Alternative mRNA Splicing in Three Venom Families Underlying a Possible Production of Divergent Venom Proteins of the Habu Snake, Protobothrops flavoviridis

Snake venoms are complex mixtures of toxic proteins encoded by various gene families that function synergistically to incapacitate prey. A huge repertoire of snake venom genes and proteins have been reported, and alternative splicing is suggested to be involved in the production of divergent gene transcripts. However, a genome-wide survey of the transcript repertoire and the extent of alternative splicing still remains to be determined. In this study, the comprehensive analysis of transcriptomes in the venom gland was achieved by using PacBio sequencing. Extensive alternative splicing was observed in three venom protein gene families, metalloproteinase (MP), serine protease (SP), and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF). Eleven MP and SP genes and a VEGF gene are expressed as a total of 81, 61, and 8 transcript variants, respectively. In the MP gene family, individual genes are transcribed into different classes of MPs by alternative splicing. We also observed trans-splicing among the clustered SP genes. No other venom genes as well as non-venom counterpart genes exhibited alternative splicing. Our results thus indicate a potential contribution of mRNA alternative and trans-splicing in the production of highly variable transcripts of venom genes in the habu snake

A pH sensor based on electric properties of nanotubes on a glass substrate

We fabricated a pH-sensitive device on a glass substrate based on properties of carbon nanotubes. Nanotubes were immobilized specifically on chemically modified areas on a substrate followed by deposition of metallic source and drain electrodes on the area. Some nanotubes connected the source and drain electrodes. A top gate electrode was fabricated on an insulating layer of silane coupling agent on the nanotube. The device showed properties of ann-type field effect transistor when a potential was applied to the nanotube from the top gate electrode. Before fabrication of the insulating layer, the device showed that thep-type field effect transistor and the current through the source and drain electrodes depend on the buffer pH. The current increases with decreasing pH of the CNT solution. This device, which can detect pH, is applicable for use as a biosensor through modification of the CNT surface

The habu genome reveals accelerated evolution of venom protein genes

Evolution of novel traits is a challenging subject in biological research. Several snake lineages developed elaborate venom systems to deliver complex protein mixtures for prey capture. To understand mechanisms involved in snake venom evolution, we decoded here the ~1.4-Gb genome of a habu, Protobothrops flavoviridis. We identified 60 snake venom protein genes (SV) and 224 non-venom paralogs (NV), belonging to 18 gene families. Molecular phylogeny reveals early divergence of SV and NV genes, suggesting that one of the four copies generated through two rounds of whole-genome duplication was modified for use as a toxin. Among them, both SV and NV genes in four major components were extensively duplicated after their diversification, but accelerated evolution is evident exclusively in the SV genes. Both venom-related SV and NV genes are significantly enriched in microchromosomes. The present study thus provides a genetic background for evolution of snake venom composition

GakuNinMoodle: Toward Robust E-Learning Services Using Moodle in Japan

In this study, we aim to improve security awareness education by developing more robust e-learning services that can maintain itself in the busy period including the beginning of new semesters. This paper focuses on the improvement of e-learning services on Moodle with limited system resources. The course design and Moodle management were improved as follows after some workarounds: (1) The “Final Test, ” which is a JavaScript-based test inside the Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) content was divided into a Moodle quiz module. “Conditional Activities” were then adopted to allow users to take the “Final Test” after the completion of the SCORM content. (2) The course was reset annually to delete all SCORM tracking data. In this study, we obtain effective operational findings for developing robust e-learning services, particularly for Moodle. As a result, we can provided robust e-learning services in Japan because GakuNinMoodle and the security awareness education course for federated institute, “Learn with Princess Rin Rin: Cyberethics” are accessed by 102 institutes including Kyoto University, Gunma University, and National Institute of Technology through actual operations. In general, database optimization is the best method for improving LMS performance with limited system resources. Specifically, online courses that include SCORM content should be considered as an overhead of API calls between LMS and SCORM content to determine a temporary solution under the constraint of limited resources to improve the performance of LMS when numerous accesses and downloads of learning reports are requested. Therefore, robust e-learning services with Moodle can be obtained even with limited resources. Additional research is being conducted to analyze learning records and system logs to improve the contents according to the assumption that the best method to improve e-learning is by considering learner's behavior

Virtual Assistant – An Agent Framework for Activating Interactions in Teaching and Learning

We propose a novel framework of virtual assistant for activating interactions in teaching and learning. The virtual assistant is a robot agent or a CG agent that supports both contents production and presentation. For realizing a virtual assistant, we need the following approaches: 1) Video capturing and editing environment including a virtual assistant, 2) Hardware design of a virtual assistant, 3) Interaction design of a virtual assistant, and 4) Planning of speech based on background knowledge. In this paper, we discuss these fundamental technologies, and then explain our previous and ongoing research.

Effects of Rapid Cooling on Heart Rate of the Japanese Lobster in vivo

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