Month: March 2021

The cells in our body are constantly fighting off the threat of cancer by repairing damaged DNA. In a new study, scientists from the Tokyo University of Science investigate the structure of an elusive protein complex that plays a key role in the activation of the “Fanconi anemia pathway” involved in DNA repair, and report on the factors governing its stability. Their insights can potentially help find novel treatments for disorders involving chromosomal instability, including cancer.

Associate Professor Tatsuya Nishino and his colleague Dr. Sho Ito from Tokyo University of Science decided to explore the crystalline structure of this intriguing complex using X-ray diffraction techniques.

“DNA damage and chromosome segregation are mechanisms necessary for the maintenance and inheritance of genes possessed by all organisms. MHF (also known as CENP-SX) is an enigmatic complex that plays a role in DNA repair and chromosome segregation. We wanted to find out how it performs these two different functions in the hope that it might give us insights into novel phenomena,” explains Prof. Nishino. Their findings are published in Acta Crystallographica Section F: Structural Biology Communications.

The scientists prepared a recombinant version of the FANCM-MHF complex, consisting of FANCM from chickens and MHF1 and MHF2. They were able to purify three different types of protein crystals—tetrahedral, needle-shaped, and rod-shaped—from similar crystallization conditions. Surprisingly, upon determining the structure with X-ray crystallography, they found that two of the crystal forms (tetrahedral and needle-shaped) contained only the MHF complex without FANCM.

Intrigued by this discovery, the scientists used biochemical techniques to examine what caused the FANCM-MHF complex to disassemble. They attributed it to the presence of a compound called 2-methyl-2, 4-pentanediol (MPD), an organic solvent commonly used in crystallography, and exposure to an oxidizing environment.

But, how exactly does the dissociation happen? The scientists believe that this may have been caused partly by certain non-conserved amino acids in the chicken FANCM which causes the complex to aggregate with other FANCM-MHF complexes and disassemble. Additionally, they surmise that the small, flexible structure of MPD may have also allowed it to bind to and facilitate the release of FANCM, dismantling the complex.

The findings are extraordinary and can be used to improve the stability of the FANCM-MHF complex for future studies on its structure and function. Dr. Ito believes we have much to expect in the future from this complex.

“A good understanding of this complex can help us treat cancer and genetic diseases, create artificial chromosomes, and even develop new biotechnological tools,” he speculates.

The main task of preclinical studies in toxicology and pharmacology is to determine the toxic properties and pharmacological effect of the active ingredient. In these studies, researchers often use freshwater fish. Due to the biological similarity of about 70% of genes with human genes, speed and convenience of work in laboratories, scientists use Danio rerio, a small freshwater tropical fish.

Maxim Nigmatulin, a 3rd-year student of the Faculty of Computer Science and Technology of ETU “LETI”, aims to make the analysis of new drugs easier with his project titled “Development of Software for Analyzing the Behavior of Danio rerio using Computer Vision.”

The young researcher is developing the project with the help of a grant from the UMNIK Foundation for Assistance to Innovations under the supervision of Dmitry Kaplun, Assistant Professor of the Department of Automation and Control Processes of ETU “LETI.”

The development is based on computer vision and artificial intelligence technologies. The software recognizes the fish on the downloaded video and then analyzes the parameters of its movement: if the fish moves quickly, the drug has a stimulating effect; if slow, then sedative.

“The proposed approach will reduce the time spent on analyzing the behaviour of Danio rerio and the impact of human factor on the results of the experiment, creating an affordable alternative to more expensive foreign counterparts. The developed solution will also be extensible: it will allow considering new parameters of the experiment, which are difficult to estimate with visual observation,” Maxim says.

Compared to existing analogues, the new software will be much cheaper and more mobile. It will allow laboratories to conduct research faster and more profitable.

“The software will run on various operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS. Ultimately, the project will provide a lightweight, affordable, multiplatform, extensible user application,” Maxim explains.

Now, the project is in the first stage of development. Maxim is creating an algorithm for video data preprocessing in Python, an algorithm for final functionality in 2D and 3D, and a module library based on the developed algorithms.

At the second stage, the young researcher plans to develop a visual interface in PyQt, study docker technology and build a docker container for the application to make it multiplatform, and release an alpha version for testing.

The result will be complete software that can be used on different operating systems to quickly and efficiently analyze Danio rerio behaviour patterns.

Faculty of Arts & Design (FSSR), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Perak Branch, Malaysia signed an MoU with universities from Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Saudi Arabia via virtual mode.

The MOU was signed on 21st December 2020 between UiTM and Universitas Multimedia Nusantara (UMN), Indonesia, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU), Bangladesh Effat University, Saudi Arabia.

According to Associate Professor Dr Muhamad Abdul Aziz Ab Gani, “Previous collaborations between UiTM and the universities included international programs, international art exhibitions and the exchange of lecturers and student mobility programs. With this MoU, it will further strengthen the visibility of FSSR, UiTM Perak in the global arena.”

The ceremony was led by The Rector of UiTM Perak Branch, Professor Sr Dr Md Yusof Hamid, together with Dr Zainuddin Md Nor, the head of the faculty. Universitas Multimedia Nusantara (UMN), Indonesia, was represented by the rector Dr Ninok Leksono; Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU), Bangladesh, was represented by their Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr A.H.M. Mustafizur Rahman, and Effat University was represented by the President, Dr Haifa Jamal Al-lail.

With the signing of the MoUs between these countries, UiTM hopes to secure more joint venture programs, including developing new syllabus programs and more sharing sessions.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhamad Abdul Aziz, “UiTM Perak Branch has plans to collaborate with India, Syria, and Russia for more MoUs in 2021. Although the world is facing the Covid-19 pandemic, the networking between Malaysia and international countries will continue to ensure the quality and strategic goals of UiTM is achieved.”

Employees of the Samara Center for Theoretical Materials Science (SCTMS)  of Samara Polytech have developed a free automated service for determining the topology- TopCryst.Find_Topology. It allows conducting complex analysis and classification of the crystal structure online. The program was recently registered with Rospatent.

“With the help of topological methods, chemists describe and predict the ways of chemical objects linking (atoms, molecules, clusters) into more complex architectures,” explains the director of SCTMS, professor Vladislav Blatov.

“The service TopCryst.Find_Topology (https://topcryst.com), developed by us, is designed to help the scientific community in describing topological characteristics and classifying both predicted or newly synthesized substances, and those already known”.

The procedure for determining the TopCryst topology includes the following fully automated stages of analysis: determination of chemical bonds in the crystal structure; relation of the structure to one of the chemical classes; determination of building units of the structure depending on its nature; simplifying the structure to a base net containing the associated centers of gravity of building units; computation of a set of topological indices defining the base net topology; determination of the base net topology based on the base of topological types (TTD collection), which is also being developed at SCTMS.

On  February 6, 2021, the Universitas Airlangga’s Society of Renewable Energy (SRE), which has just been established, held a webinar under the theme “Catalyst for Sustainable Economic Growth in East Java” to mark its launch.

Various experts were invited to speak in this webinar, including representatives from the East Java ESDM Service and Pamela Simamora.

On the occasion, Prof. Dr. Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih, UNAIR Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation and Community Development, was invited to discuss her research on renewable energy.

“The advantage of biomass energy is zero waste. Nothing is thrown away,” she said.

“If the concept of biomass renewable energy can be mass-produced, the zero waste principle will be integrated more into our lives, ” she concluded.

Prisheila Putri Wardani, the President of UNAIR SRE said, “This organization is a milestone in increasing awareness of UNAIR students regarding the importance of developing alternative energy in Indonesia.”

Singapore Management University (SMU) will, from Academic Year 2021-2022 (which begins in August 2021), offer a new second major in Digital Business, to train a pipeline of talent with the necessary knowledge and skills to support the country’s business digital transformation demands across industries. This is the first such undergraduate major in Singapore.

The second major will be jointly offered by Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB) and School of Computing & Information Systems (SCIS).  The collaboration leverages SCIS’ strength in delivering more technical courses and LKCSB’s forte and focus on the application of digital technologies to business. Both Schools will also jointly curate courses relevant to digital business.

This much anticipated second major aims to produce graduates who are able to apply basic programming skills, and have a good understanding of the different digital technologies in use, such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, analytics, mobile networks, social media, and the Internet of Things. At the same time, the graduates will know how to apply these digital technologies to various business functions in order to create value.

Professor Venky Shankararaman, SMU’s Vice Provost (Undergraduate Matters), said, “In an increasingly complex world, a multi-disciplinary education is immensely valuable.  The Digital Business second major offers a rare opportunity for students with an aptitude in business and technology to be trained and well-prepared for a fast-changing world.”

“As the industry moves along the broader plan promulgated by the government, we are starting to see strong marketplace demand for graduates familiar with a grounding in the business disciplines, an affinity for technology, some coding and software development skills, and data analytic skills.  We are confident that the ability to use and apply digital technologies in the business context is going to be an advantage that can give our graduates an edge when seeking employment,” he added.

The major is offered to SMU undergraduates from all disciplines.  The University expects approximately 40 students to declare the new second major in its first year of launch.

Five Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) have been signed on 22nd December 2020 by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Perak Branch with industry partners; Dewan Perniagaan Dan Perindustrian Melayu Perak (DPPMP), Urbanice Malaysia, E-Idaman Sdn. Bhd, Chulia Facilities Management Sdn. Bhd. and Richkey Creative Sdn. Bhd.

Managed by the Office of Research, Industrial Linkages, Community and Alumni Network, UiTM Perak Branch, the signing ceremony was held at Tun Abdul Razak Library (PTAR) UiTM Perak.

The MoUs were signed by the Vice-Chancellor of UiTM, Emeritus Professor Ir. Dr Mohd Azraai Kassim, and witnessed by Professor Sr Dr Md Yusof Hamid, Rector of UiTM Perak.

The collaborative partners from the local industry include Dato’ Hj. Muhammad Muhiyuddin Hj. Abdullah from Dewan Perniagaan Dan Perindustrian Melayu Perak – (DPPMP), TPr Norliza Hashim (Urbanice Malaysia), Mr. Ahmad Faizi Latifi bin Ahmad Faiz (E-Idaman Sdn. Bhd.), Mr. Shahfie Ahmad (Chulia Facilities Management Sdn. Bhd.), and Mr. Wan Hishamrudin Wan Ahmad Kaspi (Richkey Creative Sdn. Bhd.).

The primary purpose of the MoUs is to strengthen cooperation, promote mutual understanding, academic, cultural, and scientific thought, and personnel exchange and increase graduate employability.

The cooperation also anticipates equipping students and staff the essential entrepreneurial skills, green initiatives and approaches, exchange expertise and experiences in facilities management, training, short courses related to the built environment, and many more.

These MoUs are poised to boost new and more significant initiatives soon.