A general introduction to glucocorticoid biology

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroid hormones widely used for the treatment of inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. To exert their broad physiological and therapeutic effects, GCs bind to the GC receptor (GR) which belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors. Despite their success, GCs are hindered by the occurrence of side effects and glucocorticoid resistance (GCR). Increased knowledge on GC and GR biology together with a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the GC side effects and GCR are necessary for improved GC therapy development. We here provide a general overview on the current insights in GC biology with a focus on GC synthesis, regulation and physiology, role in inflammation inhibition, and on GR function and plasticity. Furthermore, novel and selective therapeutic strategies are proposed based on recently recognized distinct molecular mechanisms of the GR. We will explain the SEDIGRAM concept, which was launched based on our research results

Borges Dilemma, Fundamental Laws, and Systems Biology

I reason here that the known folk law in biology that there is no general law in biology because of exceptions is false. The (quantitative) systems biology offers the potential to solve the Borges Dilemma, by transcending it. There have already a plenty of indications on this trend.Comment: 4 page

THE BIOLOGICAL AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF TRANSFERABLE BACTEROIDES R PLASMIDS

In this literature review I will briefly describe the general biology of transferable antibiotic resistance in bacteria, the genetic elements involved (plasmids) and several specific plasmid associated phenotypes. This will be followed with a review of the general biology of Bacteroides, the information known concerning its plasmid reservoir and finally a review of the information documenting the emergence of transferable clindamycin resistance in Bacteroides. The latter aspect represents the central focus of research described in this thesis

Open source bioimage informatics for cell biology

Significant technical advances in imaging, molecular biology and genomics have fueled a revolution in cell biology, in that the molecular and structural processes of the cell are now visualized and measured routinely. Driving much of this recent development has been the advent of computational tools for the acquisition, visualization, analysis and dissemination of these datasets. These tools collectively make up a new subfield of computational biology called bioimage informatics, which is facilitated by open source approaches. We discuss why open source tools for image informatics in cell biology are needed, some of the key general attributes of what make an open source imaging application successful, and point to opportunities for further operability that should greatly accelerate future cell biology discovery