Biology subjects

Nguyen, M. T. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Nguyen, M. T. A..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Molecular Phylogeny and Cryptic Morphology: A Combined Approach to Taxonomic Novelties in Polycarpaea (Caryophyllaceae) from Vietnam

Three new species of Polycarpaea from Vietnam, P. vanana, P. chungana, P. duongana are described and illustrated based on evidence of molecular sequence data from two markers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and rps16) and combined morphological characteristics. Polycarpaea vanana is closely related to Polycarpaea gaudichaudi, P. arenaria, P. duongana but differs by its stem glabrous, leaf ovate to elliptic, glabrous, ovary oblong ovoid, base obtuse, apex attenuate, capsule oblong void, 3.8 mm long. P. duongana differs from the three species mentioned above by its stem being densely villous, leaf spathulate, ciliate, ovary ovoid, base acute, apex obtuse, capsule ovoid, 1.2 mm long. Polycarpaea chungana is most similar to P. lignosa but differs in having leaf oblong or linear, sparse ciliate, sepal and petal apex deeply concaved or slightly bifid, ovary ovoid, ovoid, 0.8-1.0 mm long. Furthermore, the achievements of analysis using molecular data on the systematic positions of 7 other species are results that have not been in previous molecular analyses.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Enzymatic assembly of small synthetic genes with repetitive elements

Gene synthesis efficiency has greatly improved in recent years but is limited when it comes to repetitive sequences and results in synthesis failure or delays by DNA synthesis vendors. This is representing a major obstacle for the development of synthetic biology, since repetitive elements are increasingly being used in design of genetic circuits and design of biomolecular nanostructures. Here, we describe a method for the assembly of small synthetic genes with repetitive elements: First, a gene of interest is split in silico into small synthons of up to 80 base pairs flanked by Golden Gate-compatible overhangs. Then, synthons are made by oligo extension and finally assembled into a synthetic gene by Golden Gate Assembly. We demonstrate the method by constructing eight challenging genes with repetitive elements e.g., multiple repeats of RNA aptamers and RNA origami scaffolds with multiple identical aptamers. The genes range in size from 133 to 456 base pairs and are assembled with fidelities of up to 87.5 %. The method was developed to facilitate our own specific research but may be of general use for constructing challenging and repetitive genes and thus a valuable addition to the molecular cloning toolbox.

synthetic biology↗