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DNA barcoding facilitates the identification of species and the estimation of biodiversity by using nucleotide sequences, usually from the mitochondrial genome. Most studies accomplish this task by using the gene encoding cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI; Entrez COX1). Within this barcoding framework, many taxonomic initiatives exist, such as those specializing in fishes, birds, mammals, and fungi. Other efforts center on regions, such as the Arctic, or on other topics, such as health. DNA barcoding initiatives exist for all groups of vertebrates except for amphibians and nonavian reptiles. We announce the formation of Cold Code, the international initiative to DNA barcode all species of these ‘cold-blooded’ vertebrates. The project has a Steering Committee, Coordinators, and a home page. To facilitate Cold Code, the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences will sequence COI for the first 10 specimens of a species at no cost to the steward of the tissues.

Correspondence Yong-Jun Wang, Neurology Department, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Tel.: 0086-010-67098351; Fax: 0086-010-67038316; E-mail: yongjunwang111@yahoo.com.cn and Su-Ming Zhang, Neurology Department, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China. Tel.: 0086-027-83612633; Fax: 0086-027-83612633; E-mail: suming_zhang@163.com and Liqun Zhang, Neurology Department, St George’s Hospital, London, UK. Tel.: 44-7837827866; Fax: 44-2087254505; E-mail: lqnzhang@yahoo.com Received 19 October 2011; revision 22 November 2011; accepted 26 November 2011

A tri-stable switchable catalyst is encoded by pH-controlled dynamic self-assembly of gold and TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Through precise adjustment of the integrated dynamic covalent and noncovalent self-assembly process of the two types of nanoparticles, the photocatalytic activity of the hybrid system is modulated by switching pH conditions between tri-stable "highly active", "active", and "inactive" states.