LifeStyle-Specific-Islands (LiSSI): Integrated Bioinformatics Platform for Genomic Island Analysis

Distinct bacteria are able to cope with highly diverse lifestyles; for instance, they can be free living or host-associated. Thus, these organisms must possess a large and varied genomic arsenal to withstand different environmental conditions. To facilitate the identification of genomic features that might influence bacterial adaptation to a specific niche, we introduce LifeStyle-Specific-Islands (LiSSI). LiSSI combines evolutionary sequence analysis with statistical learning (Random Forest with feature selection, model tuning and robustness analysis). In summary, our strategy aims to identify conserved consecutive homology sequences (islands) in genomes and to identify the most discriminant islands for each lifestyle

Sex-related responses of blue mussels to the plasticiser DEHP under climate change scenarios

Climate change and plastic pollution are both pressing environmental issues. Little is known, however, about the combined effect of climate change conditions (such as global warming and ocean acidification) and plastic contaminants (such as the additive di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate DEHP), and whether this effect differs by sex. In fact, sex and gametogenesis status of individuals can influence a vast array of biological responses of several species, including the commercially important blue mussel Mytilus spp.This thesis investigates the consequences of DEHP exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations, alone or in combination with end-of-the-century simulated climate change conditions. A general effect of DEHP on mussel reproductive traits was observed, which confirmed the endocrine disruptive nature of this plasticiser. Specifically, fertility outcomes and estrogen receptor-related pathways were affected by the exposure, especially in female individuals. Overall, when combined with increased temperature or lowered pH, DEHP affected histological, molecular, transcriptomic, metabolic and behavioural systems at various degrees. Furthermore, as it was previously noted for other endocrine disruptive chemicals, the additive DEHP seemed to display a non-monotonic dose-response curve, provoking a stronger effect at low concentrations than at higher levels. Climate change stressors were also noticed to elicit a response in exposed individuals, especially increased temperature on spawning events and lowered pH on valve behaviours. Finally, when analysing the gene expression outcomes, sex and gametogenesis stage were considered useful predictive factors for interpreting the molecular datasets