Looking for Novel Natural Gels to Improve Cleaning Methods for Bronze Leachates on Marble.

Marble is one of the materials most susceptible to copper leaching, resulting in easily identifiable turquoise stains on the marble. This problem is particularly relevant when we are talking about marble structures of heritage value. For this reason, conservators look for cleaning materials that are specific to the structure to be treated without damaging the original surface.

Synthetic Gene Circuits Combining CRISPR Interference and CRISPR Activation in : Importance of Equal Guide RNA Binding Affinities to Avoid Context-Dependent Effects.

Gene expression control based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) has emerged as a powerful approach for constructing synthetic gene circuits. While the use of CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) is already well-established in prokaryotic circuits, CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) is less mature, and a combination of the two in the same circuits is only just emerging. Here, we report that combining CRISPRi with SoxS-based CRISPRa in can lead to context-dependent effects due to different affinities in the formation of CRISPRa and CRISPRi complexes, resulting in loss of predictable behavior.

Ultra-performance convergence chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis of adrenal and gonadal steroid hormones in southern white rhinoceros(Ceratotherium simum simum) faeces and serum.

Steroid hormone analysis is routinely undertaken in the assessment of stress response and reproductive function in the management of both captive and free-ranging wildlife species. Faecal samples have become the preferred sample type for analysis as collection is non-invasive and easily assessable. These investigations are generally aimed at aiding successful translocations, enhanced survival outcomes in captivity and improvement of reproductive rate.

Synthetic biology in Europe: current community landscape and future perspectives.

Synthetic biology has captivated scientists' imagination. It promises answers to some of the grand challenges society is facing: worsening climate crisis, insufficient food supplies for ever growing populations, and many persisting infectious and genetic diseases. While many challenges remain unaddressed, after almost two decades since its inception a number of products created by engineered biology are starting to reach the public.

Engineering synthetic spatial patterns in microbial populations and communities.

Spatial pattern formation is an important feature of almost all biological systems. Thanks to the advances in synthetic biology, we can engineer microbial populations and communities to display sophisticated spatial patterns. This bottom-up approach can be used to elucidate the general principles underlying pattern formation.