http://hdl.handle.net/10256/16374 2025-05-07T18:46:40Z 2025-05-07T18:46:40Z Bartres Gordils, David http://hdl.handle.net/10256/25895 2024-12-20T12:20:29Z 2024-07-01T00:00:00Z

A Review of Sarda sarda Population Structure Using the Mitochondrial Control Region as a Genetic Marker Bartres Gordils, David The Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) is an epipelagic and neritic marine fish that inhabits most of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic’s coasts. It is one of the most important species of small tuna in these areas due to its economical and nutritional value. Despite its importance, more genetic information about it and its population structure is required for a better understanding of this species and possible future management approaches. Here, a review on previous data belonging to the “Laboratori d’Ictiologia Genètica” of the University of Girona was made through different genetic and statistical tests. The resulting sample size consists of almost 1000 individuals of S. sarda, being to our knowledge the most extensive study of this species to date, encompassing almost all species distribution. Results demonstrate a high molecular variability for Atlantic bonito throughout studied locations and correlate with a division on two highly differentiated phylogenetic clades that have already been described in previous studies. These clades appear to be more abundant in some locations, Clade 1 in the Atlantic side of the African coast and the eastern Mediterranean and Clade 2 in the North-West Atlantic and the Western Mediterranean. Clade 1 individuals’ haplotypes are more similar between them but experience an uneven spread throughout locations, whereas Clade 2 experiences the opposite phenomenon. Population structure was clearly defined for S. sarda as North-West Atlantic, African Coast and the Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean structure (with Portugal included) was divided in the Western Mediterranean, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Malta, these results, however, did not prove conclusive enough and more experimentation in that particular field is required, mainly increasing sample size in the Eastern Mediterranean, specifically the Marmara Sea. Evidence also challenged the hypothesis of the Strait of Gibraltar constituting a biogeographical barrier and chronological genetic drift, in spite of that, evidence in favour of geographical genetic drift was found for Atlantic bonito. To our understanding, this work could improve fishery management in the future for S. sarda due to the amount of genetical information and characterization it provides on this species alongside strong and robust evidential data to support it

2024-07-01T00:00:00Z Buj Douirin, Paloma Marie http://hdl.handle.net/10256/24270 2024-02-02T10:57:31Z 2023-07-01T00:00:00Z

Parameter validation for a genomics population analysis Buj Douirin, Paloma Marie A study by Ollé, J. and Viñas, J. aims to help create guidelines for the regulation of Atlantic Bonito, as it is an overfished species found in the Mediterranean, the coasts of the Iberian Peninsula, and the northwestern African continent. Being a commercially important species, it is necessary to determine which populations are part of it in order to create a conservation plan for biodiversity and prevent the loss of genetic variability in this species. To achieve this, samples have been collected from 92 individuals from Tunisia, Spain, northern Portugal, southern Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, and Ivory Coast. The restriction associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) technique has been employed to genotype all individuals and observe genetic differences among populations. This sequenced genetic information needs to go through an assembly program called Stacks, which includes the parameters m, M, and n that determine how these assemblies will be produced and influence the coverage and number of detected polymorphic sites. Therefore, this study investigates how these parameters m, M, and n influence a small representation of the populations, namely three individuals per population, to determine the most efficient values for recovering the maximum number of true polymorphic loci with high sequence coverage. Consequently, eleven tests are generated with different combinations of parameters corresponding to the mean values within the range of possible values. After collecting coverage and polymorphic loci data obtained from Stacks, the nonparametric statistical Kruskal-Wallis test is used, which reveals significant differences between the tests, both in terms of polymorphic data and coverage. In the case of coverage, it is observed that it mainly depends on the parameter m. Although there are significant differences between the highest and lowest assigned values of m, the data already shows high coverage for all the m values. Finally, the polymorphic site data reveal many more significant differences between groups, primarily dependent on M and n. The most important conclusion of this project is that for each set of RADseq data, a prior parameter validation step must be carried out since optimal values can vary depending on the species. In the case of the data used in this project, there is no single correct combination of parameters. Therefore, the obtained results serve as a guide for future projects using Atlantic Bonito data or related species when deciding the most optimal values for that specific data set

2023-07-01T00:00:00Z Bermejo i Cuadros, Joan http://hdl.handle.net/10256/23609 2024-03-01T09:09:05Z 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z

Optimization of electromethanogenesis: effect of operating condition under mesophilic conditions Bermejo i Cuadros, Joan In 2019, over 90% of the global population live exposed to poor air quality, which represents a significant threat to public health worldwide. In indoor spaces, where humans spend most of their time, can reach higher concentrations of pollutants such as CO2, a greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Therefore, there is an increasing need to develop technologies to mitigate atmospheric CO2 and enhance indoor air quality, which has great relevance for human health, but also technologies capable of transforming the captured CO2 into value-added products to be used on-site or to be introduced into the market, generating economic benefits. To address these challenges, the MICRO-BIO process is proposed as a comprehensive platform to capture CO2 from indoor air and transform it into valuable carbon-neutral chemicals by coupling CO2 direct air capture to a bioelectrochemical system (BES). Microbial electrosynthesis technologies (MEST) reactors rely on chemolithoautotrophic microorganisms that can reduce CO2 by the H2-mediated archaeal-type Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. The production rates in MES reactors are widely variable and dependent on several factors such as reactor materials, inoculum sources, and operation parameters. This final degree project focuses on studying the operating conditions of a BES bioelectrochemical transformation of indoor CO2 into CH4. For that purpose, several experiments are established changing the hydraulic residence time (HRT) and empty bed residence time (EBRT). The acquired results suggest that the studied BES had a 50-day adaptation period of the biomass to adjust their metabolism to the switch between fed-batch and continuous mode operation. Also, HRT and EBRT effects on CH4 conversion and productivity rate were evaluated. During experimentation, the biofilm CH4 productivity rate was underestimated, so to avoid washout, the use of pearls containing the biomass is proposed for future optimization. Furthermore, the obtained results demonstrate that the limiting reagent for CO2 reduction is H2, so increasing the applied voltage is proposed for future experimentation to increase water hydrolysis, providing more H2 to the MES system, and subsequently increasing the conversion and productivity rate. CO2 mass transfer of CO2 from gas to the liquid phase was also limiting the CH4 conversion. To improve the system and avoid mass transfer limitations, capillary module assembly is required for future experimentation

2023-06-01T00:00:00Z López Gil, Sofía http://hdl.handle.net/10256/23603 2023-11-07T08:56:30Z 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z

Nanotechnology-based strategies in cancer medicine: a comprehensive review López Gil, Sofía Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide and poses a major challenge in health research, requiring constant innovation in order to make significant progress. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising technology with the potential to revolutionize cancer medicine. This bibliographic review provides a comprehensive overview of the available literature on the use of nanotechnology in cancer research. The superior properties and diversity of nanomaterials make them ideal candidates for targeting cancer cells and delivering therapeutic drugs. Several types of nanoparticles, such as liposomes, polymers or quantum dots, along with their applications in cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment are discussed in detail. The high specific yield and the facility to modify and functionalize them with ligands for specific targets make nanoparticles useful tools in cancer therapy. Although the use of nanotechnology in cancer treatment is quite new, the number of clinical trials and approved nanoparticles is constantly increasing. This review further explores nanotechnology-based strategies in various areas of cancer therapy such as gene therapy, immunotherapy and photothermal and photodynamic therapy. It also highlights some of the current challenges, including nanoparticle design optimization, overcoming biological barriers and minimizing possible toxicity and side effects to improve drug delivery and targeting. Recent studies have also focused on improving the stability, biocompatibility and controlled release of therapeutic nanoparticles. Furthermore, nanotechnology can also play a significant role in the early detection of cancer through its application in tumor imaging diagnostic techniques, increasing resolution and sensitivity. Lastly, this review also discusses some potential future steps, such as the combination of different nanotechnology-based therapies. Continuous research and collaboration among scientists are of utmost importance to overcome current challenges and maximize the therapeutic potential of nanotechnology in cancer medicine

2023-06-01T00:00:00Z