5th BSPR‐EBI Meeting,Proteomics: From Technology to New Biology 8–10 July 2008, Wellcome Trust Conference Centre,Hinxton, Cambridge,UK

This paper reports on the 5^th joint British Society for Proteome Research (BSPR) and European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) meeting which took place at the Wellcome Trust Conference Centre, Cambridge, UK, from the 8^th to 10^th July, 2008. As in previous years, the meeting attracted leading experts in the field who presented the latest cutting edge in proteomics. The meeting was entitled “Proteomics: From Technology to New Biology” taking into account the major transition proteomics has undergone in the past few years. In particular, the use of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)‐based targeted experiments for absolute quantification and validation of proteins was the hot topic of the meeting. Attended by some 250 delegates, the conference was extremely well organised and provided a great opportunity for discussion and initiation of new collaborations.     

Announcing the call for the Special Issue on the 20th International Congress of the International Union of Pure and Applied Biophysics (IUPAB)—virtual meeting,October 2021

This Commentary describes a call for submissions for the upcoming Special Issue focused on the science presented at the 20^th IUPAB Congress to be held in conjunction with the 45^th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Biophysical Society and the 49^th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 20^th International IUPAB Congress will take place as a virtual meeting this year from October 4 to 8, 2021. This triennial IUPAB Congress will be held in loose conjunction with the 45^th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Biophysical Society and the 49^th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. To act as a complement to this virtual meeting, the Biophysical Reviews journal will base a Special Issue on the scientific topics of the meeting contributors selected from the range of invited speakers and poster presenters. This Special Issue will also work to highlight the host country’s (Brazil) National Biophysical Society. Finally, this Special Issue will also serve to publish the meeting abstracts in supplemental form.Review articles from IUPAB Congress speakers and poster presenters to the IUPAB Congress and associated conferences (the 45^th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Biophysical Society and the 49^th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) are solicited. Similar to the SI based on the 19^th IUPAB Congress held in Edinburgh summarizing Commentaries from session chairs are also requested (Hall and dos Remedios 2017). The Special Issue for the 20^th IUPAB International Congress will be prepared and edited by the current authors (Rosangela Itri, Mauricio Baptista, Richard Garratt, and Antonio Jose Costa-Filho).     

News from the Biological Stain Commission,No. 17

In the 17^th issue of News from the Biological Stain Commission (BSC) under the heading of Regulatory affairs, the Biological Stain Commission’s International Affairs Committee presents information from the 20^th meeting of ISO/TC 212 Clinical laboratory testing and in vitro diagnostic test systems held on October 15 ? 17, 2014 in Toronto, Canada, and from the 29^th meeting of CEN/TC 140 In vitro diagnostic medical devices held on February 3, 2015 in Berlin, Germany.     

The first junior European Calcium Society meeting: calcium research across scales,Kingdoms and countries

The first junior European Calcium Society online meeting, held October 20–21, 2020, aimed to promote junior researchers in the Ca²⁺ community. The meeting included four scientific sessions, covering Ca²⁺ research from molecular detail to whole organisms. Each session featured one invited speaker and three speakers selected based on submitted abstracts, with the overall aim of actively involving early-career researchers. Consequently, the meeting underlined the diversity of Ca²⁺ physiology, by showcasing research across scales and Kingdoms, as presented by a correspondingly diverse speaker panel across career stages and countries. In this meeting report, we introduce the visions of the junior European Calcium Society board and summarize the meeting content.     

News from the Biological Stain Commission,No. 16

Abstract

In the 16^th issue of News from the Biological Stain Commission (BSC) under the heading of Regulatory affairs, the Biological Stain Commission’s International Affairs Committee presents information from the 28^th meeting of CEN/TC 140 In vitro diagnostic medical devices held on October 23, 2013 in Berlin, Germany. Information is also presented from the 19^th meeting of ISO/TC 212 Clinical laboratory testing and in vitro diagnostic test systems held on October 19 ? 21, 2013 in Singapore.     

Standard dimensions forcis N-methyl peptide unit and flexibility ofcis peptide units

The mean dimensions of thecis N-methyl peptide unit have been arrived at by analysing the crystal structure data on compounds containing such units. These dimensions can be used as standard in conformational studies on cyclic peptides. While the bonds meeting at C are almost coplanar, those meeting at N show a slight pyramidal disposition. A comparison of the dimensions of the normal and N-methylatedcis peptide units show that there are perceptible differences in the parameters connected with N. In addition, the flexibility of thecis peptide unit has been analysed by studying the distribution of the parameters in different classes of compounds such as cyclic di, tri and higher peptides. The salient features are: (i) The angle C^αCN in cyclic dipeptide and the angle C^δNC^α in higher peptides tend to be lower, when the peptide unit is associated with a prolyl residue; (ii) in cyclic tripeptides the internal anglesviz., C^αCN and CNC^α are significantly larger thereby increasing the intra-annular space; (iii) the bond C^α-C is distinctly shorter when it occurs in cyclic dipeptides. The results lead to the conclusion that thecis peptide unit takes up aneed-based flexibility in its dimension.     

News from the Biological Stain Commission No. 12

Abstract

In this 12^th issue of News from the Biological Stain Commission (BSC) under the heading of Regulatory affairs, the Biological Stain Commission’s International Affairs Committee presents information from the meetings of ISO/TC 212/WG 1 Quality and competence in the medical laboratory and ISO/TC 212/WG 3 In vitro diagnostic products both held on 2 – 3 June 2010, plus information on the second plenary meeting of ISO/TC 212 Clinical laboratory testing and in vitro diagnostic test systems held on 4 June 2010. All meetings took place in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Finally, information is provided concerning the 25^th meeting of CEN/TC 140 In vitro diagnostic medical devices held on 23 June 2010 in Berlin, Germany.     

News from the Biological Stain Commission No. 14

Abstract

In the 14^th issue of News from the Biological Stain Commission (BSC) the BSC’s International Affairs Committee presents information from the meetings of ISO/TC 212/WG 3, In vitro diagnostic products, and from the final plenary meeting of ISO/TC 212, Clinical laboratory testing and in vitro diagnostic test systems, held on 17-19 October 2011 in Las Vegas, NV. Information is also presented from the 26th meeting of CEN/TC 140, In vitro diagnostic medical devices, held on 5 December 2011 in Berlin, Germany.     

Barcelona conference on epigenetics and cancer: 50 years of histone acetylation

The Barcelona Conference on Epigenetics and Cancer (BCEC) was held in Barcelona, Spain, on October 1^st and 2^nd, 2014. The meeting was co-organized by the Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC-IDIBELL) and B·Debate, an initiative of Biocat, with the support of "la Caixa" Foundation. The scientific committee was comprised of leading scientists in the field of epigenetics: Dr. Manel Esteller, director of PEBC-IDIBELL, Dr. Alejandro Vaquero and Dr. Esteban Ballestar, from PEBC-IDIBELL, Juan Ausió from the University of Victoria (Canada), and Marcus Buschbeck, from the Institute of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (IMPPC), as BCEC series coordinator. This meeting was the second edition of the BCEC series, which was launched by 5 leading Barcelonan institutes to bring together leading investigators in the fields of epigenetics and chromatin research. The topics discussed during the meeting included the current challenges, opportunities, and perspectives surrounding the study of histone modifications (focusing in acetylation), chromatin structure and gene expression, and the involvement of histone acetylation in physiology and diseases, such as cancer or neurological diseases.     

Meeting reports

Meeting report: 48^th meeting of the ASCB Meeting highlight: Genome Informatics (GIW-2008); 19^th International Conference on Genome Informatics Darwin 200 years     

News from the Biological Stain Commission No. 13

Abstract

In the 13^th issue of News from the Biological Stain Commission (BSC) under the heading of Regulatory affairs, the Biological Stain Commission’s International Affairs Committee presents information from the first plenary meeting of the International Standards Organization ISO/TC 212 Clinical laboratory testing and in vitro diagnostic test systems held on 17–19 October 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.     

New approaches to the modulation of inflammatory processes in airway disease models: ATS 2001, May 18-23, San Francisco

The 97^th American Thoracic Society meeting proved to be an excellent meeting, providing a wealth of new information on inflammatory diseases of the airways. Once again there appeared to be an increased emphasis on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with most of the major drug companies concentrating a large part of their efforts in this field. An assessment of the new British Thoracic Society guidelines, which are designed to promote better management of COPD, was also presented at the meeting. Potential new treatments for inflammatory diseases of the airways including COPD were described, ranging from phase III trial data with GlaxoSmithKline's PDE4 inhibitor, Cilomilast (Ariflo^®) to the development of AstraZeneca's novel dual dopamine D₂-receptor/β₂-adrenoreceptor agonist, Viozan?. Of particular interest was Byk Gulden's Ciclesonide, a new corticosteroid with equivalent efficacy to the market leaders but with an improved safety profile. The same company also presented data on their PDE4 inhibitor, Roflumilast, which is now in phase II/III. Bayer presented data on their PDE4 inhibitor, BAY 19-8004, in a smoking animal model and claimed greater anti-inflammatory efficacy than with a steroid. Asta Medica (now known as Elbion) also described a new potent PDE4 inhibitor, AWD 12-281, with anti-inflammatory activity. In the bronchodilator field, an analysis of data from a one-year trial with Boehringer Ingelheim's Tiotropium revealed a possible improvement in lung function in COPD patients; this needs to be confirmed in a specifically designed study. Inhibitors of p38 (c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase and syk kinase) were also discussed as anti-inflammatory agents with potential in the treatment of COPD and asthma. GlaxoSmithKline's p38 kinase inhibitor, SB 239063, appeared to be the most advanced of these with clinical data expected in two to three years. Lyn kinase was also discussed as a novel target for inflammatory airway diseases.     

Ecological networks: delving into the architecture of biodiversity

In recent years, the analysis of interaction networks has grown popular as a framework to explore ecological processes and the relationships between community structure and its functioning. The field has rapidly grown from its infancy to a vibrant youth, as reflected in the variety and quality of the discussions held at the first international symposium on Ecological Networks in Coimbra—Portugal (23–25 October 2013). The meeting gathered 170 scientists from 22 countries, who presented data from a broad geographical range, and covering all stages of network analyses, from sampling strategies to effective ways of communicating results, presenting new analytical tools, incorporation of temporal and spatial dynamics, new applications and visualization tools.¹ During the meeting it became evident that while many of the caveats diagnosed in early network studies are successfully being tackled, new challenges arise, attesting to the health of the discipline.     

The effect of H<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Superscript>+</Superscript> on the membrane morphology and hydrogen bonding of a phospholipid bilayer

At the 2017 meeting of the Australian Society for Biophysics, we presented the combined results from two recent studies showing how hydronium ions (H₃O⁺) modulate the structure and ion permeability of phospholipid bilayers. In the first study, the impact of H₃O⁺ on lipid packing had been identified using tethered bilayer lipid membranes in conjunction with electrical impedance spectroscopy and neutron reflectometry. The increased presence of H₃O⁺ (i.e. lower pH) led to a significant reduction in membrane conductivity and increased membrane thickness. A first-order explanation for the effect was assigned to alterations in the steric packing of the membrane lipids. Changes in packing were described by a critical packing parameter (CPP) related to the interfacial area and volume and shape of the membrane lipids. We proposed that increasing the concentraton of H₃O⁺ resulted in stronger hydrogen bonding between the phosphate oxygens at the water–lipid interface leading to a reduced area per lipid and slightly increased membrane thickness. At the meeting, a molecular model for these pH effects based on the result of our second study was presented. Multiple μs-long, unrestrained molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of a phosphatidylcholine lipid bilayer were carried out and showed a concentration dependent reduction in the area per lipid and an increase in bilayer thickness, in agreement with experimental data. Further, H₃O⁺ preferentially accumulated at the water–lipid interface, suggesting the localised pH at the membrane surface is much lower than the bulk bathing solution. Another significant finding was that the hydrogen bonds formed by H₃O⁺ ions with lipid headgroup oxygens are, on average, shorter in length and longer-lived than the ones formed in bulk water. In addition, the H₃O⁺ ions resided for longer periods in association with the carbonyl oxygens than with either phosphate oxygen in lipids. In summary, the MD simulations support a model where the hydrogen bonding capacity of H₃O⁺ for carbonyl and phosphate oxygens is the origin of the pH-induced changes in lipid packing in phospholipid membranes. These molecular-level studies are an important step towards a better understanding of the effect of pH on biological membranes.     

The 21st Ion Channel Meeting,September 2010, France

On September 12-15, 2010 the French Ion Channels Association organized its annual scientific meeting on the French coast of Mediterranean Sea. This meeting takes place in an attractive location and provides a great opportunity for principal investigators as well as young researchers to present and discuss their recent advances and future challenges in the field of ion channels and transporters. The French Ion Channels Association was created more than 20 years ago and its goal is to organize an annual meeting and more recently to promote interactions (through the website www.canaux-ioniques.fr) between active members of the international scientific community in the field of ion channels. In this report of the 21^st edition of the meeting, we are summarizing the five main symposia that reflect original works and relevant developments in the domain of ions channels and transporters.     

The heterogeneity of spermatogonia is revealed by their topology and expression of marker proteins including the germ cell-specific proteins Nanos2 and Nanos3

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) reside in undifferentiated type-A spermatogonia and contribute to continuous spermatogenesis by maintaining the balance between self-renewal and differentiation, thereby meeting the biological demand in the testis. Spermatogonia have to date been characterized principally through their morphology, but we herein report the detailed characterization of undifferentiated spermatogonia in mouse testes based on their gene expression profiles in combination with topological features. The detection of the germ cell-specific proteins Nanos2 and Nanos3 as markers of spermatogonia has enabled the clear dissection of complex populations of these cells as Nanos2 was recently shown to be involved in the maintenance of stem cells. Nanos2 is found to be almost exclusively expressed in A_s to A_pr cells, whereas Nanos3 is detectable in most undifferentiated spermatogonia (A_s to A_al) and differentiating A₁ spermatogonia. In our present study, we find that A_s and A_pr can be basically classified into three categories: (1) GFRα1⁺Nanos2⁺Nanos3⁻Ngn3⁻, (2) GFRα1⁺Nanos2⁺Nanos3⁺Ngn3⁻, and (3) GFRα1⁻Nanos2 ^± Nanos3⁺Ngn3⁺. We propose that the first of these groups is most likely to include the stem cell population and that Nanos3 may function in transit amplifying cells.     

Silicon Nanowires and Lithium Cobalt Oxide Nanowires in Graphene Nanoribbon Papers for Full Lithium Ion Battery

Described here is the production and characterization of a scalable method to produce 3D structured lithium ion battery anodes using free‐standing papers of porous silicon nanowires (Si‐NW) and graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). Using simple filtration methods, GNRs and Si‐NWs can be entangled into a mat thereby forming Si‐NW GNR papers. This produces anodes with high gravimetric capacity (up to 2500 mA h g^?1) and high areal and volumetric capacities (up to 11 mA h cm^?2 and 3960 mA h cm?³). The compact structure of the anode is possible since the GNR volume occupies a high proportion of empty space within the composite paper. These Si‐NW/GNR papers have been cycled for over 300 cycles, exhibiting a stable life cycle. Combined with LiCoO₂ nanowires, a full battery is produced with high energy density (386 Wh kg^?1), meeting requirements for high performance devices.     

First-line treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia: dasatinib, nilotinib, or imatinib

Prognostic markers, such as NPM1, Flt3-ITD, and cytogenetic abnormalities have made it possible to formulate aggressive treatment plans for unfavorable acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the long-term survival of AML with unfavorable factors remains unsatisfactory. The latest data indicate that the standard dose of daunorubicin (DNR) at 45 mg/m² is inferior to high dose 90 mg/m² for induction therapy. The rates of complete remission and overall survival are significantly better in the high dose induction regimen. New regimens exploring the new liposomal encapsulation of Ara-C and DNR as well as addition of gemtuzumab ozogamicin monoclonal antibody have been studied. New agents, including the nucleoside analogues (clofarabine, sapacitabine, elacytarabine), FLT3 inhibitor (sorafenib), farnesyl-transferase inhibitor (tipifarnib), histone deacetylase inhibitor (vorinostat), lenalidomide, as well as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (decitabine, azacitidine), were recently reported for AML treatment in the 2009 ASH annual meeting. This review also summarizes the updates of the clinical trials on novel agents including voreloxin, AS1413, behenoylara-C, ARRY520, ribavirin, AZD1152, AZD6244, and terameprocol (EM-1421) from the 2009 ASH annual meeting.     

A molecular hybrid producing simultaneously singlet oxygen and nitric oxide by single photon excitation with green light

Combination of photosensitizers (PS) for photodynamic therapy with NO photodonors (NOPD) is opening intriguing horizons towards new and still underexplored multimodal anticancer and antibacterial treatments not based on “conventional” drugs and entirely controlled by light stimuli. In this contribution, we report an intriguing molecular hybrid based on a BODIPY light-harvesting antenna that acts simultaneously as PS and NOPD upon single photon excitation with the highly biocompatible green light. The presented hybrid offers a combination of superior advantages with respect to the other rare cases reported to date, meeting most of the key criteria for both PSs and NOPDs in the same molecular entity such as: (i) capability to generate ¹O₂ and NO with single photon excitation of biocompatible visible light, (ii) excellent ¹O₂ quantum yield and NO quantum efficiency, (iii) photogeneration of NO independent from the presence of oxygen, (iv) large light harvesting properties in the green region. Furthermore, this compound together with its stable photoproduct, is well tolerated by both normal and cancer cells in the dark and exhibits bimodal photomortality of cancer cells under green light excitation due to the combined action of the cytotoxic ¹O₂ and NO.     

A correlation between sensitization to gamma-rays by purine starvation and the rec genes in Escherichia coli K-12

Summary After purine staration the recombination proficient (Rec⁺) strains of E. coli K-12 tested were sensitized to inactivation by gamma-rays (Figs. 1–4). No such change was noted in the Rec^– strains tested (Fig. 5). These results suggest that purine starvation may sensitize cells to ionizing radiation by inhibiting repair controlled by the recA, recB and recC genes.This paper was reported in part at the Fourteenth Annual meeting of the Biophysical Society in Baltimore, Md., 25–27 February 1970.