Genome-scale models (GEMs) of metabolism were constructed for 55 fully sequenced Escherichia coli and Shigella strains. The GEMs enable a systems approach to characterizing the pan and core metabolic capabilities of the E. coli species. The majority of pan metabolic content was found to consist of alternate catabolic pathways for unique nutrient sources. The GEMs were then used to systematicall...

Interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) contain enigmatic sub-micron components called GEMS (Glass with Embedded Metal and Sulfides). The compositions and structures of GEMS indicate that they have been processed by exposure to ionizing radiation but details of the actual irradiation environment(s) have remained elusive. Here we propose a mechanism and astrophysical site for GEMS formation that ex...

Although this lecture does not contain many offical Olympiad problems, the arguments which are used are all common elements of Olympiad problem solving. Some of these perhaps could have made nice Olympiad problems, if not for the fact that they were already well-known due to their importance in higher mathematics. Most of this is sourced from the excellent combinatorics course developed by Benn...

Currently much debate, attention and concern surrounds the use of genetically modified plants or animals. But there has not been much concern about microorganisms, although we all are aware of the place of microorganisms in the circle of life, their abundance and diversity. There are many examples regarding the application of genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs), however, like other hig...

High-throughput biochemical profiling has led to a requirement for advanced data interpretation techniques capable of integrating the analysis of gene, protein, and metabolic profiles to shed light on genotype-phenotype relationships. Herein, we consider the current state of knowledge of endothelial cell (EC) metabolism and its connections to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and explore the use of ...

B cell linker protein (BLNK) and Src homology 2 domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kD (SLP-76) are adaptor proteins required for B cell receptor (BCR) and T cell receptor function, respectively. Here, we show that expression of SLP-76 cannot reconstitute BCR function in Zap-70(+)BLNK(-) B cells. This could be attributable to inability of SLP-76 to be recruited into glycolipid-enriched mi...

We describe the development of an automated modelling system that uses the genetic programming paradigm. The Genetic Modelling System (GeMS) is capable of generating appropriate algebraic (linear and nonlinear) and ODE systems from experimental data. The utility of GeMS is illustrated through several examples involving laboratory systems and simulated kinetic data. Copyright 2004 IFAC