Retrotransposons Are the Major Contributors to the Expansion of the \u3ci\u3eDrosophila ananassae\u3c/i\u3e Muller F Element

The discordance between genome size and the complexity of eukaryotes can partly be attributed to differences in repeat density. The Muller F element (∼5.2 Mb) is the smallest chromosome in Drosophila melanogaster, but it is substantially larger (\u3e18.7 Mb) in D. ananassae. To identify the major contributors to the expansion of the F element and to assess their impact, we improved the genome sequence and annotated the genes in a 1.4-Mb region of the D. ananassae F element, and a 1.7-Mb region from the D element for comparison. We find that transposons (particularly LTR and LINE retrotransposons) are major contributors to this expansion (78.6%), while Wolbachia sequences integrated into the D. ananassae genome are minor contributors (0.02%). Both D. melanogaster and D. ananassae F-element genes exhibit distinct characteristics compared to D-element genes (e.g., larger coding spans, larger introns, more coding exons, and lower codon bias), but these differences are exaggerated in D. ananassae. Compared to D. melanogaster, the codon bias observed in D. ananassae F-element genes can primarily be attributed to mutational biases instead of selection. The 5′ ends of F-element genes in both species are enriched in dimethylation of lysine 4 on histone 3 (H3K4me2), while the coding spans are enriched in H3K9me2. Despite differences in repeat density and gene characteristics, D. ananassae F-element genes show a similar range of expression levels compared to genes in euchromatic domains. This study improves our understanding of how transposons can affect genome size and how genes can function within highly repetitive domains

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Coronary Vascular Reactivity

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment utilizes increased pressure to deliver more oxygen to the tissues of the body. Currently, it is commonly used to treat carbon monoxide poisoning and accelerate wound healing. This study aims to characterize the changes in coronary vascular reactivity following acute hyperbaric treatment. In order to evaluate the treatment\u27s effectiveness, porcine coronaries will be dissected, exposed to 2.8 atmospheres of hyperbaric oxygen, and then mounted in isolated organ baths coupled to force transducers. Changes in vascular reactivity (i.e. the ability of blood vessels to change diameter as a means of regulating blood flow) will be measured in response to potassium chloride, sodium nitroprusside, prostaglandin F2alpha and acetylcholine. All of these substances are known vasoconstrictors or vasodilators. It is anticipated that the results of this study will provide insight into the effects of hyperbaric treatment on the cardiovascular system

Drosophila Genomics: Sequencing and Annotating a Genome in the Classroom

Genomics is a rapidly developing field that is proving to be relevant to many areas of biology and medicine. This course provides students with an enhanced understanding of genomics for those potentially interested in entering the field. Of the 12 Drosophila species that have been sequenced, only the fourth (\u27dot\u27) chromosome of D. melanogaster has been completed. The Genomics Education Partnership enables undergraduate students to assist in the completion of the genome sequence and annotation of the \u27dot\u27 chromosome from selected Drosophila species. Students are assigned a DNA fragment to \u27finish\u27 the DNA sequence using the resources of the genome sequencing center at Washington University at St. Louis. Students then annotate genes and the location of the gene in the dot chromosome between each species and D. melanogaster. The research contributed by students is placed into a database of genomic information, furthering scientific knowledge of comparative genomics in Drosophila

Study of graft copolymerization of butyl acrylate onto starch using a redox initiator system

The mixture of synthetic and natural materials yields a material with improved physical-chemical properties. One way of obtaining this kind of material is through graft copolymerization. Some natural materials have been used in graft copolymerization with synthetic monomers. In this work, graft copolymerization of butyl acrylate (BA) onto starch using a redox initiator system was carried out. The graft yield was evaluated for different reaction conditions. The graft copolymer was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

Retrotransposons Are the Major Contributors to the Expansion of the Drosophila ananassae Muller F Element.

The discordance between genome size and the complexity of eukaryotes can partly be attributed to differences in repeat density. The Muller F element (∼5.2 Mb) is the smallest chromosome in Drosophila melanogaster, but it is substantially larger (>18.7 Mb) in D. ananassae To identify the major contributors to the expansion of the F element and to assess their impact, we improved the genome sequence and annotated the genes in a 1.4-Mb region of the D. ananassae F element, and a 1.7-Mb region from the D element for comparison. We find that transposons (particularly LTR and LINE retrotransposons) are major contributors to this expansion (78.6%), while Wolbachia sequences integrated into the D. ananassae genome are minor contributors (0.02%). Both D. melanogaster and D. ananassae F-element genes exhibit distinct characteristics compared to D-element genes (e.g., larger coding spans, larger introns, more coding exons, and lower codon bias), but these differences are exaggerated in D. ananassae Compared to D. melanogaster, the codon bias observed in D. ananassae F-element genes can primarily be attributed to mutational biases instead of selection. The 5' ends of F-element genes in both species are enriched in dimethylation of lysine 4 on histone 3 (H3K4me2), while the coding spans are enriched in H3K9me2. Despite differences in repeat density and gene characteristics, D. ananassae F-element genes show a similar range of expression levels compared to genes in euchromatic domains. This study improves our understanding of how transposons can affect genome size and how genes can function within highly repetitive domains

Retrotransposons Are the Major Contributors to the Expansion of the Drosophila ananassae Muller F Element

The discordance between genome size and the complexity of eukaryotes can partly be attributed to differences in repeat density. The Muller F element (∼5.2 Mb) is the smallest chromosome in Drosophila melanogaster, but it is substantially larger (>18.7 Mb) in D. ananassae. To identify the major contributors to the expansion of the F element and to assess their impact, we improved the genome sequence and annotated the genes in a 1.4-Mb region of the D. ananassae F element, and a 1.7-Mb region from the D element for comparison. We find that transposons (particularly LTR and LINE retrotransposons) are major contributors to this expansion (78.6%), while Wolbachia sequences integrated into the D. ananassae genome are minor contributors (0.02%). Both D. melanogaster and D. ananassae F-element genes exhibit distinct characteristics compared to D-element genes (e.g., larger coding spans, larger introns, more coding exons, and lower codon bias), but these differences are exaggerated in D. ananassae. Compared to D. melanogaster, the codon bias observed in D. ananassae F-element genes can primarily be attributed to mutational biases instead of selection. The 5′ ends of F-element genes in both species are enriched in dimethylation of lysine 4 on histone 3 (H3K4me2), while the coding spans are enriched in H3K9me2. Despite differences in repeat density and gene characteristics, D. ananassae F-element genes show a similar range of expression levels compared to genes in euchromatic domains. This study improves our understanding of how transposons can affect genome size and how genes can function within highly repetitive domains

3er. Coloquio: Fortalecimiento de los Colectivos de Docencia

Las memorias del 3er. Coloquio de Fortalecimiento de Colectivos de Docencia deben ser entendidas como un esfuerzo colectivo de la comunidad de académicos de la División de Ciencias y Artes para el Diseño, en medio de la pandemia COVID-19, con el fin de: • Analizar y proponer acciones concretas que promuevan el mejoramiento de la calidad docente en la División. • Proponer acciones que permitan continuar fortaleciendo los cursos con modalidad a distancia (remotos). • Ante un escenario que probablemente demandará en el mediano plazo, transitar del modelo remoto a un modelo híbrido, proponer acciones a considerar para la transición de los cursos. • Planear y preparar cursos de nivelación de conocimientos, para cuando se transite a la impartición de la docencia de manera mixta o presencial, dirigidos a los alumnos que no hayan tenido oportunidad de desarrollar actividades relevantes para su formación, como prácticas de talleres y laboratorios, visitas, o alguna otra actividad relevante