Dehydrated Biomimetic Membranes with Skinlike Structure and Function.

Novel vapor-permeable materials are sought after for applications in protective wear, energy generation, and water treatment. Current impermeable protective materials effectively block harmful agents but trap heat due to poor water vapor transfer. Here we present a new class of materials, vapor permeable dehydrated nanoporous biomimetic membranes (DBMs), based on channel proteins.

Evidence for Plant-Conserved Region Mediated Trimeric CESAs in Plant Cellulose Synthase Complexes.

Higher plants synthesize cellulose using membrane-bound, six-lobed cellulose synthase complexes, each lobe containing trimeric cellulose synthases (CESAs). Although molecular biology reports support heteromeric trimers composed of different isoforms, a homomeric trimer was reported for in vitro studies of the catalytic domain of CESA1 of (AtCESA1CatD) and confirmed in cryoEM structures of full-length CESA8 and CESA7 of poplar and cotton, respectively. In both structures, a small portion of the plant-conserved region (P-CR) forms the only contacts between catalytic domains of the monomers.

Positive and negative chemotaxis of enzyme-coated liposome motors.

The ability of cells or cell components to move in response to chemical signals is critical for the survival of living systems. This motion arises from harnessing free energy from enzymatic catalysis. Artificial model protocells derived from phospholipids and other amphiphiles have been made and their enzymatic-driven motion has been observed.

7 Log Virus Removal in a Simple Functionalized Sand Filter.

Viral contamination of drinking water due to fecal contamination is difficult to detect and treat effectively, leading to frequent outbreaks worldwide. The purpose of this paper is to report on the molecular mechanism for unprecedented high virus removal from a practical sand filter. Sand filters functionalized using a water extract of (MO) seeds, functionalized sand (f-sand) filters, achieved a ∼7 log virus removal.

Rooting for cassava: insights into photosynthesis and associated physiology as a route to improve yield potential.

Contents 50 I. 50 II. 52 III.

Ironing out the issues: integrated approaches to understanding iron homeostasis in plants.

Plants initialize responses to environmental changes at all levels, from signaling to translation and beyond. Such is the case for fluctuations in the availability of iron (Fe), one of the most critical micronutrients for plants. The results of these responses are physiological and morphological changes that lead to increased iron uptake from the rhizosphere, and recycling and reallocation of Fe, which must be properly localized within specific cells and cellular compartment for use.

Phorcysia thermohydrogeniphila gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermophilic, chemolithoautotrophic, nitrate-ammonifying bacterium from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent.

A novel hyperthermophilic, anaerobic, chemolithoautotrophic bacterium, designated strain HB-8(T), was isolated from the tube of Alvinella pompejana tubeworms collected from the wall of an actively venting sulfide structure on the East Pacific Rise at 13° N. The cells were Gram-negative rods, approximately 1.0-1.