The complete DNA sequence of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome XI has been determined. In addition to a compact arrangement of potential protein coding sequences, the 666,448-base-pair sequence has revealed general chromosome patterns; in particular, alternating regional variations in average base composition correlate with variations in local gene density along the chromosome. Significant discrepancies with the previously published genetic map demonstrate the need for using independent physical mapping criteria.

The MIPS group (Martinsried Institute for Protein Sequences) at the Max-Planck-Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried near Munich, Germany, collects, processes and distributes protein sequence data within the framework of the tripartite association of the PIR-International Protein Sequence Database (,). MIPS contributes nearly 50% of the data input to the PIR-International Protein Sequence Database. The database is distributed on CD-ROM together with PATCHX, an exhaustive supplement of unique, unverified protein sequences from external sources compiled by MIPS. Through its WWW server (http://www.mips.biochem.mpg.de/ ) MIPS permits internet access to sequence databases, homology data and to yeast genome information. (i) Sequence similarity results from the FASTA program () are stored in the FASTA database for all proteins from PIR-International and PATCHX. The database is dynamically maintained and permits instant access to FASTA results. (ii) Starting with FASTA database queries, proteins have been classified into families and superfamilies (PROT-FAM). (iii) The HPT (hashed position tree) data structure () developed at MIPS is a new approach for rapid sequence and pattern searching. (iv) MIPS provides access to the sequence and annotation of the complete yeast genome (), the functional classification of yeast genes (FunCat) and its graphical display, the 'Genome Browser' (). A CD-ROM based on the JAVA programming language providing dynamic interactive access to the yeast genome and the related protein sequences has been compiled and is available on request.

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As a result of the rapidly growing importance of applications in electro mobility that require a precisely defined laser weld depth, the demand for inline process monitoring and control is increasing. To overcome the challenges in process data acquisition, this paper proposes the application of a novel sensor concept for deep penetration laser beam welding with high brilliance laser sources. The experiments show that optical coherence tomography (OCT) can be used to measure the weld depth by comparing the distance to the material surface with the distance to the keyhole bottom measured by the sensor. Within the presented work, the measuring principle was used for the first time to observe a welding process with a highly focused laser beam source. First, a preliminary experimental study was carried out to evaluate the influence of the angle of incidence, the material, and the weld joint geometry on the quality of the sensor signal. When using a multimode fiber laser with a focus diameter of 320 μm, the measurements showed a distinct behavior for aluminum and copper. The findings about the measurement signal properties were then applied to laser beam welding with a single-mode fiber laser with a spot diameter of only 55 μm. The spot diameter of the OCT measuring beam was about 50 μm and thus only slightly smaller than that of the single-mode processing beam. A wide variety of tests were carried out to determine the limits of the measurement procedure. The results show that the application of OCT allows inline monitoring of the weld depth using both a multimode and a highly focused single-mode laser beam. In addition, various influences on the signal were identified, e.g., the material-specific melt pool dynamics as well as several characteristic reflection and absorption properties.

Spirochaeta thermophila is a thermophilic, free-living anaerobe that is able to degrade various ␣-and ␤-linked sugar polymers, including cellulose. We report here the complete genome sequence of S. thermophila DSM 6192, which is the first genome sequence of a thermophilic, free-living member of the Spirochaetes phylum. The genome data reveal a high density of genes encoding enzymes from more than 30 glycoside hydrolase families, a noncellulosomal enzyme system for (hemi)cellulose degradation, and indicate the presence of a novel carbohydrate-binding module.

Due to the increasing electrification of automotive drives and the expansion of decentralized renewable energy generation, the consumption of copper for the fabrication of electrical components such as electric motors or conducting paths increases. To join these components, laser welding is more frequently used since it represents a flexible and fully automatable joining process. Because of the high thermal conductivity, the low absorption coefficient for infrared wavelength of common laser beam sources and the resulting limited process efficiency, welding of copper alloys represents a major challenge for laser assisted processes. In this paper, experimental investigations are presented to identify arising process limits during laser welding of pure copper materials with multi-mode fiber lasers at near infrared wavelength depending on the applied laser power and welding velocity. In addition, a potential stabilization of the welding process by shielding gas support was examined. Further investigations were focused on the influence of shielding gas on the molten pool geometry.