Large-scale phylogeography of the disjunct Neotropical tree species Schizolobium parahyba (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae).

Neotropical rainforests exhibit high levels of endemism and diversity. Although the evolutionary genetics of plant diversification has garnered increased interest, phylogeographic studies of widely distributed species remain scarce. Here we describe chloroplast and nuclear variation patterns in Schizolobium parahyba (Fabaceae), a widespread tree in Neotropical rainforests that harbor two varieties with a disjunct distribution. Chloroplast and nuclear sequence analyses yielded 21 and 4 haplotypes, respectively. Two genetic diversity centers that correlate with the two known varieties were identified: the Southeastern Atlantic forest and the Amazonian basin. In contrast, the populations from southern and northeastern Atlantic forests and Andean-Central American forests exhibited low levels of genetic diversity and divergent haplotypes, likely related to historical processes that impact the flora and fauna in these regions, such as a founder's effect after dispersion and demographic expansion. Phylogeographic and demographic patterns suggest that episodes of genetic isolation and dispersal events have shaped the evolutionary history for this species, and different patterns have guided the evolution of S. parahyba. Moreover, the results of this study suggest that the dry corridor formed by Cerrado and Caatinga ecoregions and the Andean uplift acted as barriers to this species' gene flow, a picture that may be generalized to most of the plant biodiversity tropical woodlands and forests. These results also reinforce the importance of evaluating multiple genetic markers for a more comprehensive understanding of population structure and history. Our results provide insight into the conservation efforts and ongoing work on the genetics of population divergence and speciation in these Neotropical rainforests. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Technological Advances in Synthetic Biology for Cellulosic Ethanol Production

The resurgence of biofuels in the recent past has brought new perspectives for renewable energy sources. Gradually the optimistic scenarios were being challenged by the competition for raw materials dedicated to direct or indirect human food. Second-generation biorefineries have emerged as technological alternatives to produce biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass. The third generation of biorefineries uses alternative raw materials like algae and microalgae. Despite the technical feasibility, these biorefineries were indebted for their economic performance. Synthetic biology has provided new microbial platforms that are increasingly better adapted to industrial characteristics to produce biofuels and fine chemicals. Synthetic biology bioengineers microorganisms to take advantage of the low-cost and less-noble raw materials like lignocellulosic biomass, carbon dioxide, and waste as a sustainable alternative for bioenergy generation using bio-substrates. In this chapter, we analyze the innovations in synthetic biology as applied to cellulosic ethanol production based on registered patents issued over the last twenty years (1999–2019). Using Questel-Orbit Intelligence, we recovered a total of 298 patent families, from which we extracted the key concepts and technology clusters, the primary technological domains and applications, the geographical distribution of patents, and the leading patents assignees. Besides, we discuss the perspectives for future research and innovations and the market and policy opportunities for innovation in this technological field. We conclude that the patented technologies serve as a proxy for the development of synthetic biotechnology applied in cellulosic ethanol production by the fourth generation of biorefineries

Produto farmacêutico e processo para sua produção

Em 01/12/2015: Recurso contra o Indeferimento. Notificação de interposição de recurso ao Presidente do INPI contra o indeferimento do pedido de patente ou do certificado de adição de invenção, objetivando o reexame da matéria.Não concedidaSão revelados produtos farmacêuticos úteis no tratamento de alergias, doenças autoimunes, na vacinação de mamíferos e em aplicações diagnósticas in vitro, estes produtos compreendendo grãos de pólen que contêm sua composição proteica alterada através de modificação genética na planta que o produz; o processo de produção dos referidos produtos farmacêuticos compreende o cultivo de plantas com modificação genética que proporciona a alteração da composição molecular dos grãos de pólen

Identification of novel soybean microRNAs involved in abiotic and biotic stresses

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Small RNAs (19-24 nt) are key regulators of gene expression that guide both transcriptional and post-transcriptional silencing mechanisms in eukaryotes. Current studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) act in several plant pathways associated with tissue proliferation, differentiation, and development and in response to abiotic and biotic stresses. In order to identify new miRNAs in soybean and to verify those that are possibly water deficit and rust-stress regulated, eight libraries of small RNAs were constructed and submitted to Solexa sequencing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The libraries were developed from drought-sensitive and tolerant seedlings and rust-susceptible and resistant soybeans with or without stressors. Sequencing the library and subsequent analyses detected 256 miRNAs. From this total, we identified 24 families of novel miRNAs that had not been reported before, six families of conserved miRNAs that exist in other plants species, and 22 families previously reported in soybean. We also observed the presence of several isomiRNAs during our analyses. To validate novel miRNAs, we performed RT-qPCR across the eight different libraries. Among the 11 miRNAs analyzed, all showed different expression profiles during biotic and abiotic stresses to soybean. The majority of miRNAs were up-regulated during water deficit stress in the sensitive plants. However, for the tolerant genotype, most of the miRNAs were down regulated. The pattern of miRNAs expression was also different for the distinct genotypes submitted to the pathogen stress. Most miRNAs were down regulated during the fungus infection in the susceptible genotype; however, in the resistant genotype, most miRNAs did not vary during rust attack. A prediction of the putative targets was carried out for conserved and novel miRNAs families.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Validation of our results with quantitative RT-qPCR revealed that Solexa sequencing is a powerful tool for miRNA discovery. The identification of differentially expressed plant miRNAs provides molecular evidence for the possible involvement of miRNAs in the process of water deficit- and rust-stress responses.</p

Patterns of genetic diversity in southern and southeastern Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze relict populations

Habitat fragmentation and a decrease in population size may lead to a loss in population genetic diversity. For the first time, the reduction in genetic diversity in the northernmost limit of natural occurence (southeastern Brazil) of Araucaria angustifolia in comparison with populations in the main area of the species continuous natural distribution (southern Brazil), was tested. The 673 AFLPs markers revealed a high level of genetic diversity for the species (Ht = 0.27), despite anthropogenic influence throughout the last century, and a decrease of H in isolated populations of southeastern Brazil (H = 0.16), thereby indicating the tendency for higher genetic diversity in remnant populations of continuous forests in southern Brazil, when compared to natural isolated populations in the southeastern region. A strong differentiation among southern and southeastern populations was detected (AMOVA variance ranged from 10%-15%). From Bayesian analysis, it is suggested that the nine populations tested form five “genetic clusters” (K = 5). Five of these populations, located in the northernmost limit of distribution of the species, represent three “genetic clusters”. These results are in agreement with the pattern of geographic distribution of the studied populations