Iván D. Amaya R.

The Hologenome Theory

A hologenome is defined as the sum of genetic information from both the host and its microbiota. This recently proposed theory of evolution considers the holobiont (the organism and all of its associated symbiotic microbes) a unit of natural selection and is based on four well documented generalizations:

1. All animals and plants establish symbiotic relationships with microorganisms.
2. Symbiotic microorganisms are transmitted between generations.
3. The association between host and symbiont affects the fitness of the holobiont.
4. Under environmental stress, the symbiotic microbial
community can change rapidly.

These points taken together suggest that the genetic wealth of diverse microbial symbionts can play an important role in both the adaptation and evolution of higher organisms.

via Science

http://on.fb.me/10Y8hZd http://on.fb.me/15bwjBt

curiousintent: mojo jojo

Sat, 04 May 2013 08:03:48 -0400

curiousintent:

mojo jojo

meconviertoengeek: Mira el gif por 20 segundos después mira la...

Sat, 04 May 2013 08:02:16 -0400

meconviertoengeek:

Mira el gif por 20 segundos después mira la imagen de abajo

meconviertoengeek: Gandalf vs Balrog enviado por Jaime,...

Sat, 04 May 2013 08:00:52 -0400

meconviertoengeek:

Gandalf vs Balrog

enviado por Jaime, gracias.

cjohnstonbioart: Helicobacter pylori bacteria (WIP) H. pylori...

Sat, 04 May 2013 07:54:56 -0400

cjohnstonbioart:

Helicobacter pylori bacteria (WIP)

H. pylori is a bacterium that lives in the stomach and duodenum (first section of the small intestine). They burrow through the mucin (a layer of gel-like mucus that protects the walls of the stomach from the acidic gastric juices) lining the stomach to reach the underlying tissue. H. pylorie is specially adapted to surviving the acidic environment of the stomach by releasing an enzyme, called urease, that converts urea into a cloud of acid neutralizing chemicals that protect the bacterium. It can be passed from person to person through direct contact with saliva, vomit, or fecal matter.

If the H. pylori infection is left untreated it can lead to chronic gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining). The H. pylori bacteria may eventually wear a hole in the stomach’s protective mucin layer, leading to the formation of a gastric ulcer (a sore in the lining of your stomach).

Photo

Sat, 04 May 2013 07:51:57 -0400

molecularlifesciences: DNA codons to Amino Acids! Really cool...

Wed, 01 May 2013 09:56:16 -0400

molecularlifesciences:

DNA codons to Amino Acids!

Really cool visual, but may be a little to busy for learners.

texturesofether: phagocytes cc @bitbioanalista

Wed, 01 May 2013 09:55:50 -0400

texturesofether:

phagocytes

cc @bitbioanalista

scinerds: Multiple Genes Robustly Contribute to Schizophrenia...

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:46:46 -0400

scinerds:

Multiple Genes Robustly Contribute to Schizophrenia Risk in Replication Study

Multiple genes contribute to risk for schizophrenia and appear to function in pathways related to transmission of signals in the brain and immunity, according to an international study led by Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy researchers.

By better understanding the molecular and biological mechanisms involved with schizophrenia, scientists hope to use this new genetic information to one day develop and design drugs that are more efficacious and have fewer side effects.

In a study published online in the April issue of JAMA Psychiatry, the JAMA Network journal, researchers used a comprehensive and unique approach to robustly identify genes and biological processes conferring risk for schizophrenia.

The researchers first used 21,953 subjects to examine over a million genetic markers. They then systematically collected results from other kinds of biological schizophrenia studies and combined all these results using a novel data integration approach.

The most promising genetic markers were tested again in a large collection of families with schizophrenia patients, a design that avoids pitfalls that have plagued genetic studies of schizophrenia in the past. The genes they identified after this comprehensive approach were found to have involvement in brain function, nerve cell development and immune response.

“Now that we have genes that are robustly associated with schizophrenia, we can begin to design much more specific experiments to understand how disruption of these genes may affect brain development and function,” said principal investigator Edwin van den Oord, Ph.D., professor and director of the Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine in the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science at the VCU School of Pharmacy.

“Also, some of these genes provide excellent targets for the development of new drugs,” he said.

One specific laboratory experiment currently underway at VCU to better understand the function of one of these genes, TCF4, is being led by Joseph McClay, Ph.D., a co-author on the study and assistant professor and laboratory director in the VCU Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine. TCF4 works by switching on other genes in the brain. McClay and colleagues are conducting a National Institutes of Health-funded study to determine all genes that are under the control of TCF4. By mapping the entire network, they aim to better understand how disruptions to TCF4 increase risk for schizophrenia.

“Our results also suggest that the novel data integration approach used in this study is a promising tool that potentially can be of great value in studies of a large variety of complex genetic disorders,” said lead author Karolina A. Aberg, Ph.D., research assistant professor and laboratory co-director of the Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine in the VCU School of Pharmacy.

ladoescurodalua: (by lens face)

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:45:22 -0400

ladoescurodalua:

(by lens face)