Contributo para a inventariação da biodiversidade marinha da ilha de Santa Maria

XIV Expedição Científica do Departamento de Biologia - Santa Maria 2009.Na XIV Expedição Cientifica à ilha de Santa Maria 2009, organizada pelo Departamento de Biologia da Universidade dos Açores, foram realizados vários trabalhos em diversos locais do litoral da ilha, tendo como objectivo o registo, recolha e identificação de espécies marinhas, tendo sido feita amostragem de fauna e flora intertidal e subtidal (em mergulho com escafandro autónomo). Em cada um dos locais de amostragem procedeu-se a identificação dos exemplares in loco e quando esta não era possível, os indivíduos foram colectados para posterior identificação em laboratório. Em paralelo, colectaram-se algas e crustáceos decápodes para análise genética (sequenciação de DNA; COI). Foram ainda efectuados dois arrastos para recolha de plâncton. Toda a informação obtida irá ser incluída na base de dados Atlantis. Os trabalhos efectuados inserem-se no âmbito de vários projectos em curso no Departamento de Biologia da UAç (e.g. LusoMarBol, Inspect). A inventariação de espécies resultou no acréscimo de 18 registos à lista de espécies costeiras e marinhas anteriormente referenciadas para Santa Maria, contribuindo deste modo para um melhor conhecimento da biodiversidade costeira e marinha da ilha de Santa Maria

The OBAA Standard for Developing Repositories of Learning Objects: the Case of Ocean Literacy in Azores

This paper describes the existing web resources of learning objects to promote ocean literacy. The several projects and sites are explored, and the shortcomings revealed. The limitations identified include insufficient metadata about registered learning objects and lack of support for intelligent applications. As solution, we promote the seaThings project that relies on a multi-disciplinary approach to promote literacy in the marine environment by implementing a specific Learning Objects repositories (LOR) and a federation of repositories (FED), supported by a OBAA, a versatile and innovative standard that will provide the necessary support for intelligent applications for education purposes, to be used in schools and other educational institutions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dioctadecyldimethylammonium:monoolein nanocarriers for efficient in vitro gene silencing

This study describes a novel liposomal formulation for siRNA delivery, based on the mixture of the neutral lipid monoolein (MO) and cationic lipids of the dioctadecyldimethylammonium (DODA) family. The cationic lipids dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) and chloride (DODAC) were compared in order to identify which one will most efficiently induce gene silencing. MO has a fluidizing effect on DODAC and DODAB liposomes, although it was more homogeneously distributed in DODAC bilayers. All MO-based liposomal formulations were able to efficiently encapsulate siRNA. Stable lipoplexes of small size (100-160 nm) with a positive surface charge (>+45 mV) were formed. A more uniform MO incorporation in DODAC:MO may explain an increase of the fusogenic potential of these liposomes. The siRNA-lipoplexes were readily internalized by human nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (H1299) cells, in an energy dependent process. DODAB:MO nanocarriers showed a higher internalization efficiency in comparison to DODAC:MO lipoplexes, and were also more efficient in promoting gene silencing. MO had a similar gene silencing ability as the commonly used helper lipid 1,2-dioleyl-3-phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), but with much lower cytotoxicity. Taking in consideration all the results presented, DODAB:MO liposomes are the most promising tested formulation for systemic siRNA delivery.This work was supported by FEDER through POFC - COMPETE and by national funds from FCT through the projects PEst-C/BIA/UI4050/2011 (CBM.A), PEst-C/FIS/UI0607/2011 (CFUM), and PTDC/QUI/69795/2006, while Ana Oliveira holds scholarship SFRH/BD/68588/2010. Eloi Feitosa thanks FAPESP (2011/03566-0) and CNPq (303030/2012-7), and Renata D. Adati thanks FAPESP for scholarship (2011/07414-0). K. Raemdonck is a postdoctoral fellow of the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO-Vlaanderen). We acknowledge NanoDelivery-I&D em Bionanotecnologia, Lda. for access to their equipment

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved