University of Crete

About: University of Crete is a education organization based out in Rethymno, Greece. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Galaxy. The organization has 8681 authors who have published 21684 publications receiving 709078 citations. The organization is also known as: Panepistimio Kritis.

Secretion by numbers: protein traffic in prokaryotes

Abstract: Almost all aspects of protein traffic in bacteria were covered at the ASM-FEMS meeting on the topic in Iraklio, Crete in May 2006. The studies presented ranged from mechanistic analysis of specific events leading proteins to their final destinations to the physiological roles of the targeted proteins. Among the highlights from the meeting that are reviewed here are the molecular dynamics of SecA protein, membrane protein insertion, type III secretion needles and chaperones, type IV secretion, the two partner and autosecretion systems, the 'secretion competent state', and the recently discovered type VI secretion system.

All in one porous material: Exceptional sorption and selective sensing of hexavalent chromium by using a Zr4+ MOF

Abstract: We report a new microporous metal–organic framework (MOF) H16[Zr6O16(H2PATP)4]Cl8·xH2O (H2PATP = 2-((pyridin-1-ium-2-ylmethyl)ammonio)terephthalate), denoted as MOR-2 (metal organic resin-2). MOR-2 represents the first Zr4+-terephthalate MOF with an 8-connected net and also the first example where a bulky functional group was introduced into the terephthalate scaffold prior to the MOF synthesis. MOR-2 shows extraordinary capability to rapidly capture (within 1 min) hexavalent chromium with a sorption capacity up to 194 mg Cr(VI) per g, which far exceeds those reported for the known Cr(VI) sorbents. Moreover, MOR-2 in its composite form with alginic acid (HA) can be utilized in ion exchange columns, which are highly efficient for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions including industrial waste samples and also can be regenerated and reused several times with minimal loss (<20%) of their capacity. Besides an excellent sorbent, MOR-2 is also a highly efficient sensor for real time detection of Cr(VI) species as revealed by fluorescence titration experiments in acidic aqueous media. The Cr(VI) detection limits were found as low as 4 ppb, while the system exhibited excellent sensitivity when real world, instead of standard, samples were employed. Thus, the MOR-2 material is a unique example combining both excellent sorption and exceptional luminescence sensing of Cr(VI) species in aqueous solutions.

The Role of Mitophagy in Innate Immunity

Abstract: Mitochondria are cellular organelles essential for multiple biological processes, including energy production, metabolites biosynthesis, cell death, and immunological responses among others. Recent advances in the field of immunology research reveal the pivotal role of energy metabolism in innate immune cells fate and function. Therefore, the maintenance of mitochondrial network integrity and activity is a prerequisite for immune system homeostasis. Mitochondrial selective autophagy, known as mitophagy, surveils mitochondrial population eliminating superfluous and/or impaired organelles and mediating cellular survival and viability in response to injury/trauma and infection. Defective removal of damaged mitochondria leads to hyperactivation of inflammatory signaling pathways and subsequently to chronic systemic inflammation and development of inflammatory diseases. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms of mitophagy and highlight its critical role in the innate immune system homeostasis.

Optical Superfluid Phase Transitions and Trapping of Polariton Condensates

Abstract: Semiconductor microcavities are used to support freely flowing polariton quantum liquids allowing the direct observation and optical manipulation of macroscopic quantum states. Incoherent optical excitation at a point produces radially expanding condensate clouds within the planar geometry. By using arbitrary configurations of multiple pump spots, we discover a geometrically controlled phase transition, switching from the coherent phase-locking of multiple condensates to the formation of a single trapped condensate. The condensation threshold becomes strongly dependent on the programmed superfluid geometry and sensitive to cooperative interactions between condensates. We directly image persistently circulating superfluid and show how flows of light-matter quasiparticles are dominated by the quantum pressure in such configurable laser-written potential landscapes.