scholarly journals The Report of Marine Life Genomic Research

Author(s):  
Guangyi Fan ◽  
Jianwei Chen ◽  
Tao Jin ◽  
Chengcheng Shi ◽  
Xiao Du ◽  
...  

With the continuing development of sequencing technology, genomics has been applied in a variety of biological research areas. In particular, the application of genomics to marine species, which boast a high diversity, promises great scientific and industrial potential. Significant progress has been made in marine genomics especially over the past few years. Consequently, BGI, leveraging its prominent contributions in genomics research, established BGI-Qingdao, an institute specifically aimed at exploring marine genomics. In order to accelerate marine genomics research and related applications, BGI-Qingdao initiated the International Conference on Genomics of the Ocean (ICG-Ocean) to develop international collaborations and establish a focused and coherent global research plan. Last year, the first ICG-Ocean conference was held in Qingdao, China, during which 47 scientists in marine genomics from all over the world reported on their research progress to an audience of about 300 attendees. This year, we would like to build on that success, drafting a report on marine genomics to draw global attention to marine genomics. We summarized the recent progress, proposed future directions, and we would like to enable additional profound insights on marine genomics. Similar to the annual report on plant and fungal research by Kew Gardens, and the White Paper of ethical issues on experimental animals, we hope our first report on marine genomics can provide some useful insights for researchers, funding agencies as well as industry, and that future versions will expand upon the foundation established here in both breadth and depth of knowledge.This report summarizes the recent progress in marine genomics in six parts including: marine microorganisms, marine fungi, marine algae and plants, marine invertebrates, marine vertebrates and genomics-based applications.

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (31) ◽  
pp. 3350-3357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pooja Tripathi ◽  
Jyotsna Singh ◽  
Jonathan A. Lal ◽  
Vijay Tripathi

Background: With the outbreak of high throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS), the biological research of drug discovery has been directed towards the oncology and infectious disease therapeutic areas, with extensive use in biopharmaceutical development and vaccine production. Method: In this review, an effort was made to address the basic background of NGS technologies, potential applications of NGS in drug designing. Our purpose is also to provide a brief introduction of various Nextgeneration sequencing techniques. Discussions: The high-throughput methods execute Large-scale Unbiased Sequencing (LUS) which comprises of Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS) or NGS technologies. The Next geneinvolved necessarily executes Largescale Unbiased Sequencing (LUS) which comprises of MPS or NGS technologies. These are related terms that describe a DNA sequencing technology which has revolutionized genomic research. Using NGS, an entire human genome can be sequenced within a single day. Conclusion: Analysis of NGS data unravels important clues in the quest for the treatment of various lifethreatening diseases and other related scientific problems related to human welfare.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 661
Author(s):  
Davide Asnicar ◽  
Costanza Cappelli ◽  
Ahmad Safuan Sallehuddin ◽  
Nur Atiqah Maznan ◽  
Maria Gabriella Marin

Despite the widespread use of herbicide glyphosate in cultivation, its extensive runoff into rivers and to coastal areas, and the persistence of this chemical and its main degradation product (aminomethylphosphonic acid, AMPA) in the environment, there is still little information on the potential negative effects of glyphosate, its commercial formulation Roundup® and AMPA on marine species. This study was conducted with the aim of providing a comparative evaluation of the effects of glyphosate-based and its derived chemicals on the larval development of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, thus providing new data to describe the potential ecotoxicity of these contaminants. In particular, the effects on larval development, growth and metabolism were assessed during 48 h of exposure from the time of egg fertilization. The results confirm that AMPA and its parent compound, glyphosate have similar toxicity, as observed in other marine invertebrates. However, interestingly, the Roundup® formulation seemed to be less toxic than the glyphosate alone.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Mezinska ◽  
L. Gallagher ◽  
M. Verbrugge ◽  
E.M. Bunnik

Abstract Background Genomic research on neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), particularly involving minors, combines and amplifies existing research ethics issues for biomedical research. We performed a review of the literature on the ethical issues associated with genomic research involving children affected by NDDs as an aid to researchers to better anticipate and address ethical concerns. Results Qualitative thematic analysis of the included articles revealed themes in three main areas: research design and ethics review, inclusion of research participants, and communication of research results. Ethical issues known to be associated with genomic research in general, such as privacy risks and informed consent/assent, seem especially pressing for NDD participants because of their potentially decreased cognitive abilities, increased vulnerability, and stigma associated with mental health problems. Additionally, there are informational risks: learning genetic information about NDD may have psychological and social impact, not only for the research participant but also for family members. However, there are potential benefits associated with research participation, too: by enrolling in research, the participants may access genetic testing and thus increase their chances of receiving a (genetic) diagnosis for their neurodevelopmental symptoms, prognostic or predictive information about disease progression or the risk of concurrent future disorders. Based on the results of our review, we developed an ethics checklist for genomic research involving children affected by NDDs. Conclusions In setting up and designing genomic research efforts in NDD, researchers should partner with communities of persons with NDDs. Particular attention should be paid to preventing disproportional burdens of research participation of children with NDDs and their siblings, parents and other family members. Researchers should carefully tailor the information and informed consent procedures to avoid therapeutic and diagnostic misconception in NDD research. To better anticipate and address ethical issues in specific NDD studies, we suggest researchers to use the ethics checklist for genomic research involving children affected by NDDs presented in this paper.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 299-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conrad V. Fernandez ◽  
Colleen OʼConnell ◽  
Meghan Ferguson ◽  
Andrew C. Orr ◽  
Johane M. Robitaille ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. e26014
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Schizas

With a total of more than 150,000 specimens, the 85-year old collections of insects and terrestrial, freshwater, and marine invertebrates of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM), western Puerto Rico, are among the most significant repositories for these groups in the Caribbean region. Located in Mayagüez and on Magueyes Island, these collections were created by outstanding insect and invertebrate specialists working in Puerto Rico and surrounding islands. Holdings are particularly strong in the Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Collembola, Crustacea, Mollusca, Echinodermata, and Cnidaria. Collecting and curatorial activities, initiated in the 1920s, were maintained throughout the 1980s, resulting in many taxonomically and historically valuable records for the region. From 1990 to 2005, the invertebrate collections were increasingly neglected, with certain parts scattered throughout multiple buildings and rooms, inaccessible, or inadequately stored and at risk of becoming damaged or lost. The support for these collections was not sustained at high levels due to a variety of factors, including changes in the research profile of new academic appointments and the shortsightedness of administrators to fully understand the cultural, educational and scientific value of the museum holdings. With the exception of a federal grant through NSF - DBI (National Science Foundation - Biological Research Collections - PI Frantz - 2007-2010), which initiated a flurry of Museum related activities to improve the deteriorating museum facilities throughout the UPRM campus, the Museum collections are now facing even more challenges, some anthropogenic and very recently, some natural. Major Hurricane Maria (Category 4), delivered a devastating blow to the island of Puerto Rico on 20 September 2017. Both terrestrial and marine ecosystems were heavily impacted. Extensive structural damage to roads, telecommunications, water systems, the energy grid and approximately 60,000 houses/buildings made Hurricane Maria the most damaging Hurricane (estimated cost ~ 90 billion dollars) in the USA after Katrina and Harvey. Flooding caused by the direct impact of Hurricane Maria (5 to 40 inches of rain fell during the first 48 hours in Puerto Rico) and subsequent extensive loss of electricity caused unfavorable conditions for the collections. The University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez closed for approximately 45 days and limited electricity, if any, was available through diesel generators. High levels of humidity and heat can cause further structural damage as well as favor the growth of fungus in enclosed areas of UPRM, including the Museums. Efforts to safeguard the collections will be outlined here to ensure the collections remain a valuable natural asset of the people of Puerto Rico as part of their natural patrimony and as an irreplaceable education tool.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 299-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusheng Pan ◽  
Ke Xu ◽  
Canliu Wu

Abstract This paper demonstrates a brief review of the research progress of the advanced carbon-based materials for the supercapacitor electrodes. Diverse types of carbon-based electrodes exploited and reported to the literature are summarized and classified into pure carbon electrodes, carbon/metal oxides composite electrodes, carbon/metal oxides/conducting polymers composite electrodes as well as carbon electrodes based on other materials. Pure carbon electrodes are firstly introduced, confirming their merits and shortcomings. To cover the shortage of pure carbon electrodes and further enhances their electrochemical performance, a composite electrode, combined with metal oxides and conducting polymers, is respectively presented. It is worth noticing in this article that combining various materials to form composites has been one main direction to own a positive synergistic effect on the carbon-based electrodes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 1935-1943
Author(s):  
Vanessa Y. Hiratsuka ◽  
◽  
Michael J. Hahn ◽  
R. Brian Woodbury ◽  
Sara Chandros Hull ◽  
...  

AbstractMeaningful engagement of Alaska Native (AN) tribes and tribal health organizations is essential in the conduct of socially responsible and ethical research. As genomics becomes increasingly important to advancements in medicine, there is a risk that populations not meaningfully included in genomic research will not benefit from the outcomes of that research. AN people have historically been underrepresented in biomedical research; AN underrepresentation in genomics research is compounded by mistrust based on past abuses, concerns about privacy and data ownership, and cultural considerations specific to this type of research. Working together, the National Human Genome Research Institute and two Alaska Native health organizations, Southcentral Foundation and the Alaska Native Health Board, cosponsored a workshop in July 2018 to engage key stakeholders in discussion, strengthen relationships, and facilitate partnership and consideration of participation of AN people in community-driven biomedical and genomic research. AN priorities related to translation of genomics research to health and health care, return of genomic results, design of research studies, and data sharing were discussed. This report summarizes the perspectives that emerged from the dialogue and offers considerations for effective and socially responsible genomic research partnerships with AN communities.


Author(s):  
Rakesh Murthy ◽  
Dan O. Popa

This paper presents recent research progress in the manufacturing of MEMS based robotic positioning technology. The goal is to configure a nanofactory consisting of multiple microrobots that combine high precision with high throughput along with other application-specific requirements such as strength, dexterity, and work volume. This requires design to satisfy part mobility and dexterous manipulation with high precision. The first microrobot called the Articulated Four Axes Microrobot (AFAM) is a 3D dexterous micromanipulator robot, and we describe nano indentation experiments using AFM tips mounted on the microrobot. By combining positioning data obtained using laser interferometers and SEM imaging of nano indentation data, precision metrics such as accuracy, repeatability and resolution of the AFAM robot are determined. Preliminary reliability findings are presented. The second robot type is the ARRIpede microcrawler, and we present recent progress in microrobot precision evaluation including motion resolution and repeatability. Using these two microrobots as basic positioning and manipulation units, a nanoassembly module concept for hybrid nano assembly applications is proposed. In this paper we present recent progress in fabricating, assembling and evaluating the basic microfactory modules.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlon S. Zambrano-Mila ◽  
Spiros N. Agathos ◽  
Juergen K. V. Reichardt

Abstract Background In South America, the history of human genetics is extensive and its beginnings go back to the onset of the twentieth century. In Ecuador, the historical record of human genetics and genomics research is limited. In this context, our work analyzes the current status and historical panorama of these fields, based on bibliographic searches in Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science. Results Our results determined that the oldest paper in human genetics coauthored by an Ecuadorian institution originates from the Central University of Ecuador in 1978. From a historical standpoint, the number of articles has increased since the 1990s. This growth has intensified and it is reflected in 137 manuscripts recorded from 2010 to 2019. Areas such as human population genetics, phylogeography, and forensic sciences are the core of genetics and genomics-associated research in Ecuador. Important advances have been made in the understanding of the bases of cancer, some genetic diseases, and congenital disorders. Fields such as pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics have begun to be explored during the last years. Conclusions This work paints a comprehensive picture and provides additional insights into the future panorama of human genetic and genomic research in Ecuador as an example of an emerging, resource-limited country with interesting phylogeographic characteristics and public health implications.


2002 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALPHONSE KELECOM

After 40 years of intensive research, chemistry of marine natural products has become a mature field. Since 1995, there are signals of decreased interest in the search of new metabolites from traditional sources such as macroalgae and octocorals, and the number of annual reports on marine sponges stabilized. On the contrary, metabolites from microorganisms is a rapidly growing field, due, at least in part, to the suspicion that a number of metabolites obtained from algae and invertebrates may be produced by associated microorganisms. Studies are concerned with bacteria and fungi, isolated from seawater, sediments, algae, fish and mainly from marine invertebrates such as sponges, mollusks, tunicates, coelenterates and crustaceans. Although it is still to early to define tendencies, it may be stated that the metabolites from microorganisms are in most cases quite different from those produced by the invertebrate hosts. Nitrogenated metabolites predominate over acetate derivatives, and terpenes are uncommon. Among the latter, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes and carotenes have been isolated; among nitrogenated metabolites, amides, cyclic peptides and indole alkaloids predominate.


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