Forest floor microbes produce tough biofilm breaker

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview: "Biofilms are the slimy cities some microbes form when they invade a surface. Conventional cleaning products are generally good at breaking up biofilms. But they tend to be harsh on the environment. And while natural products are a good alternative, it takes multiple enzymes to break up the strong polymers that make bacteria stick. But researchers are confident that a natural solution does exist. One team searched the forest floor in the Netherlands for microbes that might produce an all-in-one biofilm-busting enzyme. To coax those microbes out, they enriched forest litter with an especially tough biopolymer produced by forest bacteria: Acidobacteria. Microbes that could thrive in that environment likely produced enzymes strong enough to degrade the biopolymer blend. Analyses indicated the predominance of four bacterial phyla. More importantly, they revealed the main type of enzyme these bacteria secreted: glycoside hydrolases..." The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Reading

Oral eliglustat maintains efficacy over 8 years in previously untreated adults with moderate to severe Gaucher disease type 1

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview: "A recently completed clinical trial of the oral drug eliglustat has delivered promising long-term results for adults with Gaucher disease type 1 – a rare and sometimes life-threatening genetic disorder that interferes with the breakdown of certain types of lipids. GD1 is caused by deficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme acid β-glucosidase. Reduced catalytic activity of the enzyme results in pathogenic accumulation of the enzyme’s substrates, primarily glucosylceramide, in various organs. The result is progressive and debilitating enlargement of the spleen and liver, anemia, low platelet counts, and skeletal manifestations. The historical standard of care is biweekly intravenous infusions of recombinant enzyme, which boosts degradation of glucosylceramide. By contrast, eliglustat, an oral substrate reduction therapy, reduces glucosylceramide storage by slowing its production..." The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Reading

PKCα integrates spatiotemporally distinct Ca2+ and autocrine BDNF signaling to facilitate synaptic plasticity

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview: "Our ability to form new memories is inextricably tied to synaptic plasticity – the structural and functional remodeling of brain tissue that allows us to adapt to an ever-changing environment. During plasticity, synapses must continually process and respond to ongoing fluctuations in biochemical information. Adding to the complexity of this arrangement is the fact that these signals occur under highly variable spatiotemporal scales. How do neurons perform such complex calculations? Researchers from the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience report that a specific isozyme of protein kinase C, known as PKCα, may be the key. The PKC family of enzymes has a long-established, critical role in synaptic plasticity. But which forms of PKC are activated and how activation occurs during this process has remained a mystery. To answer this question, the researchers developed highly specific biosensors to track the activity of classic PKC isozymes in brain tissue..." The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Reading

The Warburg effect complicates the impact of DHODH inhibition on ferroptosis

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview: "Cancers are complex diseases largely characterized by rapid cellular proliferation. This can be slowed by regulated cell death mechanisms like ferroptosis. Ferroptosis is triggered by extensive peroxidation of cell membrane phospholipids by reactive oxygen species (ROS), but ferroptosis can be inhibited by enzymes that undo peroxidation like GPX4. Another enzyme, DHODH, supports GPX4 and is vital to the production of pyrimidine nucleotides, critical building blocks for rapidly proliferating cells. In theory, this would make inhibiting DHODH a valuable therapeutic target for cancer by freeing up ferroptosis and hampering proliferation. However, this is complicated by the “Warburg effect,” which is common in some cancer cells. The Warburg effect is a shift away from using mitochondria for energy to other metabolic processes, which has knock-on effects..." The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Reading

Carbohydrate utilization by marine fungi in the global ocean

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview: "In terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, fungi are essential for nutrient cycling, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus into the soil. In contrast, in marine environments, fungi are often considered to be associated with debris and less essential to the element cycle than other microbes such as prokaryotes and phytoplankton. A recent study sought to better understand the role of open-sea, or pelagic, fungi in carbon cycling in the ocean. Using multi-omics techniques and existing genomic datasets, researchers performed a global analysis of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) – key enzymes in carbon cycling – in ocean fungi. They found that pelagic fungi are active in carbohydrate degradation, as indicated by a high ratio of CAZyme transcripts..." The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Reading

PROTEINS

Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body.  Proteins are complex nitrogenous organic substances of plant and animal origin.  They are of great importance in the functioning of living cells  They do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs.  Apart from there essential food stuff like Carbohydrate and fats, they also provide very of therapeutically active compounds such as hormones, enzymes, sera, antitoxins.

Material Type: Lecture Notes

Author: Vikrant Arya

Lignocellulose digestion in Protaetia brevitarsis: a tightly designed microbial production line

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview: "Domesticated edible insects are a sustainable protein source that has been gaining global attention. P. brevitarsis is one such species, and their larvae can also eat decaying organic waste and turn it into a plant-growth promoting mixture. But organic matter like this is high in lignocellulose, which is difficult to digest. In fact, these larvae lack the enzymes needed to break lignocellulose down on their own. So, researchers checked their microbiome for microbial genes able to fill in the gaps. The researchers established a comprehensive reference catalog of gut microbial and host genes. Between the two sets of genes, lignocellulose-degrading enzymes were abundant and highly diversified. P. brevitarsis larvae also selectively enriched their microbiome for lignocellulose-degrading microbes and had physiological adaptations that assisted in lignocellulose degradation..." The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Reading

Concepts of Biology instructional videos - Camosun College

This series of instructional videos was created by Camosun College for a Canadian edition of the OpenStax "Concepts of Biology" open textbook as part of the BC Open Textbook Project. The lectures are taught by Charles Molnar, a Biology instructor at Camosun College. The videos are accompanied by transcripts.

Material Type: Lecture

Author: Sonya Bennett-Brandt

Biology I

An introduction to cellular and molecular biology. Major topics include the biochemical basis of life, cell biology, photosynthesis, respiration, mitosis, meiosis, genetics, DNA structure and replication and protein synthesis. Students engage the scientific method by designing, conducting and evaluating laboratory experiences that include selected topics in cell structure and function, enzymes, respiration, photosynthesis, genetics and molecular biology. NOTE: Students may receive credit for BIO 119 or BIO 126, but not for both.

Material Type: Full Course

Author: Amanda Hyde

General Biology Laboratory Manual

Course: Explores the structure, function and development of living systems from cells to ecosystems. Lab 1: Lab Safety and the Scientific Method. Lab 2: Scientific Measurements Lab 3: Macromolecules and Nutrition Lab 4: Enzymes. Lab 5: Photosynthesis and Respiration Lab 6: Microscopes and Cells Lab 7: Microbes Lab 8: Microbe Analysis Lab 9: Analysis of DNA Lab 10: Plant Diversity Lab 11: Animal Diversity Lab 12: Ecology Lab 13: Senses

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Dilek Sanver-Wang

Do not enter: TRIM protein prevents white spot syndrome virus from invading crayfish cells

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview: "White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is the most destructive virus in crustacean aquaculture, causing huge economic losses. Preventing the initial entry of the virus into host cells is likely the most economical way to control WSSV infection. However, the exact mechanism of virus invasion isn’t clear. To learn more, researchers recently investigated how WSSV evades the host immune system in the crayfish Procambrus clarkii. They found that the enzyme TRIM was significantly upregulated in WSSV-infected crayfish. A recombinant TRIM protein inhibited WSSV replication in the crayfish, while blocking TRIM promoted it, suggesting that this enzyme plays a protective role. Further experiments revealed that TRIM interacts with the viral protein VP26. This interaction keeps the host protein AP-1 from entering the nucleus and driving the expression of dynamin. Without dynamin, WSSV can’t enter the host cell via membrane vesicles..." The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Reading

Microbiome-produced lactic acid promotes cervical/vaginal epithelial barrier integrity

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview: "Women with a Lactobacillus-dominated cervical/vaginal microbiome have a reduced risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs). including HIV infection. However, the protective mechanisms of Lactobacillus species are unclear. To learn more, researchers recently bulk-analyzed the proteins in vaginal swabs from 113 young South African women. Compared to women with Lactobacillus-depleted microbiomes, women with Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiomes had higher levels of bacterial lactate dehydrogenase an important lactic acid–producing enzyme. In addition, the abundance of this enzyme was associated with the abundance of epithelial barrier proteins suggesting that lactate dehydrogenase is directly related to the physical barrier function of cervicovaginal tissue. Similarly, in cultured cervicovaginal epithelial cells, physiologically relevant concentrations of lactic acid improved epithelial barrier integrity and increased the expression of molecules that “glue” barrier cells together..." The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Reading

Amping up the AMPK/SR-A1 pathway can reduce chemo-induced nerve pain

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview: "Many patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer develop a serious side effect called chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). CIPN involves pain, tingling, burning, or numbness in the hands and feet and is caused by neuroinflammation triggered by the protein HMGB1, but the exact mechanisms aren’t clear. To learn more and help find a treatment, researchers recently examined the plasma of human patients and mice with oxaliplatin-induced CIPN. They found that the levels of HMGB1 and its target enzyme MMP-9 (a pain marker) were elevated in CIPN plasma and that a higher dose of oxaliplatin was associated with higher HMGB1 levels and worse pain. In cell experiments, HMGB1 was degraded—and inflammatory molecule expression was suppressed—when the enzyme AMPK was activated suggesting that AMPK activation might be beneficial for CIPN. These effects were dependent on the protein SR-A1..." The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Reading

Introductory Biology Laboratory Manual

This is a laboratory manual designed for an Introductory Biology Course. Topics covered include Data and Literature, Basic Scientific Skills, the Scientific Method, Macromolecules, Diffiusion and Osmosis, Enzymes, Microscopes and Cells, Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis, The Cell Cycle, Mitosis and Meiosis, Genetics and DNA Fingerprinting. Each lab has a pre-laboratory assignment and post-laboratory assignment for students to complete. Additional resources referenced in the lab are provided, as well as grading rubrics for every assignment and a Lab Instructor Manual that contains lab notes and results from the lab exercises. A recipe list for all reagents is also included. 

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Reading

Author: Laura Enzor

Unstructured regions of large enzymatic complexes control the availability of metabolites with signaling functions

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview: "The molecular mechanisms behind diseases and malignancies were once considered to follow a basic paradigm. Cells use a network of protein-protein interactions to detect environmental changes, signal the nucleus, and then trigger a response through changes in gene expression. Recent evidence, however, suggests the products of protein breakdown, rather than the proteins alone, could play an important role. A new review from the Kastritis Laboratory outlines how the fatty acid metabolites acetyl-CoA, α-ketoglutarate, and palmitic acid, in particular help orchestrate cell signaling and communication. These metabolites are regulated by large enzymatic complexes, or “metabolons”; acetyl-CoA by the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, α-ketoglutarate by the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex and palmitic acid by fatty acid synthase..." The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Reading

Unfolding the Mystery of Life, Biology Lab Manual for Non-Science Majors

This laboratory manual is intended for use in a biology laboratory course taken by non-science majors, pre-biology, and pre-allied health majors. Laboratory exercises provide students with experience in basic laboratory skills, gathering and organizing data, measuring and calculating, hypothesis testing, analysis of data, writing, and laboratory safety. The skill sets are designed to promote the development of critical thought and analysis. Students work with living and preserved specimens, and laboratory reagents and equipment.

Material Type: Textbook

Authors: Ellen Genovesi, Laura Blinderman, Patrick Natale

Glyphosat

Als Wundermittel der Landwirtschaft ist das Unkrautvernichtungsmittel Glyphosat das weltweit am häufigsten eingesetzte Pestizid. Das Totalherbizid beseitigt nicht-selektiv alle Pflanzen, abgesehen von solchen, die vorher gentechnisch verändert wurden. Da es ein Enzym blockiert, welches nur in Pflanzen vorkommt, wurde lange davon ausgegangen, dass es keine Wirkung auf Tier, Mensch und Umwelt hat. Inzwischen wurde diese Annahme jedoch revidiert und kontrovers diskutiert. Negativfolgen des Glyphosateinsatzes sollen mithilfe dieser Arbeit veranschaulicht werden.

Material Type: Reading

Author: Helen Klöpfer

Ernährung, Stoffwechsel und Zellen › Projekt Graf

Teaching materials on the theme "Nutrition, Metabolism and cells".

Material Type: Textbook

Author: Dr. Hans-Udo Graf

A new ultra-high throughput screening technique detects human glycans degradation pathways in IBD

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview: "Worldwide incidences of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are on the rise. In IBD, the mucus layer that separates the intestine from gut bacteria wears thin, creating the opportunity for microbial invasion. Understanding how bacteria behave at this critical junction could offer clues on how to combat IBD. But current exploration methods are limited by the tremendous amounts of substrates needed to screen thousands of reactions. A recent paper describes a new technique that miniaturizes and speeds up that process to boost the rate of discovery. This method encapsulates experiments into microfluidic droplets to screen enzymatic reactions. The proof-of-concept study searched for bacterial enzymes that can degrade host glycans. as the breakdown of host glycans can thin the mucus layer in IBD..." The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Reading

Parabacteroides-derived acetate alleviates heparanase-exacerbated pancreatitis

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview: "Acute pancreatitis, which affects more than 34 out of every 100,000 people, is usually mild. However, some cases worsen rapidly, leading to hospitalization and even death. Acute pancreatitis is promoted by the enzyme heparanase and appears to be regulated by the gut microbiota, but the mechanisms and potential interplay of these factors are unknown. A recent study investigated these issues in mice with caerulein (Cn)-induced acute pancreatitis. Compared with wild-type (WT) mice, heparanase-overexpressing (Hpa-Tg) mice exhibited worse disease with neutrophil infiltration and had a different gut microbiota composition, but microbiota depletion and microbiota transfer between the groups attenuated heparanase’s aggravating effect, indicating that the effect was gut microbiome-dependent..." The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Reading