Distribution of the mammalian-wide interspersed repeats (MIRs) in the isochores of the human genome

AbstractThe distribution of MIRs (mammalian-wide interspersed repeats) was investigated in 164 human sequences (≥100 kb), which were assigned, according to their GC level, to isochore families L, H1, H2 and H3. MIR elements, whose total number in the genome was estimated to be about 3.3×105, were found to be unevenly distributed in human isochores. The majority of MIRs (55%) were found in the L isochore family. In contrast, MIR density was highest in H2, closely followed by H1, whereas densities in L and H3 were 2- and 3-fold lower than in H2, respectively. For this reason, the assessment of MIR distribution by inter-repeat PCR led to an overestimation of MIR numbers in H2 isochore and an underestimation in L isochores

The brain-computer analogy "A special issue"

In this review essay, we give a detailed synopsis of the twelve contributions which are collected in a Special Issue in Frontiers Ecology and Evolution, based on the research topic "Current Thoughts on the Brain-Computer Analogy All Metaphors Are Wrong, But Some Are Useful." The synopsis is complemented by a graphical summary, a matrix which links articles to selected concepts. As first identified by Turing, all authors in this Special Issue recognize semantics as a crucial concern in the brain-computer analogy debate, and consequently address a number of such issues. What is missing, we believe, is the distinction between metaphor and analogy, which we reevaluate, describe in some detail, and offer a definition for the latter. To enrich the debate, we also deem necessary to develop on the evolutionary theories of the brain, of which we provide an overview. This article closes with thoughts on creativity in Science, for we concur with the stance that metaphors and analogies, and their esthetic impact, are essential to the creative process, be it in Sciences as well as in Arts

Additional file 2: Figure S1. of Horizontal gene transfer drives the evolution of Rh50 permeases in prokaryotes

Full phylogeny of Rh50 proteins. Figure S2. Phylogeny of Proteobacteria bacterium. Figure S3. Full phylogeny of Amt proteins. Figure S4. Tree-topology test. (PDF 1490 kb