Using Excel Mapper to Design Chromosome Idiograms

Idiograms are graphical representations in which chromosomes appear ordered by their relative size, homology groups, and the presence of cytogenetic landmarks such as centromeres, secondary constrictions, and banding patterns. They have become crucial elements in cytogenetic research. Here, we describe a simple protocol for spreadsheet software to draw idiograms and map any type of sequence onto them. These graphs can be easily used to present research results and can become the basis to raise and resolve questions related to different biological issues. The methodology is inexpensive, easy to follow, and allows customization to meet a wide range of educational scenarios focused in genetics and evolution.University of Granada PID-16-0

Impact of two yeast strains on tempranillo red wine aroma profiles throughout accelerated ageing

This study aimed at determining the changes induced by two S. cerevisiae strains, (IONYS wf™ and Lalvin ICV D254™) on the sensory and chemical aroma profiles of Tempranillo wine, after fermentation and after ageing. The 64 aroma molecules determined were grouped attending to sensory and chemical similarity into 17 aroma vectors. Sensory studies included a sorting task and a descriptive analysis by flash profile with a trained panel. Results revealed that, even if ageing is the dominant factor, the strain of yeast introduces significant and consistent differences, both in sensory and aroma vector profiles (11 out 17 affected). Wines made with D254 contained higher levels of ethyl esters, acetic acid, cinnamates and ethyl acetate and lower levels of linear fatty acids, ß-damascenone, acetaldehyde, higher alcohols and lactones than those made with IONYS. The first profile was related to black and fresh fruit notes, while the second to white and compote fruits. © 2021 International Viticulture and Enology Society-IVES

A Gene Calculator to teach mendelism, gene interaction and linkage

La Genética Mendeliana representa el primer contacto de los estudiantes con la Genética. Aunque es fundamental para entender las bases de la herencia, no recoge dos de las grandes excepciones que se producen en la naturaleza y que alteran las proporciones mendelianas: (1) las interacciones génicas, o la acción de varios genes que contribuyen a un mismo fenotipo y (2) el ligamiento genético, o la localización de varios genes en un mismo cromosoma. En este contexto, presentamos una herramienta web denominada Calculadora de Genes que permite profundizar en ambos aspectos. Por un lado, simula cruzamientos no solo de rasgos mendelianos tradicionales, sino también de rasgos con todos los tipos de interacciones génicas existentes. Por otro lado, permite estudiar el efecto del ligamiento en las proporciones mendelianas, haciendo estimas de distancias genéticas y ofreciendo una salida con la representación gráfica de los gametos que produciría un individuo que porta varios genes ligados. Analizamos el potencial educativo de esta herramienta y proponemos una actividad práctica para su aplicación en el aula.Mendelian Genetics represents the student’s gateway to Genetics. Although it is essential to understand the basis of inheritance, it does not include two important exceptions occurring in nature that distort Mendelian ratios: (1) gene interactions, or the joint action of several genes contributing to the same phenotype and (2) genetic linkage, or the location of several genes on the same chromosome. On these grounds, we present the Gene Calculator, a web tool that allows us to delve into both aspects. On the one hand, it simulates genetic crossings not only of traditional Mendelian traits but also of traits with all types of existing gene interactions. On the other hand, it allows studying the effect of linkage on Mendelian ratios by estimating genetic distances and generating an output with the graphic representation of the gametes produced by an individual with several linked genes. Finally, we evaluate the educational potential of this tool by proposing a practical activity to be used in the classroom

Relationship of Thermal Treatment and Antioxidant Capacity in Cooked Foods

Most of the foods we eat undergo a cooking process before they are eaten. During such a process, the non-enzymatic browning occurs, which generates compounds such as furosine, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural. These are considered markers of cookedness and can therefore be used as quality indicators. In this work, we study the production of these compounds in different foods (both of plant and animal origin) that are cooked with different techniques. Additionally, we investigate correlations between the production of these markers of cookedness and the antioxidant capacity produced after in vitro digestion and fermentation. We observe that, in general, cereals and vegetables are more thermally damaged. Toasting and frying produce the highest concentrations of Maillard compounds whereas boiling the lowest. Furosine content shows a significant positive correlation with in vitro digestion data in fried foods, and with fermentation in roasted foods. Furfural content shows a significant positive correlation with in vitro digestion results in roasted foods, specifically in the Folin–Ciocalteu method

Detection and variability analyses of CRISPR-like loci in the H. pylori genome

Helicobacter pylori is a human pathogenic bacterium with a high genomic plasticity. Although the functional CRISPR-Cas system has not been found in its genome, CRISPR-like loci have been recently identified. In this work, 53 genomes from different geographical areas are analyzed for the search and analysis of variability of this type of structure. We confirm the presence of a locus that was previously described in the VlpC gene in al lgenomes, and we characterize new CRISPR-like loci in other genomic locations. By studying the variability and gene location of these loci, the evolution and the possible roles of these sequences are discussed. Additionally, the usefulness of this type of sequences as a phylogenetic marker has been demonstrated, associating the different strains by geographical area

Access to wine experts' long-term memory to decipher an ill-defined sensory concept: The case of green red wine

The present study aims to understand an ill-defined sensory concept by a long-term memory-based strategy with Spanish winemakers from four wine regions using "green wine" as a case study. A total of 77 Spanish winemakers from four Spanish wine regions carried out a non-tasting free description task. The description task yielded terms belonging to two main categories including origin-related terms as well as sensory terms. Sensory terms belonged to aroma, taste, trigeminal, colour, multimodal and hedonic subcategories, which elucidates the multidimensionality of the studied concept. The most cited specific terms were "vegetal aroma", "bitter"and "unpleasant". Despite these commonalities, a certain idiosyncrasy linked to taste ("excessive sourness") and trigeminal ("astringency") subcategories as well as to wine components ("tannins") was evidenced as they were cited distinctly by experts belonging to separate wine regions. The capacity of approaches based on long-term memory to decipher multidimensional and ill-defined concepts is highlighted. The regional effect is also explained in terms of cognitive processes (i.e., knowledge and experience), which is linked to the use of sensory concepts by wine experts

Pistachio genomes provide insights into nut tree domestication and ZW sex chromosome evolution

Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacio´ n of Spain (project nos. AGL2009-09094 and RYC-2011-08653), the University of Granada (project no. PP2016- PIP13), and the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province, China (project nos. 2021J01142 and 2018J01606) for providing financial support for this research.Pistachio is a nut crop domesticated in the Fertile Crescent and a dioecious species with ZW sex chromosomes. We sequenced the genomes of Pistacia vera cultivar (cv.) Siirt, the female parent, and P. vera cv. Bagyolu, the male parent. Two chromosome-level reference genomes of pistachio were generated, and Z and W chromosomes were assembled. The ZW chromosomes originated from an autosome following the first inversion, which occurred approximately 8.18 Mya. Three inversion events in the W chromosome led to the formation of a 12.7-Mb (22.8% of the W chromosome) non-recombining region. These W-specific sequences contain several genes of interest that may have played a pivotal role in sex determination and contributed to the initiation and evolution of a ZW sex chromosome system in pistachio. The W-specific genes, including defA, defA-like, DYT1, two PTEN1, and two tandem duplications of six VPS13A paralogs, are strong candidates for sex determination or differentiation. Demographic history analysis of resequenced genomes suggest that cultivated pistachio underwent severe domestication bottlenecks approximately 7640 years ago, dating the domestication event close to the archeological record of pistachio domestication in Iran. We identified 390, 211, and 290 potential selective sweeps in 3 cultivar subgroups that underlie agronomic traits such as nut development and quality, grafting success, flowering time shift, and drought tolerance. These findings have improved our understanding of the genomic basis of sex determination/differentiation and horticulturally important traits and will accelerate the improvement of pistachio cultivars and rootstocks.Departamento de Genética. Grupo BIO200. Facultad de Ciencias. Universidad de Granad

Chromosome landmarks and autosome-sex chromosome translocations in Rumex hastatulus, a plant with XX/XY1Y2 sex chromosome system

Rumex hastatulus is the North American endemic dioecious plant with heteromorphic sex chromosomes. It is differentiated into two chromosomal races: Texas (T) race characterised by a simple XX/XY sex chromosome system and North Carolina (NC) race with a polymorphic XX/XY1Y2 sex chromosome system. The gross karyotype morphology in NC race resembles the derived type, but chromosomal changes that occurred during its evolution are poorly understood. Our C-banding/DAPI and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) experiments demonstrated that Y chromosomes of both races are enriched in DAPI-positive sequences and that the emergence of polymorphic sex chromosome system was accompanied by the break of ancestral Y chromosome and switch in the localization of 5S rDNA, from autosomes to sex chromosomes (X and Y2). Two contrasting domains were detected within North Carolina Y chromosomes: the older, highly heterochromatinised, inherited from the original Y chromosome and the younger, euchromatic, representing translocated autosomal material. The flow-cytometric DNA estimation showed ∼3.5 % genome downsizing in the North Carolina race. Our results are in contradiction to earlier reports on the lack of heterochromatin within Y chromosomes of this species and enable unambiguous identification of autosomes involved in the autosome-heterosome translocation, providing useful chromosome landmarks for further studies on the karyotype and sex chromosome differentiation in this species

Metodologías innovadoras en el ámbito universitario: coaching educativo en el seguimiento de Trabajos Fin de Master, Fin de Grado y Practicums

Se desarrolla una metodología coaching que incentiva y motiva el proceso de seguimiento de trabajo de fin de Master, fin de Grado y Prácticums para obtener resultados brillantes y a su vez mejore la competencia de los estudiantes en la evolución

Bioprinting decellularized breast tissue for the development of three-dimensional breast cancer models

The tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a vital role in tumor progression and drug resistance. Previous studies have shown that breast tissue-derived matrices could be an important biomaterial to recreate the complexity of the tumor ECM. We have developed a method for decellularizing and delipidating a porcine breast tissue (TDM) compatible with hydrogel formation. The addition of gelatin methacrylamide and alginate allows this TDM to be bioprinted by itself with good printability, shape fidelity, and cytocompatibility. Furthermore, this bioink has been tuned to more closely recreate the breast tumor by incorporating collagen type I (Col1). Breast cancer cells (BCCs) proliferate in both TDM bioinks forming cell clusters and spheroids. The addition of Col1 improves the printability of the bioink as well as increases BCC proliferation and reduces doxorubicin sensitivity due to a downregulation of HSP90. TDM bioinks also allow a precise three-dimensional printing of scaffolds containing BCCs and stromal cells and could be used to fabricate artificial tumors. Taken together, we have proven that these novel bioinks are good candidates for biofabricating breast cancer models.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version