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Knowledge explosion in soil and water efficiency enhancing phytotechnologies for remediation — energy-health and sustainability
Abstracts / Current Opinion in Biotechnology 22S (2011) S15–S152
CSL39 E-learning in Biotechnology: the EBTNA experience and new ICT perspective Luigi Magni 1 , Carmine Ricca 1 , Mariapia Viola 2
S31
commentary in the August 2010 issue of Nature Genetics, volume 42, number 8, pp. 641–645. doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2011.05.065
CSL41
1
EBTNA, Pragma Engineering Srl, Perugia, Italy 2 EBTNA, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
E-mail address: [email protected] (L. Magni) With the creation of the first TNP in Biotechnology (1996) a new path in the distance learning domain was followed in order to support and enhance the international course in Biotechnology. On the basis of this experience in 2000 was prepared the first ODL modules corresponding to the subject of the courses. After the establishment of EBTNA in 2006, this experience was enhanced with the creation of an eLearning Platform which permits to support and manage several ODL modules enriched with test evaluation and virtual classroom for courses support. During the last years a big effort was spent in order to provide an adequate ICT infrastructure, enhancing the learning platform functionalities, and to increase the quantity and the quality of learning materials, setting up specific methodologies for content development, review and quality evaluation. The ambitious of EBTNA is to create a complete infrastructure (ICT and Learning materials) for supporting an entire course including the laboratory experiences. Therefore we intend to extend our e-learning platform allowing the simulation of laboratory experience making use of virtual reality in order to create a simulated environment in which several objects are represented and the interaction with some them (actuated devices) is completely simulated. doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2011.05.064
CSL40 Collaborative genomics for human health and cooperation in the Mediterranean region Tayfun Ozcelik Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey E-mail address: [email protected] Shared genes and shared cultures are key factors that unite people. Human genomics is an excellent common resource for addressing common challenges and for deepening existing scientific relationships in the Mediterranean basin across all countries and populations. In this talk, the proposal on the establishment of a center of excellence devoted to the genomic analysis of Mediterranean populations of all creeds will be discussed. This genomic focus is rooted in the region’s demographic history, builds on the area’s rapidly developing expertise in human genetics, and will yield scientific discoveries of both local and global significance. The genome sequence data of Mediterranean populations will offer unique insights into human evolution and early human migration. The potent combination of highly consanguineous populations in the Mediterranean’s southern and eastern rims and regional medical and scientific expertise could lead to the identification and characterization of many genes responsible for human disease. Such discoveries will enable genetic knowledge to be translated into medical knowledge that will benefit local populations and contribute substantially to the understanding of the genetic bases of human diseases worldwide. For further information please read the
Knowledge explosion in soil and water efficiency enhancing phytotechnologies for remediation — energyhealth and sustainability Majeti Narasımha Varaprasad Department of Plant Sciences, University of Hyderabad Prof. C.R. Rao Road, Gachhibowli, Central University P.O., Hyderabad 500 046, India E-mail address: prasad [email protected] Environmental pollution with heavy metals currently require considerable attention. Plant based technologies (=Phytotechnologies) are considered to be SWEET (Soil and Water Efficiency Enhancing Technologies) for reducing the burden of heavy metal load. SWEET phytotechnologies are favored being potentially sustainable, act as sinks for atmospheric carbon and relatively low cost. They are especially appealing for treatment or reuse of slightly or moderately contaminated natural resources. Advances in plant based science and technologies have enabled us to apply the potential of biological diversity for pollution abatement. This is emerging as an effective innovative technology for the treatment of a wide variety of contaminants. This technology includes plant and microbe interactions. Rhizoremediation, which is the most evolved process of bioremediation, involves the removal of specific contaminants from contaminated sites by mutual interaction of plant roots and suitable microbial flora. Phytotechnologies include an invaluable tool box for wider application in the realm of environmental protection. Mining industries, including abandoned mines release a variety of heavy metals. Large number of plants (natural and transgenic) and/or associated with rhizosphere micro-organisms are extraordinarily active in these biological interventions and cleaning up pollutants by removing or immobilizing them. While diverse microbes are the most active agents, fungi and their strong oxidative enzymes are key players in degrading/decontamination recalcitrant polymers and xenobiotic chemicals as well. Remediation-Energy-Health and Sustainability are discussed with appropriate examples. doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2011.05.066
CSL42 Lumping Malpuech, Michels, oculo-skeletal-abdominal and Carnevale syndromes into the lectin complement pathway Mustafa Tekin John T Macdonald Foundation, Department of Human Genetics and John P Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller, School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA E-mail address: [email protected] Distinctive facial features consisting of hypertelorism, telecanthus, blepharophimosis, blepharoptosis, epicanthus inversus, along with intellectual disability, periumbilical defects, and skeletal anomalies are seen in autosomal recessive Carnevale (MIM 265050), Malpuech (MIM 248340), Michels (MIM 257920), and oculo-skeletal-abdominal (OSA; also MIM 265050) syndromes. Although these syndromes were separately described there is phe-
CSL39 E-learning in Biotechnology: the EBTNA experience and new ICT perspective Luigi Magni 1 , Carmine Ricca 1 , Mariapia Viola 2
S31
commentary in the August 2010 issue of Nature Genetics, volume 42, number 8, pp. 641–645. doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2011.05.065
CSL41
1
EBTNA, Pragma Engineering Srl, Perugia, Italy 2 EBTNA, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
E-mail address: [email protected] (L. Magni) With the creation of the first TNP in Biotechnology (1996) a new path in the distance learning domain was followed in order to support and enhance the international course in Biotechnology. On the basis of this experience in 2000 was prepared the first ODL modules corresponding to the subject of the courses. After the establishment of EBTNA in 2006, this experience was enhanced with the creation of an eLearning Platform which permits to support and manage several ODL modules enriched with test evaluation and virtual classroom for courses support. During the last years a big effort was spent in order to provide an adequate ICT infrastructure, enhancing the learning platform functionalities, and to increase the quantity and the quality of learning materials, setting up specific methodologies for content development, review and quality evaluation. The ambitious of EBTNA is to create a complete infrastructure (ICT and Learning materials) for supporting an entire course including the laboratory experiences. Therefore we intend to extend our e-learning platform allowing the simulation of laboratory experience making use of virtual reality in order to create a simulated environment in which several objects are represented and the interaction with some them (actuated devices) is completely simulated. doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2011.05.064
CSL40 Collaborative genomics for human health and cooperation in the Mediterranean region Tayfun Ozcelik Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey E-mail address: [email protected] Shared genes and shared cultures are key factors that unite people. Human genomics is an excellent common resource for addressing common challenges and for deepening existing scientific relationships in the Mediterranean basin across all countries and populations. In this talk, the proposal on the establishment of a center of excellence devoted to the genomic analysis of Mediterranean populations of all creeds will be discussed. This genomic focus is rooted in the region’s demographic history, builds on the area’s rapidly developing expertise in human genetics, and will yield scientific discoveries of both local and global significance. The genome sequence data of Mediterranean populations will offer unique insights into human evolution and early human migration. The potent combination of highly consanguineous populations in the Mediterranean’s southern and eastern rims and regional medical and scientific expertise could lead to the identification and characterization of many genes responsible for human disease. Such discoveries will enable genetic knowledge to be translated into medical knowledge that will benefit local populations and contribute substantially to the understanding of the genetic bases of human diseases worldwide. For further information please read the
Knowledge explosion in soil and water efficiency enhancing phytotechnologies for remediation — energyhealth and sustainability Majeti Narasımha Varaprasad Department of Plant Sciences, University of Hyderabad Prof. C.R. Rao Road, Gachhibowli, Central University P.O., Hyderabad 500 046, India E-mail address: prasad [email protected] Environmental pollution with heavy metals currently require considerable attention. Plant based technologies (=Phytotechnologies) are considered to be SWEET (Soil and Water Efficiency Enhancing Technologies) for reducing the burden of heavy metal load. SWEET phytotechnologies are favored being potentially sustainable, act as sinks for atmospheric carbon and relatively low cost. They are especially appealing for treatment or reuse of slightly or moderately contaminated natural resources. Advances in plant based science and technologies have enabled us to apply the potential of biological diversity for pollution abatement. This is emerging as an effective innovative technology for the treatment of a wide variety of contaminants. This technology includes plant and microbe interactions. Rhizoremediation, which is the most evolved process of bioremediation, involves the removal of specific contaminants from contaminated sites by mutual interaction of plant roots and suitable microbial flora. Phytotechnologies include an invaluable tool box for wider application in the realm of environmental protection. Mining industries, including abandoned mines release a variety of heavy metals. Large number of plants (natural and transgenic) and/or associated with rhizosphere micro-organisms are extraordinarily active in these biological interventions and cleaning up pollutants by removing or immobilizing them. While diverse microbes are the most active agents, fungi and their strong oxidative enzymes are key players in degrading/decontamination recalcitrant polymers and xenobiotic chemicals as well. Remediation-Energy-Health and Sustainability are discussed with appropriate examples. doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2011.05.066
CSL42 Lumping Malpuech, Michels, oculo-skeletal-abdominal and Carnevale syndromes into the lectin complement pathway Mustafa Tekin John T Macdonald Foundation, Department of Human Genetics and John P Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller, School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA E-mail address: [email protected] Distinctive facial features consisting of hypertelorism, telecanthus, blepharophimosis, blepharoptosis, epicanthus inversus, along with intellectual disability, periumbilical defects, and skeletal anomalies are seen in autosomal recessive Carnevale (MIM 265050), Malpuech (MIM 248340), Michels (MIM 257920), and oculo-skeletal-abdominal (OSA; also MIM 265050) syndromes. Although these syndromes were separately described there is phe-