Abstracts » Zoology and wildlife conservation

Dynamics of formation of symmetrical patterns by chemotactic bacteria

Article Abstract:

The study analyses the development of complex patterns by chemotactic bacteria. Interactions between two multicellular aggregate structures generate the long-range spatial order composed of a swarm ring that expands radially and focal aggregates with lower mobility. The swarm ring and focal aggregates secrete chemical attractants, alternatively dominating the bacteria's motion through chemotaxis, resulting in pattern formation. Initial concentration of substrate (succinate) determines the longevities of an aggregate and this in turn determines the pattern geometries.

Physiological aspects, Bacteria

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Left, right, left ... turn

Article Abstract:

The left-right asymmetrical gene expression governs the left-right axis of the body of vertebrates. Left-right asymmetry is essential for normal development and the right functional positioning of the body organs. A member (lefty) of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) manifests one-sided expression in the mesoderm of the lateral plate. The nodal gene, also a member of TGF-beta, shows its expression asymmetrically around the node. The lefty transcripts and the nodal gene are in the direction of the left-right axis of the body.

Genetic aspects, Observations, Vertebrates, Gene expression, Developmental genetics

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Long-term potentiation in awake mutant mice

Article Abstract:

Most studies of the relationship between spatial learning and long-term potentiation (LTP) using genetically-engineered mice have been carried out with hippo-campal slice preparation techniques. The conditions necessary to obtain LCP in vitro may not be compared to those in animals that are awake. Techniques developed to measure LTP in the awake mouse show that the conclusions from earlier experiments that LTP in the dentate gyrus may be unnecessary for spatial learning could be inaccurate.

Neurobiology, Molecular neurobiology

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