Vishniacozyma ellesmerensis sp. nov., a psychrophilic yeast isolated from a retreating glacier in the Canadian High Arctic.

Two strains of a psychrophilic basidiomycetous yeast species belonging to the genus Vishniacozyma were isolated from sediments and soil at the front of a retreating glacier on northern Ellesmere Island in the Canadian Arctic. Analysis of the large subunit D1/D2 region and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the rDNA indicated that these strains represented a novel species. The closest relatives of the novel species were Vishniacozyma globispora and V. dimennae, which exhibited sequence similarities of 82.2 and 81.6 %, respectively, to the ITS region of the novel species, and contained 61 and 57 nt substitutions, respectively, in the D1/D2 domain, in comparison with the novel species. Strains of the novel species were able to grow at sub-zero temperatures and in vitamin-free medium. These characteristics allow the strains to survive and grow in perennially cold, oligotrophic habitats in the Canadian High Arctic. The name Vishniacozyma ellesmerensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JCM 32573T (=UAMH 11973T=G3-4-8T) and the MycoBank number is MB825501.

Mrakia hoshinonis sp. nov., a novel psychrophilic yeast isolated from a retreating glacier on Ellesmere Island in the Canadian High Arctic.

Four strains isolated from sediment sampled at the front of a retreating glacier on northern Ellesmere Island in the Canadian high Arctic, namely JCM 32575T, JCM 32576, JCM 32577 and JCM 32578, belong to a novel psychrophilic basidiomycetous yeast species in the genus Mrakia. Molecular phylogenetic analysis indicated that these strains are most closely related to the type strains of Mrakia aquatica and Mrakianic combsii, but with 8-9 and 7-12 nt substitutions in ITS and in the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene, respectively. The strains grew at sub-zero temperatures and in vitamin-free media, with lipase and cellulase highly active even at -3 °C. These characteristics likely allow this yeast species to grow and survive in extremely cold, oligotrophic environments, such as the fronts of retreating glaciers in the high Arctic. The name Mrakia hoshinonis sp. nov. is proposed, with type strain JCM 32575T (UAMH 11969) and MycoBank number MB 825484.

Cold-tolerant endoglucanase producing ability of Mrakia robertii A2-3 isolated from cryoconites, Hamtha glacier, Himalaya.

A psychrotolerant yeast strain Mrakia robertii A2-3 isolated from cryoconites of Hamtah glacier, Himalaya, India was investigated for the production of cold-tolerant endoglucanase. Optimum endoglucanase production was found at 15°C with an initial pH of 5.5, and potent inducers were 1% wt/vol of xylose and KNO3 and 0.1% wt/vol of NaCl. Under optimum conditions, the enzyme production was 1.81-fold higher than the unoptimized conditions. Crude enzyme was partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by dialysis. The enzyme was purified to 2.53-fold and the yield was 6.03% with specific activity of 17.38 U/mg and molecular weight ~57 kDa. The Km and Vmax values of the partially purified enzyme were found to be 1.57 mg/ml and 142.85 U/mg, respectively. The characterization study revealed that the best temperature was 15°C for activity and stability. Furthermore, the enzyme showed the highest activity at pH 11.0 and was stable at pH 6.0. Fe2+ , Mn2+ , Na2+ , Cu2+ , Co2+ , Ca2+ proved to be activators of endoglucanase. Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid showed very low effect on the enzyme activity whereas it was active with Tween-80 and sodium deoxycholate. The present study successfully produced a cold-active endoglucanase with novel properties making it promising as a biocatalyst for industrial processes.

Epitaxial chemical vapour deposition growth of monolayer hexagonal boron nitride on a Cu(111)/sapphire substrate.

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), an atomically thin insulating material, shows a large band gap, mechanical flexibility, and optical transparency. It can be stacked with other two-dimensional (2D) materials through van der Waals interactions to form layered heterostructures. These properties promise its application as an insulating layer of novel 2D electronic devices due to its atomically smooth surface with a large band gap. Herein, we demonstrated the ambient-pressure chemical vapour deposition (CVD) growth of high-quality, large-area monolayer h-BN on a Cu(111) thin film deposited on a c-plane sapphire using ammonia borane (BH3NH3) as the feedstock. Highly oriented triangular h-BN grains grow on Cu(111), which finally coalescence to cover the entire Cu surface. Low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) measurements indicated that the hexagonal lattice of the monolayer h-BN is well-oriented along the underlying Cu(111) lattice, thus implying the epitaxial growth of h-BN, which can be applied in various 2D electronic devices.

Vertical heterostructures of MoS2 and graphene nanoribbons grown by two-step chemical vapor deposition for high-gain photodetectors.

Heterostructures of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials have attracted growing interest due to their unique properties and possible applications in electronics, photonics, and energy. Reduction of the dimensionality from 2D to one-dimensional (1D), such as graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), is also interesting due to the electron confinement effect and unique edge effects. Here, we demonstrate a bottom-up approach to grow vertical heterostructures of MoS2 and GNRs by a two-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Single-layer GNRs were first grown by ambient pressure CVD on an epitaxial Cu(100) film, followed by the second CVD process to grow MoS2 over the GNRs. The MoS2 layer was found to grow preferentially on the GNR surface, while the coverage could be further tuned by adjusting the growth conditions. The MoS2/GNR nanostructures show clear photosensitivity to visible light with an optical response much higher than that of a 2D MoS2/graphene heterostructure. The ability to grow a novel 1D heterostructure of layered materials by a bottom-up CVD approach will open up a new avenue to expand the dimensionality of the material synthesis and applications.

Comparative analysis of milk fat decomposition activity by Mrakia spp. isolated from Skarvsnes ice-free area, East Antarctica.

Milk fat curdle is difficult to remove from sewage. In an attempt to identify an appropriate agent for bio-remediation of milk fat curdle, Mrakia strains were collected from the Skarvsnes ice-free area of Antarctica. A total of 27 strains were isolated and tested for their ability to decompose milk fat at temperatures ranging from 4°C to 15°C. All strains could decompose milk fat at 4°C and 10°C. Phylogenetic analysis and comparison of the decomposition ability of milk fat (DAMF) revealed that the DAMF may be useful for predicting the outcome of phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences.

Strain engineering the properties of graphene and other two-dimensional crystals.

Graphene has been widely studied for its many extraordinary properties, and other two-dimensional layered materials are now gaining increased interest. These excellent properties make thin layer materials very attractive for integration into a wide variety of technologies, particularly in flexible optoelectronic devices. Therefore, gaining control over these properties will allow for a more focused design and optimisation of these possible technologies. Through the application of mechanical strain it is possible to alter the electronic structures of two-dimensional crystals, such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (e.g. MoS2), and these changes in electronic structure can alter their behaviour. In this perspective we discuss recent advances in the strain engineering of thin layer materials, with a focus on using Raman spectroscopy and electrical transport to investigate the effect of strain as well as the effect of strain on the chemical functionalisation of graphene.

Improvement of direct ethanol fermentation from woody biomasses by the Antarctic basidiomycetous yeast, Mrakia blollopis, under a low temperature condition.

The Antarctic basidiomycetous yeast Mrakia blollopis SK-4 can quite uniquely ferment various sugars under low temperature conditions. When strain SK-4 fermented lignocellulosic biomass using the direct ethanol fermentation (DEF) technique, approximately 30% to 65% of the theoretical ethanol yield was obtained without and with the addition of the non-ionic surfactant Tween 80, respectively. Therefore, DEF from lignocellulosic biomass with M. blollopis SK-4 requires the addition of a non-ionic surfactant to improve fermentation efficiency. DEF with lipase converted Eucalyptus and Japanese cedar to 12.6g/l, and 14.6g/l ethanol, respectively. In the presence of 1% (v/v) Tween 80 and 5U/g-dry substrate lipase, ethanol concentration increased about 1.4- to 2.4-fold compared to that without Tween 80 and lipase. We therefore consider that the combination of M. blollopis SK-4 and DEF with Tween 80 and lipase has good potential for ethanol fermentation in cold environments.

Rhodotorula svalbardensis sp. nov., a novel yeast species isolated from cryoconite holes of Ny-Ålesund, Arctic.

A psychrophilic yeast species was isolated from glacier cryoconite holes of Svalbard. Nucleotide sequences of the strains were studied using D1/D2 domain, ITS region and partial sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The strains belonged to a clade of psychrophilic yeasts, but showed marked differences from related species in the D1/D2 domain and biochemical characters. Effects of temperature, salt and media on growth of the cultures were also studied. Screening of the cultures for amylase, cellulase, protease, lipase, urease and catalase activities was carried out. The strains expressed high amylase and lipase activities. Freeze tolerance ability of the isolates indicated the formation of unique hexagonal ice crystal structures due to presence of 'antifreeze proteins' (AFPs). FAME analysis of cultures showed a unique trend of increase in unsaturated fatty acids with decrease in temperature. The major fatty acids recorded were oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, myristic acid and pentadecanoic acid. Based on sequence data and, physiological and morphological properties of the strains, we propose a novel species, Rhodotorula svalbardensis and designate strains MLB-I (CCP-II) and CRY-YB-1 (CBS 12863, JCM 19699, JCM 19700, MTCC 10952) as its type strains (Etymology: sval.bar.den'sis. N.L. fem. adj. svalbardensis pertaining to Svalbard).

Draft genome sequence of the basidiomycetous yeast Mrakia hoshinonis JCM 32575T isolated from Ellesmere Island, Canadian High Arctic.

Mrakia hoshinonis JCM 32575 was isolated from glacial sediments on Ellesmere Island in the Canadian High Arctic and described as a new basidiomycetous yeast. This species does not require amino acids and vitamins for growth and can grow at sub-zero temperatures. Here, we report a draft genome sequence of this strain.

Preparation and investigation of the formation mechanism of submicron-sized spherical particles of gold using laser ablation and laser irradiation in liquids.

Results of very recent studies have shown that laser irradiation (LI) of colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) using a non-focused laser beam at moderate fluence transforms the NPs to submicron-sized spherical particles (SMPs). For this study, we applied this technique to prepare gold SMPs from source gold NPs prepared by laser ablation of a gold plate in an aqueous solution. Results show that SMPs were obtained from NPs in pure water, but a considerably large amount of the source NPs were sedimented without LI. On the other hand, SMPs were not obtained from NPs stabilized by 1 mM citrate. These findings indicate that the agglomeration of the source NPs prior to the laser-induced melting is important to obtain SMPs, although the sedimentation of the source NPs caused by considerable agglomeration should be reduced to obtain SMPs efficiently. A proper condition of the agglomeration tendency of the source NPs to prepare SMPs reducing the sedimentation of the source NPs was obtainable by simply adjusting the citrate solution concentration. Moreover, investigation of the temporal dynamics of the formation process of SMPs suggested that the agglomeration of the source NPs not only is controlled by citrate but also is induced by LI. LI brings about the decomposition and removal of citrate molecules on the surface of the source NPs, and cause the agglomeration of the source NPs dynamically; then it brings about the fusion of the agglomerated NPs.

Bioethanol production from Lignocellulosic biomass by a novel Kluyveromyces marxianus strain.

The yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus is considered as a potential alternative to Saccharomyces cerevisiae in producing ethanol as a biofuel. In this study, we investigated the ethanol fermentation properties of novel K. marxianus strain DMB1, isolated from bagasse hydrolysates. This strain utilized sorbitol as well as various pentoses and hexoses as single carbon sources under aerobic conditions and produced ethanol from glucose in hydrolysates of the Japanese cedar at 42 °C. Reference strains K. marxianus NBRC1777 and S. cerevisiae BY4743 did not assimilate sorbitol or ferment lignocellulosic hydrolysates to ethanol at this temperature. Thus strain DMB1 appears to be optimal for producing bioethanol at high temperatures, and might provide a valuable means of increasing the efficiency of ethanol fermentation.

Influence of initial pH on ethanol production by the Antarctic basidiomycetous yeast Mrakia blollopis.

The Antarctic basidiomycetous yeast Mrakia blollopis SK-4 fermented ethanol between pH 5.0 and pH 10.0 with optimum pH at 8.0-10.0. Knowledge of ethanol fermentability as to the genus Mrakia remains incomplete. Further experiments are required to elucidate the ethanol fermentability of genus e.g., as to optimum fermentation pH, optimum fermentation temperature, and cell viability during fermentation.

Taxonomic characterization, adaptation strategies and biotechnological potential of cryophilic yeasts from ice cores of Midre Lovénbreen glacier, Svalbard, Arctic.

Ten strains of cryophilic yeast were studied from glacier ice cores of Svalbard, Arctic. The ice melt samples contained about 3×10(3) - 1×10(4) colony forming unit (CFUs) per ml. Sequence analysis of the isolates, using D1/D2 domain identified five species of yeasts: Cryptococcus adeliensis (MLB-18 JX192655), Cryptococcus albidosimilis (MLB-19 JX192656), Cryptococcus saitoi (MLB-22 JX192659), Rhodosporidium lusitaniae (MLB-20 JX192657), and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (MLB-27 JX192664). Effect of temperature on growth of these isolates was studied. The strains are able to grow at temperatures ranging between 1 and 20°C. Screening of the cultures for amylase, cellulase, protease, lipase, urease and catalase activity were carried out indicating varying amounts of enzyme production at different temperatures. Characterization of lipase in strain Cryptococcus sp. MLB-24 was performed. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis of the cultures grown at four different temperatures (1, 4, 15, and 20°C) was also done. Decrease in temperature was reported to cause increase in concentration of unsaturated fatty acids. High amount of oleic acid accumulated with increase in temperature. These fatty acids possibly help the strains to survive in glacial ice core cold environment. The extracellular and intracellular filtrate of the cultures showed negative antifreeze protein (AFP) activity. The observations indicate that probably the isolates in the present undertaking adapt to low temperatures, by enzyme and PUFA secretion rather than by antifreeze protein secretion.

Direct ethanol fermentation from lignocellulosic biomass by Antarctic basidiomycetous yeast Mrakia blollopis under a low temperature condition.

Antarctic basidiomycetous yeast Mrakia blollopis SK-4 has unique fermentability for various sugars under a low temperature condition. Hence, this yeast was used for ethanol fermentation from glucose and also for direct ethanol fermentation (DEF) from cellulosic biomass without/with Tween 80 at 10°C. Maximally, 48.2 g/l ethanol was formed from 12% (w/v) glucose. DEF converted filter paper, Japanese cedar and Eucalyptus to 12.2 g/l, 12.5 g/l and 7.2 g/l ethanol, respectively. In the presence of 1% (v/v) Tween 80, ethanol concentration increased by about 1.1-1.6-fold compared to that without Tween 80. This is the first report on DEF using cryophilic fungi under a low temperature condition. We consider that M. blollopis SK-4 has a good potential for ethanol fermentation in cold environments.

Genome Sequence of Basidiomycetous Yeast Mrakia gelida MGH-2, Isolated from Skarvsnes Ice-Free Area, East Antarctica.

Basidiomycetous yeast Mrakia gelida MGH-2 has been reported from Surikogi Ike in the Skarvsnes ice-free area, East Antarctica. Here, we report on the high-quality genome sequence of the Mrakia gelida MGH-2 strain analyzed by PacBio Sequel and HiSeq 2500 instruments.

Rapid transformation from spherical nanoparticles, nanorods, cubes, or bipyramids to triangular prisms of silver with PVP, citrate, and H2O2.

Rapid sphere-to-prism (STP) transformation of silver was studied in aqueous AgNO(3)/NaBH(4)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/trisodium citrate (Na(3)CA)/H(2)O(2) solutions by monitoring time-dependent surface plasmon resonance (SPR) bands in the UV-vis region, by examining transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images, and by analyzing emitted gases during fast reaction. Roles of PVP, Na(3)CA, and H(2)O(2) were studied without addition of a reagent, with different timing of each reagent's addition, and with addition of H(2)O(2) to mixtures of spheres and prisms. Results show that prisms can be prepared without addition of PVP, although it is useful to synthesize smaller monodispersed prisms. A new important role of citrate found in this study, besides a known role as a protecting agent of {111} facets of plates, is an assistive agent for shape-selective oxidative etching of Ag nanoparticles by H(2)O(2). The covering of Ag nanoparticles with carboxylate groups is necessary to initiate rapid STP transformation by premixing citrate before H(2)O(2) addition. Based on our data, rapid prism formation starts from the consumption of spherical Ag particles because of shape-selective oxidative etching by H(2)O(2). Oxidative etching of spherical particles by H(2)O(2) is faster than that of prisms. Therefore, spherical particles are selectively etched and dissolved, leaving only seeds of prisms to grow into triangular prisms. When pentagonal Ag nanorods and a mixture of cubes and bipyramids were used as sources of prisms, rod-to-prism (RTP), cube-to-prism (CTP), and bipyramid-to-prism (BTP) transformations were observed in Ag nanocrystals/NaBH(4)/PVP/Na(3)CA/H(2)O(2) solutions. Shape-selective oxidative etching of rods was confirmed using flag-type Ag nanostructures consisting of a triangular plate and a side rod. These data provide useful information for the size-controlled synthesis of triangular Ag prisms, from various Ag nanostructures and using a chemical reduction method, having surface plasmon resonance (SPR) bands at a desired wavelength.

High-Quality Genome Sequence of Cystobasidium tubakii JCM 31526T, Isolated from East Ongul Island, Antarctica.

Cystobasidium tubakii has been reported as a new basidiomycetous yeast species from East Ongul Island, East Antarctica. This species does not require amino acids and vitamins for growth and can grow at subzero temperatures. Here, we report a high-quality genome sequence of Cystobasidium tubakii strain JCM 31526T, which was isolated from East Antarctica.

Draft Genome Sequences of Five Cystobasidium ongulense Strains Isolated from Areas near Syowa Station, East Antarctica.

Cystobasidium ongulense has been reported from East Ongul Island near Syowa Station, East Antarctica, as a new basidiomycetous yeast species. This species has cold active lipases and cellulases that are active even at subzero temperatures. We report draft genome sequences of five Cystobasidium ongulense strains isolated from East Antarctica.

ATG8 is conserved between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and psychrophilic, polar-collected fungi.

Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process by which eukaryotic cells respond to stress by targeting damaged or unneeded molecules or organelles for sequestration into specialized vesicles known as autophagosomes. Autophagosomes ultimately facilitate the digestion and recycling of their contents by fusing with the degradative organelle of the cell. Studies of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have revealed various types of stress that can regulate autophagy, including starvation and extreme temperatures. While autophagy has not yet been directly shown to confer the ability to survive extreme cold or freeze-thaw stress in yeast, upregulation of autophagy has been directly implicated in the ability of arctic insects to survive cold temperatures. We are interested in investigating the potential role of autophagy in polar habitat survival by cold-loving (psychrophilic) yeast like Mrakia blollopsis. To begin to examine the conservation of Atg machinery in polar-collected yeast, we focused on Atg8, a small, ubiquitin-like protein that plays an important role in autophagy. We report that Atg8 is conserved between S. cerevisiae and polar-collected yeast, using Atg8 from Mrakia blollopsis (strain TGK1-2) as an example. This study represents the first direct examination of autophagy machinery conservation across mesophilic and psychrophilic species of yeast.