• HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
BIOENGINEER.ORG
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
No Result
View All Result
Bioengineer.org
No Result
View All Result
Home NEWS Science News Biology

Database developed on key mollusk to study pollution in coastal areas

Bioengineer by Bioengineer
April 20, 2021
in Biology
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
IMAGE
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on RedditShare on Telegram

IMAGE

Credit: University of Córdoba

Scrobiculariaplana is a type of wedge clam widely found along the coasts and estuariesof northern Europe, the Mediterranean and West Africa. Like other mollusks, it is used as a bioindicator to study pollution in these types of ecosystems, for its ability to accumulate heavy metals and organic pollutants.

A new study has managed to identify the transcriptome and the associated proteome of this bivalve, a finding that could represent an important leap forward in the early detection of pollutants in coastal areas. While the genome is the DNA content comprising the genetic information essential for life, the transcriptome includes only the information on genes that are expressed, while the proteome is the totality of proteins expressed at a given time and under specific conditions. Therefore, its reconstruction is key to understanding the molecular effects of pollution.

Thanks to this finding, the study has managed to identify proteins associated with a total of 174 biological processes. Among these are various molecular functions related to stress response mechanisms suffered by these organisms when they are subjected to pollution and its effects.

The work began with collaboration with the Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia, the “Molecular Biology of Stress Response Mechanisms” at the University of Cordoba, and the Central Research Support Service (SCAI) of the university institution, which saw to the bio-informatics component, key to the reconstruction of the transcriptome.

After isolating RNA samples from this mollusk under controlled conditions, explained researcher Carmen Michán, small genetic sequences were extracted. The study managed to combine three mathematical algorithms to order all these small fragments, reconstruct entire genes, and bring together all the pieces of this great biological puzzle.

This software tool provides a solid database for biomolecular analysis ,and constitutes a beacon to guide future work. Furthermore, according to Professor José Alhama, another of the researchers who participated in the study, “having this tool increases the likelihood of success of new studies, not only in studies with this specific bivalve, but also in other similar mollusks.” The researcher explained that no similar study had been carried out on organisms of this type. Now, this reference map could help better gauge the effects of pollution on marine ecosystems before the damage is irreparable.

###

The work is part of the EPICS research project, funded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under the auspices of the State Program for R&D&I Oriented to the Challenges of Society. Ref. CTM2016-75908-R.

Media Contact
Elena Lázaro Real
[email protected]

Related Journal Article

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.03.025

Tags: BioinformaticsBiology
Share12Tweet8Share2ShareShareShare2

Related Posts

blank

Beneficial Gut Bacteria Enhances Placental Health for Improved Pregnancy Outcomes

October 7, 2025
Yeast Proteins Unlock the Mysteries of Drought Resistance

Yeast Proteins Unlock the Mysteries of Drought Resistance

October 6, 2025

Hub1 Overexpression: Revolutionizing Transcription and Splicing in Yeast

October 6, 2025

Scientists Secure $3.7 Million Grant to Explore the Link Between Perimenopause and Psychosis

October 6, 2025
Please login to join discussion

POPULAR NEWS

  • New Study Reveals the Science Behind Exercise and Weight Loss

    New Study Reveals the Science Behind Exercise and Weight Loss

    95 shares
    Share 38 Tweet 24
  • New Study Indicates Children’s Risk of Long COVID Could Double Following a Second Infection – The Lancet Infectious Diseases

    93 shares
    Share 37 Tweet 23
  • Ohio State Study Reveals Protein Quality Control Breakdown as Key Factor in Cancer Immunotherapy Failure

    74 shares
    Share 30 Tweet 19
  • New Insights Suggest ALS May Be an Autoimmune Disease

    72 shares
    Share 29 Tweet 18

About

We bring you the latest biotechnology news from best research centers and universities around the world. Check our website.

Follow us

Recent News

Undergraduates Evaluate AI Responses on Drug Interactions

Comparing Self-Reports and GP Records on Falls

Crocin and Meloxicam Alleviate Morphine Withdrawal in Mice

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 63 other subscribers
  • Contact Us

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Homepages
    • Home Page 1
    • Home Page 2
  • News
  • National
  • Business
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.