Quantitative Perfusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Uveal Melanoma.

Purpose: Perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI; magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) has been shown to provide valuable biological tumor information in uveal melanoma (UM). Clinically used semiquantitative methods do not account for tumor pigmentation and eye movement. We hypothesize that a quantitative PWI method that incorporates these, provides a more accurate description of tumor perfusion than the current clinical method.

Bubbling insights: unveiling the true sophorolipid biosynthetic pathway by Starmerella bombicola.

Background: The yeast Starmerella bombicola is renowned for its highly efficient sophorolipid production, reaching titers and productivities of (over) 200 g/L and 2 g/(L h), respectively. This inherent efficiency has led to the commercialization of sophorolipids. While the sophorolipid biosynthetic pathway has been elucidated a few years ago, in this study, it is revisited and true key intermediates are revealed.

Revision of the sophorolipid biosynthetic pathway in Starmerella bombicola based on new insights in the substrate profile of its lactone esterase.

Background: Sophorolipids (SLs) are a class of natural, biodegradable surfactants that found their way as ingredients for environment friendly cleaning products, cosmetics and nanotechnological applications. Large-scale production relies on fermentations using the yeast Starmerella bombicola that naturally produces high titers of SLs from renewable resources. The resulting product is typically an extracellular mixture of acidic and lactonic congeners.