Organisms Research Articles

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of cytochrome P450 gene family in Macrobrachium nipponense

Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) is a superfamily widely found in various biological organisms, including animals, plants, and microorganisms. CYP450 is involved in the metabolism of endogenous and exogenous substances. In addition, a few CYP450 genes named as Halloween genes (CYP302a1, CYP307a1, etc.) are associated with the synthesis and secretion of ecdysone in Arthropods. Macrobrachium nipponense (Arthropoda, Crustacean) has many excellent breeding characteristics; for example, rapid growth rate, ability to survive in a variety of environments and high economic value. In order to further explored the structure and function of CYP450, a genome-wide analysis of CYP450 gene family was performed in M. nipponense. A total of 67 CYP450 genes were identified, and extensive bioinformatic analysis methods were conducted, including physicochemical property, sequence alignment, evolutionary tree construction, conserved sequence, chromosome localization, protein-protein interactions, and quantitative expression. The results showed that most CYP450 genes being around 500 amino acids, with 25 tandem repeats genes. The majority of CYP450 genes have the signature structure of the CYP450 gene family to ensure the stability of the spatial structure and the ability to bind substrates. The Halloween genes and CYP18a1 sequences are similar and occupy an importance role in M. nipponense. Finally, most CYP450 genes were up-regulated in gill and hepatopancreas of M. nipponense under acute high temperature stress, with significant up-regulation of Halloween gene expression. This study could further deepen the understanding of the structure and function of CYP450 in M. nipponense and investigate the role of CYP450 in freshwater crustaceans under high temperatures.

The Evidence of Biochemical Similarities, Molecular Similarities, Modern (Contemporary) Evidence, and Vestigial Organs are Opposite to Darwin’s Theory

Living organisms are greatly similar at their molecular level, which leads the concept of their common ancestry. But it is not true, as every being is definite at the molecular level of each species. So, according to the current theory, each species is unique in that its base pairs are arranged in different orders and proportions, which vary from all other species. Again, the DNA base-sequence varies as much as between individuals of the same society and also of different societies of human races. Even, each person has a unique “Genetic fingerprint” and DNA molecules which are completely different from one another. So, there are no similarities among different types of species at their molecular levels. Again, there is no evidence that a reproductively isolated species/breed/variety/race evolves either artificially or naturally, which opposes modern (contemporary) evidence. Again, once it is thought that vestigial organs are useless. But today, those are medically regarded as essential ones.

Research Advances in the Development and Application of Biosensors in the Field of Detection

Biosensors are immobilized biological components (such as enzymes, proteins, DNA, antibodies, antigens) or organisms themselves (such as cells, microorganisms, tissues, etc.) as sensitive materials, combined with appropriate chemical transducers, Novel devices for rapid detection of physical, chemical, and biomass. In a variety of detection fields, biosensors play an important and difficult to replace role, such as virus detection, trace target substances monitoring in diseases, pesticide residue detection and so on.

SDG commentary: service ecosystems with the planet - weaving the environmental SDGs with human services

PurposeHumanity and all life depend on the natural environment of Planet Earth, and that environment is in acute crisis across land, sea and air. One of a set of commentaries on how service can address the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs), the authors focus on environmental goals SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 15 (life on land). This paper aims to propose a conceptual framework that incorporates the natural environment into transformative services.Design/methodology/approachThe authors trace the evolution of service thinking about the natural environment, from a stewardship perspective of the environment as a set of resources to be managed, through an acknowledgement of nonhuman organisms as actors that can participate in service exchange, towards an emergent concept of ecosystems as integrating human social actors and other biological actors who engage fully in value co-creation.FindingsThe authors derive a framework integrating human and other life forms as co-creating actors, drawing on shared natural resources to achieve mutualism, where each actor can have a net benefit from the relationship. Future research questions are posited that may help services research address SDGs 13–15.Originality/valueThe framework integrates ideas from environmental ecosystem literature to inform the nature of ecosystems. By integrating environmental actors and ecological insights into the understanding of service ecosystems, service scholars are well placed to make unique contributions to the global challenge of creating a sustainable future.

Biological Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Marine Bivalvia Anadara rhombea (Born, 1778) Shell Extract

Nanoparticles synthesis involving biological organisms, considered to be the environmentally acceptable clean and nontoxic method. Nowadays, inorganic NPs and their nanocomposites are extensively used in various industries, biomedicines, and catalysis reactions. In particular, silver NPs (AgNPs) have various important applications. In recent years, marine organism-mediated biological synthesis of NPs is gaining importance due to its easily available and eco-friendliness. The aim of the present study is to investigate the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using marine bivalvia Anadara rhombea shell extract. The aqueous extract A. rhombea shell treated with silver nitrate which form silver nanoparticles and confirmed by colour formation, spectroscopy and SEM techniques. The UV-visible spectrum revealed an absorbance peak of 427.2 nm, and FTIR revealed the presence of alcohols, phenols, and amines, which confirmed AgNPs formation. The average size of the nanoparticle was found to be 50.30±11.96 nm using SEM techniques. The zoo-chemical of the shell extract having strong properties helps to reduce the Ag cations (Ag+ to Ag0) to AgNPs. Overall, the present study concluded that marine bivalvia A. rhombea shell extract is a source for the synthesis of different metal-based nanoparticles (MNPs).

Time-Resolved X-ray Observation of Intracellular Crystallized Protein in Living Animal

Understanding the cellular environment as molecular crowding that supports the structure-specific functional expression of biomolecules has recently attracted much attention. Time-resolved X-ray observations have the remarkable capability to capture the structural dynamics of biomolecules with subnanometre precision. Nevertheless, the measurement of the intracellular dynamics within live organisms remains a challenge. Here, we explore the potential of utilizing crystallized proteins that spontaneously form intracellular crystals to investigate their intracellular dynamics via time-resolved X-ray observations. We generated transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans specifically expressing the crystallized protein in cells and observed the formation of the protein aggregates within the animal cells. From the toxic-effect observations, the aggregates had minimal toxic effects on living animals. Fluorescence observations showed a significant suppression of the translational diffusion movements in molecules constituting the aggregates. Moreover, X-ray diffraction measurements provided diffraction signals originating from these molecules. We also observed the blinking behaviour of the diffraction spots, indicating the rotational motion of these crystals within the animal cells. A diffracted X-ray blinking (DXB) analysis estimated the rotational motion of the protein crystals on the subnanometre scale. Our results provide a time-resolved X-ray diffraction technique for the monitoring of intracellular dynamics.

Self-Organisation of Prediction Models.

Living organisms are active open systems far from thermodynamic equilibrium. The ability to behave actively corresponds to dynamical metastability: minor but supercritical internal or external effects may trigger major substantial actions such as gross mechanical motion, dissipating internally accumulated energy reserves. Gaining a selective advantage from the beneficial use of activity requires a consistent combination of sensual perception, memorised experience, statistical or causal prediction models, and the resulting favourable decisions on actions. This information processing chain originated from mere physical interaction processes prior to life, here denoted as structural information exchange. From there, the self-organised transition to symbolic information processing marks the beginning of life, evolving through the novel purposivity of trial-and-error feedback and the accumulation of symbolic information. The emergence of symbols and prediction models can be described as a ritualisation transition, a symmetry-breaking kinetic phase transition of the second kind previously known from behavioural biology. The related new symmetry is the neutrally stable arbitrariness, conventionality, or code invariance of symbols with respect to their meaning. The meaning of such symbols is given by the structural effect they ultimately unleash, directly or indirectly, by deciding on which actions to take. The early genetic code represents the first symbols. The genetically inherited symbolic information is the first prediction model for activities sufficient for survival under the condition of environmental continuity, sometimes understood as the "final causality" property of the model.

Decaniobate: The Fruit Fly of Niobium Polyoxometalate Chemistry.

ConspectusPolyoxometalates (POMs, metals = V4/5+, Nb5+, Ta5+, Mo5/6+, and W5/6+) can be described as molecular metal oxides. The V, Mo, and W-POMs (classic POMs) exhibit rich structural diversity with interesting redox properties, acid catalysis, inorganic ligands, and colorimetric properties and behavior. Nb and Ta POMs, while structurally similar, are generally stable only in base and redox behavior is rare, and they are synthetically far less accessible. The V, Mo, and W-POMs have been studied for well over a century, Nb-POM chemistry has emerged in the last 20 years, and Ta-POM chemistry is yet to see consistent and significant advances. Early and current success in Nb-POM chemistry is owed mainly to hydrothermal synthesis, which is wholly unsatisfying, given the black box nature of this technique.For the last 5 years and as summarized in this Account, we have exploited decaniobate, [Nb10O28]6- (Nb10), as a foundation to perform room-temperature, nearly pH-neutral manipulations of Nb-POM solutions. Nb10, with a rare neutral self-buffering pH, responds to any interactions with electrolytes (specifically oxoanions and metal cations) by undergoing transformations, leading to new topologies. The ease of Nb10 transformation yielding new generations of Nb-POMs, akin to an inorganic analogue of biological model organisms such as the fruit fly, inspired the title of this Account. The common building unit born from the disassembly of Nb10 is [Nb7O20(OH, H2O)2](5-7)-, and the hydroxyl/aqua ligands provide reactivity for linking via condensation reactions, ligand exchange, heterometals, or oxoanions. We can coax these newly assembled Nb-POMs (detected by small-angle X-ray scattering, SAXS) to crystallize via the usual methods of vapor diffusion, salting out, and reduced temperature, and the single-crystal X-ray diffraction structures are valuable for understanding reaction mechanisms to fine-tune control and yield a landscape of topologies and compositions. Beyond providing an opportunity to comprehend and diversify POM chemistry, the reactivity of Nb10 yields highly soluble (i.e., >2 M Nb), nearly neutral aqueous solutions of niobium, ideal for the solution-phase deposition of thin films, demonstrated with LiNbO3, (Na,K)NbO3, Nb2O5, and heterometal-doped Nb2O5. The obtained films are cohesive and smooth, enabled by the tendency of these solutions to gel if simply evaporated quickly.Per our current endeavors, this gelation behavior provides an opportunity to develop new soft, flexible materials including inorganic networks, organic-inorganic networks, and porous solids and explore their material properties including base catalysis and sorption (i.e., CO2). Nb-POM (and Ta-POM) discovery and implementation of properties is far from complete. While heterometal (d and f element) substitution is easy with classic POMs, imparting a whole host of functions (tuned luminescence, catalysis, electroactivity, etc.), it remains a challenge with Nb-POMs due to pH incompatibility with most heterometals. This grand challenge that defies fundamental aqueous behavior of metal cations requires the creation of liquid mixtures that include polymer and/or ionic liquid components, and the creation of such reaction media can impact synthesis beyond POM chemistry. The goal of this Account is to describe the recent advances in Nb-POM chemistry, afforded by the Nb10 "fruit fly", and to also provide insight into the next large steps needed to advance Nb-POM chemistry.

Near-infrared absorption and emission probes with optimal connection bridges for live monitoring of NAD(P)H dynamics in living systems

Two NAD(P)H-biosensing probes consisting of 1,3,3-trimethyl-3H-indolium and 3-quinolinium acceptors, linked by thiophene, A, and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene, B, bridges are detailed. We synthesized probes C and D, replacing the thiophene connection in probe A with phenyl and 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole units, respectively. Probe E was prepared by substituting probe A's 3-quinolinium unit with a 1-methylquinoxalin-1-ium unit. Probe solutions are non-fluorescent but in the presence of NADH, exhibit near-infrared fluorescence at 742.1 nm and 727.2 nm for probes A and B, respectively, and generate absorbance signals at 690.6 nm and 685.9 nm. In contrast, probes C and D displayed pronounced interference from NADH fluorescence at 450 nm, whereas probe E exhibited minimal fluorescence alterations in response to NAD(P)H. Pre-treatment of A549 cells with glucose in the presence of probe A led to a significant increase in fluorescence intensity. Additionally, subjecting probe A to lactate and pyruvate molecules resulted in opposite changes in NAD(P)H levels, with lactate causing a substantial increase in fluorescence intensity, conversely, pyruvate resulted in a sharp decrease. Treatment of A549 cells with varying concentrations of the drugs cisplatin, gemcitabine, and camptothecin (5, 10, and 20 µM) led to a concentration-dependent increase in intracellular fluorescence intensity, signifying a rise in NAD(P)H levels. Finally, fruit fly larvae were treated with different concentrations of NADH and cisplatin illustrating applicability to live organisms. The results demonstrated a direct correlation between fluorescence intensity and the concentration of NADH and cisplatin, respectively, further confirming the efficacy of probe A in sensing changes in NAD(P)H levels within a whole organism.

Electron Spin‐Dependent Electrocatalysis for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in a Chiro‐Self‐Assembled Iron Phthalocyanine Device

AbstractThe chiral‐induced spin selectivity effect (CISS) is a breakthrough phenomenon that has revolutionized the field of electrocatalysis. We report the first study on the electron spin‐dependent electrocatalysis for the oxygen reduction reaction, ORR, using iron phthalocyanine, FePc, a well‐known molecular catalyst for this reaction. The FePc complex belongs to the non‐precious catalysts group, whose active site, FeN4, emulates catalytic centers of biocatalysts such as Cytochrome c. This study presents an experimental platform involving FePc self‐assembled to a gold electrode surface using chiral peptides (L and D enantiomers), i.e., chiro‐self‐assembled FePc systems (CSAFePc). The chiral peptides behave as spin filters axial ligands of the FePc. One of the main findings is that the peptides′ handedness and length in CSAFePc can optimize the kinetics and thermodynamic factors governing ORR. Moreover, the D‐enantiomer promotes the highest electrocatalytic activity of FePc for ORR, shifting the onset potential up to 1.01 V vs. RHE in an alkaline medium, a potential close to the reversible potential of the O2/H2O couple. Therefore, this work has exciting implications for developing highly efficient and bioinspired catalysts, considering that, in biological organisms, biocatalysts that promote O2 reduction to water comprise L‐enantiomers.

Electron Spin-Dependent Electrocatalysis for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in a Chiro-Self-Assembled Iron Phthalocyanine Device.

The chiral-induced spin selectivity effect (CISS) is a breakthrough phenomenon that has revolutionized the field of electrocatalysis. We report the first study on the electron spin-dependent electrocatalysis for the oxygen reduction reaction, ORR, using iron phthalocyanine, FePc, a well-known molecular catalyst for this reaction. The FePc complex belongs to the non-precious catalysts group, whose active site, FeN4, emulates catalytic centers of biocatalysts such as Cytochrome c. This study presents an experimental platform involving FePc self-assembled to a gold electrode surface using chiral peptides (L and D enantiomers), i.e., chiro-self-assembled FePc systems (CSAFePc). The chiral peptides behave as spin filters axial ligands of the FePc. One of the main findings is that the peptides' handedness and length in CSAFePc can optimize the kinetics and thermodynamic factors governing ORR. Moreover, the D-enantiomer promotes the highest electrocatalytic activity of FePc for ORR, shifting the onset potential up to 1.01 V vs. RHE in an alkaline medium, a potential close to the reversible potential of the O2 /H2 O couple. Therefore, this work has exciting implications for developing highly efficient and bioinspired catalysts, considering that, in biological organisms, biocatalysts that promote O2 reduction to water comprise L-enantiomers.

Technical and Environmental Assessment of the Consequences of Accidents on Offshore Gas Pipelines in the Baltic Sea

The failure of the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea in September 2022 had significant technical and economic consequences not only for the European Union energy sector and the gas production and transmission industry of the Russian Federation, but also entailed a number of environmental consequences, the scale of which has yet to be explored. During the preliminary assessment of the consequences of the accident, the team of scientists from the Kant Baltic Federal University, the Atlantic branch of the VNIRO and the Shirshov Oceanology Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences calculated the composition of the gas mixture emitted and assessed its volume, studied potential environmental damage to the biogeocenoses of the Western and Southern Baltic, calculated the impact of the gases emitted on global temperature. The studies were based on data obtained from open sources and allow us to give a preliminary assessment of the environmental impact of the accident. The combination of analytical, evaluation and research methods used is basically a classic approach to accounting for the volume of gas emissions and their subsequent impact. Leakage volume was calculated by first determining the volume of gas that entered the natural environment after impact (before the emergency valves were closed), and then determining the second volume of gas (until pressure stabilization in the cut-off pipe sections and in the environment). Based on the information on the biota in the water area and the nature of the gas movement, an estimated impact on biological organisms in the zone of the Bronholm depression was determined. Based on the models of the influence of methane emissions on climatic parameters, the preliminary consequences of the emission were established. The assessment of the environmental impact on the water area was conducted and the main directions of further research determined. The potential ways to minimize the environmental consequences of the accident in the short and long term have been considered.

Identification of microbes using single-layer graphene-based nano biosensors.

Graphene based nano sensors have huge potential in an era of sensor technology. The objective of this study is to create a sensor by investigating the vibration responses of cantilever and bridged boundary conditioned single layer graphene sheets (SLGS) with various attached microorganisms on the tip and at the centre of the sheet. The Parvoviridae, Flaviviridae, and Polyomaviridae biological substances have been comprehensively investigated here. For the Parvoviridae, Polyomaviridae, and Flaviviridae categories of targeted microbes, the sizes are 21nm, 40nm, and 45nm, respectively. The Parvoviridae family has a maximum frequency of 1.87x107 Hz with a cantilever condition and a mass of 4.2441 Zg, and for a bridged condition, it demonstrates a maximum frequency of 1.23x108 Hz with the same mass on armchair SLG (5 5). The data analysis shows that 3.0041 Zg mass of the Mimivirus has the lowest frequency. It demonstrates explicitly that the rate of frequency decreases as the value of mass increases. When compared to chiral SLG, the armchair single layer graphene sheet performs better. The research indicates that the dynamic properties are significantly influenced by the mass of various biological organisms. The application of this sensor will enable the detection of microorganisms or viruses that can be connected to SLG. In this research, the application of Single Layer Graphene (SLG) as a virus sensing device is explored. Atomistic finite element method (AFEM) has been used to carry out the dynamic analysis of SLG. Molecular dynamic analysis and simulations have been performed to see how SLG behaves when employed as sensors for biological entities and when they are exposed to bridged and cantilever boundary conditions. The frequency analysis was performed using ANSYS APDL software. SLG of various chirality has been utilised in the investigation. By altering the applied mass of a biological object, the difference in frequency observed. The idea behind mass detection employing nano biosensors is built on the concept that the stiffness of a biomolecule changes as its mass changes, making the resonant frequency extremely sensitive to that change. A shift in the resonance frequency results from a change in the associated mass on the graphene sheet. The main challenge in mass detection is estimating the variation in resonant frequency driven by the mass of the connected molecule. The SLG-based biosensor has a specific application in the early identification of diseases. The biosensor investigated in this article is novel, whereas the biosensors that are presently on the market operate using the ionization method. The simulations result shows SLG based biosensor's sensitivity considerably faster than an existing one.

Hydrothermal amorphous silica, barite and orpiment from the crater area of seamount (SM-13) off Nicobar island, Andaman sea: Indications for the development of a new hydrothermal field

The Andaman sea characterized by trench-arc-backarc elements (Andaman-Nicobar island-arc, the Andaman back-arc spreading center, the seamount complex, and the back-arc basin) is a complex active basin and is known for hydrothermal activity in some of the seamounts (subaerial and submarine) of the volcanic arc. In the present study, 13 submarine seamounts (SM1- SM13) in the southern Andaman volcanic arc, extending from 6°47′N: 94°43′E to 7° 56′ N: 94° 2.47′E, were surveyed onboard RV Sindhu Sadhana (November 2021) to find the evidences for the hydrothermal activity. Out of the 13 seamounts, at one crater seamount (SM-13) we have observed evidence for hydrothermal activity characterized by plumes rich in dissolved gases (mainly CO2) in the water column, live chemosymbiotic organisms (Bathymodiolus species), and neoforming minerals such as amorphous silica, barite and orpiment. We observed two plumes rich in dissolved gases (mainly CO2), called GP1 and GP2, in the water column at two different water depths i.e. 400 and 380 mbsl respectively. Geochemical analysis of the water samples shows enhanced TCO2 concentrations within the plumes rich in dissolved gases (mainly CO2) observed in sub-bottom profiler data, however, the dissolved methane concentrations do not show any enrichment when compared with ambient seawater concentrations. Apart from the enhancement in the TCO2 concentrations, pH and total alkalinity data also show fluctuations within the same depth zone which may be attributed to the hydrothermal plume exhausting from the crater seamount. The occurrence of live chemosymbiotic organism Bathymodiolus species indicate an active and continuous supply of H2S. The precipitation of neoforming hydrothermal minerals such as amorphous silica, tabular barite, and orpiment on the surface of the rock samples further supports the hydrothermal activity. Previous studies carried out in 2007 have reported hydrothermal ferromanganese oxides precipitated from low-temperature hydrothermal fluids (Surya prakash et al., 2012) and inferred SM-13 as a dormant submarine volcano (Kamesh Raju et al., 2012). However, after 14 years, we observe volatile emissions to the water column, hydrothermal mineral precipitation and live chemosymbiotic organisms from the same seamount. These observations of the present study infer development of a new hydrothermal field in the least explored Andaman Sea. This study adds up a new active site to the global hydrothermal inventory which may allow better estimation of global hydrothermal flux and its role in oceanic elemental cycle.

The vulnerability of aging states: A survival analysis across premodern societies.

How states and great powers rise and fall is an intriguing enigma of human history. Are there any patterns? Do polities become more vulnerable over time as they age? We analyze longevity in hundreds of premodern states using survival analysis to help provide initial insights into these questions. This approach is commonly used to study the risk of death in biological organisms or failure in mechanical systems. The results reveal that the risk of state termination increased steeply over approximately the first two centuries after formation and stabilized thereafter. This provides the first quantitative support for the hypothesis that the resilience of political states decreases over time. Potential mechanisms that could drive such declining resilience include environmental degradation, increasing complexity, growing inequality, and extractive institutions. While the cases are from premodern times, such dynamics and drivers of vulnerability may remain relevant today.

A Peptide-Based Oscillator.

Living organisms are replete with rhythmic and oscillatory behavior at all levels, to the extent that oscillations have been termed as a defining attribute of life. Recent studies of synthetic oscillators that mimic such functions have shown decayed cycles in batch-mode reactions or sustained oscillatory kinetics under flow conditions. Considering the hypothesized functionality of peptides in early chemical evolution and their central role in current bio-nanotechnology, we now reveal a peptide-based oscillator. Oscillatory behavior was achieved by coupling coiled-coil-based replication processes as positive feedback to controlled initiation and inhibition pathways in a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR). Our results stress that assembly into the supramolecular structure and specific interactions with the replication substrates are crucial for oscillations. The replication-inhibition processes were first studied in batch mode, which produced a single damped cycle. Thereafter, combined experimental and theoretical characterization of the replication process in a CSTR under different flow and environmental (pH, redox) conditions demonstrated reasonably sustained oscillations. We propose that studies in this direction might pave the way to the design of robust oscillation networks that mimic the autonomous behavior of proteins in cells (e.g., in the cyanobacterial circadian clock) and hence hint at feasible pathways that accelerated the transition from simple peptides to extant enzymes.

Intracellular Application of an Asparaginyl Endopeptidase for Producing Recombinant Head-to-Tail Cyclic Proteins.

Peptide backbone cyclization is commonly observed in nature and is increasingly applied to proteins and peptides to improve thermal and chemical stability and resistance to proteolytic enzymes and enhance biological activity. However, chemical synthesis of head-to-tail cyclic peptides and proteins is challenging, is often low yielding, and employs toxic and unsustainable reagents. Plant derived asparaginyl endopeptidases such as OaAEP1 have been employed to catalyze the head-to-tail cyclization of peptides in vitro, offering a safer and more sustainable alternative to chemical methods. However, while asparaginyl endopeptidases have been used in vitro and in native and transgenic plant species, they have never been used to generate recombinant cyclic proteins in live recombinant organisms outside of plants. Using dihydrofolate reductase as a proof of concept, we show that a truncated OaAEP1 variant C247A is functional in the Escherichia coli physiological environment and can therefore be coexpressed with a substrate protein to enable concomitant in situ cyclization. The bacterial system is ideal for cyclic protein production owing to the fast growth rate, durability, ease of use, and low cost. This streamlines cyclic protein production via a biocatalytic process with fast kinetics and minimal ligation scarring, while negating the need to purify the enzyme, substrate, and reaction mixtures individually. The resulting cyclic protein was characterized in vitro, demonstrating enhanced thermal stability compared to the corresponding linear protein without impacting enzyme activity. We anticipate this convenient method for generating cyclic peptides will have broad utility in a range of biochemical and chemical applications.

All-digital quantum ghost imaging: tutorial

Quantum ghost imaging offers many advantages over classical imaging, including the ability to probe an object with one wavelength and record the image with another, while low photon fluxes offer the ability to probe objects with fewer photons, thereby avoiding photo-damage to light sensitive structures such as biological organisms. Progressively, ghost imaging has advanced from single-pixel scanning systems to two-dimensional (2D) digital projective masks, which offer a reduction in image reconstruction times through shorter integration times. In this tutorial, we describe the essential ingredients in an all-digital quantum ghost imaging experiment and guide the user on important considerations and choices to make, aided by practical examples of implementation. We showcase several image reconstruction algorithms using two different 2D projective mask types and discuss the utility of each. We additionally discuss a notable artifact of a specific reconstruction algorithm and projective mask combination and detail how this artifact can be used to retrieve an image signal heavily buried under artifacts. Finally, we end with a brief discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques used to reduce image reconstruction times. We believe that this tutorial will be a useful guide to those wishing to enter the field, as well as those already in the field who wish to introduce AI and machine learning to their toolbox.

Nature‐Inspired Electrocatalysts for CO2 Reduction to C2+ Products

AbstractThe electrocatalytic reduction reaction of carbon dioxide (CO2RR) has gained significant attention as a promising approach to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions and generate valuable chemicals and fuels. However, the practical application of CO2RR has been hindered by the lack of efficient and selective electrocatalysts, particularly to produce multi‐carbon (C2+) products. Nature serves as an ideal source of inspiration for the development of CO2RR electrocatalysts, as biological organisms can efficiently catalyze the same reaction and possess robust structures that are inherently scaling. In this review, recent advances in the nature‐inspired design of electrocatalysts for CO2RR to C2+ products are summarized and categorized based on their inspiration source, including the coordination sphere of metalloenzymes and the cascade reactions within the enzyme, as well as the local environment. The importance of understanding the fundamental mechanisms and the different contexts between nature and technological application in the design process is highlighted, with the aim to improve the nature‐inspired design of electrocatalysts for CO2RR to C2+ products.

Allosteric regulation of kinase activity in living cells

The dysregulation of protein kinases is associated with multiple diseases due to the kinases' involvement in a variety of cell signaling pathways. Manipulating protein kinase function, by controlling the active site, is a promising therapeutic and investigative strategy to mitigate and study diseases. Kinase active sites share structural similarities, making it difficult to specifically target one kinase, and allosteric control allows specific regulation and study of kinase function without directly targeting the active site. Allosteric sites are distal to the active site but coupled via a dynamic network of inter-atomic interactions between residues in the protein. Establishing an allosteric control over a kinase requires understanding the allosteric wiring of the protein. Computational techniques offer effective and inexpensive mapping of the allosteric sites on a protein. Here, we discuss the methods to map and regulate allosteric communications in proteins, and strategies to establish control over kinase functions in live cells and organisms. Protein molecules, or ‘sensors,’ are engineered to function as tools to control allosteric activity of the protein as these sensors have high spatiotemporal resolution and help in understanding cell phenotypes after immediate activation or inactivation of a kinase. Traditional methods used to study protein functions, such as knockout, knockdown, or mutation, cannot offer a sufficiently high spatiotemporal resolution. We discuss the modern repertoire of tools to regulate protein kinases as we enter a new era in deciphering cellular signaling and developing novel approaches to treat diseases associated with signal dysregulation.