Light regulation of metabolic pathways in fungi

Light represents a major carrier of information in nature. The molecular machineries translating its electromagnetic energy (photons) into the chemical language of cells transmit vital signals for adjustment of virtually every living organism to its habitat. Fungi react to illumination in various ways, and we found that they initiate considerable adaptations in their metabolic pathways upon growth in light or after perception of a light pulse. Alterations in response to light have predominantly been observed in carotenoid metabolism, polysaccharide and carbohydrate metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, nucleotide and nucleoside metabolism, and in regulation of production of secondary metabolites. Transcription of genes is initiated within minutes, abundance and activity of metabolic enzymes are adjusted, and subsequently, levels of metabolites are altered to cope with the harmful effects of light or to prepare for reproduction, which is dependent on light in many cases. This review aims to give an overview on metabolic pathways impacted by light and to illustrate the physiological significance of light for fungi. We provide a basis for assessment whether a given metabolic pathway might be subject to regulation by light and how these properties can be exploited for improvement of biotechnological processes

Hyper Learning In Tertiary Institutions: The Role Of Multimedia

The advent of internet has precipitated major and rapid technological changes th at have resulted in bloo ming business industries, competitive jo b markets. This has made the bulk of information and mo re so relevant information to be searched and retrieved at first instance. We are in an era where changes are inevitable. There is no end to the volume of information that society claims we need to possess. Each new day propels us a step further into a system where knowledge is a commodity. While there is progress in all aspects, the needs of the masses in the area of education should not be under-emphasized. How else can we transmit all this information, if not through education? Until recently, education institutions have merely been playing the official role of transmitting knowledge. Completing school or obtaining qualifications for the sake of "getting over with it" has been the primary focus of society. We have lost sight of the main purpose of education – to develop innovative, creative and probing minds. While the educational institutions of yesterday were built around the needs, idea s and resources of the past, today they are focusing on providing an atmosphere where effective learning can take place, not necessarily confined to the vicinities of education institutions. With the advent of technology and multimedia, we can gladly succumb to the delights of virtual education and bring learning into our homes, study at our own convenience and earn qualifications that hold in store a better future. Through the digital fusion of technologies like computing, television and telecommunication in virtual education, we have a powerful tool to assimilate knowledge and facilita te the teaching and learning process. Virtual education does not only make the education more convenient, it also provides the ability to control, store and extract whenever neede d, information in its various forms, tailored to suit the immediate needs of individuals . Utilizing all forms of communication like animatio n,graphs, music, vocals, images and graphics which involve the senses of sight and sound, virtua l education heightens an individual's awareness of the world around him and simultaneously caters tovarious learning styles employed by differen t individuals. With all of this, we are left with one very important choice, to harness this technology and be tter ourselves or refuse to accept such changes an d remain forever backward, while we watch the wor ld whiz past us.Key Words: Hyper Learning, Multimedia, Internet, Tertiary Institution

Down-top nanofabrication of binary (CdO)x (ZnO)1-x nanoparticles and their antibacterial activity

Naif Mohammed Al-Hada,1 Halimah Mohamed Kamari,1 Che Azurahanim Che Abdullah,1 Elias Saion,1 Abdul H Shaari,1 Zainal Abidin Talib,1 Khamirul Amin Matori1,2 1Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, 2Materials Synthesis and Characterization Laboratory (MSCL), Institute of Advanced Technology (ITMA), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia Abstract: In the present study, binary oxide (cadmium oxide [CdO])x (zinc oxide [ZnO])1–x nanoparticles (NPs) at different concentrations of precursor in calcination temperature were prepared using thermal treatment technique. Cadmium and zinc nitrates (source of cadmium and zinc) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (capping agent) have been used to prepare (CdO)x (ZnO)1–x NPs samples. The sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. XRD patterns analysis revealed that NPs were formed after calcination, which showed a cubic and hexagonal crystalline structure of (CdO)x (ZnO)1–x NPs. The phase analysis using EDX spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Cd and Zn as the original compounds of prepared (CdO)x (ZnO)1–x NP samples. The average particle size of the samples increased from 14 to 33 nm as the concentration of precursor increased from x=0.20 to x=0.80, as observed by TEM results. The surface composition and valance state of the prepared product NPs were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Diffuse UV–visible reflectance spectra were used to determine the optical band gap through the Kubelka–Munk equation; the energy band gap was found to decrease for CdO from 2.92 to 2.82 eV and for ZnO from 3.22 to 3.11 eV with increasing x value. Additionally, photoluminescence (PL) spectra revealed that the intensity in PL increased with an increase in particle size. In addition, the antibacterial activity of binary oxide NP was carried out in vitro against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 Gram (-ve), Salmonella choleraesuis ATCC 10708, and Bacillus subtilis UPMC 1175 Gram (+ve). This study indicated that the zone of inhibition of 21 mm has good antibacterial activity toward the Gram-positive B. subtilis UPMC 1175. Keywords: binary oxide (CdO)x (ZnO)1–x NPs, calcination technique, antibacterial activity&nbsp