DNA builds and strengthens the extracellular matrix in Myxococcus xanthus biofilms by interacting with exopolysaccharides.

One intriguing discovery in modern microbiology is the extensive presence of extracellular DNA (eDNA) within biofilms of various bacterial species. Although several biological functions have been suggested for eDNA, including involvement in biofilm formation, the detailed mechanism of eDNA integration into biofilm architecture is still poorly understood. In the biofilms formed by Myxococcus xanthus, a Gram-negative soil bacterium with complex morphogenesis and social behaviors, DNA was found within both extracted and native extracellular matrices (ECM). Further examination revealed that these eDNA molecules formed well organized structures that were similar in appearance to the organization of exopolysaccharides (EPS) in ECM. Biochemical and image analyses confirmed that eDNA bound to and colocalized with EPS within the ECM of starvation biofilms and fruiting bodies. In addition, ECM containing eDNA exhibited greater physical strength and biological stress resistance compared to DNase I treated ECM. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that DNA interacts with EPS and strengthens biofilm structures in M. xanthus

ranacapa: An R package and Shiny web app to explore environmental DNA data with exploratory statistics and interactive visualizations.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is becoming a core tool in ecology and conservation biology, and is being used in a growing number of education, biodiversity monitoring, and public outreach programs in which professional research scientists engage community partners in primary research. Results from eDNA analyses can engage and educate natural resource managers, students, community scientists, and naturalists, but without significant training in bioinformatics, it can be difficult for this diverse audience to interact with eDNA results. Here we present the R package ranacapa, at the core of which is a Shiny web app that helps perform exploratory biodiversity analyses and visualizations of eDNA results. The app requires a taxonomy-by-sample matrix and a simple metadata file with descriptive information about each sample. The app enables users to explore the data with interactive figures and presents results from simple community ecology analyses. We demonstrate the value of ranacapa to two groups of community partners engaging with eDNA metabarcoding results

SELF AWARENESSTHAT LEADS TOEDNA PONTELLIER’S EGOISTIC SUICIDE IN KATE CHOPIN’S THE AWAKENING NOVEL

Ada beberapa faktor yang menyebabkan seseorang berakhir dengan keputusan untuk bunuh diri. Novel The Awakening karya Kate Chopin bercerita tentang Edna Pontellier, istri dari seorang Creole yang hidup tertekan karena suaminya dan standar sosial Creole hingga ia kehilangan jati dirinya.Penulis menggunakan metode studi pustaka guna mencari data data relevan yang berkaitan dengan topik yang dibahas. Penulis menggunakan pendekatan eksponensial untuk menjelaskan unsur intrinsik novel tersebut untuk memberikan informasi yang jelas tentang karakter, setting, dan konflik yang ada didalam novel. Pendekatan psikologi sosial digunakan untuk memahami seberapa besar dampak lingkungan sekitar terhadap cara berpikir dan bertindak suatu individu. Penulis menemukan korelasi antara cara Edna berpikir dan bertindak dengan standar sosial Creole saat itu. Sedangkan untuk menganalisis proses kesadaran diri tokoh Edna Pontellier, penulis menggunakan teori self awareness guna mengkaji proses kesadaran diri yang dilalui Edna satu per satu. Penulis juga menggunakan teori suicide oleh Emile Durkheim untuk menganalisis aksi bunuh diri yang Edna lakukan di akhir cerita novel. Penulis kemudian mengkategorikan aksi bunuh diri tersebut kedalam tipe egoistic suicide sesuai dengan faktor-faktor penyebabnya

The Children\u27s Shoe Department

Non-fiction by Edna Bellen Bac

Novel Bacterial Diversity and Fragmented eDNA Identified in Hyperbiofilm-Forming Pseudomonas aeruginosa Rugose Small Colony Variant

Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms represent a major threat to health care. Rugose small colony variants (RSCV) of P. aeruginosa, isolated from chronic infections, display hyperbiofilm phenotype. RSCV biofilms are highly resistant to antibiotics and host defenses. This work shows that RSCV biofilm aggregates consist of two distinct bacterial subpopulations that are uniquely organized displaying contrasting physiological characteristics. Compared with that of PAO1, the extracellular polymeric substance of RSCV PAO1ΔwspF biofilms presented unique ultrastructural characteristics. Unlike PAO1, PAO1ΔwspF released fragmented extracellular DNA (eDNA) from live cells. Fragmented eDNA, thus released, was responsible for resistance of PAO1ΔwspF biofilm to disruption by DNaseI. When added to PAO1, such fragmented eDNA enhanced biofilm formation. Disruption of PAO1ΔwspF biofilm was achieved by aurine tricarboxylic acid, an inhibitor of DNA-protein interaction. This work provides critical novel insights into the contrasting structural and functional characteristics of a hyperbiofilm-forming clinical bacterial variant relative to its own wild-type strain

Fulbright for Honors

Dr. Edna Udobong will talk about opportunities for Honors students and graduates to win Fulbright Scholarships on March 24 in the Jerry Falwell Library Conference Room A from 3:30-4:30