Multi-model seascape genomics identifies distinct environmental drivers of selection among sympatric marine species

Background As global change and anthropogenic pressures continue to increase, conservation and management increasingly needs to consider species’ potential to adapt to novel environmental conditions. Therefore, it is imperative to characterise the main selective forces acting on ecosystems, and how these may influence the evolutionary potential of populations and species. Using a multi-model seascape genomics approach, we compare putative environmental drivers of selection in three sympatric southern African marine invertebrates with contrasting ecology and life histories: Cape urchin (Parechinus angulosus), Common shore crab (Cyclograpsus punctatus), and Granular limpet (Scutellastra granularis). Results Using pooled (Pool-seq), restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq), and seven outlier detection methods, we characterise genomic variation between populations along a strong biogeographical gradient. Of the three species, only S. granularis showed significant isolation-by-distance, and isolation-by-environment driven by sea surface temperatures (SST). In contrast, sea surface salinity (SSS) and range in air temperature correlated more strongly with genomic variation in C. punctatus and P. angulosus. Differences were also found in genomic structuring between the three species, with outlier loci contributing to two clusters in the East and West Coasts for S. granularis and P. angulosus, but not for C. punctatus. Conclusion The findings illustrate distinct evolutionary potential across species, suggesting that species-specific habitat requirements and responses to environmental stresses may be better predictors of evolutionary patterns than the strong environmental gradients within the region. We also found large discrepancies between outlier detection methodologies, and thus offer a novel multi-model approach to identifying the principal environmental selection forces acting on species. Overall, this work highlights how adding a comparative approach to seascape genomics (both with multiple models and species) can elucidate the intricate evolutionary responses of ecosystems to global change

Bioactividad y biocompatibilidad de compósitos de zirconia estabilizada con Y/ hidroxiapatita-Cu, Fosfato Tricálcico-Ag o Fosfato Tricálcico-Ga

The biological compatibility of bone and dental implants is limited, since it is placed until a long time after it has been implanted, due to its low resistance of infections attributed to a quick degradation of the implant which is present in the physiological fluids. Therefore, in this investigation, hydroxyapatite-zirconia (HA-ZrO2) composite materials were developed, where zirconia was stabilized with yttrium and hydroxyapatite was doped with silver, copper and gallium, in order to give biological properties to the composite that the zirconia does not present. Each component of the composite material has different characteristics; such as hydroxyapatite (HA) that provides it a bioactive behavior, On the other hand ZrO2 stabilized with yttrium gives it excellent resistance; otherwise, Ag, Ga and Cu provide antimicrobial properties. To obtain these systems, the materials were synthesized by the Pechini method and chemical precipitation. Afterward the compounds were obtained and tested by bioactivity tests, hemolysis, cell viability studies by the MTT method and osteoblast adhesion by staining, hence there were obtained bioactive, non-hemolytic, non-toxic materials with cell adhesion to the composite. and as a result of that, these awesome materials can be useful for dental implants

Advanced therapy medicinal products for eye diseases: Goals and challenges

Producción CientíficaThe concept of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) encompasses novel kinds of medicines for human use that are based on genes, cells or tissues. These intend to offer not only regeneration, but complete functional recovery of diseased tissues and organs using different strategies. Gene therapy, cell therapy and tissue engineering are the main areas in which promising advanced therapies are emerging. The eye is a very complex organ whose main structures, the cornea and the retina, play a pivotal role in maintaining normal vision, as severe alterations in these tissues can lead to blindness. Ocular tissues are starting to benefit from ATMPs by fighting against the enormous complexity and devastating potential of many ocular diseases. However, developments arising from this field of work face important challenges related to vectors to deliver drugs and genetic material to target tissues, suitable biomaterials to prepare cell scaffolds and cell stemness, among others—not to mention the complicated legislation around ATMPs, the complexity in production and quality control and the absence of standardized protocols. The purpose of this Special Issue is to serve as an overview of the current progress in the application of cell and gene therapies, as well as tissue engineering to restore functionality in diseased ocular structures, and the challenges they deal with in order to get to patients.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad e Instituto de Salud Carlos III - FEDER (FIS PI20/0317 e ICI21-00010)Junta de Andalucía - Consejería de Salud y Familias (PI-0086-2020)Junta de Andalucía - Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades- FEDER (B-CTS-504-UGR20

Seascape Genomics: Contextualizing Adaptive and Neutral Genomic Variation in the Ocean Environment

Seventy-one per cent of the earth’s surface is covered by ocean which contains almost 80% of the world’s phyla – “seascape genomics” is the study of how spatial dependence and environmental features in the ocean influence the geographic structure of genomic patterns in marine organisms. The field extends from seascape genetics where the study of small numbers of neutral loci predominates, to additionally consider larger numbers of loci from throughout the genome that may be of some functional or adaptive significance and are subject to selection. Seascape genomics is conceptually similar to landscape genomics; the disciplines share theoretical underpinnings, and the genetic measures and analytical methods are often the same. However, the spatio-temporal variability of the physical ocean environment and the biological characteristics of marine organisms (e.g. large population sizes and high dispersal ability) present some characteristic challenges and opportunities for spatial population genomics studies. This chapter provides an overview of the field of seascape genomics, outlines concepts and methods to consider when conducting seascape genomics studies, and highlights future research avenues and opportunities for the application of seascape genomics to global issues affecting our marine environment