DOCSLIB.ORG

INFORMATION for CONTRIBUTORS {1992) Aims and Scope Submission of Papers Manuscript Preparation

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
INFORMATION for CONTRIBUTORS {1992) Aims and Scope Submission of Papers Manuscript Preparation INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS {1992) each paragraph, subheads, and list items. Indicate on the disc: computer brand name, whether the disc contains a text or word- Aims and Scope processing file {name of software), and the disc format. Five hardcopy versions should also be submitted for use by referees Genes & Development welcomes high-quality research papers and editors. of general interest and biological significance in molecular bi- 3. Form. The following order is preferred: Title page, Ab- ology, molecular genetics, and related areas. Publication time stract, Introduction, Results, Discussion, Methods, Acknowl- from acceptance of manuscript is between two and three edgments, References, Tables, Figure legends. The Title page months. For papers accepted subject to revision, only one re- should include: (a) title; (b) all authors' full names; (c) all affilia- vised version will be considered; it must be submitted within 2 tions clearly indicated; (d) a shortened version of the title for months of the provisional acceptance. use as a running head {maximum 45 characters); and (e) key words (up to 6) for use in indexing. The Abstract should be Submission of Papers about 200 words long and should summarize the aim of the report, the methodological approach, and the significance of the The journal accepts papers which present original research that results. Methods will appear at the end of the paper and should has not previously been published. Submission to the Journal be detailed enough to allow any qualified researcher to dupli- implies that a paper is not currently being considered for an- cate the results. other journal or book. Closely related papers that are in press 4. Figures and Legends. Five sets of figures should be sup- elsewhere or that have been submitted elsewhere should be plied as high-quality glossy prints. Half-tones should be high- included with the submitted manuscript. It is also understood contrast, particularly in the case of gels, for the best reproduc- that researchers who submit papers to this journal are prepared tion. Line drawings, graphs, charts, and chemical formulae to make available to qualified academic researchers materials should be professionally prepared and labeled. Multiple-part fig- needed to duplicate their research results (DNA, cell lines, an- ures should be submitted as mounted, camera-ready compos- tibodies, microbial strains, and the like). Authors should submit ites. Authors submitting color figures as essential data for re- nucleic acid and protein sequences to the appropriate data bank. view with manuscripts undertake to pay the publication costs Contributors from North and South America, Asia, and Aus- of four-color artwork. Price estimates are supplied upon accep- tralia should submit their papers to the Cold Spring Harbor tance of the paper. Laboratory office. Contributors from Europe and Africa should The back of each figure should be labeled with the first au- submit their papers to the Edinburgh office. Questions regard- thor's name, figure number, and an indication of "top." The ing papers should be directed to Judy Cuddihy, Managing Editor, figures should be numbered consecutively in the order to which at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (516-367-8492). they are referred in the text. The size of the figures will be ad- justed to fit the Journal format, therefore please try to keep Manuscript Preparation labels, symbols, and other call-out devices in proportion to the figure size and detail. 1. General. Papers should be as concise as possible and con- Figure legends should be brief and should not contain form to the following length requirements. Papers accepted by methods. Symbols indicated in the figure should be identified the journal will occupy a maximum of 10-12 journal pages. A in the legend text. If figures are reprinted from another source, manuscript of 28-32 typed, double-spaced pages total (including permission to reprint is required. methods, references, tables, and figure legends), with 27 lines of 5. Tables. Tabular data should be presented concisely and text per page (a manuscript length of 63,000 characters), and logically. Tables should be numbered consecutively according with six single-column figures and one single-column table will to the order cited in the text and each should have a title. Use translate to this length in the journal. The entire paper (includ- only horizontal rules and make sure column headings are un- ing tables, figure legends, references, footnotes) should be typed ambiguous in indicating columns to which they refer. Table double-spaced on standard-sized European or American bond legends and footnotes should be included where needed. If paper with at least 1-in (2.5 cm) margins on all four sides. Com- tables are reprinted from another source or if data included are puter printouts should be of letter quality, and should use a from another source, permission to reprint is required. computer typeface of at least 10 point size. Each page should be 6. References. References are name/date citations in text; labeled with the first author's name and a page number. Five please do not cite by number. Undated citations {unpublished, copies should be submitted; at least four of these copies should in preparation, personal communication) should include first have original art. A cover letter should include: (a) name, ad- initials and last names of authors. Bibliographic information dress, and telephone number of author responsible for corre- should be supplied in the following order. For Journal articles: spondence regarding the manuscript; (b) statement that the Author(s), year, article title, journal title, volume, inclusive manuscript has been seen and approved by all listed authors; (c) page numbers. For books: Author{s), year, chapter title, book any specific requirements for reproduction of art; and (d) status title, editors' names, volume, inclusive page numbers, pub- of any permissions needed. lisher, city of publication. 2. Submitting Papers on Computer Discs. Publication can be 7. Proofs. Proofs are considered the final form of the paper speeded up if accepted papers are supplied on 31/2- or 51/4-inch and correction can be made only in the case of factual errors. If floppy discs. We can accept IBM PC, Macintosh, or compatible, additional information must be added at this stage, it should be formats. Please supply the manuscript on the disc as a "text" or in the form of "Note added in proof," subject to the approval of ASCII file, if possible. If a word-processing file is being sent, do the editors. not use any underscoring, italic, or boldface; spell out special 8. Reprints. A reprint order form will be included with the characters {Greek, math); use two carriage returns at the end of proofs. To help defray the cost of publication, a charge of $25 per page will be made for publication in Genes & Development. Authors unable to meet these charges should include a letter of explanation upon acceptance for publication; inability to meet these charges will have no effect on acceptance and publication of submitted papers. The incisive review and discussion journal covering advances throughout molecular, cellular and developmental biology "The style is lively, the articles informative and not too long, and the whole is eminently readable. It should become very useful in the teaching of many aspects of biology, especially in making recent advances easily accessible to students." TIMES HIGHER EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT Some Forthcoming Articles Cyclin synthesis: Who needs it? byJeremy Minshull RNA processing in prokaryotic cells by David Apirion and Andras Miczak Bending of DNA by transcription factors byPeter c. van der Vliet and C. Peter Verrijzer In pursuit of the functions of the Wntfamily of developmental regulators: Insights from Xenopus laevis by Randall T. Moon Interaction of rhodopsin with the G-protein, transducin by Paul A. Hargrave, Heidi E. Hamm and K. P. Hoffman Published monthly, BioEssays covers advances in the fields of Exploitation of host signal transduction pathways and cytoskeletal functions by invasive bacteria by l. Rosenshine and genetics, molecular biology, evolutionary studies, cellular biology B. Brett Finlay and developmental biology. Designed to be of use both to researchers Sex-chromosome pairing and activity during mammalian meiosis and university teachers, the journal contains both informative, in- by Mary Ann Handel and Patricia A. Hunt depth reviews and stimulating discussions and hypotheses about The assembly of signalling complexes by receptor tyrosine major biological problems. Increasingly, BioEssays is being kinases byGeorge Panayotou and Michael D. Waterfield recognized as a teaching resource for both undergraduate and RNA editing: Exploring one mode with apolipoprotein B mRNA by Lawrence Chan graduate students. It is also becoming one of the most cited general The evolutionary history of the first three enzymes in pyrimidine biology journals in the literature. biosynthesis byJeffrey N. Davidson, Kuey C. Chen, Robert S. If you would either like to receive a sample copy or to enter a Jamison, Lisa A. Musmanno and Christine B. Kern subscription for 1993 now, please fill out and return the coupon below. Fine tuning of DNA repair in transcribed genes: Mechanisms, Subscribers for 1993 will receive a complimentary copy of our special prevalence and consequences by C. Stephen Downes, Anderson J. Ryan and Robert T. Johnson issue on evolution and development, published in April of this year, Retinoic acid and mammalian craniofacial development: while stocks last. Molecules and morphogenesis by Gillian Morriss-Kay SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM: Methods of Payment (please complete as appropriate) ! Library/Institution: Please invoice. Order No. I would like to receive a sample copy. [] Name I would like to subscribe to for 1993 PLEASE PRINT BioEssays Delivery address (please tick appropriate box). LIBRARY/INSTITUTIONAL SUBSCRIPTION USA: [] $270 Restof World: [] s [] Cheque/Money order payable to: The Company of Biologists Limited INDIVIDUAL SUBSCRIPTION (prepayment required) I undertake not to pass on any copy, purchased at the nd vidual rate, to a brary.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • [3 TD$DIFF]Interdisciplinary Team Science in Cell Biology
    TICB 1268 No. of Pages 3 Scientific Life Cell biology, beginning largely as micro- detailed physical–chemical mechanisms Interdisciplinary[3_TD$IF] scopic observations, followed[1_TD$IF]the molec- [7]. The data required for these models ular biology revolution, which viewed are now in sight. New gene editing meth- Team Science in genes, cells, and the machinery that ods are providing endogenous expression underlies their activities as molecular sys- of tagged and mutant cells [8], and new Cell Biology tems that could be fully characterized and live-cell imaging methods are promising Rick Horwitz1,* understood using methods of genetics biochemistry in living cells, measuring con- and biochemistry. Viewing the cell as a centrations, dynamics, equilibria, and complex, dynamic molecular composite organization [9]. Similarly, super-resolution The cell is complex. With its multi- brought insights from chemistry and phys- microscopy and cryoEM tomography, tude of components, spatial– ics to bear on biological problems. Just as which allow structure determination and [6_TD$IF] temporal character, and gene the molecular genetic era was codified by organization in situ [3,4], imaging mass expression diversity, it is challeng- the publication of Watson's book, Molec- spectrometry [10], and single-cell and ing to comprehend the cell as an ular Biology of the Gene [1], two decades spatially-resolved genomic approaches integrated system and to develop later[8_TD$IF]the Molecular Biology of the Cell by [11–13], among other image-based tech- models that predict its behaviors. I Alberts, et al. [2] served a similar purpose nologies, all point to a new golden era of suggest an approach to address for cell biology.
    [Show full text]
  • Genomic Divergence and Brain Evolution: How Regulatory DNA Influences Development of the Cerebral Cortex
    Prospects & Overviews Review essays Genomic divergence and brain evolution: How regulatory DNA influences development of the cerebral cortex Debra L. Silver1)2)3)4) The cerebral cortex controls our most distinguishing higher Introduction cognitive functions. Human-specific gene expression dif- ferences are abundant in the cerebral cortex, yet we have A large six-layered neocortex is a unique feature of only begun to understand how these variations impact brain mammalian brains. This specialized outer covering of the brain controls our higher cognitive functions including function. This review discusses the current evidence linking abstract thought and language, which together help uniquely non-coding regulatory DNA changes, including enhancers, define us as humans. Our distinguishing cognitive capacities with neocortical evolution. Functional interrogation using are specified within discrete cortical areas and are driven by animal models reveals converging roles for our genome in dynamic communication between neurons of the neocortex key aspects of cortical development including progenitor and other brain regions, as well as glial cell populations (including oligodendrocytes, microglia, and astrocytes). cell cycle and neuronal signaling. New technologies, Neurons are initially generated during human embryonic includingiPS cells and organoids, offerpotential alternatives and early fetal development, where they migrate to appropri- to modeling evolutionary modifications in a relevant species ate regions and begin establishing functional connections context. Several diseases rooted in the cerebral cortex during fetal and postnatal stages (Fig. 1). Disruptions to uniquely manifest in humans compared to other primates, cerebral cortex function arising during either development or thus highlighting the importance of understanding human adulthood, can result in neurodevelopmental and neurode- generative disorders.
    [Show full text]
  • MOLECULAR CLOCKS Definition Introduction
    MOLECULAR CLOCKS 583 Kishino, H., Thorne, J. L., and Bruno, W. J., 2001. Performance of Thorne, J. L., Kishino, H., and Painter, I. S., 1998. Estimating the a divergence time estimation method under a probabilistic model rate of evolution of the rate of molecular evolution. Molecular of rate evolution. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 18,352–361. Biology and Evolution, 15, 1647–1657. Kodandaramaiah, U., 2011. Tectonic calibrations in molecular dat- Warnock, R. C. M., Yang, Z., Donoghue, P. C. J., 2012. Exploring ing. Current Zoology, 57,116–124. uncertainty in the calibration of the molecular clock. Biology Marshall, C. R., 1997. Confidence intervals on stratigraphic ranges Letters, 8, 156–159. with nonrandom distributions of fossil horizons. Paleobiology, Wilkinson, R. D., Steiper, M. E., Soligo, C., Martin, R. D., Yang, Z., 23, 165–173. and Tavaré, S., 2011. Dating primate divergences through an Müller, J., and Reisz, R. R., 2005. Four well-constrained calibration integrated analysis of palaeontological and molecular data. Sys- points from the vertebrate fossil record for molecular clock esti- tematic Biology, 60,16–31. mates. Bioessays, 27, 1069–1075. Yang, Z., and Rannala, B., 2006. Bayesian estimation of species Parham, J. F., Donoghue, P. C. J., Bell, C. J., et al., 2012. Best practices divergence times under a molecular clock using multiple fossil for justifying fossil calibrations. Systematic Biology, 61,346–359. calibrations with soft bounds. Molecular Biology and Evolution, Peters, S. E., 2005. Geologic constraints on the macroevolutionary 23, 212–226. history of marine animals. Proceedings of the National Academy Zuckerkandl, E., and Pauling, L., 1962. Molecular disease, evolution of Sciences, 102, 12326–12331.
    [Show full text]
  • Biology & Biochemistry
    Top Peer Reviewed Journals – Biology & Biochemistry Presented to Iowa State University Presented by Thomson Reuters Biology & Biochemistry The subject discipline for Biology & Biochemistry is made of 14 narrow subject categories from the Web of Science. The 14 categories that make up Biology & Biochemistry are: 1. Anatomy & Morphology 8. Cytology & Histology 2. Biochemical Research Methods 9. Endocrinology & Metabolism 3. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 10. Evolutionary Biology 4. Biology 11. Medicine, Miscellaneous 5. Biology, Miscellaneous 12. Microscopy 6. Biophysics 13. Parasitology 7. Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology 14. Physiology The chart below provides an ordered view of the top peer reviewed journals within the 1st quartile for Biology & Biochemistry based on Impact Factors (IF), three year averages and their quartile ranking. Journal 2009 IF 2010 IF 2011 IF Average IF ANNUAL REVIEW OF BIOCHEMISTRY 29.87 29.74 34.31 31.31 PHYSIOLOGICAL REVIEWS 37.72 28.41 26.86 31.00 NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY 29.49 31.09 23.26 27.95 CANCER CELL 25.28 26.92 26.56 26.25 ENDOCRINE REVIEWS 19.76 22.46 19.92 20.71 NATURE METHODS 16.87 20.72 19.27 18.95 ANNUAL REVIEW OF BIOPHYSICS AND 18.95 18.95 BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYSIOLOGY 18.17 16.1 20.82 18.36 Annual Review of Biophysics 19.3 17.52 13.57 16.80 Nature Chemical Biology 16.05 15.8 14.69 15.51 NATURE STRUCTURAL & MOLECULAR 12.27 13.68 12.71 12.89 BIOLOGY PLOS BIOLOGY 12.91 12.47 11.45 12.28 TRENDS IN BIOCHEMICAL SCIENCES 11.57 10.36 10.84 10.92 QUARTERLY REVIEWS OF BIOPHYSICS
    [Show full text]
  • Conceptual Breakthroughs in Developmental Biology
    Swarthmore College Works Biology Faculty Works Biology 9-1-1998 Conceptual Breakthroughs In Developmental Biology Scott F. Gilbert Swarthmore College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://works.swarthmore.edu/fac-biology Part of the Biology Commons Let us know how access to these works benefits ouy Recommended Citation Scott F. Gilbert. (1998). "Conceptual Breakthroughs In Developmental Biology". Journal Of Biosciences. Volume 23, Issue 3. 169-176. DOI: 10.1007/BF02720017 https://works.swarthmore.edu/fac-biology/189 This work is brought to you for free by Swarthmore College Libraries' Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in Biology Faculty Works by an authorized administrator of Works. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SCOTT F GILBERT Department of Biology, Martin Laboratories of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA 19081, USA (Fax, +610-328-8663; Email, [email protected]) I 1. Developmental biologists can indeed explain Introduction development Revising a textbook is a fascinating exercise that allows Fifteen years ago, embryology was what could be char- one to see quite starkly the changes that have occurred acterized as the only field of science that celebrated its in one's discipline through the subsequent editions. As questions more than its answers. We had the greatest I revise a textbook that was originally published in 1985, problems one could imagine: How does the brain develop? I can see the numerous advances that have transformed How do the eyes form? How does our back develop the discipline of developmental biology. But even more differently than our front? How are the arteries and veins important and much rarer than the advances are the true connected to the heart? But we had very few answers.
    [Show full text]
  • Microbiota Interactions: a Need for New Types of Studies
    CAUSE TO REFLECT Thoughts & Opinion www.bioessays-journal.com Advancing Our Functional Understanding of Host–Microbiota Interactions: A Need for New Types of Studies Jinru He, Janina Lange, Georgios Marinos, Jay Bathia, Danielle Harris, Ryszard Soluch, Vaibhvi Vaibhvi, Peter Deines, M. Amine Hassani, Kim-Sara Wagner, Roman Zapien-Campos, Cornelia Jaspers, and Felix Sommer* 1. Introduction all associated archaea, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These associ- ations greatly affect the health and life history of the host, which Multicellular life evolved in the presence of microorganisms and led to a new understanding of “self” and establishment of the formed complex associations with their microbiota, the sum of “metaorganism” concept.[1] The Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1182 aims at elucidating the evolution and function of metaorganisms. Its annual conference, the Young Investigator J. He, J. Lange, J. Bathia, D. Harris, V. Vaibhvi, Dr. P. Deines Zoological Institute Research Day (YIRD), serves as a platform for scientists of vari- University of Kiel ous disciplines to share novel findings on host–microbiota inter- Kiel 24118, Germany actions, thereby providing a comprehensive overview of recent G. Marinos developments and new directions in metaorganism research. Institute of Experimental Medicine Even though we have gained tremendous insights into the com- University of Kiel position and dynamics of host-associated microbial communi- Kiel 24105, Germany ties and their correlations with host health and disease, it also R. Soluch Institute for General Microbiology became evident that moving from correlative toward functional University of Kiel studies is needed to examine the underlying mechanisms of in- Kiel 24118, Germany teractions within the metaorganism.
    [Show full text]
  • Macroevolution of Complex Cytoskeletal Systems in Euglenids Brian S
    Review articles Macroevolution of complex cytoskeletal systems in euglenids Brian S. Leander,* Heather J. Esson, and Susana A. Breglia Summary and are capable of photosynthesis. The origin of plastids in Euglenids comprise a group of single-celled eukaryotes eukaryotes involved phagotrophic cells that engulfed and with diverse modes of nutrition, including phagotrophy and photosynthesis. The level of morphological diversity retained cyanobacterial prey, a process called ‘‘primary’’ present in this group provides an excellent system for endosymbiosis. The subsequent evolutionary history of demonstrating evolutionary transformations in morpho- photosynthesis in eukaryotes is exceedingly convoluted and logical characters. This diversity also provides compel- involved at least three independent endosymbiotic events ling evidence for major events in eukaryote evolution, between phagotrophic eukaryotes and eukaryotic prey cells such as the punctuated effects of secondary endo- that already contained primary plastids (e.g. green algae and symbiosis and mutations in underlying developmental (2,3) mechanisms. In this essay, we synthesize evidence for red algae). Once photosynthesis was established in a the origin, adaptive significance and diversification of the previously phagotrophic cell, the evolutionary pressures on euglenid cytoskeleton, especially pellicle ultrastructure, the cytoskeletal systems involved in locomotion and feeding pellicle surface patterns, pellicle strip number and the changed. This gave rise to fundamental modifications
    [Show full text]
  • Culture Coevolution and the Nature of Human Sociality − Gene
    Downloaded from rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org on February 14, 2011 Gene−culture coevolution and the nature of human sociality Herbert Gintis Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 2011 366, 878-888 doi: 10.1098/rstb.2010.0310 References This article cites 64 articles, 15 of which can be accessed free http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/366/1566/878.full.html#ref-list-1 Article cited in: http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/366/1566/878.full.html#related-urls Rapid response Respond to this article http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/letters/submit/royptb;366/1566/878 Subject collections Articles on similar topics can be found in the following collections behaviour (1807 articles) cognition (452 articles) ecology (2145 articles) evolution (2433 articles) Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article - sign up in the box at the top Email alerting service right-hand corner of the article or click here To subscribe to Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B go to: http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/subscriptions This journal is © 2011 The Royal Society Downloaded from rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org on February 14, 2011 Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B (2011) 366, 878–888 doi:10.1098/rstb.2010.0310 Review Gene–culture coevolution and the nature of human sociality Herbert Gintis1,2,* 1Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA 2Central European University, Nador u. 9, 1051 Budapest, Hungary Human characteristics are the product of gene–culture coevolution, which is an evolutionary dynamic involving the interaction of genes and culture over long time periods. Gene–culture coevolution is a special case of niche construction.
    [Show full text]
  • The Origin of Animal Body Plans: a View from Fossil Evidence and the Regulatory Genome Douglas H
    © 2020. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd | Development (2020) 147, dev182899. doi:10.1242/dev.182899 REVIEW The origin of animal body plans: a view from fossil evidence and the regulatory genome Douglas H. Erwin1,2,* ABSTRACT constraints on the interpretation of genomic and developmental The origins and the early evolution of multicellular animals required data. In this Review, I argue that genomic and developmental the exploitation of holozoan genomic regulatory elements and the studies suggest that the most plausible scenario for regulatory acquisition of new regulatory tools. Comparative studies of evolution is that highly conserved genes were initially associated metazoans and their relatives now allow reconstruction of the with cell-type specification and only later became co-opted (see evolution of the metazoan regulatory genome, but the deep Glossary, Box 1) for spatial patterning functions. conservation of many genes has led to varied hypotheses about Networks of regulatory interactions control gene expression and the morphology of early animals and the extent of developmental co- are essential for the formation and organization of cell types and option. In this Review, I assess the emerging view that the early patterning during animal development (Levine and Tjian, 2003) diversification of animals involved small organisms with diverse cell (Fig. 2). Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) (see Glossary, Box 1) types, but largely lacking complex developmental patterning, which determine cell fates by controlling spatial expression
    [Show full text]
  • The Heavy Metal-Regulatory Transcription Factor MTF-1
    Review articles Putting its fingers on stressful situations: the heavy metal-regulatory transcription factor MTF-1 P. Lichtlen** and W. Schaffner* Summary and the liver. They have the ability to bind heavy metals such It has been suggested that metallothioneins, discovered as zinc, cadmium, copper, nickel and cobalt (reviewed in about 45 years ago, play a central role in heavy metal metabolism and detoxification, and in the management of Ref. 7). Metallothioneins are involved in homeostatic regula- various forms of stress. The metal-regulatory transcrip- tion of zinc concentrations and also for the detoxification of tion factor-1 (MTF-1) was shown to be essential for basal non-essential heavy metals. As an example of the latter, and heavy metal-induced transcription of the stress- mammals store all cadmium taken up in food in a form tightly responsive metallothionein-I and metallothionein-II. Re- bound to metallothioneins, where it remains with a half-life of cently it has become obvious that MTF-1 has further roles (8) in the transcriptional regulation of genes induced by approximately 15 years in humans. The expression of the various stressors and might even contribute to some major metallothionein genes (MT-I and MT-II ) is induced at the aspects of malignant cell growth. Furthermore, MTF-1 is level of transcription by heavy metal load.(9) As shown by an essential gene, as mice null-mutant for MTF-1 die in Palmiter and colleagues, the promoter region of these metal- utero due to liver degeneration. We describe here the lothionein genes contain so-called metal responsive elements state of knowledge on the complex activation of MTF-1, and propose a model with MTF-1 as an interconnected (MREs) that can confer metal-inducibility to any reporter gene (10,11) cellular stress-sensor protein involved in heavy metal when placed in a promoter position or at a remote metabolism, hepatocyte differentiation and detoxifica- enhancer position.(12) Several laboratories, including ours, tion of toxic agents.
    [Show full text]
  • Xenobiology: a New Form of Life As the Ultimate Biosafety Tool Markus Schmidt* Organisation for International Dialogue and Conflict Management, Kaiserstr
    Review article DOI 10.1002/bies.200900147 Xenobiology: A new form of life as the ultimate biosafety tool Markus Schmidt* Organisation for International Dialogue and Conflict Management, Kaiserstr. 50/6, 1070 Vienna, Austria Synthetic biologists try to engineer useful biological search for alternatives. They belong to apparently very systems that do not exist in nature. One of their goals different science fields and their quest for biochemical is to design an orthogonal chromosome different from diversity is driven by different motivations.(1–3) The science DNA and RNA, termed XNA for xeno nucleic acids. XNA exhibits a variety of structural chemical changes relative fields in question include four areas: origin of life, exobiology, to its natural counterparts. These changes make this systems chemistry, and synthetic biology (SB). The ancient novel information-storing biopolymer ‘‘invisible’’ to nat- Greeks, including Aristotle, believed in Generatio spontanea, ural biological systems. The lack of cognition to the the idea that life could suddenly come into being from non- natural world, however, is seen as an opportunity to living matter on an every day basis. Spontaneous generation implement a genetic firewall that impedes exchange of genetic information with the natural world, which means of life, however, was finally discarded by the scientific it could be the ultimate biosafety tool. Here I discuss, why experiments of Pasteur, whose empirical results showed that it is necessary to go ahead designing xenobiological modern organisms do not spontaneously arise in nature from systems like XNA and its XNA binding proteins; what non-living matter. On the sterile earth 4 billion years ago, the biosafety specifications should look like for this however, abiogenesis must have happened at least once, genetic enclave; which steps should be carried out to boot up the first XNA life form; and what it means for the eventually leading to the last universal common ancestor society at large.
    [Show full text]
  • Evolutionary History of Life
    Evolutionary history of life The evolutionary history of life on Earth traces the processes by which living and fossil organisms evolved, from the earliest emergence of life to the present. Earth formed about 4.5 billion years (Ga) ago and evidence suggests life emerged prior to 3.7 Ga.[1][2][3] (Although there is some evidence of life as early as 4.1 to 4.28 Ga, it remains controversial due to the possible non- biological formation of the purported fossils.[1][4][5][6][7]) The similarities among all known present-day species indicate that they have diverged through the process of evolution from a common ancestor.[8] Approximately 1 trillion species currently live on Earth[9] of which only 1.75–1.8 million have been named[10][11] and 1.6 million documented in a central database.[12] These currently living species represent less than one percent of all species that have ever lived on earth.[13][14] The earliest evidence of life comes from biogenic carbon signatures[2][3] and stromatolite fossils[15] discovered in 3.7 billion- Life timeline Ice Ages year-old metasedimentary rocks from western Greenland. In 2015, 0 — Primates Quater nary Flowers ←Earliest apes possible "remains of biotic life" were found in 4.1 billion-year-old P Birds h Mammals [16][17] – Plants Dinosaurs rocks in Western Australia. In March 2017, putative evidence of Karo o a n ← Andean Tetrapoda possibly the oldest forms of life on Earth was reported in the form of -50 0 — e Arthropods Molluscs r ←Cambrian explosion fossilized microorganisms discovered in hydrothermal
    [Show full text]