The Lean Startup Toolkit : an assembly of ready to use tools to build a Lean Startup

The Lean Startup Methodology (LSM) has become a popular approach for many early stage startups. However, related literature is very fragmented with no clear instructions on how to use the methodology properly. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to create a comprehensive and ready to use toolkit for the LSM, which can be used by anyone who is involved in the process of starting a business. In a first part of this thesis, the Business Model Canvas, Customer Development and Agile Development are identified as the key principles of the LSM. After the principles have been outlined and defined, the section continues to describe the logic of how the different principles interconnect with each other throughout the Lean Startup process. In a second and main section of the thesis, the three key principles are explained separately in greater detail. Every principle is linked to a set of specific tools and examples of how to facilitate their usage successfully are described. Those tools do not only draw on known approaches of the LSM, but also new methods from adjacent areas have been analyzed, adapted and applied for a comprehensive analysis. In conclusion, the thesis developed a ready to use toolkit, which comprises the newest adaption on the original Lean Startup manifesto and combined new and old concepts with practical examples. Herewith, the hampering gaps between theory and practice, which were not yet closed through the already presently available literature, have been closed.A metodologia de Lean Startup tem vindo a tornar-se numa abordagem popular para muitas startups em fase inicial. No entanto, a literatura disponível é bastante fragmentada e não apresenta instruções claras sobre a metodologia de abordagem correcta. Consequentemente, o objectivo desta tese é criar uma ferramenta completa e de fácil utilização para o LMS, de forma a poder ser utilizada, por qualquer pessoa, no desenvolvimento inicial de um negócio. Na primeira parte deste trabalho o Modelo de Negócio Canvas, Desenvolvimento do Cliente e Agile são identificados como princípios fundamentais do LSM. Posteriormente aos princípios terem sido identificados e delineados, segue-se uma descrição lógica de como os diferentes princípios se interconectam através do processo de Lean Startup. Na segunda, e principal secção da tese, os três princípios principais são explicados separadamente com mais profundo. Cada princípio está ligado a um conjunto específico de ferramentas, que são descritos com exemplos de utilização sucedidas. Estas ferramentas não são só baseadas em abordagens conhecidas, mas também em novos métodos de áreas adjacentes foram analisadas, adaptadas e aplicadas de forma a conduzir uma análise mais abrangente. Em conclusão, esta tese desenvolveu uma ferramenta pronta a utilizar, que inclui a mais recente adaptação do original método de Lean Startup e a combinação de novos e antigos conceitos com exemplos práticos. Com este trabalho as limitações que dificultaram a teoria e prática, que ainda não foram abordadas e resolvidas na existente literatura, foram solucionadas

Chlorella viruses contain genes encoding a complete polyamine biosynthetic pathway

Two genes encoding the putative polyamine biosynthetic enzymes agmatine iminohydrolase (AIH) and N-carbamoylputrescine amidohydrolase (CPA) were cloned from the chloroviruses PBCV-1, NY-2A and MT325. They were expressed in Escherichia coli to form C-terminal (His)6-tagged proteins and the recombinant proteins were purified by Ni2+- binding affinity chromatography. The biochemical properties of the two enzymes are similar to AIH and CPA enzymes from Arabidopsis thaliana and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Together with the previously known virus genes encoding ornithine/arginine decarboxlyase (ODC/ADC) and homospermidine synthase, the chloroviruses have genes that encode a complete set of functional enzymes that synthesize the rare polyamine homospermidine from arginine via agmatine, N-carbamoylputrescine and putrescine. The PBCV-1 aih and cpa genes are expressed early during virus infection together with the odc/adc gene, suggesting that biosynthesis of putrescine is important in early stages of viral replication. The aih and cpa genes are widespread in the chlorella viruses