Synthesis and cell-free cloning of DNA libraries using programmable microfluidics

Microfluidics may revolutionize our ability to write synthetic DNA by addressing several fundamental limitations associated with generating novel genetic constructs. Here we report the first de novo synthesis and cell-free cloning of custom DNA libraries in sub-microliter reaction droplets using programmable digital microfluidics. Specifically, we developed Programmable Order Polymerization (POP), Microfluidic Combinatorial Assembly of DNA (M-CAD) and Microfluidic In-vitro Cloning (MIC) and applied them to de novo synthesis, combinatorial assembly and cellfree cloning of genes, respectively. Proof-of-concept for these methods was demonstrated by programming an autonomous microfluidic system to construct and clone libraries of yeast ribosome binding sites and bacterial Azurine, which were then retrieved in individual droplets and validated. The ability to rapidly and robustly generate designer DNA molecules in an autonomous manner should have wide application in biological research and development

Genomic aberrations associated with outcome in anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors treated within the EORTC phase III trial 26951

Despite similar morphological aspects, anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors (AOTs) form a heterogeneous clinical subgroup of gliomas. The chromosome arms 1p/19q codeletion has been shown to be a relevant biomarker in AOTs and to be perfectly exclusive from EGFR amplification in gliomas. To identify new genomic regions associated with prognosis, 60 AOTs from the EORTC trial 26951 were analyzed retrospectively using BAC-array-based comparative genomic hybridization. The data were processed using a binary tree method. Thirty-three BACs with prognostic value were identified distinguishing four genomic subgroups of AOTs with different prognosis (p < 0.0001). Type I tumors (25%) were characterized by: (1) an EGFR amplification, (2) a poor prognosis, (3) a higher rate of necrosis, and (4) an older age of patients. Type II tumors (21.7%) had: (1) loss of prognostic BACs located on 1p tightly associated with 19q deletion, (2) a longer survival, (3) an oligodendroglioma phenotype, and (4) a frontal location in brain. Type III AOTs (11.7%) exhibited: (1) a deletion of prognostic BACs located on 21q, and (2) a short survival. Finally, type IV tumors (41.7%) had different genomic patterns and prognosis than type I, II and III AOTs. Multivariate analysis showed that genomic type provides additional prognostic data to clinical, imaging and pathological features. Similar results were obtained in the cohort of 45 centrally reviewed–validated cases of AOTs. Whole genome analysis appears useful to screen the numerous genomic abnormalities observed in AOTs and to propose new biomarkers particularly in the non-1p/19q codeleted AOTs

Study of droplet impact and spreading on solid substrates of different wetting behaviour

International audienc

Droplet evaporation on solid substrates of different wetting behaviour

International audienc

Transient spreading of films on heterogeneous surfaces

International audienc

Modeling of drop spreading on random surfaces

International audienc

Ancyloceratidae (Ammonoidea, Ancyloceratoidea) nouveaux ou peu connus de l’Aptien inférieur des Alpes-Maritimes (Sud-Est de la France)

New research undertaken in the northern slopes of the Cheiron, near the village of Les Ferres (Alpes-Maritimes, France), resulted in the discovery of a rich ammonite fauna from the Lower Aptian Deshayesites deshayesi and Dufrenoyia furcata zones. This fauna is remarkable for the relatively large number of Ancyloceratidae, the vast majority of which corresponds to species belonging to genera whose presence was not or little recognized in the South-East of France. The study of these Ancyloceratidae led to the creation of the genus Caseyites gen. nov. represented by the new taxa C. esteronensis gen. nov. sp. nov., C. vermeuleni gen. nov. sp. nov. and C. morenobedmari gen. nov. sp. nov. Five other new species have been recognized within this fauna of heteromorph ammonites : Lithancylus bifurcatus sp. nov., Proaustraliceras bournaudi sp. nov., Ammonitoceras dumasi sp. nov., A. madouxi sp. nov., A. leiferrasensis sp. nov. and Caspianites ragazziae sp. nov