Evolution of Exon-Intron Structure and Alternative Splicing

Despite significant advances in high-throughput DNA sequencing, many important species remain understudied at the genome level. In this study we addressed a question of what can be predicted about the genome-wide characteristics of less studied species, based on the genomic data from completely sequenced species. Using NCBI databases we performed a comparative genome-wide analysis of such characteristics as alternative splicing, number of genes, gene products and exons in 36 completely sequenced model species. We created statistical regression models to fit these data and applied them to loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), an example of an important species whose genome has not been completely sequenced yet. Using these models, the genome-wide characteristics, such as total number of genes and exons, can be roughly predicted based on parameters estimated from available limited genomic data, e.g. exon length and exon/gene ratio

Identifying elderlies at risk of becoming more depressed with Internet-of-Things

Singapore National Research Foundation; Singapore Ministry of National Developmen

Carbon nanotube fiber mats for microbial fuel cell electrodes

Novel carbon nanotube based electrodes of microbial fuel cells (MFC) have been developed. MFC is a promising technology for the wastewater treatment and the production of electrical energy from redox reactions of natural substrates. Performances of such bio-electrochemical systems depend critically on the structure and properties of the electrodes. The presently developed materials are made by weaving fibers solely comprised of carbon nanotubes. They exhibit a large scale porosity controlled by the weaving process. This porosity allows an easy colonization by electroactive bacteria. In addition, the fibers display a nanostructuration that promotes excellent growth and adhesion of the bacteria at the surface of the electrodes. This unique combination of large scale porosity and nanostructuration allows the present electrodes to perform better than carbon reference. When used as anode in a bioelectrochemical reactor in presence of Geobacter sulfurreducens bacteria, the present electrodes show a maximal current densityof about 7.5 mA/cm2.Ingénierie de matériaux poreux et d'enzymes pour le développement de biopilesInitiative d'excellence de l'Université de Bordeau

Wet-Spun Bioelectronic Fibers of Imbricated Enzymes and Carbon Nanotubes for Efficient Microelectrodes

The electrical connection of enzymes and microelectrodes is usually achieved through the direct deposition of biomoleculesat the electrode surface. Optimization of this interface can be achieved by using conductive nanomaterials such as carbonnanotubes, by adding shuttles of electrons, and/or by tuning the geometry of the electrode. However, immobilized enzymesremain essentially located at the outer surface of the electrode, thereby limiting the current density of the devices. A singlestep,scalable wet-spinning approach that allows the fabrication of microfibers into which enzymes and carbon nanotubes are imbricated in the core of the fiber is reported in this work. The efficiency of these bioelectronics fibers is tested in the enzymatic reduction of O2 and glucose oxidation. The presented microelectrodes exhibit a significantly enhanced activity compared to surface-coated microelectrodes, while preserving all of the advantages of microelectrodes in terms of miniaturization and spatiotemporal resolution.Ingénierie de matériaux poreux et d'enzymes pour le développement de biopilesAdvanced Materials by DesignInitiative d'excellence de l'Université de Bordeau