Designer animals Brunk, Conrad G; Hartley, Sarah Annette
Designer animals,
c2012, 2012, 20120530, 2017, 2012-02-10, 2012-05-30, 20120101
eBook, Book
Designer Animalsuses non-technical language to explore the science behind animal biotechnology and the ethical frameworks at play in its surrounding debates.
Transcranial-focused ultrasound brings personalized medicine to the human brain. Ultrasound can modulate neural activity or release drugs in specific neural circuits but this personalized approach ...requires a system that delivers ultrasound into specified targets flexibly and on command. We developed a remote ultrasound system (Remus) that programmatically targets deep brain regions with high spatiotemporal precision and in a multi-focal manner. We validated these functions by modulating two deep brain nuclei—the left and right lateral geniculate nucleus—in a task-performing nonhuman primate. This flexible system will enable researchers and clinicians to diagnose and treat specific deep brain circuits in a noninvasive yet targeted manner, thus embodying the promise of personalized treatments of brain disorders.
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•Remus delivers ultrasound into deep brain targets of task-performing subjects•Targets are specified programmatically and at high spatial and temporal precision•Brief pulses delivered to deep brain regions modulate visual choice behavior•The system enables reproducible daily applications and continuous safety monitoring
Biological sciences; Biotechnology; Animal biotechnology; Biodevices.
In this study, indigenous chickens were collected from eight different regions in Kenya and kept at InCIP-Egerton University. These were studied using eighteen microsatellite markers to determine ...genetic variation. Statistics related to genetic variation were estimated using GenALEx6. Mean percentage polymorphic loci (PPL) was 96.71% and 4% genetic variance (p≥0.003) was seen between the eight populations. MCW0123 marker had the highest genetic variance of 13% among populations (p≥0.003) at 95% CI. Mean He ranged from 0.351±0.031 (SIB) to 0.434±0.022 (BM) with a grand mean He of 0.399±0.011 across the populations using the microsatellite markers. Nei’s genetic distance ranged from 0.016 (SIB and WP) to 0.126 (NR and SIB). DARwin6.501 analysis software was used to draw the population dendrogram and two major population clusters were observed, also seen with PCoA. This study found a lot of genetic variation and relatedness within and among populations. Based on the phylogenetic tree result, it is concluded that the clustering of the chicken populations in the present study is not based on geographical proximity. The microsatellite markers used in this study were suitable for the measurement of the genetic biodiversity and relationship of Kenyan chicken populations. These results can therefore serve as an initial step to plan the conservation of indigenous chickens in Kenya.
Abstract White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the most devastating pathogens in penaeid shrimp and can cause massive damage in shrimp aquaculture industries. Previously, the WSSV structural ...protein VP15 was identified as an antigenic reagent against WSSV infections. In this study, we truncated this protein into VP15 (1–25) , VP15 (26–57) , VP15 (58–80) , and VP15 (1–25,58–80) . The purified proteins from the E. coli expression system were assayed as potential protective agents in Kuruma shrimp ( Marsupenaeus japonicus ) using the prime-and-boost strategy. Among the four truncated constructs, VP15 (26–57) provided a significant improvement in the shrimp survival rate after 20 days of viral infection. Subsequently, four peptides (KR11, SR11, SK10, and KK13) from VP15 (26–57) were synthesized and applied in an in vivo assay. Our results showed that SR11 could significantly enhance the shrimp survival rate, as determined from the accumulated survival rate. Moreover, a multiligand binding protein with a role in the host immune response and a possible VP15-binding partner, MjgC1qR, from the host M. japonicus were employed to test its binding with the VP15 protein. GST pull-down assays revealed that MjgC1qR binds with VP15, VP15 (26–57) , and SR11. Taken together, we conclude that SR11 is a determinant antigenic peptide of VP15 conferring antiviral activity against WSSV.
Till now not information about myostatin MSTN gene in Egyptian goat breeds. Here we show more information about MSTN in some Egyptian goat breeds to enrich the database with new sequences for ...Egyptian goat breeds. Our conducted study focused on detection and identifying the MSTN gene as a candidate gene of the muscles growth trait in three goat breeds (Zaraibi, Baladi and Damascus). We found the similarity between the registered sequences with the accession numbers KY463684 for Zaraibi and KY463685 for Baladi and Chinese goat breeds of the MSTN gene deposited with international gene banks by up to 99% and some other species including sheep, cows and bull breeds with percentages of 95 to 97% and between 95 to 99%, respectively. There is also a correlation between the sequences of the registered pieces of Baladi with KY463686 and Damascus and Chinese breeds with KY441464 of MSTN deposited with international gene banks by up to 99% and some other species including sheep and bull breeds at a ratio of 99% for two pieces. Results demonstrated the deposited sequences of object are part of intron 1, exon 2 is fully sequenced with Zaraibi and Baladi breeds; the intron 1, exon 1 with Baladi breed; and the intron 2, part of exon 3 with Damascus breed. Therefore, the Egyptian goat breeds consider national wealth can be used to develop breeding and improvement programs which helps in more applicable scopes like biotechnology, genetic engineering and molecular biology with the help of bioinformatics tools.
The chromatography of deoxyribonuclease (DNase) from small intestine of camel Camelus dromedarius by DEAE-Sepharose separated three isoforms DNase 1, DNase 2 and DNase 3. The DNase 3 was purified to ...homogeneity by chromatography on Sephacryl S-200. The molecular weight of DNase 3 was 30kDa using gel filtration and SDS-PAGE. The pH optimum of DNase 3 was reported at 7.0 using Tris-HCl buffer. The temperature optimum of DNase 3 was found to be 50°C. The enzyme was stable up to 50°C for one h incubation. The Km value was 28.5µg DNA, where this low value indicated the high affinity of enzyme toward DNA as substrate. No activity of DNase 3 was determined in the absence of metal cations. Mg2+ and Ca2+ caused significant enhancement in the enzyme activity by 90 and 75%, respectively. The mixture of Mg2+ and Ca2+ caused 100% of enzyme activity. Ni2+, Co2+, Ba2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+ showed very strong inhibitory effect on enzyme activity. In conclusion, the characterization of DNase 3 indicated that the enzyme is considered as a member of DNase I family. The low Km value of the DNA suggested that the high digestion of DNA of camel forage by small intestine DNase 3.
Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) is a contagious disease leads to economically loss in livestock production all over the world. This serious disease is caused due to the infection of the animal with a ...single-stranded RNA virus (FMDV). This study aimed to investigate the genetic polymorphism of BoLA-DRB3 gene in Egyptian buffalo as a candidate genetic marker included in multi-factorial process of FMD resistance/susceptibility. Also this work aimed to genetically characterization and serotyping of circulating FMD virus in Egypt during 2016.
For serotyping of FMDV, RT-PCR was used for FMDV-positive samples and the results declared the presence of serotype O in all tested animals. The sequence analysis of FMDV samples revealed five different patterns for the detected serotype O which were submitted to GenBank under the accession Nos.: MG017361–MG017365.
The 302-bp amplified fragments from BoLA-DRB3 exon 2 were digested with HaeIII endonuclease and the results showed that the presence of five BoLA-DRB3 genotypes, among them the genotype AA might be associated with FMD-resistance (P < 0.01). On the other hand, genotype AC could be correlated with susceptibility (P < 0.01) to FMD in Egyptian buffaloes where it was absent in resistant group. The five detected genotypes of BoLA-DRB3 exon 2 were submitted to GenBank with the accession Nos.: MF977316–MF977320. In conclusion, our findings suggested that the detection of different BoLA-DRB3 genotypes may be has a promising role for raising the resistance of Egyptian buffalo against FMDV especially serotype O which is prevalent in Egypt with preferring genotype AA.
Coral conservation requires a mechanistic understanding of how environmental stresses disrupt biomineralization, but progress has been slow, primarily because corals are not easily amenable to ...laboratory research. Here, we highlight how the starlet sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis, can serve as a model to interrogate the cellular mechanisms of coral biomineralization. We have developed transgenic constructs using biomineralizing genes that can be injected into Nematostella zygotes and designed such that translated proteins may be purified for physicochemical characterization. Using fluorescent tags, we confirm the ectopic expression of the coral biomineralizing protein, SpCARP1, in Nematostella. We demonstrate via calcein staining that SpCARP1 concentrates calcium ions in Nematostella, likely initiating the formation of mineral precursors, consistent with its suspected role in corals. These results lay a fundamental groundwork for establishing Nematostella as an in vivo system to explore the evolutionary and cellular mechanisms of coral biomineralization, improve coral conservation efforts, and even develop novel biomaterials.
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•Nematostella is a tractable model to study cellular mechanisms of biomineralization•Transgenic constructs drive targeted and stable expression of biomineralizing IDPs•Coral biomineralizing IDP, SpCARP1, concentrates calcium ions in Nematostella•Carbonate enrichment enhances SpCARP1 calcium sequestration in Nematostella
Molecular biology; Animal biotechnology; Aquatic biology
In the past two decades many substances of natural or synthetic origin were studied as potential alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) and some of them, particularly immunomodulators ...(IMs) and nutraceuticals (NCs), have shown to be capable of stimulating functions of the immune system and improving general health. At the same time, they were shown to be harmless for animals and the environment. Promising results have been obtained with natural clay minerals, zeolites among which clinoptilolite (CPL) is the best known as zootechnical and biomedical feed ingredient widely reported in scientific literature and used in farm animal nutrition. CPL has a potential to replace AGP due to its unique anti-bacterial properties, safety and efficacy as dietary supplement in food animals unifying potentials of an IM and NC. Currently, there are many reasons for CPL utilization in animal biotechnology and veterinary medicine because of it’s detoxificating, antioxidant, hemostatic, anti-diarrheic, growth-promoting and immunostimulating properties. Also, in human medicine it is an adjuvant in immunodeficiency states, oncology (after chemotherapy and radiotherapy) or reducer of radioactive elements. The aims of this review were to compile and discuss scientific data on safety and efficiency of nutritive modulation by dietary CPL (and other zeolites) as an alternative to AGP in animals of veterinary importance In particular the aim is to analyse its potentials and limitations in cattle regarding metabolic and endocrine status, oxidative stress and systemic/local inflammatory responses involved in reproductive and metabolic disorders of dairy cows. Altogether, these analyses will contribute to objective validation of practical significance of CPL as a novel feed additive able to maintain and improve health, fertility and performance in cattle production.
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