Análisis bioinformático de genes implicados en replicación en genomas de bacterias endosimbiontes

93 p.Tesis dirigida por Enrique Viguera Mínguez. La cantidad de DNA se correlaciona positivamente con la complejidad genética del genoma del organismo. Algunas bacterias endosimbiontes de insectos y moluscos han sufrido un proceso de reducción genómica en el proceso de adaptación a la vida endosimbionte, si se compara el tamaño de su genoma con el de sus parientes de vida libre. En los últimos años, han surgido diferentes teorías que intentan explicar los procesos que han conducido a la reducción genómica en estas bacterias. Este tipo de organismos constituyen, por lo tanto, un modelo muy adecuado para el estudio de rutas metabólicas mínimas. EI objetivo principal de este trabajo ha sido el análisis del componente mínimo 3R (Replicación, Recombinación y Reparación) en bacterias endosimbiontes. A partir de estos datos se pueden proponer modelos que expliquen cómo estos microorganismos han compensado la pérdida de determinados genes y han diseñado rutas que Ies permiten lIevar a cabo estas funciones con un set mínimo de genes. Genome size is positively correlated by the genetic complexity of the genome’s organism. Some bacteria, endosymbionts from insects and mollusks, have suffered a process of genomic reduction in the process of adjustment to the endosymbiont lifestyle, if we compare the size of their genomes with that of their relatives of free life. In the last years, there have arisen different theories that try to explain the processes that have led to the genomic reduction in these bacteria. This type of organisms constitute, therefore, a model very adapted for the study of metabolic minimal routes. The principal aim of this work has been the analysis of the minimal component 3R (Replication, Recombination and Repair) in bacterial endosymbionts. From this information models can be proposed to explain how these microorganisms have compensated the loss of certain genes and have designed routes that allow them to carry out these functions with a minimal set of genes

Cambios en el estilo de vida y en las emociones durante el confinamiento por covid-19

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many countries around the world to adopt measures based on home containment. The aim was to stop the spread, as well as the hospital crisis and deaths resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection. People had to readjust their living habits to adapt to the new situation. The main objective of this research was to assess the population perception of lifestyle changes experienced during their home confinement around four parameters: (a) their diet, (b) frequency and intensity of physical exercise, (c) emotional state and (d) use of digital health digital media (eHealth). On March 31 and April 1, 2020, the link to a survey designed specifically for this purpose on Google Forms was sent via WhatsApp. A sample of 320 subjects was recruited, aged between 15 and 78 years (= 32.97; s =11.51), residents of different American and European countries, mainly from the Dominican Republic (73.8%) and Spain (17.2%). The results evidenced, with respect to diet, that 27.2% felt that their diet had worsened (37.8% that it was the same, while 35.0% that it had even improved); with respect to exercise, 52.5% stated that it had decreased in frequency/intensity (23.1% that it was the same, while 24.4% that it had increased); at the emotional level, 34.4% stated that it had worsened (51.6% that it was the same, while 14.0% that it was more positive). A statistically significant association was observed between changesin the use of eHealth toolsin eating (c2[4, n = 320] =11,75, p =.019) and exercise c2 [4, n= 320] = 85,35, p =.000). No statistically significant association was observed between emotional changes and the use of eHealth tools.En marzo de 2020, la pandemia de la COVID-19 hizo que, a lo largo del mundo, muchos países adoptaran medidas basadas en confinamientos domiciliarios. El objetivo era detener la propagación, así como la crisis hospitalaria y las muertes derivadas de la infección por SARS-CoV-2. Las personas tuvieron que reajustar sus hábitos de vida para adaptarse a la nueva situación. El objetivo principal de esta investigación fue evaluar la percepción poblacional sobre los cambios en el estilo de vida experimentados durante su confinamiento domiciliario en torno a cuatro parámetros: (a) su alimentación, (b) la frecuencia/intensidad de ejercicio físico, (c) el estado emocional y (d) el uso de medios digitales de salud digital (eSalud). Con este objetivo, el 31 de marzo y el 1 de abril, se envió el enlace de una encuesta diseñada en Formularios de Google a través de WhatsApp. Se reclutó una muestra de 320 participantes, con edades comprendidas entre los 15 y los 78 años (=32.97; s=11.51), residentes de distintos países americanos y europeos, principalmente de República Dominicana (73.8%) y España (17.2%). Los resultados evidenciaron, respecto a la alimentación, que el 27,2% sentía que su alimentación había empeorado (37.8% que era igual, mientras que 35,0% que incluso había mejorado); en cuanto al ejercicio, 52.5% manifestaba que había disminuido su frecuencia / intensidad (23.1% que era igual, mientras que 24.4% que había aumentado); a nivel emocional, 34.4% señaló que había empeorado (51.6% que era igual, mientras que 14.0% que era más positivo). Se observó una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre los cambios en el uso de herramientas de eSalud en la alimentación (c2[4, n = 320]= 11.75, p =. 019) y el ejercicio físico (c2 [4, n= 320] = 85.35, p =.000). No se observó asociación estadísticamente significativa entre los cambios emocionales y en el uso de herramientas de eSalud

Effect of a protein supplement on the gut microbiota of endurance athletes: A randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot study

Nutritional supplements are popular among athletes to improve performance and physical recovery. Protein supplements fulfill this function by improving performance and increasing muscle mass; however, their effect on other organs or systems is less well known. Diet alterations can induce gut microbiota imbalance, with beneficial or deleterious consequences for the host. To test this, we performed a randomized pilot study in cross-country runners whose diets were complemented with a protein supplement (whey isolate and beef hydrolysate) (n = 12) or maltodextrin (control) (n = 12) for 10 weeks. Microbiota, water content, pH, ammonia, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were analyzed in fecal samples, whereas malondialdehyde levels (oxidative stress marker) were determined in plasma and urine. Fecal pH, water content, ammonia, and SCFA concentrations did not change, indicating that protein supplementation did not increase the presence of these fermentation-derived metabolites. Similarly, it had no impact on plasma or urine malondialdehyde levels; however, it increased the abundance of the Bacteroidetes phylum and decreased the presence of health-related taxa including Roseburia, Blautia, and Bifidobacterium longum. Thus, long-term protein supplementation may have a negative impact on gut microbiota. Further research is needed to establish the impact of protein supplements on gut microbiota

From traditional lab protocols to a Guided Inquiry Based approach: an experience for Biotechnology students at the European University of Madrid

Current conventional laboratory sessions for science undergraduate students are currently reported to fail in developing research competences. However, authentic research experiences, in and out of the laboratory, are becoming more common in introductory undergraduate science programs after the implantation of The Bologna Process. Project-based learning (PBL) experiences based on inquiry-based protocols could be used to help students to identify and analyze the information they need to move into complex problems. Inquiry-based courses have been described in the past, where students participate in semester-long guided research projects focused in specific learning objectives (Hatfull et al. 2006; Call et al., 2007; Lopatto et al., 2008). During this last academic year we have designed a PBL model that provides an active learning laboratory experience based on an inquiry-based protocol for 2nd year Biotechnology students. We have designed a modular molecular genetics course that includes bioinformatics and molecular biology lab sessions. In both modules, students had the opportunity to conduct in collaborative groups different research projects about a central theme in molecular biology: the cell cycle. As they were responsible of their own projects, they becoming practicing scientists by proposing and evaluating biological experiments of their own design mentored by teacher facilitation. Final assessments included a thorough literature review about the central topic of the project and a final written paper resembling established publishing criteria for science research international journals. Students were also encouraged to contact well-known scientists in their research area by email during their bibliography search. From the satisfaction surveys, we conclude that results were positive in terms of student satisfaction (as measured in questionnaires and written reflections). This experience helped students understand the strengths, limitations and applications of science, and how communities of scientists come to establish the validity of knowledge

Replicación inducida por estrés térmico en cromosoma y plásmidos de Escherichia coli

A temperature upshift of ten or more degrees in the growth temperature of an Escherichia coli culture causes induction of on extra rounds of chromosome replication that are denominated HIR (heat induced replication). In this work we have determined the estructural requirements in DNA and the functions that are needed during the initiation and elongation in HIR. The model that we proposed explains the nature of this replication. Consedering the fact that heat induced replications were also identified in minicromosomes and plasmids, HIR could be a general response to heat stress in the bacterial world.Un aumento de diez o más grados de la temperatura de crecimiento de un cultivo de Escherichia coli da lugar a la aparición de rondas de replicación acíclicas que se denominan HIR (heat induced replication). En este trabajo se han determinado los requerimientos de estructura en el DNA y de función que son necesarios durante el inicio y la elongación de HIR y se ha propuesto un modelo que permite explicar la naturaleza de estas replicaciones. Dado que se ha encontrado inducción de replicación tras estrés térmico en minicromosomas y plásmidos, HIR es probablemente una respuesta al estrés térmico de carácter general en el mundo bacteriano

Initiation of Heat-Induced Replication Requires DnaA and the L-13-mer of oriC

An upshift of 10°C or more in the growth temperature of an Escherichia coli culture causes induction of extra rounds of chromosome replication. This stress replication initiates at oriC but has functional requirements different from those of cyclic replication. We named this phenomenon heat-induced replication (HIR). Analysis of HIR in bacterial strains that had complete or partial oriC deletions and were suppressed by F integration showed that no sequence outside oriC is used for HIR. Analysis of a number of oriC mutants showed that deletion of the L-13-mer, which makes oriC inactive for cyclic replication, was the only mutation studied that inactivated HIR. The requirement for this sequence was strictly correlated with Benham's theoretical stress-induced DNA duplex destabilization. oriC mutations at DnaA, FIS, or IHF binding sites showed normal HIR activation, but DnaA was required for HIR. We suggest that strand opening for HIR initiation occurs due to heat-induced destabilization of the L-13-mer, and the stable oligomeric DnaA-single-stranded oriC complex might be required only to load the replicative helicase DnaB

Can study of the ADRB3 gene help improve weight loss programs in obese individuals?

Introducción: La obesidad es una enfermedad crónica de origen multifactorial, caracterizada por un exceso de peso y una acumulación excesiva de grasa, y cuya etiología incluye factores intrínsecos (genéticos, fisiológicos y metabólicos) y extrínsecos (sociales y culturales). El sobrepeso graso se produce por un desequilibrio prolongado en el balance energético, en el que influyen, entre otros, la termogénesis adaptativa, desencadenada por condiciones ambientales de frío, o una ingesta hipercalórica. La termogénesis está regulada por el sistema nervioso simpático y tiene lugar en el músculo y tejido adiposo pardo. En el tejido adiposo pardo se encuentran receptores adrenérgicos, siendo el receptor -3 adrenérgico (ADRB3) el principal receptor en la regulación de la termogénesis. La presencia en heterocigosis de un polimorfismo tipo SNP en el gen ADRB3 (Trp64Arg; rs4994) estaría asociado a una menor actividad lipolítica, una predisposición a la obesidad y una resistencia a la pérdida de peso. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido analizar mediante una revisión sistemática el tipo de programa más indicado para pérdida de peso para individuos portadores. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de los trabajos publicados sobre el polimorfismo rs4994 en las bases de datos SNP y PubMed. Resultados: La mayor parte de los trabajos publicados indican la presencia de obesidad y resistencia a la pérdida de peso en individuos portadores, mostrando importantes mejoras en los parámetros antropométricos tras dietas hipocalóricas ricas en grasas. Conclusiones: Teniendo en cuenta estas conclusiones, se proponen unas pautas nutricionales y de ejercicio físico específicas para individuos portadores del alelo Trp64Arg.Introduction: Obesity is a chronic disease of multifactorial origin characterized by excess weight and excess fat accumulation, and whose etiology includes intrinsic (genetic, physiological, and metabolic) and extrinsic (social and cultural) factors. Fat accumulation is caused by a prolonged imbalance in the energy balance influenced, among other factors, by adaptive thermogenesis, which is triggered by cold environmental conditions, or by hypercaloric intake. Thermogenesis is regulated by the sympathetic nervous system and occurs in the muscle and brown adipose tissue. There are adrenergic receptors in brown adipose tissue, including the beta-3 adrenergic receptor (ADRB3), the main receptor for the regulation of thermogenesis. The presence in heterozygosis of an SNP-type polymorphism in the ADRB3 gene (Trp64Arg; rs4994) is associated with a lower lipolytic activity, a predisposition to obesity, and resistance to weight loss. The objective of this study was to analyze through a systematic review the weight loss program most appropriate for carriers. Methods: A retrospective study of published papers on rs4994 polymorphism in the SNP and PubMed databases was conducted. Results: Most published studies suggest the presence of obesity and resistance to weight loss in carriers, and report significant improvements in anthropometric parameters when patients receive fat-rich hypocaloric diets. Conclusions: Based on these conclusions, specific nutritional and physical exercise guidelines are proposed for individuals carrying the Trp64Arg allele.UEM1319Cátedra ASISA-UEM15461.417 JCR (2020) Q4, 135/146 Endocrinology & Metabolism0.325 SJR (2020) Q3, 163/232 Endocrinology, Diabetes and MetabolismNo data IDR 2020UE

Intervención nutricional en individuos portadores del SNPTrp64Arg para el gen ADRB3

SIN FINANCIACIÓNNo data (2015