Mitochondrial genotype segregation and effects during mammalian development: Applications to biotechnology

Mitochondria are endosymbiotic organelles responsible for energy production in practically every eukaryotic cell. Their uniparental fashion of inheritance, maternally inherited in mammals, and the homogeneity of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) within individuals and matrilineages, are biological phenomena that remain unexplained. This paper reviews some of the recent findings on mitochondrial influences on the manner in which embryos develop and how their genotypes are inherited in mammals, with particular emphasis on the genetic bottleneck effect. Animal models carrying a mix of mtDNAs (heteroplasmic) have been produced by karyoplast and cytoplast transplantation to analyze the segregation patterns at different stages during embryogenesis, in fetuses and offspring. Comparisons performed between murine and bovine reveal interesting changes in segregation and replication of transplanted mtDNAs. We have recently obtained Bos indicus and Bos taurus fetuses and calves from embryos reconstructed using enucleated polymorphic oocytes of Bos taurus origin. These and other findings on mitochondrial biology will have important implications in determining the cytoplasmic genotype of clones and in the preservation of endangered breeds and species. (C) 1999 by Elsevier B.V.

Detection of the single nucleotide polymorphism (rs2227307) in the human interleukin 8 gene using a pcr-rflp assay

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Biotechnology and fish culture

Biotechnology can currently be considered of importance in aquaculture. The increase in the production of aquatic organisms over the last two decades through the use of biotechnology indicates that in a few generations biotechnology may overtake conventional techniques, at least for the commercially more valuable species. In the last few years, genetics has contributed greatly to fish culture through the application of the more recent techniques developed in biotechnology and in genetic engineering. At present, the most commonly used methods in fish biotechnology are chromosome manipulation and hormonal treatments, which can be used to produce triploid, tetraploid, haploid, gynogenetic and androgenetic fish. These result in the production of individuals and lineages of sterile, monosex or highly endogamic fish. The use of such strategies in fish culture has as a practical objective the control of precocious sexual maturation in certain species; other uses are the production of larger specimens by control of the reproductive process and the attainment of monosex lines containing only those individuals of greater commercial value. The use of new technologies, such as those involved in gene transfer in many species, can result in modified individuals of great interest to aquaculturists and play important roles in specific programmes of fish production in the near future.

Disinfection protocols to prevent cross-contamination between dental offices and prosthetic laboratories

Control of cross-contamination between dental offices and prosthetic laboratories is of utmost importance to maintain the health of patients and dental office staff. The purpose of this study was to evaluate disinfection protocols, considering antimicrobial effectiveness and damage to the structures of prostheses. Solutions of 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% chlorhexidine digluconate, 50% vinegar and sodium perborate were evaluated. Specimens were contaminated in vitro with standardized suspensions of Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis spores. Disinfection by immersion for 10. min was performed. Final counts of microorganisms were obtained using the plating method. Results were statistically compared by Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA and Dunn's test. The surface roughness of 40 specimens was analyzed before and after 10 disinfection cycles, and results were compared statistically using Student's t test. The solution of 50% vinegar was as effective as 1% sodium hypochlorite and 2% chlorhexidine against C. albicans, E. coli and S. mutans. The sodium perborate solution showed the lowest antimicrobial effectiveness. Superficial roughness increased after cycles in 1% sodium hypochlorite (p=0.02). Solutions of 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% chlorhexidine and 50% vinegar were effective for the disinfection of heat-polymerized acrylic specimens. Sodium hypochlorite increased the superficial roughness. © 2013 King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences.

Biotechnology of polyketides: new breath of life for the novel antibiotic genetic pathways discovery through metagenomics

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Building the sugarcane genome for biotechnology and identifying evolutionary trends

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Improvement of gamete quality and its short-term storage: an approach for biotechnology in laboratory fish

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A platform for designing quantitative infrared spectrophotometric method for drugs and pharmaceuticals analysis: a rediscover for an ecological and safer technique in the routine quality control laboratories

This paper describes the importance of an innovative analytical technique for drugs and pharmaceuticals quantification, using Fouriertransform infrared (FTIR) transmission spectroscopy. This method does not use organic solvents, which is one great advantage over the most common analytical methods. This fact contributes to minimize the generation of organic solvent waste by the industry and thereby reduces the impact of its activities on the environment. The method involved absorbance measurements of the band corresponding to one of the chosen group in the molecule. Obviously, the method should be validated according to ICH guidelines, showing linearity, precision, accuracy and robustness, over a concentration range, using small amounts to prepare the analyte. The validated method is able to quantify drugs and pharmaceuticals and can be used as an environmentally friendly alternative for the routine analysis in pharmaceutical industry quality control.