Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martin Lott, Vinicius F. Dal Poggetto, Gabriele Greco, Nicola M. Pugno, Federico Bosia
Summary: Spider webs are not only tools for prey capture, but also sophisticated sensing tools that can accurately determine the location of impact and capture prey. This study proposes a new detection mechanism that can efficiently trace the source location.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aleksandra Kiseleva, Gustav Nestor, Johnny R. Ostman, Anastasiia Kriuchkova, Artemii Savin, Pavel Krivoshapkin, Elena Krivoshapkina, Gulaim A. Seisenbaeva, Vadim G. Kessler
Summary: The study found that treating Linothele fallax (Mello-Leitao) spider web with different solvents can affect its appearance and surface chemistry, thereby influencing biocompatibility and cell adhesion properties. Different types of biological matter show varying humidity control effects when wrapped in the treated spider silk. Analysis of the extracted metabolites revealed the presence of unsaturated fatty acids, which may explain the mild antibacterial effect of the spider silk.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ali D. Malay, Hamish C. Craig, Jianming Chen, Nur Alia Oktaviani, Keiji Numata
Summary: In this article, recent findings on the material constituents, protein structures, and self-assembly mechanisms of spider dragline silk are discussed. The concept of biomimetics in artificial spider silk production, along with key practical aspects of design and evaluation, is also considered.
Article
Virology
Joanna C. A. Cobbin, Justine Charon, Erin Harvey, Edward C. Holmes, Jackie E. Mahar
Summary: Meta-transcriptomic next-generation sequencing has revolutionized virus discovery by expanding our knowledge of the virosphere, but faces challenges such as errors and limitations in viral sequences in public databases, as well as the lack of bioinformatic tools to identify novel viruses accurately.
CURRENT OPINION IN VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wen-Chia Chen, Ruei-Ci Wang, Sheng-Kai Yu, Jheng-Liang Chen, Yu-Han Kao, Tzi-Yuan Wang, Po-Ya Chang, Hwo-Shuenn Sheu, Ssu-Ching Chen, Wei-Ren Liu, Ta- Yang, Hsuan-Chen Wu
Summary: Developing materials with structural flexibility for self-repair is challenging. Spider silk is used to create a novel self-healing material. The R2 and R2G proteins extracted from spider silk can be used for electronic applications, such as repairable logic gate circuits and re-configurable wearable probes. This research provides a new paradigm for developing future adaptive biomaterials.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Qing Liu, Feng Cui, Xiang Liu, Yumei Fu, Wenjing Fang, Xun Kang, Hong Lu, Siping Li, Biao Liu, Wei Guo, Qianfeng Xia, Le Kang, Feng Jiang
Summary: This study analyzed RNA viromes of field-caught mosquitoes from Hainan Island, China, and found that virome composition is influenced by mosquito species and food sources. Most RNA viruses remained stable across three years and different locations, indicating species-specific viromes in Hainan Island. However, virome compositions of single mosquito species in different geographic regions worldwide were visibly distinct, consistent with differences in the widespread distribution of mosquito food sources.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yeonhwa Jo, Hoseong Choi, Jeong Hun Lee, Sang Hyun Moh, Won Kyong Cho
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive overview of viromes in 15 major pepper cultivars through RNA sequencing. Bean broad wilt virus 2 (BBWV2) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) were identified as the major viruses infecting pepper plants, with different cultivars showing variations in virus infection and symptoms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Clemence Belbeoch, Joseph Lejeune, Philippe Vroman, Fabien Salaun
Summary: The demand for biopolymer-based textiles such as silk is increasing due to issues of fossil fuel and plastic pollution. Silk has unique properties that show potential for biomaterial applications, and electrospinning allows for the creation of nonwoven mats with unprecedented characteristics at the nanometric scale. This technology has applications in various fields such as regenerative medicine and filtration.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Fan Zhang, Zhihao Ren, Xiaomeng Guo, Yiting Wang, Fanzeng Meng, Weifeng Shi, Xinping Wang, Xuan Dong
Summary: Three novel RNA viruses and one nervous necrosis virus were identified in lined seahorse through meta-transcriptomic sequencing. The diversity and cross-species transmission of viruses pose a threat to this species.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
V. Kavi Sidharthan, N. S. Kalaivanan, V. K. Baranwal
Summary: Using a combination of bioinformatic analyses and Next Generation Sequencing, nine putative novel viruses were discovered in public domain transcriptome datasets of endangered plant species. This methodology can be useful for identifying new viruses in plant species with limited genomic information.
Article
Ecology
Matjaz Kuntner, Eva Kuntner, Maj Kuntner, Irena Kuntner, Daiqin Li
Summary: While studying the sex ratios of Nephila pilipes in Singapore, researchers observed a fascinating case of predatory behavior by Viciria pavesii, a jumping spider. The V. pavesii female invaded a N. pilipes orb web occupied by a female and four males, successfully capturing and killing one of the Nephila males. The aggressive response of the N. pilipes alpha male suggests that V. pavesii may engage in aggressive mimicry.
Article
Virology
Xin-Xin Chen, Wei-Chen Wu, Mang Shi
Summary: A previous study identified a wide viral diversity of RNA viruses in lower vertebrate hosts, but the diversity of DNA and retro-transcribing viruses remained uncharacterized. This study utilized metatranscriptomics sequencing to reveal complete genome sets of 18 vertebrate-associated DNA and retro-transcribing viruses in cartilaginous fishes, ray-finned fishes, and amphibians, shedding light on the evolutionary relationships within these virus groups.
Article
Virology
Alexandre Freitas da Silva, Filipe Zimmer Dezordi, Lais Ceschini Machado, Rodrigo Dias de Oliveira, Si Qin, Hang Fan, Xianglilan Zhang, Yigang Tong, Monica Medeiros Silva, Elgion Lucio Silva Loreto, Gabriel Luz Wallau
Summary: This study characterized the RNA viruses interacting with Mansonia wilsoni and Coquillettidia hermanoi mosquito species, identifying new viral lineages and enriching our understanding of the virome of these two sylvatic Mansoniini mosquitoes.
Article
Immunology
Ye Xu, Jiabao Xu, Tong Liu, Peiwen Liu, Xiao-Guang Chen
Summary: This study conducted virus metagenomics analysis on Aedes albopictus in Guangzhou, China, and identified both known and novel viruses. The findings reveal the diversity and prevalence of viruses in mosquito populations, emphasizing the need for continued surveillance and research on their potential impact on public health, as well as the importance of understanding the virome of Aedes albopictus and its potential role in transmitting plant viruses.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Tomoyuki Nabeshima, Junya Abe
Summary: Vitis coignetiae samples from northern Japan were found to be infected with multiple RNA viruses, with three newly identified virus species assigned to different genera based on sequence identity and phylogenetic analysis.
Article
Virology
Nicolas Bejerman, Humberto Debat
Summary: By analyzing plant transcriptome sequences in public databases, 31 novel viral genome sequences associated with Tymovirales were discovered, shedding new light on the classification and evolutionary relationships of these viruses.
ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Brianne A. Kent, Constance Holman, Emmanuella Amoako, Alberto Antonietti, James M. Azam, Hanne Ballhausen, Yaw Bediako, Anat M. Belasen, Clarissa F. D. Carneiro, Yen-Chung Chen, Ewoud B. Compeer, Chelsea A. C. Connor, Sophia Cruwell, Humberto Debat, Emma Dorris, Hedyeh Ebrahimi, Jeffrey C. Erlich, Florencia Fernandez-Chiappe, Felix Fischer, Malgorzata Anna Gazda, Toivo Glatz, Peter Grabitz, Verena Heise, David G. Kent, Hung Lo, Gary McDowell, Devang Mehta, Wolf-Julian Neumann, Kleber Neves, Mark Patterson, Naomi C. Penfold, Sophie K. Piper, Iratxe Puebla, Peter K. Quashie, Carolina Paz Quezada, Julia L. Riley, Jessica L. Rohmann, Shyam Saladi, Benjamin Schwessinger, Bob Siegerink, Paulina Stehlik, Alexandra Tzilivaki, Kate D. L. Umbers, Aalok Varma, Kaivalya Walavalkar, Charlotte M. de Winde, Cecilia Zaza, Tracey L. Weissgerber
Summary: This study summarizes the outputs of a virtual unconventional conference that gathered experts with experience in ECR initiatives to improve the culture and practice of science. The recommendations highlight the need to incentivize and provide resources for ECRs involved in systemic science improvement, involve ECRs in decision-making processes, and address barriers to participation for marginalized groups.
Article
Microbiology
Andres Gustavo Jacquat, Sofia Belen Ulla, Humberto Julio Debat, Emigdio Jordan Munoz-Adalia, Martin Gustavo Theumer, Maria Dolores Garcia Pedrajas, Jose Sebastian Dambolena
Summary: This study identified new putative mitovirus sequences associated with animals, providing strong evidence for the existence of a clade of putative mitoviruses associated with animals.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Humberto Debat, Nicolas Bejerman
Summary: In this study, four novel DNA viruses were identified and characterized from Welwitschia mirabilis transcriptomic and genomic datasets. These viruses showed affinity to members of the Caulimoviridae and Geminiviridae families, and complete circular virus-like sequences were detected in Welwitschia mirabilis genomic data.
Article
Virology
Humberto J. Debat
Summary: Researchers have identified a novel virus called Ratón olivaceo morbillivirus (RoMV) in South American long-haired and olive field mice, characterized by a unique genome structure with long intergenic regions and an additional accessory protein. Structural and functional annotation, genetic distance, and phylogenetic analysis suggest that RoMV is a new species within the genus Morbillivirus.
Article
Virology
Dariel Cabrera Mederos, Humberto Debat, Carolina Torres, Orelvis Portal, Margarita Jaramillo Zapata, Veronica Trucco, Ceferino Flores, Claudio Ortiz, Alejandra Badaracco, Luis Acuna, Claudia Nome, Diego Quito-Avila, Nicolas Bejerman, Onias Castellanos Collazo, Aminael Sanchez-Rodriguez, Fabian Giolitti
Summary: A newly discovered virus, named papaya virus X (PapVX), was identified in papaya crops in the northwestern region of Argentina. This virus was mechanically transmitted to papaya plants and caused chlorotic patches and severe mosaic symptoms.
Article
Microbiology
Nicolas Bejerman, Ralf G. Dietzgen, Humberto Debat
Summary: This study reports the discovery of 45 novel varicosavirus genomes in publicly available metatranscriptomic data, expanding our knowledge on varicosaviruses. These findings reveal the sequence diversity and genome architecture plasticity of varicosaviruses, and shed new light on the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary landscape of this group of plant rhabdoviruses.
Article
Virology
Romina Zambrana Montano, Andres Carlos Alberto Culasso, Franco Fernandez, Nathalie Marquez, Humberto Debat, Mariana Salmeron, Ana Maria Zamora, Gustavo Ruiz de Huidobro, Dardo Costas, Graciela Alabarse, Miguel Alejandro Charre, Ariel David Fridman, Claudia Mamani, Fabiana Vaca, Claudia Maza Diaz, Viviana Raskovsky, Esteban Lavaque, Veronica Lesser, Pamela Cajal, Fernanda Aguero, Cintia Calvente, Carolina Torres, Mariana Viegas
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the introduction and diversification patterns of SARS-CoV-2 in Northwestern Argentina during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed the presence of eight lineages in the first wave, which were later replaced by variants of concern and other lineages in the early second wave. The study also found that the evolutionary rate of one of the most prevalent lineages in the region was faster than that of another lineage.
Article
Virology
Carolina Torres, Mercedes Nabaes Jodar, Dolores Acuna, Romina Micaela Zambrana Montano, Andres Carlos Alberto Culasso, Ariel Fernando Amadio, Paula Aulicino, Santiago Ceballos, Marco Cacciabue, Humberto Debat, Maria Jose Dus Santos, Maria Florencia Eberhardt, Carlos Espul, Fabian Fay, Maria Ailen Fernandez, Franco Fernandez, Juan Manuel Fernandez Munoz, Florencia Ferrini, Fernando Gallego, Adriana Angelica Giri, Agustina Cerri, Elisa Bolatti, Maria Ines Gismondi, Stephanie Goya, Ivan Gramundi, Jose Matias Irazoqui, Guido Alberto Konig, Viviana Leiva, Horacio Lucero, Nathalie Marquez, Cristina Nardi, Belen Ortiz, Luis Pianciola, Carolina Beatriz Pintos, Andrea Fabiana Puebla, Carolina Victoria Rastellini, Alejandro Ezequiel Rojas, Javier Sfalcin, Ariel Suarez, Estefania Tittarelli, Rosana Toro, Gabriela Vanina Villanova, Maria Cecilia Ziehm, Maria Carla Zimmermann, Sebastian Zunino, Laura Valinotto, Mariana Viegas
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineages during the third and fourth waves of COVID-19 in Argentina. The third wave was associated with lineage BA.1 and characterized by a high number of cases, rapid displacement of Delta, and low lineage diversity and clustering. In contrast, the fourth wave was longer but had a lower number of cases and was initially caused by BA.2 and later by BA.4/BA.5. Differential dynamics between the waves may be attributed to waning immunity, population gatherings, and boosted population with prior immunity or vaccination.
Article
Virology
Humberto Debat, Nicolas Bejerman
Summary: The family Flaviviridae comprises viruses with positive-sense single-stranded RNA genomes, including both veterinary and human pathogens. Recently, flavi-like viruses have been discovered in marine hosts, expanding their known host range to include plants. Two novel RNA viruses, CopFLV1 and SonFLV1, were identified and characterized in the plant species Coptis teeta and Sonchus asper, respectively. These viruses belong to the proposed genus Koshovirus and have the longest RNA genome observed among plant-associated RNA viruses.
ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Humberto Debat, Maria Laura Garcia, Nicolas Bejerman
Summary: Ophioviruses are plant-infecting viruses with non-enveloped, filamentous, naked nucleocapsid virions. They have a segmented negative-sense RNA genome and encode multiple proteins. Through genetic and evolutionary analysis, 33 novel viruses were identified, expanding the diversity of Ophiovirus and extending the host range to mosses, liverworts, and ferns. This study is significant for understanding the molecular and evolutionary characteristics of this virus genus.
Article
Virology
Mercedes Soledad Nabaes Jodar, Carolina Torres, Laura Mojsiejczuk, Dolores Acuna, Laura Elena Valinotto, Stephanie Goya, Monica Natale, Silvina Lusso, Sofia Alexay, Ariel Amadio, Matias Irazoqui, Franco Fernandez, Maria Elina Acevedo, Cristina Alvarez Lopez, Andres Angelletti, Paula Aulicino, Elisa Bolatti, Bettina Bruses, Marco Cacciahue, Ana Cavatorta, Agustina Cerri, Andres Cordero, Humberto Debat, Maria Jose Dus Santos, Maria Florencia Eberhardt, Regina Ercole, Carlos Espul, Marisa Farber, Fabian Fay, Ailen Fernandez, Florencia Ferrini, Laura Formichelli, Santiago Ceballos, Fernando Gallego, Adriana Giri, Maria Gismondi, Raul Maximiliano Acevedo, Ivan Gramundi, Maria Eugenia Ibanez, Guido Konig, Viviana Leiva, Melina Lorenzini Campos, Horacio Lucero, Nathalie Marquez, Melina Mazzeo, Alicia Susana Mistchenko, Luciana Montoto, Marianne Munoz, Victoria Nadalich, Cristina Nardi, Belen Ortiz, Luis Pianciola, Carolina Pintos, Andrea Puebla, Carolina Rastellini, Alejandro Ezequiel Rojas, Javier Sfalcin, Ariel Suarez, Clara Theaux, Guillermo Thomas, Estefania Tittarelli, Rosana Toro, Vanina Villanova, Gretel Wenk, Cecilia Ziehm, Maria Carla Zimmermann, Sebastian Zunino, Proyecto Pais, Mariana Viegas
Summary: The emergence and local genomic diversity of the SARS-CoV-2 Lambda variant in Argentina were described in this study. The Lambda variant was first detected in January 2021 and steadily increased until April 2021. Phylodynamic analysis revealed multiple introductions and local transmission of the Lambda variant in Argentina. Genetic analyses of genome sequences identified mutational patterns and rare mutations in an immunocompromised patient. Genomic surveillance is crucial in monitoring the introduction, geographical distribution, and emergence of mutations in variants of concern.
Article
Biology
Jose M. Ribeiro, David Hartmann, Pavla Bartosova-Sojkova, Humberto Debat, Martin Moos, Petr Simek, Jiri Fara, Martin Palus, Matej Kucera, Ondrej Hajdusek, Daniel Sojka, Petr Kopacek, Jan Perner
Summary: Dermanyssus gallinae is a blood-feeding mite that parasitises wild birds and farmed poultry. Through transcriptome analysis, we identified midgut-enriched transcripts and upregulated cysteine protease transcripts in response to blood meals. We also discovered three distinct vitellogenin transcripts related to reproductive capacity and investigated genes associated with blood consumption, iron storage, and the RNA-virome of D. gallinae.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Humberto Debat
Editorial Material
Psychology, Biological
Abubakari Ahmed, Aceil Al-Khatib, Yap Boum II, Humberto Debat, Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe, Frith Jarrad, Adam Mastroianni, Patrick Mineault, Charlotte R. Pennington, J. Andrew Pruszynski
Summary: Academic publishing is crucial for disseminating scientific knowledge, but we need to examine if the current system is suitable. A diverse group of scientists provided insights into the future of publishing, discussing systemic issues, challenges, opportunities, and sharing their vision.
NATURE HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
(2023)