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Routine implementation of genomic information for guiding selection decisions is not yet common in the majority of aquaculture species. Reduced representation sequencing approaches offer a cost-effective solution for obtaining genome-wide information in species with a limited availability of genomic resources. In the current study, we implemented double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) on an Arctic charr strain with the longest known history of selection (approximately 40 years) aiming to improve selection decisions. In total, 1730 animals reared at four different farms in Sweden and spanning from year classes 2013-2017 were genotyped using ddRAD-seq. Approximately 5000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, genetic diversity-related metrics were estimated, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for body length at different time points and age of sexual maturation were conducted. Low genetic differentiation amongst animals from the different farms was observed based on both the results from pairwise

Although the analysis of length polymorphism at STR loci has become a method of choice for grape cultivar identification, the standardization of methods for this purpose lags behind that of methods for DNA profiling in human and animal forensic genetics. The aim of this study was thus to design and validate a grapevine STR protocol with a practically useful level of multiplexing. Using free bioinformatics tools, published primer sequences, and nucleotide databases, we constructed and optimized a primer set for the simultaneous analysis of six STR loci (VVIi51, scu08vv, scu05vv, VVMD17, VrZAG47, and VrZAG83) by multiplex PCR and CE with laser-induced fluorescence, and tested it on 90 grape cultivars. The new protocol requires subnanogram quantities of the DNA template and enables automated, high-throughput genetic analysis with reasonable discriminatory power. As such, it represents a step toward further standardization of grape DNA profiling.

In prokaryotes, cell division is normally achieved by binary fission, and the key player FtsZ is considered essential for the complete process. In cyanobacteria, much remains unknown about several aspects of cell division, including the identity and mechanism of the various components involved in the division process. Here, we report results obtained from a search of the players implicated in cell division, directly associating to FtsZ in the filamentous, heterocyst-forming cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. Histidine tag pull-downs were used to address this question. However, the main observation was that FtsZ is a target of proteolysis. Experiments using various cell-free extracts, an unrelated protein, and protein blot analyses further supported the idea that FtsZ is proteolytically cleaved in a specific manner. In addition, we show evidence that both FtsZ termini seem to be equally prone to proteolysis. Taken together, our data suggest the presence of an unknown player in cyanobacterial cell division, opening up the possibility to investigate novel mechanisms to control cell division in Anabaena PCC 7120.

We have analyzed the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120 (wildtype) containing one nitrogenase, one uptake hydrogenase and one bidirectional hydrogenase and its hydrogen uptake deficient mutant AMC 414 for their H2 production capacities. Anabaena PCC 7120 and AMC 414 had similar growth rates in turbidostat mode with increased growth rates at higher light intensity. Rates of C2H2 reduction were similar for both strains. In contrast to the wildtype, AMC 414 produced H2 in a PhotoBioReactor (PhBR) using air as the lifting gas. The rate of H2 production increased with light intensity and was not even saturated at 456 μE m −2 s −1 . H2 production increased significantly when replacing the air with argon. The maximal H2 production during outdoor conditions was recorded using AMC 414 with a peak at 14.9 ml H 2 h −1 l −1 . Despite the relatively high production, maximal efficiency of solar energy to H2 conversion was only 0.042%. A molecular method was developed to analyze the relative abundancies of weight and mutant in competition experiments in the PhBR.

Mestrado em Administração e Gestão Pública O Desenvolvimento surge no âmbito das Ciências Sociais como um dos conceitos mais polémicos com uma multiplicidade de perspetivas e teorizações. A importância que a Educação representa no processo de Desenvolvimento Humano, versão que emerge na década de noventa do século XX, é fundamental no contexto das sociedades modernas, em especial nas menos desenvolvidas. Desempenha um papel preponderante na construção da personalidade do indivíduo e na sua orientação profissional. O fenómeno da mobilidade de estudantes, no domínio do Ensino Superior, é um vetor relevante no quadro político e estratégico de intervenção e cooperação entre Estados e onde as instituições de ensino terciário ocupam um lugar de destaque. O incremento do número de indivíduos que nas últimas décadas acederam ao Ensino Superior, a sua heterogeneidade e diversidade aos mais diversos níveis, obriga a uma análise cuidada, ponderada e multidisciplinar deste fenómeno. Portugal é um dos principais recetores de estudantes de Ensino Superior provenientes dos vários PALOP e de Timor-Leste, realidade potenciada pela institucionalização de acordos de cooperação entre o Estado português e estes países bem como pela própria ação das instituições de ensino, espaço onde a Universidade de Aveiro (UA) se insere e tem destacado. Proporcionar um conjunto de valências com vista à boa integração e sucesso académico destes alunos, é elemento chave no êxito de qualquer programa de acolhimento pelo que será, neste espaço, alvo de especial atenção. Havendo ainda parcas referências sobre esta matéria, torna-se pertinente e oportuno realizar-se um estudo de caso sobre a realidade vivenciada na UA. Esta dissertação visa contribuir para responder à seguinte questão central: “Estará a Universidade de Aveiro, do ponto de vista dos alunos provenientes dos vários PALOP e de Timor-Leste e, a desempenhar um papel relevante no seu acolhimento, apoio e integração quer a nível social quer no contexto académico?”. Os principais resultados apontam para o facto de muito embora tenham sido diversos os fatores e motivações que condicionaram estes alunos na tomada de decisão de vir estudar para UA, de existirem várias tipologias de variáveis que contribuem para o seu processo de adaptação e integração, o nível de satisfação relativamente ao papel desempenhado pela instituição atinge as expectativas iniciais. Políticos e gestores estão obrigados a uma reflexão atenta e permanente para melhorar as estratégias e respostas institucionais na tentativa de proporcionar uma bem-sucedida integração deste público-alvo, pelo que este documento pretende vir ser útil nesse exercício. Development is associated to social sciences as one of the most polemic concepts integrating a multiplicity of perspectives and theorisations. The importance of Education in the human development process, its emerging version from the ninetieth decade of the XXth century, is fundamental in the context of modern societies, especially the ones underdeveloped. Education is absolutely determinant in the construction of individual’s personality and in their professional orientation. Student’s mobility phenomenon, especially in higher education, is particular relevant to the intervention and cooperation in political and strategic sceneries among States where tertiary education institutions are also determinant. The increasing number of individuals that have accessed to higher education in the last decades, their multiplicity and diversity at several levels, implies a careful, thoughtful and multidisciplinary analysis of this phenomenon. Portugal is one of the main receiving countries of higher education students originated from PALOP and East Timor. This reality is amplified by the institutionalisation of cooperation agreements between these countries and the Portuguese government, as well as by the action of educational institutions themselves as there is the emphasized example of the University of Aveiro. To provide a wide range of activities taking into account a good integration and successful academic performance of these students is the key element to the accomplishment of any welcoming programme. For that reason, this issue will receive special attention in our work. Notwithstanding rarely mentions concerning this matter, is particular important and appropriate to do a case study about the UA reality. These dissertation aims to contribute to the answer to the main question: “From PALOP and East Timor students point of view, is the University of Aveiro performing an important role to their admission, support and integration concerning either social or academic contexts?” Main results indicate that although many factors and motivations have conditioned these students decision to come to study to UA, there are a lot of different variables typologies that contribute to their adaptation and integration process. in that way, satisfaction level concerning institution performance is according to initial expectations of the students. Politicians and managers are forced to a close and watchful reflexion in order to improve institutional strategies and responses so that they can offer a well-succeed integration to this public. In that way this document intends to be a constructive work to that exercise.

Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) is an established strategy used to determine the transcription start point(s) and the 5' untranslated region(s) of mRNA. Different approaches to perform 5' RACE are available, and one particularly simple and powerful strategy is based on a phenomenon called template-switching. We investigated different aspects of template-switch-based 5' RACE, and we describe the different steps leading to the in-house development of a complete 5' RACE system-from oligonucleotide design to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. We show that the resulting system is reliable, time-efficient, and inexpensive.

Background The validity and reproducibility of gene expression studies depend on the quality of extracted RNA and the degree of genomic DNA contamination. Cyanobacteria are gram-negative prokaryotes that synthesize chlorophyll a and carry out photosynthetic water oxidation. These organisms possess an extended array of secondary metabolites that impair cell lysis, presenting particular challenges when it comes to nucleic acid isolation. Therefore, we used the NHM5 strain of Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133 to compare and improve existing phenol based chemistry and procedures for RNA extraction. Results With this work we identify and explore strategies for improved and lower cost high quality RNA isolation from cyanobacteria. All the methods studied are suitable for RNA isolation and its use for downstream applications. We analyse different Trizol based protocols, introduce procedural changes and describe an alternative RNA extraction solution. Conclusion It was possible to improve purity of isolated RNA by modifying protocol procedures. Further improvements, both in RNA purity and experimental cost, were achieved by using a new extraction solution, PGTX.

Background In order to overcome genomic DNA contamination in transcriptional studies, reverse template-specific polymerase chain reaction, a modification of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, is used. The possibility of using tags whose sequences are not found in the genome further improves reverse specific polymerase chain reaction experiments. Given the absence of software available to produce genome suitable tags, a simple tool to fulfill such need was developed. Results The program was developed in Perl, with separate use of the basic local alignment search tool, making the tool platform independent (known to run on Windows XP and Linux). In order to test the performance of the generated tags, several molecular experiments were performed. The results show that Tagenerator is capable of generating tags with good priming properties, which will deliberately not result in PCR amplification of genomic DNA. Conclusion The program Tagenerator is capable of generating tag sequences that combine genome absence with good priming properties for RT-PCR based experiments, circumventing the effects of genomic DNA contamination in an RNA sample.

Hydrogen evolution by cyanobacteria is a potential way of biohydrogen production for the future. The basic and early applied research over the last 30 years has established the basis of present knowledge in the field and is a platform for future R&D directions. This work briefly surveys some of the progress made in the field of cyanobacterial hydrogen evolution during this time period., Swedish Institute., Swedish Research Council., Swedish Energy Agency.

Background Webtag is a tool providing oligonucleotide sequences (usually called tags or anchors) that are absent from a specified genome. These tags/anchors can be appended to gene specific primers for reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction experiments, circumventing genomic DNA contamination. Results The use of a relational database, in conjunction with a series of scripts written in PHP and Perl, allows the user to rapidly obtain tags that are: 1) suitable for a specific organism, and 2) compatible with other oligonucleotides to be used in the experimental procedures. Conclusion This new web tool allows scientists to easily and rapidly obtain suitable tags for RT-PCR experiments, and is available at http://www.egs.uu.se/software/webtag/.