Collection of drosophilids from the Font Groga site, Barcelona (Spain)

Following a series of studies, another collection of drosophilids was obtained from Font Groga (Barcelona) on 6th October 2014. The detailed description of this site can be found in Araúz et al. (2009) and samples have been obtained in previous years (Canals et al., 2013; Pineda et al., 2014). A total of 12 baits containing fermenting bananas placed along a trail were used for attracting flies, and they were sampled by nets. Individuals were collected from 4 to 7 pm. It is worth to compare these data with those from the previous samples of 2012 (Canals et al., 2013) and 2013 (Pineda et al., 2014). In the present collection, the most abundant species is the melano/simulans group (38.94%), increasing with regard to last year (25.21%), but far from the percentage of 2012 sample (81.01%). In 2014, D. subobscura represents 30.53%, approximately half of the percentage detected in 2013 (62.60%), but clearly higher than that of 2012 (6.85%). The invasive species D. suzukii has increased reaching the 20.35%, clearly over the 7.98% (2013) and 9.20% (2012). This species seems to be well adapted to the Font Groga habitat. Finally, we have estimated both the H' (Shannon diversity index) and J (Shannon uniformity index). The values obtained were 1.36 and 0.76, respectively. They are similar, but higher than those from 2012 and 2013 samples [...]

Some applications of DNA databanks as an investigative tool for solving criminal cases

The introduction of molecular markers, as STR (Short Tandem Repeats) was a fundamental event in Forensic Genetics. It was possible to obtain individual genetic profiles that allowed to properly identifying individuals with small probability of error. Furthermore, police officers soon discovered the investigative value provided by DNA databanks, defined as a collection of individual DNA profiles usually used to investigate crimes and identify suspects. In this article, the authors present the most common use of these police databanks, comment their drawbacks and how to overcome them. The usage and value of police DNA databanks in special criminal situations are also explained: cold cases, familial searches and dragnets. These three particular situations are described and commented in this article. In summary, although several technical, ethical - legal and international aspects have to be improved, police DNA databanks are really powerful investigation tools that allow solving a large number of criminal cases

Estudio genético de la escoliosis idiopática en el hombre

Tesi de Llicenciatura per a la obtenció del Grau de Biologia. Facultat de Biologia. Departament de Genètica. Universitat de Barcelona. Director: Antonio Prevosti. 198

Reliable software

In biomedicine, biodiversity and other fields of research, large databases are used. Assuming that a proper statistical procedure has been chosen, a crucial point is the selection of the right software to compute the data. The available software has to be sufficiently proven and having the guarantee that it is reliable. Currently, it is easy to obtain free software for most statistical procedures. We agree that a free software is especially useful because as a large number of researchers can take benefit of it. However, in several repositories, software has not been sufficiently proven, and could yield to erroneous results. This situation could lead to dreadful consequences, for instance, when studying cancer or complex genetic diseases. We propose that researchers should be especially accurate in their software selection, and also the control levels should be improved in order to upload new software in a public repository

Influencia del conocimiento científico y técnico en la política contemporánea y su relevancia en las decisiones democráticas

El desarrollo tecnocientífico de las últimas décadas no sólo ha cambiado la calidad de vida y también los riesgos de la ciudadanía, sino que hace más compleja la actuación democrática, tanto a nivel de ciudadanía como de los dirigentes políticos. La incorporación en política de las opiniones y consejos de expertos y agencias establece nuevas pautas del discurso, la crítica, las decisiones y la comunicación entre políticos, expertos y ciudadanos. En consecuencia, aparecen nuevas maneras de tomar decisiones y de articular el poder político con los expertos y la ciudadanía. En este trabajo se analiza y discute en qué medida la incorporación de los expertos en la práxis política genera desplazamientos del poder y la crítica, al tiempo que se dan pautas para responder a las preguntas del foro de Ludus Vitalis 'Ciencia y democracia'. La exigencia democrática de gobernar por y para el pueblo, exige tener acceso a los expertos y por tanto depender políticamente de ellos en mayor o menor medida, partiendo de la base de que su opinión puesta al servicio de la política mejora la gobernanza

Reflexiones sobre el miedo en el siglo XXI: Filosofía, política, genética y evolución

La actualidad y los acontecimientos de las últimas décadas han puesto de manifiesto la importancia del miedo en la vida pública. El miedo como tal y sus factores desencadenantes están presentes en la prensa, el discurso político, la neurociencia, la ciencia y la filosofía política. Entendemos que la gestión del miedo intuitivo, cognitivo y heurístico debe contemplarse como un elemento básico en la vida del ciudadano de este siglo. Tanto en la visión moderna de la nación y el contrato social, como en las visiones más futuristas de cosmopolitismo y estados supranacionales, la heurística del miedo difícilmente podrá desaparecer de los sistemas jurídicos y sociales, no solo por su utilidad intrínseca, sino también por su inmanencia y consubstancialidad genético-biológica y psico-social. El hecho de que exista miedo consideramos que es positivo puesto que nos alerta de riesgos que pueden afectar negativamente el futuro del individuo

Abnormal ovipositor in a Drosophila melanogaster female

While collecting virgin females from a wild stock, we found a female with an abnormal ovipositor (Figures 1, abnormal; Figure 2, normal). The stock was obtained from wild D. melanogaster flies collected at the Font Groga site, near Barcelona, in autumn 2012 (Canals et al., 2013). Unfortunately, it was not possible to cross this female, and we did not have any information on her parents because she appeared in a mass culture [...]

Why Mathematics is essential in Biomedical Sciences degree?

Improvement of mathematical education and motivation of students in the mathematics" area is needed. What can be done? We introduce some ideas to generate the student"s interest for mathematics, because they often present difficulties in appreciating the relevance of mathematics and its role in the health sciences. We consider that a cornerstone in the strategy to attract the students" interest is linking the mathematics with real biomedical situations. We proceed in the following manner: We first present a real biomedical situation to produce interest and to generate curiosity. Second, we ask thought-provoking questions to students as: Which is the biomedical problem presented? Which is my knowledge on this situation? What could I do to solve this biomedical situation? Do I need some new mathematical concepts and procedures? Thereupon, the teacher explains the mathematical concepts necessary to solve the case presented, providing definitions, properties and tools for graphical display and/or mathematical calculations. In this learning methodology, ICTs were cornerstones for reaching the proposed competences. Furthermore, ICTs can also be used in the evaluative task in its two possible aspects: formative and for obtaining a qualification. Comments from students about this new mathematics teaching method indicate that the use of real biomedical case studies kept the lessons in mathematics interesting

Study of linkage between miniature and singed genes in Drosophila melanogaster

We have developed a practical exercise for undergraduate students whose main aim is to identify, using genetic crosses, a pair of D. melanogaster mutations (miniature and singed). Each student receives a vial with the problem strain containing two unknown mutations. The first step is to observe and describe both mutations. Then, the students carry out genetic crosses between mutant and normal strains: (P) ♀ mutant strain × ♂ normal strain (P) ♀ normal strain × ♂ mutant strain A different offspring is expected in these crosses: in the first one we will obtain normal females and m sn males, whereas in the second all individuals will present normal phenotype. It is possible to deduce that both are sex linked mutations. With this information and to simplify the amount of work, only F1 individuals from the first cross will be used (m+sn+ / m sn × m sn / Y chrom.) to obtain the F2 generation. By counting the number of miniature (recombinant type), singed (recombinant type), miniature-singed (parental type) and normal (parental type) flies it is possible to estimate the recombination frequency between both genes. Knowing the phenotype, their chromosomal location (X chromosome) and the genetic distance between both mutations, it is possible to identify them by finding all this information in a Drosophila melanogaster genetic map. Additionally, a statistical analysis can be carried out to compare the number of expected F2 individuals with those observed in the experiment. As the distance between both genes is 15.1 m.u., then the expected percentages for each phenotype would be: normal (42.45%), miniature-signed (42.45%), miniature (7.55%) and singed (7.55%). Multiplying the frequency of each class by the total number of individuals obtained in the F2 it is possible to estimate the expected number of flies for each class. Finally, a χ2 test can be computed to ascertain whether there are significant differences between expected and observed number of individuals

Justicia y ciencia. Uniendo lo mejor de ambos mundos

La justicia y la ciencia son ámbitos muy diferentes de la actividad humana. Sin embargo, los conocimientos científicos dan lugar a la aparición de una serie de disciplinas aplicadas que son de gran utilidad en forensia y que pueden ser trascendentales en la Administración de la Justicia. El problema es reconocer primero si una especialidad es realmente científica y si puede utilizarse de manera fiable en el ámbito de la justicia. En este sentido, la utilización de las pruebas de ADN es un buen ejemplo de cómo, poco a poco, se ha ido ajustando su uso en los tribunales. Además los laboratorios donde se practican esas técnicas forenses están correctamente homologados y al mismo tiempo los especialistas que trabajan en ellos son profesionales con una sólida formación y que se mantienen constantemente al día. Otro elemento crucial es que los expertos que aportan su testimonio deben hacerlo de manera precisa y comprensible. En los casos en que se presente una prueba pericial basada en una aproximación científica novedosa, ésta debe cumplir toda una serie de requisitos para poder ser aceptada por los tribunales