Lignocellulose Biotechnology: Current and Future Prospects

Abstract

Lignocellulose is the most abundant biomass available on Earth. It has attracted considerable attention as an alternate feed stock and energy resource because of the large quantities available and its renewable nature. The potential uses of lignocelluloses are in pulp and paper industries, production of fuel alcohol and chemicals, protein for food, and feed using biotechnological means. The current industrial activity of lignocellulosic biomass fermentation is limited mainly because of the difficulty in economic bioconversion of these materials to value-added products. Considerable improvement in many processes related to lignocellulose biotechnology appeared during the last decade. Current uses of lignocellulosic biomass, process constraints, and areas of future research are discussed here.     

Silicon and Plants: Current Knowledge and Future Prospects

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Silicon (Si) is the most copious element of existence in the lithosphere but still it has not been added into the essential element list. The imperative role of...     

“Lignocellulose Biotechnology: Present and Future Prospects”

World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology -     

Computational SNP Analysis: Current Approaches and Future Prospects

The computational approaches in determining disease-associated Non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) have evolved very rapidly. Large number of deleterious and disease-associated nsSNP detection tools have been developed in last decade showing high prediction reliability. Despite of all these highly efficient tools, we still lack the accuracy level in determining the genotype–phenotype association of predicted nsSNPs. Furthermore, there are enormous questions that are yet to be computationally compiled before we might talk about the prediction accuracy. Earlier we have incorporated molecular dynamics simulation approaches to foster the accuracy level of computational nsSNP analysis roadmap, which further helped us to determine the changes in the protein phenotype associated with the computationally predicted disease-associated mutation. Here we have discussed on the present scenario of computational nsSNP characterization technique and some of the questions that are crucial for the proper understanding of pathogenicity level for any disease associated mutations.     

外生菌根研究及应用的回顾与展望

简要回顾了一百多年来外生菌根研究史;综述了外生菌根资源调查。分类鉴定,生态,生理,分子生物学以及生物技术研究与应用诸方面的阶段性成果和进展,通过对外生菌根研究与应用现状的归纳与分析,就我国菌根研究与应用等方面存在的主要问题提出了以下4点建议;1,加强菌根资源的系统调查;确认对应植物属种,进行编目与建立数据库以及菌根DNA文库。2,采集与收集菌根真菌,进行分离,培养,繁育与保藏,建立菌根真菌菌种库和DNA文库,3,加强菌根技术研究,侧重研究造林树种菌根化育苗和造林的新技术,新工艺,4,改革传统的育苗与造林的方式,方法,选育对应的优良菌根真菌菌株应用于育苗造林;制定相关的政策,法规以规范和推广菌根技术。     

For the Sake of Our Future: Sacrificing in Eastern Indonesia

For tfie Sake of Our Future: Sacrificing in Eastern Indonesia. Signe Howell. ed. Leiden, Netherlands: Leiden University, 1996. 398 pp.     

Mutation and Human Exceptionalism: Our Future Genetic Load

Although the human germline mutation rate is higher than that in any other well-studied species, the rate is not exceptional once the effective genome size and effective population size are taken into consideration. Human somatic mutation rates are substantially elevated above those in the germline, but this is also seen in other species. What is exceptional about humans is the recent detachment from the challenges of the natural environment and the ability to modify phenotypic traits in ways that mitigate the fitness effects of mutations, e.g., precision and personalized medicine. This results in a relaxation of selection against mildly deleterious mutations, including those magnifying the mutation rate itself. The long-term consequence of such effects is an expected genetic deterioration in the baseline human condition, potentially measurable on the timescale of a few generations in westernized societies, and because the brain is a particularly large mutational target, this is of particular concern. Ultimately, the price will have to be covered by further investment in various forms of medical intervention. Resolving the uncertainties of the magnitude and timescale of these effects will require the establishment of stable, standardized, multigenerational measurement procedures for various human traits.MUTATION, the production of heritable changes in DNA, is one of the most fundamental concepts in genetics. Yet, a broad phylogenetic understanding of the rate and molecular spectrum of mutations and the mechanisms driving the evolution of these key parameters has only recently begun to emerge (Baer et al. 2007; Lynch 2010, 2011). Of special concern is the rate at which mutations are arising in our own lineage and their long-term consequences. In terms of cognitive abilities and proclivity for dominating the global ecosystem, humans are clearly exceptional. But how exceptional are we with respect to the genetic machinery that is the key to long-term genome stability and evolutionary flexibility? And in light of our unusual behavioral features, what are the long-term genetic consequences of being a modern human? Will the miracles of molecular biology and modern medicine reduce the incidence and/or effects of genetic afflictions to negligible levels, or might such applications have the opposite effect?Two issues are of central relevance here. First, few other species willingly expose themselves to environmental mutagens to the extent that humans do. Presumably, there is some room for reducing the human mutation rate by minimizing negative environmental effects, e.g., through reductions in exposure to smoke from tobacco and other sources, harmful food additives, radon gas, UV irradiation, etc. What, however, is the lower bound to the achievable mutation rate at both the germline and somatic levels? And do factors that influence the somatic mutation rate also have germline effects and vice versa?Second, owing to the remarkable advances in living conditions and medicine over the past century, and many more likely to come, humans uniquely modify the environment in ways that minimize the consequences of acquired genetic afflictions. Today’s ethical imperative for maximizing individual reproductive potential and longevity independent of genetic background raises significant questions about the future of the human gene pool. Specifically, what are the long-term consequences of the accumulation of mutations whose phenotypic consequences can be transiently minimized through medical intervention and/or a sheltering environment?It is fitting to review both of these issues in the year 2016, as this would have been the 100th birthday of James Crow, who played a central role in the Genetics Society of America and had a long-standing interest in human mutation (Crow 1993, 1997, 2000, 2006). Many of the issues addressed below were raised by Crow prior to the genomics revolution and can now be evaluated in a more quantitative way.     

The Detection of Novelty Relies on Dopaminergic Signaling: Evidence from Apomorphine's Impact on the Novelty N2

Despite much research, it remains unclear if dopamine is directly involved in novelty detection or plays a role in orchestrating the subsequent cognitive response. This ambiguity stems in part from a reliance on experimental designs where novelty is manipulated and dopaminergic activity is subsequently observed. Here we adopt the alternative approach: we manipulate dopamine activity using apomorphine (D1/D2 agonist) and measure the change in neurological indices of novelty processing. In separate drug and placebo sessions, participants completed a von Restorff task. Apomorphine speeded and potentiated the novelty-elicited N2, an Event-Related Potential (ERP) component thought to index early aspects of novelty detection, and caused novel-font words to be better recalled. Apomorphine also decreased the amplitude of the novelty-P3a. An increase in D1/D2 receptor activation thus appears to potentiate neural sensitivity to novel stimuli, causing this content to be better encoded.     

Phylogeny of Cyperaceae Based on DNA Sequence Data: Current Progress and Future Prospects

In the last decade, efforts to reconstruct suprageneric phylogeny of the Cyperaceae have intensified. We present an analysis of 262 taxa representing 93 genera in 15 tribes, sequenced for the plastid rbcL and trnL-F (intron and intergenic spacer). Cyperaceae are monophyletic and resolved into two clades, here recognised as Mapanioideae and Cyperoideae, and the overall topology is similar to results from previous studies. Within Cyperoideae, Trilepideae are sister to rest of taxa whereas Cryptangieae, Bisboeckelerieae and Sclerieae are resolved within Schoeneae. Cladium and Rhynchospora (and Pleurostachys) are resolved into clades sister to the rest of Schoeneae, lending support to the recognition of these taxa in separate tribes. However, we retain these taxa in Schoeneae pending broader sampling of the group. The phylogenetic position of 40 species in 21 genera is presented in this study for the first time, elucidating their position in Abildgaardieae (Trachystylis), Cryptangieae (Didymiandrum, Exochogyne), Cypereae (Androtrichum, Volkiella), Eleocharideae (Chillania), and Schoeneae (Calyptrocarya, Morelotia). More sampling effort (more taxa and the use of more rapidly evolving markers) is needed to resolve relationships in Fuireneae and Schoeneae.     

生物制药的现状和未来（二）：发展趋势与希望

随着基因组和蛋白质组研究的深入,越来越多的与人类疾病发展相关的靶标被确定,使得我们能够研发更精确的药物来防治这些疾病。这意味着生物制药将有更多机会获得突破性进展,最终将使更多更好的生物技术药物被批准上市。综述了生物制药发展的几个趋势,主要有:(1)哺乳动物细胞表达的产品将在相当长的时间内占统治地位;(2)治疗性抗体将会是生物制药领域第二次创新高潮;(3)越来越多分子量大、结构复杂的功能蛋白将被开发成生物技术药物,尤其是用于治疗遗传性疾病的药物;(4)对已批准上市的生物技术药物的化学修饰尤其是PEG化以改善药物性能;(5)通过某些药物的定点突变获得第二代新生物技术药物,如胰岛素、EPO和t-PA的突变体;(6)组织工程、细胞治疗和基因治疗充满了机遇和挑战。     

Channels in Mitochondrial Membranes: Knowns,Unknowns, and Prospects for the Future

Abstract

Rapid diffusion of hydrophilic molecules across the outer membrane of mitochondria has been related to the presence of a protein of 29 to 37 kDa, called voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), able to generate large aqueous pores when integrated in planar lipid bilayers. Functional properties of VDAC from different origins appear highly conserved in artificial membranes: at low transmembrane potentials, the channel is in a highly conducting state, but a raise of the potential (both positive and negative) reduces drastically the current and changes the ionic selectivity from slightly anionic to cationic. It has thus been suggested that VDAC is not a mere molecular sieve but that it may control mitochondrial physiology by restricting the access of metabolites of different valence in response to voltage and/or by interacting with a soluble protein of the intermembrane space. The latest application of the patch clamp and tip-dip techniques, however, has indicated both a different electric behavior of the outer membrane and that other proteins may play a role in the permeation of molecules. Biochemical studies, use of site-directed mutants, and electron microscopy of two-dimensional crystal arrays of VDAC have contributed to propose a monomelic β barrel as the structural model of the channel. An important insight into the physiology of the inner membrane of mammalian mitochondria has come from the direct observation of the membrane with the patch clamp. A slightly anionic., voltage-dependent conductance of 107 pS and one of 9.7 pS, K⁺-selective and ATP-sensitive, are the best characterized at the single channel level. Under certain conditions, however, the inner membrane can also show unselective nS peak transitions, possibly arising from a cooperative assembly of multiple substates.     

HER-2/neu Cancer Vaccines: Present Status and Future Prospects

Immunotherapeutic approaches to cancer should focus on novel undertakings that modulate immune responses by synergistic enhancement of anti-tumor immunological parameters. Cancer vaccines should preferably be composed of multiple defined tumor antigen specific B- and T-cell epitopes. The main focus of this article is to briefly review the present status of Her-2/neu vaccine strategies and to describe the innovative strategies developed in my laboratory for a vaccine against HER-2/neu (ErbB-2) with emphasis on the humoral arm of the immune response. Elucidating the underlining mechanisms of anti-tumor effects elicited by peptide vaccines against a self-protein is a requirement for developing an immunotherapeutic strategy that might be effective in human cancer vaccines. Our approach entails the identification of biologically relevant epitopes, establishing relevant in vitro assays for monitoring vaccine efficacy, devising strategies to engineer conformationally dependent sequences, developing highly immunogenic vaccines for an outbred population and delivering the immunogen/vaccine in a safe and efficacious vehicle, utilizing transgenic animal models for assessing tumor development, and developing challenge models using transplantable tumors to study efficacy of vaccine constructs. We have developed a multi-HER-2/neu B-cell epitope approach and shown in preclinical studies that immunization with a combination of two B-cell epitope was more effective in preventing mammary tumors than a single epitope. We have translated that work to the clinic (OSU 0105) in an FDA approved, NCI sponsored “Phase 1 Active Immunotherapy trial with Chimeric and Multi-epitope based peptide vaccine targeting HER-2 oncoprotein and nor-MDP adjuvant in patients with metastatic and/or recurrent solid tumors” at the James Cancer Hospital at the Ohio State University. The correlation between overexpression of HER-2/neu and up-regulation of VEGF has been demonstrated in breast cancer patients. Thus, blocking angiogenesis is an attractive strategy to inhibit tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. The hypothesis that combination of anti-angiogenic therapy and tumor immunotherapy of cancer may be synergistic is an important future goal. In this review, I will discuss insights into our preclinical studies that might aid in the design of the next generation of cancer vaccines and become an integrated component of prophylactic/preventive and therapeutic approach.     

野骆驼的研究和保护:现状与展望

野骆驼Camelus ferus是亚洲中部对极端干旱环境具有高度适应性的珍稀濒危动物。自19世纪中期以来,野骆驼分布范围不断缩小,种群数量日渐减少。由于野骆驼生性机警,且在远离人迹、自然条件极端恶劣的荒漠、半荒漠地区分布等特点,野骆驼种群生态学、行为生态学基础研究较为缺乏,对其分类地位和进化关系仍有争论。除塔克拉玛干沙漠分布区外,其他分布区均已建立以野骆驼为主的保护区。2011~2013年间对库姆塔格沙漠地区进行了6次野外样线调查,分别观察到83、80、39、14、78、29峰野骆驼。其中阿尔金山北麓地区野骆驼分布最为集中,采矿活动集中的5~10月观察到的野骆驼数量明显少于其他季节(t=7.154,P0.05)。野骆驼分布区面临着道路建设、矿产开发以及畜牧业的发展等威胁,生境丧失和破碎化严重。人为干扰下野骆驼异质种群动态及其对破碎化生境的响应是急需研究的科学问题。