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Transformation is a widespread mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria. DNA uptake to the periplasmic compartment requires a DNA-uptake pilus and the DNA-binding protein ComEA. In the gram-negative bacteria, DNA is first pulled toward the outer m ...
Telomere dysfunction can unleash genome instability or permanently arrest cell proliferation, and thereby contribute to the processes of cancer and aging. Proper telomere function relies on many proteins that form part of its structure. Some telomeric prot ...
Natural competence for transformation is a widely used and key mode of horizontal gene transfer that can foster rapid bacterial evolution. Competent bacteria take-up DNA from their environment using Type IV pili, a widespread and multi-purpose class of cel ...
Type IV pili are dynamic cell surface appendages found throughout the bacteria. The ability of these structures to undergo repetitive cycles of extension and retraction underpins their crucial roles in adhesion, motility and natural competence for transfor ...
Natural competence enables bacteria to take up exogenous DNA. The evolutionary function of natural competence remains controversial, as imported DNA can act as a source of substrates or can be integrated into the genome. Exogenous homologous DNA can also b ...
By using an oriented electric field in a scanning tunneling microscope, one can locally control the condensation of boronic acids at the liquid/solid interface. The phase transition between self-assembled molecular networks and covalent organic frameworks ...
Numerous diseases affecting living beings have as a cause a modification of gene expression resulting in anomalous expression of proteins in up- or down-regulated fashion, with altered functions or expression of proteins that are not present in the cell in ...
While most molecular biologists are familiar with the artificial transformation of bacteria in the context of laboratory cloning experiments, natural competence for transformation refers to a specific physiological state in which prokaryotes are able to ta ...
Naturally competent bacteria can pull free DNA from their surroundings. This incoming DNA can serve various purposes, ranging from acting as a source of nutrients or DNA stretches for repair to the acquisition of novel genetic information. The latter proce ...
Computer science is playing a driving role in transforming today's society through information technology. In this transformation we observe power shifts increasingly strengthening centralised organisations, which are negatively perceived by many people. W ...
