The Rhodoexplorer Platform for Red Algal Genomics and Whole-Genome Assemblies for Several Gracilaria Species.

Macroalgal (seaweed) genomic resources are generally lacking as compared with other eukaryotic taxa, and this is particularly true in the red algae (Rhodophyta). Understanding red algal genomes is critical to understanding eukaryotic evolution given that red algal genes are spread across eukaryotic lineages from secondary endosymbiosis and red algae diverged early in the Archaeplastids. The Gracilariales is a highly diverse and widely distributed order including species that can serve as ecosystem engineers in intertidal habitats and several notorious introduced species. The genus Gracilaria is cultivated worldwide, in part for its production of agar and other bioactive compounds with downstream pharmaceutical and industrial applications. This genus is also emerging as a model for algal evolutionary ecology. Here, we report new whole-genome assemblies for two species (Gracilaria chilensis and Gracilaria gracilis), a draft genome assembly of Gracilaria caudata, and genome annotation of the previously published Gracilaria vermiculophylla genome. To facilitate accessibility and comparative analysis, we integrated these data in a newly created web-based portal dedicated to red algal genomics (https://rhodoexplorer.sb-roscoff.fr). These genomes will provide a resource for understanding algal biology and, more broadly, eukaryotic evolution.

Electrospun tubular scaffolds: on the effectiveness of blending poly(ε-caprolactone) with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate).

Tissue engineering can effectively contribute to the development of novel vascular prostheses aimed to overcome the well-known drawbacks of small-diameter grafts. To date, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), a bioresorbable synthetic poly(α-hydroxyester), is considered one of the most promising materials for vascular tissue engineering. In this work, the potential advantage of intimate blending soft PCL and hard poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), a polymer of microbial origin, has been evaluated. Nonwoven mats and small-diameter tubular scaffolds of PCL, PHBV, and PCL/PHBV were fabricated by means of electrospinning technique. Mechanical properties and suture retention strength were investigated according to the international standard for cardiovascular implants. Biological tests demonstrated that both PCL-based scaffolds supported survival and growth of rat cerebral endothelial cells in a short time. The fiber alignment of the electrospun tubular scaffolds contributed to a more rapid and homogeneous cell colonization of the luminal surface.