scholarly journals Lagomorpha as a Model Morphological System

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Kraatz ◽  
Rafik Belabbas ◽  
Łucja Fostowicz-Frelik ◽  
De-Yan Ge ◽  
Alexander N. Kuznetsov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Review Paper ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Evolutionary Morphology ◽  
Order Model ◽  
Micro Scale ◽  
The Status ◽  
European Rabbits ◽  
Strong System ◽  
Morphological System

Due to their global distribution, invasive history, and unique characteristics, European rabbits are recognizable almost anywhere on our planet. Although they are members of a much larger group of living and extinct mammals [Mammalia, Lagomorpha (rabbits, hares, and pikas)], the group is often characterized by several well-known genera (e.g., Oryctolagus, Sylvilagus, Lepus, and Ochotona). This representation does not capture the extraordinary diversity of behavior and form found throughout the order. Model organisms are commonly used as exemplars for biological research, but there are a limited number of model clades or lineages that have been used to study evolutionary morphology in a more explicitly comparative way. We present this review paper to show that lagomorphs are a strong system in which to study macro- and micro-scale patterns of morphological change within a clade that offers underappreciated levels of diversity. To this end, we offer a summary of the status of relevant aspects of lagomorph biology.

scholarly journals C. elegans outside the Petri dish

eLife ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lise Frézal ◽  
Marie-Anne Félix
Keyword(s):  
Model Organism ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
Petri Dish ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
The Status ◽  
Boom And Bust ◽  
History Of

The roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans has risen to the status of a top model organism for biological research in the last fifty years. Among laboratory animals, this tiny nematode is one of the simplest and easiest organisms to handle. And its life outside the laboratory is beginning to be unveiled. Like other model organisms, C. elegans has a boom-and-bust lifestyle. It feasts on ephemeral bacterial blooms in decomposing fruits and stems. After resource depletion, its young larvae enter a migratory diapause stage, called the dauer. Organisms known to be associated with C. elegans include migration vectors (such as snails, slugs and isopods) and pathogens (such as microsporidia, fungi, bacteria and viruses). By deepening our understanding of the natural history of C. elegans, we establish a broader context and improved tools for studying its biology.

scholarly journals MOOCS As A Method Of Distance Education In The Arab World – A Review Paper

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raniah Samir Adham ◽  
Karsten Oster Lundqvist
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Review Paper ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
Massive Open Online ◽  
The World ◽  
The Status ◽  
Developed World

Abstract Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in the Arab World are still in their infancy. Many Arab countries are now starting to launch their MOOC platforms; however, there are only a few who have actually implemented such systems. This paper will explore online learning, in particular the rise of MOOCs around the world and their impact on the Arab World. The purpose of this paper is to give a true picture of the development of the first MOOC platforms in the Arab World. It will analyse in detail the concept, definitions, background, and types of MOOCs (xMOOCs and cMOOCs), as well as the main MOOCs platform in the Western and Arab worlds, and a timeline of the development of MOOCs. It will then observe the status of MOOCs in the developed world, opportunities in the Middle East, and the influence of Western MOOCs on the Arab world, from many perspectives, e.g. educational, religious, cultural and social.

scholarly journals Facing Challenges of Covid-19: The Perspective of China and Ethiopia Educational Institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Chen Chang ◽  
Getaye Aytenew
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Review Paper ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Academic Institutions ◽  
Learning Challenges ◽  
The World ◽  
The Status ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Learning Platforms

<p>Concerning the fast spread of COVID-19, countries all over the world have closed academic institutions to stop the pandemic. It is now apparent that students and teachers require other options that have to be more versatile, easily accessible, and support the current technologies and conditions to face the unpredictable future. From the review, literature disclosed that universities throughout the globe are establishing and implementing electronics learning platforms as a basic need in academic institutions. This manuscript aimed to assess the status of electronics learning in China and Ethiopian educational institutions to counter the challenges of the closure of schools because of the outbreak of the pandemic. The paper highlights concerning e-learning in the sense of China and Ethiopia, e-learning challenges, and successful experiences. This review paper also suggests educators use e-learning and distance learning as a necessity to advance learning, particularly during this pandemic season.</p>

scholarly journals Sydney Brenner. 13 January 1927—5 April 2019

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John White ◽  
Mark S. Bretscher
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Genome Analysis ◽  
Genetic Information ◽  
Molecular Biologist ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Neural Function ◽  
Critical Knowledge ◽  
The World

From modest beginnings Sydney became an extraordinarily influential and accomplished molecular biologist. His critical knowledge of, and insights into, key scientific problems were legendary. His irrepressible personality, acerbic wit and ebullient talks inspired a generation of young biologists. He made seminal discoveries in how genetic information is used for protein synthesis, and established Caenorhabditis elegans as one of the foremost model organisms for the study of development and neural function. He also pioneered techniques for genome analysis and was instrumental in establishing several outstanding centres of biological research around the world.

scholarly journals Variation under domestication in animal models: the case of the Mexican axolotl

BMC Genomics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Torres-Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Reproducible Research ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Research Knowledge ◽  
Mexican Axolotl ◽  
Different Strains

Abstract Background Species adaptation to laboratory conditions is a special case of domestication that has modified model organisms phenotypically and genetically. The characterisation of these changes is crucial to understand how this variation can affect the outcome of biological experiments. Yet despite the wide use of laboratory animals in biological research, knowledge of the genetic diversity within and between different strains and populations of some animal models is still scarce. This is particularly the case of the Mexican axolotl, which has been bred in captivity since 1864. Results Using gene expression data from nine different projects, nucleotide sequence variants were characterised, and distinctive genetic background of the experimental specimens was uncovered. This study provides a catalogue of thousands of nucleotide variants along predicted protein-coding genes, while identifying genome-wide differences between pigment phenotypes in laboratory populations. Conclusions Awareness of the genetic variation could guide a better experimental design while helping to develop molecular tools for monitoring genetic diversity and studying gene functions in laboratory axolotls. Overall, this study highlights the cross-taxa utility that transcriptomic data might have to assess the genetic variation of the experimental specimens, which might help to shorten the journey towards reproducible research.

Ontogenetic development of the otic region in the new model organism, Leucoraja erinacea (Chondrichthyes; Rajidae)

2018 ◽  
Vol 109 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 105-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathrin PFAFF ◽  
Jürgen KRIWET ◽  
Kyle MARTIN ◽  
Zerina JOHANSON
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Developmental Studies ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Computed Tomography Scanning ◽  
Cartilaginous Fishes ◽  
Tomography Scanning

ABSTRACTCartilaginous fishes have a long evolutionary history dating back 440 million years and include model organisms in a number of fields of biological research. However, comparative developmental studies of these organisms, particularly neuroanatomical investigations, still remain sparse. Here, pre-hatching to adult developmental stages of the Little Skate, Leucoraja erinacea, are investigated using micro-computed tomography scanning in conjunction with staining procedures designed to improve visualisation of soft tissues. Within the ear, the anatomy of the skeletal labyrinth changes during ontogeny and differs substantially from the underlying membranous system, contrary to previous observations in sharks. Additionally, substantial morphological remodelling characterises the parietal fossa, which appears initially as a massive and hook-like structure and subsequently becomes slender and surrounded by soft tissue. The sizes of the vestibular system and neurocranium increase isometrically from pre- to post-hatching phases, and then exponentially after the post-hatching stages.

scholarly journals The status of molecular biological research on the plant pathogenic genus Clavibacter

2006 ◽  
Vol 150 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary C Metzler ◽  
Marko J Laine ◽  
Solke H Boer
Keyword(s):  
Biological Research ◽  
The Status

scholarly journals Alive but not well: the limited validity but continued utility of the concept of schizophrenia

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony W. Zoghbi ◽  
Jeffrey A. Lieberman
Keyword(s):  
Classification System ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Diagnostic Category ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
New Classification ◽  
The Status ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
The Many

AbstractGuloksuz & van Os boldly challenge the status quo as pertains to schizophrenia. In ‘The Slow Death of the Concept of Schizophrenia, and the Painful Birth of the Psychosis Spectrum’ (Guloksuz & van Os, 2017) they thoughtfully review long-standing concerns about this diagnostic category and present a new conceptualization. The authors question the validity of the schizophrenia concept citing variable clinical outcomes, transdiagnostic manifestations of psychosis, and the difficulty in identifying biomarkers, among other concerns. They also point toward the over-representation of schizophrenia in the psychosis literature and lament that patients and clinicians have come to associate this illness with predominantly poor outcomes. Finally, they propose removing the diagnosis of schizophrenia from the diagnostic nomenclature and instituting a broad new classification system, ‘psychosis spectrum disorder’ (PSD), to capture the many manifestations of psychosis. In this commentary, we advise against the institution of a psychosis spectrum due to the potential negative effects this framework would have on clinical care and progress in biological research.

scholarly journals Expanding our scientific horizons: utilization of unique model organisms in biological research

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (16) ◽  
pp. 2311-2314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela K Peter ◽  
Claudia Crocini ◽  
Leslie A Leinwand
Keyword(s):  
Model Organisms ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Unique Model

scholarly journals A Genome for the Environment

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieter Ebert
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Model System ◽  
National Institutes Of Health ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
System P ◽  
A Genome

Water fleas of the genus Daphnia are among the oldest model systems in biological research. Today, we know more about their natural history and ecology than of any other taxon. The Daphnia model also has left a notable mark on other fields. élie Metchnikoff used Daphnia to test his 1908 Nobel prize–winning idea that macrophages attack invading parasites as part of cellular immunity. August Weismann's studies of water fleas were instrumental in developing his theory that only germ cells transmit heritable information in animals. Richard Woltereck used Daphnia to develop the notion of phenotypic plasticity—that an organism can change its characteristics in response to the environment—an idea that still guides experiments with many organisms that distinguish genetic from environmental effects. With all of these historical achievements, why did the National Institutes of Health (NIH) only recently add Daphnia to its list of model organisms for biomedical research? Moreover, why has Daphnia, at this point in time, become NIH's 13th model system?

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