CO to Terpenes: Autotrophic and Electroautotrophic α-Humulene Production with Cupriavidus necator.

We show that CO can be converted by an engineered "Knallgas" bacterium (Cupriavidus necator) into the terpene α-humulene. Heterologous expression of the mevalonate pathway and α-humulene synthase resulted in the production of approximately 10 mg α-humulene per gram cell dry mass (CDW) under heterotrophic conditions. This first example of chemolithoautotrophic production of a terpene from carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and oxygen is a promising starting point for the production of different high-value terpene compounds from abundant and simple raw materials.

Regionally accentuated reversible brain grey matter reduction in ultra marathon runners detected by voxel-based morphometry.

Background: During the 4,487 km ultra marathon TransEurope-FootRace 2009 (TEFR09), runners showed catabolism with considerable reduction of body weight as well as reversible brain volume reduction. We hypothesized that ultra marathon athletes might have developed changes to grey matter (GM) brain morphology due to the burden of extreme physical training. Using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) we undertook a cross sectional study and two longitudinal studies.

Substantial and reversible brain gray matter reduction but no acute brain lesions in ultramarathon runners: experience from the TransEurope-FootRace Project.

Background: During the extremely challenging 4,487 km ultramarathon TransEurope-FootRace 2009, runners showed considerable reduction of body weight. The effects of this endurance run on brain volume changes but also possible formation of brain edema or new lesions were explored by repeated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies.

Methods: A total of 15 runners signed an informed consent to participate in this study of planned brain scans before, twice during, and about 8 months after the race.