• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.239-245
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• 2005

Transformation-Associated Recombination (TAR) cloning technique allows selective isolation of chromosomal regions and genes from complex genomes. The procedure requires knowledge of relatively small genomic sequences that reside adjacent to the chromosomal region of interest. This technique involves homologous recombination during yeast spheroplast transformation between genomic DNA and a TAR vector that has 5' and 3' gene targeting sequences. In this study, we examined the effect of non-homologous spacing sequence in target hooks on homologous recombination using a plasmid model system. The efficiency of homologous recombination between the modified his3-TRP1-his3 fragments and HlS3 gene on plasmid were analyzed by the characterization of $Ura^+$ transformants. The numbers of $Ura^+$ transformant showed same level when seven different modified his3-TRP1-his3 fragments were used. But the percentage of positive recombinants. $Trp^+His^-$, dramatically decreased when used the modified his3-TRP1-his3 fragments contained incorrect spacing of nonhomologous region. As a result, we suggest that incorrect spacing inhibits the homologous recombination between target hook and substrate DNA. Therefore, we should consider the correct spacing in target hook when the target hook are used for cloning of orthologue gene.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.307-322
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• 2020

This study analyzed the effects of 'app-based learning of observing and recording living things' on elementary school students' science-related attitudes. Samples of the study were composed of 24 sixth-grade students attending the science club of N elementary school in Seoul, Korea. The learning was conducted for 12 times over 7 months. 'TOSRA(Test of science-related attitude)' was used to quantitatively analyze the science-related attitudes of elementary school students. To find out more detailed characteristics, records of interview were also gathered and analyzed. The main results of this study are as follows. First, for the paired t-test of science-related attitudes, a statistically significant difference between the pre and post was found. As results of the interview, it was revealed that 'experiences of outdoor activities' greatly influenced the increase of science-related attitudes of the students. Second, in ANCOVA, according to 'gender' there was no statistically significant difference in score of science-related attitudes. But, there was statistically significant difference in science-related attitudes according to 'preferred science subjects' and 'whether individual interest has occurred about observing and recording living'. Based on the results of this study, implications for research of elementary biology education are discussed.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.483-495
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• 2010

The passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) was a species of pigeon that was once the most common bird in North America. According to some ornithologists, the number of passenger pigeons is estimated as many as five to six billions at the time when the first Europeans arrived there. But this species became extinct in 1914. There were a multiplicity of causes in the extinction; first, the extension of telegraph lines and railroads into the Middle West of the USA beginning in 1850s, second, the loss of vast feeding, nesting, and roosting sites of the passenger pigeon due to the massive deforestation, third, the rapid population growth of the USA during nineteen century, fourth, the commercial exploitation of the species, and finally, the infirm and weak protective efforts. Some important lessons can be learned from the extinction of the passenger pigeon. First, it shows how much critical the public interest is for a successful conservational movement. Second, it illustrates the need for strong laws and practices in the protection of an endangered species from going extinct. Third, the fate of the passenger pigeon proves a very important principle in conservational biology. That is, for each species (bird or other animal) there is a minimum population to sustain the species. Ecologists generally believe that the extinction of the passenger pigeon was due to the loss of their numbers below the minimum owing to overexploitation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1465-1480
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• 2021

Violacein, a purple pigment first isolated from a gram-negative coccobacillus Chromobacterium violaceum, has gained extensive research interest in recent years due to its huge potential in the pharmaceutic area and industry. In this review, we summarize the latest research advances concerning this pigment, which include (1) fundamental studies of its biosynthetic pathway, (2) production of violacein by native producers, apart from C. violaceum, (3) metabolic engineering for improved production in heterologous hosts such as Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii, Corynebacterium glutamicum, and Yarrowia lipolytica, (4) biological/pharmaceutical and industrial properties, (5) and applications in synthetic biology. Due to the intrinsic properties of violacein and the intermediates during its biosynthesis, the prospective research has huge potential to move this pigment into real clinical and industrial applications.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.22-23
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• 2003

Primordial germ cell (PGC) is the progenitor cell of the germ cell lineage and eventually give rise to gametes that are responsible for creating individual organisms via a fertilization process. This means that PGC is a unique cell that can be converted into individual fish. This advantage of PGCs would make it possible to develop various applications in the field of fish bioengineering. First, PGCs may make it easier to preserve the genetic resources of fish. Cryopreservation of fish eggs or embryos has not been successfully achieved so far. Therefore, the only possible method to preserve genetic resources of fishes is to raise fish as live individuals. If PGCs isolated from various fishes could be cryopresewed, these cells could be converted into live fishes via germ-line chimera production. This is particularly useful for preserving genetic materials of endangered species. Even if the species of interest were to become extinct, it could be recovered by the transplantation of cryopreserved PGCs into the embryos of a closely related species. Another application of this technology is in what could be termed "surrogate broodstock technology". (중략)

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.187-192
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• 2014

Nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma has attracted great interest for biomedical applications. The plasma consists of charged particles, radicals, and a strong electric field as the fourth state of matter. This study evaluated the change in the surface roughness after tooth bleaching by plasma in combination with a low concentration (15%) of carbamide peroxide, specifically whether the application of plasma produced detriments, such as demineralization and structural change, with the goal of efficient and safe tooth bleaching. After being combined with plasma and 15% carbamide peroxide, the hydroxyapatite surface was significantly smoother with a low roughness average value. Tooth bleaching with 15% carbamide peroxide alone produced an irregular surface and increased the surface roughness with high roughness average value. Tooth bleaching with plasma resulted in no significant variations in hydroxyapatite in terms of change in surface roughness and surface topography. The application of tooth bleaching with plasma is not deleterious to dental hard tissue, implicating it as a safe tooth bleaching technique.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.367-377
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• 2016

Red spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara, is a popular aquaculture species and a protogynous hermaphrodite. Induction of artificial sex change at the time of primary sex differentiation is of interest but has not been successful due to the lack of necessary basic information. To find out the potential neuroendocrine influence on the primary sex differentiation, the expression of key genes in the brain was investigated during the formation of ovarian cavity. Expression of cyp19a1b, esr1, gnrhr1, fsh, lh and cga in the brain was positively associated with the formation of ovarian cavity, showing gradual increase as the formation proceeds. However, the expression of gnrh1 was suppressed during the early part of the ovarian cavity formation, signifying potential hypothalamic influence on the primary sex differentiation in this species.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.7
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• pp.451-460
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• 2010

Starting with the first publication of lacZ gene fusion in 1980, reporter genes have just entered their fourth decade. Initial studies relied on the simple fusion of a promoter or gene with a particular reporter gene of interest. Such constructs were then used to determine the promoter activity under specific conditions or within a given cell or organ. Although this protocol was, and still is, very effective, current research shows a paradigm shift has occurred in the use of reporter systems. With the advent of innovative cloning and synthetic biology techniques and microfluidic/nanodroplet systems, reporter genes and their proteins are now finding themselves used in increasingly intricate and novel applications. For example, researchers have used fluorescent proteins to study biofilm formation and discovered that microchannels develop within the biofilm. Furthermore, there has recently been a "fusion" of art and science; through the construction of genetic circuits and regulatory systems, researchers are using bacteria to "paint" pictures based upon external stimuli. As such, this review will discuss the past and current trends in reporter gene applications as well as some exciting potential applications and models that are being developed based upon these remarkable proteins.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.14-17
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• 2001

Positional clonging (map-based cloning) of mutations or genetic variations has been served as an invaluable tool to understand in-vivo functions of genes and to identify molecular components underlying phenotypes of interest. Mice homozygous for the cerebellar deficient folia (cdf) mutation are ataxic, with cerebellar hypoplasia and abnormal lobulation of the cerebellum. In the cdf mutant cerebellum approximately 40% of Purkinje cells are ectopically located within the white matter and the inner granule cell layer (IGL). To identify the cdf gene, a high-resolution genetic map for the cdf-gene-encompassing region was constructed using 1997 F2 mice generated from C3H/HeSnJ-cdf/cdf and CAST/Ei intercross. The cdf gene showed complete linkage disequilibrium with three tightly linked markers D6Mit208, D6Mit359, and D6Mit225. A contig using YAC, BAC, and P1 clones was constructed for the cdf critical region to identify the gene. A deletion in the cdf critical region on chromosome 6 that removes approximately 150 kb of DNA selection. cdf mutant mice with the transgenic copy of the identified gene restored the brain abnormalities of the mutant mice. The positional cloning of cdf gene provides a good example showing the identification of a gene could lead to finding a new component of important molecular pathways.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6991-6995
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• 2013

Antioxidant activity, total phenolic, total flavonoid compounds and cytotoxicity to cancer cell lines of propolis extracts from two extraction methods were investigated in this study. Propolis was collected from Phayao province and extracted with 70% ethanol using maceration and sonication techniques. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH assay. Total phenolic and flavonoid compounds were also determined. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of propolis was evaluated using MTT assay. The percentage propolis yield after extraction using maceration (18.1%) was higher than using sonication (15.7%). Nevertheless, antioxidant and flavonoid compounds of the sonication propolis extract were significant greater than using maceration. Propolis extract from sonication showed antioxidant activity by $3.30{\pm}0.15$ mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract. Total phenolic compound was $18.3{\pm}3.30$ mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract and flavonoid compound was $20.49{\pm}0.62$ mg quercetin/g extract. Additionally, propolis extracts from two extraction methods demonstrated the inhibitory effect on proliferation of A549 and HeLa cancer cell lines at 24, 48 and 72 hours in a dose-dependent manner. These results are of interest for the selection of the most appropriate method for preparation of propolis extracts as potential antioxidant and anticancer agents.