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Previous studies reported that acquiring computer programming skills is challenging and might result in high dropout rates. A quasi-experimental design was used to examine the role of different factors in dropping out of an e-based computer programming course. This study applied a knowledge in programming assessment test (20 multiple-choice questions covering the following topics: variables, loops, conditionals, functions, and general knowledge of Python), The Learning Motivating Factors Questionnaire, The Big Five-2, and The Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction & Frustration Scale. Ninety-four participants (38 males and 56 females) completed the course, while 305 participants started it. The mean age of e-learners was 29.96 years (SD 8.27), age range = 18 to 54. The results showed that e-learners who completed the course had higher initial knowledge assessment scores than those who dropped out after the first assessment. Reward and recognition as a motivator were significantly higher in males who completed the course than those who dropped out after the second knowledge assessment. Extraversion was significantly lower in females who completed the course than those who dropped after the first or second knowledge assessment test. Relatedness frustration was significantly higher in those who dropped out after the first knowledge assessment. Due to significant limitations of the sample size, cultural context, measures applied, and research design, the findings would preferably be regarded with caution., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:Dirzyte Aiste, Perminas Aidas, Kaminskis Lukas, Zebrauskas Giedrius, Sedereviciute - Paciauskiene Zivile, Sliogeriene Jolita, Suchanova Jelena reports financial support was provided by Public Institution Lithuanian Business Support Agency. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Biofilm-forming benthic diatoms are key primary producers in coastal habitats, where they frequently dominate sunlit intertidal substrata. The development of gliding motility in raphid diatoms was a key molecular adaptation that contributed to their evolutionary success. However, the structure-function correlation between diatom adhesives utilized for gliding and their relationship to the extracellular matrix that constitutes the diatom biofilm is unknown. Here, we have used proteomics, immunolocalization, comparative genomics, phylogenetics and structural homology analysis to investigate the evolutionary history and function of diatom adhesive proteins. Our study identified eight proteins from the adhesive trails of Craspedostauros australis, of which four form a new protein family called Trailins that contain an enigmatic Choice-of-Anchor A (CAA) domain, which was acquired through horizontal gene transfer from bacteria. Notably, the CAA-domain shares a striking structural similarity with one of the most widespread domains found in ice-binding proteins (IPR021884). Our work offers new insights into the molecular basis for diatom biofilm formation, shedding light on the function and evolution of diatom adhesive proteins. This discovery suggests that there is a transition in the composition of biomolecules required for initial surface colonization and those utilized for 3D biofilm matrix formation., (© 2023 The Authors New Phytologist © 2023 New Phytologist Foundation.)

Biomineral-forming organisms produce inorganic materials with complex, genetically encoded morphologies that are unmatched by current synthetic chemistry. It is poorly understood which genes are involved in biomineral morphogenesis and how the encoded proteins guide this process. We addressed these questions using diatoms, which are paradigms for the self-assembly of hierarchically meso- and macroporous silica under mild reaction conditions. Proteomics analysis of the intracellular organelle for silica biosynthesis led to the identification of new biomineralization proteins. Three of these, coined dAnk1-3, contain a common protein-protein interaction domain (ankyrin repeats), indicating a role in coordinating assembly of the silica biomineralization machinery. Knocking out individual dank genes led to aberrations in silica biogenesis that are consistent with liquid-liquid phase separation as underlying mechanism for pore pattern morphogenesis. Our work provides an unprecedented path for the synthesis of tailored mesoporous silica materials using synthetic biology.

Protein corona formation has been regarded as an obstacle to developing diagnostic and therapeutic nanoparticles for in vivo applications. Serum proteins that assemble around nanoparticles can hinder their targeting efficiency. Virus-based nanoparticles should be naturally predisposed to evade such barriers in host organisms. Here, we demonstrate that virus-like particles derived from mouse polyomavirus do not form a rich protein corona. These particles can be efficiently targeted to cells that overproduce transferrin receptors, e.g., cancer cells, by conjugating transferrin to the particle surface. In this study, we provide evidence that the interaction of virus-like particles with their newly assigned target receptor is not obstructed by serum proteins. The particles enter target cells via a clathrin-dependent endocytic pathway that is not naturally used by the virus. Our results support the notion that the natural properties of virus-like particles make them well-suited for development of nanosized theranostic tools resistant to detargeting by protein coronas.

Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) is a membrane protease overexpressed by prostate cancer cells and detected in the neovasculature of most solid tumors. Targeting GCPII with inhibitor-bearing nanoparticles can enable recognition, imaging, and delivery of treatments to cancer cells. Compared to methods based on antibodies and other large biomolecules, inhibitor-mediated targeting benefits from the low molecular weight of the inhibitor molecules, which are typically stable, easy-to-handle, and able to bind the enzyme with very high affinity. Although GCPII is established as a molecular target, comparing previously reported results is difficult due to the different methodological approaches used. In this work, we investigate the robustness and limitations of GCPII targeting with a diverse range of inhibitor-bearing nanoparticles (various structures, sizes, bionanointerfaces, conjugation chemistry, and surface densities of attached inhibitors). Polymer-coated nanodiamonds, virus-like particles based on bacteriophage Qβ and mouse polyomavirus, and polymeric poly(HPMA) nanoparticles with inhibitors attached by different means were synthesized and characterized. We evaluated their ability to bind GCPII and interact with cancer cells using surface plasmon resonance, inhibition assay, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. Regardless of the diversity of the investigated nanosystems, they all strongly interact with GCPII (most with low picomolar K i values) and effectively target GCPII-expressing cells. The robustness of this approach was limited only by the quality of the nanoparticle bionanointerface, which must be properly designed by adding a sufficient density of hydrophilic protective polymers. We conclude that the targeting of cancer cells overexpressing GCPII is a viable approach transferable to a broad diversity of nanosystems.

Virus-like particles based on polyomaviruses (PVLPs) are promising delivery devices for various cargoes, including nucleic acids, imaging probes, and therapeutic agents. In biological environments, the major coat protein VP1 interacts with ubiquitously distributed sialic acid residues, and therefore PVLPs show a broad tropism. For selective targeting, appropriate engineering of the PVLP surface is needed. Here, we describe a chemical approach to retarget PVLPs to cancer cells displaying abnormally high levels of transferrin receptor. We created an array of transferrin molecules on the surface of PVLPs by combining a high-yielding bioconjugation approach with specific point modification of transferrin. This artificial surface protein architecture enables (i) suppression of natural VP1-specific interactions by blocking the surface conformational epitope on the VP1 protein, (ii) unusually high cellular uptake efficiency, and (iii) selective retargeting of PVLPs to osteosarcoma (U2OS) and lymphoblastoid leukemia (CCRF-CEM) cells.