Transcriptome Analysis of the Desert Locust Central Nervous System: Production and Annotation of a Schistocerca gregaria EST Database

) displays a fascinating type of phenotypic plasticity, designated as ‘phase polyphenism’. Depending on environmental conditions, one genome can be translated into two highly divergent phenotypes, termed the solitarious and gregarious (swarming) phase. Although many of the underlying molecular events remain elusive, the central nervous system (CNS) is expected to play a crucial role in the phase transition process. Locusts have also proven to be interesting model organisms in a physiological and neurobiological research context. However, molecular studies in locusts are hampered by the fact that genome/transcriptome sequence information available for this branch of insects is still limited. EST information is highly complementary to the existing orthopteran transcriptomic data. Since many novel transcripts encode neuronal signaling and signal transduction components, this paper includes an overview of these sequences. Furthermore, several transcripts being differentially represented in solitarious and gregarious locusts were retrieved from this EST database. The findings highlight the involvement of the CNS in the phase transition process and indicate that this novel annotated database may also add to the emerging knowledge of concomitant neuronal signaling and neuroplasticity events. EST data constitute an important new source of information that will be instrumental in further unraveling the molecular principles of phase polyphenism, in further establishing locusts as valuable research model organisms and in molecular evolutionary and comparative entomology

Dispersion of nanoparticles in media of biological interest.

International audienceNanoparticles (NP) are introduced in a growing number of commercial products, including food and beverage, daily use hygiene products such as toothpaste, or orally-administered drugs. To study the possible toxicity of these nanoparticles, a model system is the in vitro response of eukaryotic cells to the presence of NP. However, to understand the observed effects, it is clear that good physical and chemical characterization of NP, and in particular of their dispersion are needed. Indeed, the expected effects should be different if the study is dealing with agglomerates or isolated nanoparticles. For fundamental understanding, it appears important to work with nanoparticles as well dispersed as possible while being in relevant biological condition, i.e. cellular culture cell

Dispersion of Aeroxil P25 TiO(2) Nanoparticle in Media of Biological Interest for the Culture of Eukaryotic Cells

International audienceIn this paper, results concerning the dispersion by different ways of a very common industrial titania NP (Degussa P25 produced in ton quantities). When dispersed in water, the suspensions of NP appear stable for weeks. When transferred in the cell culture medium (DMEM) or if directly dispersed in DMEM, strong evolution of size is seen as well as sedimentation. To address this problem and avoid direct aggregation, when going to DMEM, a "surfactant" relevant with biological studies (FBS) prior to transfer in DMEM (or other cell media) can be used. The main results are presented here

SiC nanocrystals embedded in polymer matrix : a new electro-optical nanocomposite

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TiO2/graphene-based nanocomposite as electron transport layer for perovskite solar cells: synthesis and properties

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Improving perovskite solar cells performance by using high quality TiO2/graphene-based nanocomposites as electron transport layer

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