23 June 2023
Exploring the “N-Terminal Anchor” Binding Interface of the T3SS Chaperone–Translocator Complexes from P. aeruginosa"The type III secretion system is a large multiprotein complex that many Gram-negative bacteria use for infection. A crucial part of the complex is its translocon pore formed by two proteins: the major and minor translocators. The pore completes a proteinaceous channel from the bacterial cytosol through the host cell membrane and allows the direct injection of bacterial toxins. Effective pore formation is predicated by the translocator proteins binding to a small chaperone within the bacterial cytoplasm." Read More
11 January 2023
Scientists discover the evolutionary secret behind different animal life cycles
For over 100 years, biologists have wondered why animals display different types of life cycles. Some species, like us humans and most vertebrates, develop directly into a fully formed—yet smaller—version of an adult. In contrast, many other animals give rise to beautifully diverse intermediate forms we call larvae, which then metamorphose into the adult.In a study led by a team at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), published in the prestigious journal Nature, researchers uncover for the first time the mechanism that likely explains how embryos form either a larva or a miniature version of the adult. Nature paper 'Annelid functional genomics reveal the origins of bilaterian life cycles'
10 January 2022
Individual-based modeling of genome evolution in haplodiploid organisms"Ants, bees, wasps, bark beetles, and other species have haploid males and diploid females. Although such haplodiploid species play key ecological roles and are threatened by environmental changes, no general framework exists for simulating their genetic evolution. Here, we use the SLiM simulation environment to build a novel model for individual-based forward simulation of genetic evolution in haplodiploid populations. We compare the fates of adaptive and deleterious mutations and find that selection is more effective in haplodiploid species than in diploid species. Our open-source model will help understand the evolution of sociality and how ecologically important species may adapt to changing environments." Read More.
7 January 2022
Towards a mechanistic understanding of particle shrinkage during biomass pyrolysis via synchrotron X-ray microtomography and in-situ radiography"Accurate modelling of particle shrinkage during biomass pyrolysis is key to the production of biochars with specific morphologies. Such biochars represent sustainable solutions to a variety of adsorption-dependent environmental remediation challenges. Modelling of particle shrinkage during biomass pyrolysis has heretofore been based solely on theory and ex-situ experimental data. Here we present the first in-situ phase-contrast X-ray imaging study of biomass pyrolysis. A novel reactor was developed to enable operando synchrotron radiography of fixed beds of pyrolysing biomass. Almond shell particles experienced more bulk shrinkage and less change in porosity than did walnut shell particles during pyrolysis, despite their similar composition. Alkaline pretreatment was found to reduce this difference in feedstock behaviour. Ex-situ synchrotron X-ray microtomography was performed to study the effects of pyrolysis on pore morphology. Pyrolysis led to a redistribution of pores away from particle surfaces, meaning newly formed surface area may be less accessible to adsorbates." Read More
5 January 2022
A model of large-scale thematic structure"The coherent organisation of thematic material into large-scale structures within a composition is an important concept in both traditional and cognitive theories of music. However, empirical evidence supporting their perception is scarce. Providing a more nuanced approach, this paper introduces a computational model of hypothesised cognitive mechanisms underlying perception of large-scale thematic structure. Repetition detection based on statistical learning forms the model's foundation, hypothesising that predictability arising from repetition creates perceived thematic coherence. Measures are produced that characterise structural properties of a corpus of 623 monophonic compositions. Exploratory analysis reveals the extent to which these measures vary systematically and independently." Read More
Explosive higher-order Kuramoto dynamics on simplicial complexes
"The higher-order interactions of complex systems, such as the brain are captured by their simplicial complex structure and have a significant effect on dynamics. However the existing dynamical models defined on simplicial complexes make the strong assumption that the dynamics resides exclusively on the nodes. Here we formulate the higher-order Kuramoto model which describes the interactions between oscillators placed not only on nodes but also on links, triangles, and so on. We show that higher-order Kuramoto dynamics can lead to explosive synchronization transition by using an adaptive coupling dependent on the solenoidal and the irrotational component of the dynamics." Read More