽  
pp. 99-122
Author(s):  
Alessandro Minello

- Cluster policy today represent one of the main elements of the European agenda, both for policy makers and for practitioners. In the last decade an extensive-type cluster policy has produced a proliferation of clusters all over the Europe, but the generated quality of clusters created has not always been quite satisfactory. Following the input by the European commission, currently is underway a qualitative review of the goals and processes of European cluster policy. This paper aims at presenting such changes in the European cluster policy, beside the main lessons that can be learned. The analysis emphasizes some critical elements of the current process of "clustering" and highlights the role of the institutions, besides the market, in the planning of new clusters and the strengthening of those existing. The final message is that Europe needs a better cluster policy, rather than more clusters, according to the growing complexity and dynamism of clusters.Parole chiave: cluster, politica dei cluster, approccio triple-helix, sistemi adattivi complessi.Keywords: cluster, cluster policy, triple helix approach, complex adaptive systems.


MRS Bulletin ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 51-55

The 1989 Spring Meeting of the Materials Research Society will be held at the Town and County Hotel in San Diego, with events spanning April 22-29. Meeting Chairs Robin Farrow, Dick Siegel and Angelica Stacy have developed a program of 16 technical symposia that reflect the continuing key role of materials science in the development of both mature and emerging technologies.Several new topics will reflect emerging areas, including materials for optical storage of information (Symposium F), ultrathin magnetic films (Symposium G), and materials problems of infrastructure (Symposium P). A special workshop will provide a technology update on diamond films (Symposium P) and will feature a joint session with Symposium H, Optical Materials: Processing and Science.Plenary speaker Linus Pauling, research professor at the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine, will discuss quasicrystals, materials whose atomic structure displays perfect five-fold symmetry, but whose atomic pattern is never exactly repeated as it would be in conventional crystals. During the Plenary Session MRS will also recognize graduate students who have made outstanding contributions as authors or co-authors of papers presented at the 1989 Spring Meeting.


Author(s):  
John Mondanaro ◽  
Joanne Loewy

Adolescence is a time of change marking the transition from childhood to adulthood. When a teenager is ill and requiring hospitalization many of the constructs upon which individual identity rests such as contact with peers, and social belonging, can become compromised. Music therapy offers a way to address the personal and psychological stress that can result from hospitalization. In this chapter the authors highlight conditions in medicine that are common to teens. Music psychotherapy approaches are described that promote expression in individual and group modalities, and can also provide avenues for self-reflection related to the disease process, such as the receiving of a new diagnosis, or in cases where traumatic injury has occurred. The role of the music therapist in working with the medical team, the patient, and the patient’s family is presented with reference to the detailed knowledge and experience of the authors in providing music psychotherapy to adolescents.


2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (21) ◽  
pp. 6492-6531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pu Chun Ke ◽  
Marc-Antonie Sani ◽  
Feng Ding ◽  
Aleksandr Kakinen ◽  
Ibrahim Javed ◽  
...  

We highlight the role of molecular self-assembly in eliciting the mesoscopic and pathological properties of amyloid proteins. This knowledge is pivotal for the development of theranostics against amyloid diseases.


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