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Background: Given the demonstrated utility of Third Generation Sequencing [Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT)] long reads in many studies, a comprehensive analysis and comparison of their data quality and applications is in high demand. Methods: Based on the transcriptome sequencing data from human embryonic stem cells, we analyzed multiple data features of PacBio and ONT, including error pattern, length, mappability and technical improvements over previous platforms. We also evaluated their application to transcriptome analyses, such as isoform identification and quantification and characterization of transcriptome complexity, by comparing the performance of size-selected PacBio, non-size-selected ONT and their corresponding Hybrid-Seq strategies (PacBio+Illumina and ONT+Illumina). Results: PacBio shows overall better data quality, while ONT provides a higher yield. As with data quality, PacBio performs marginally better than ONT in most aspects for both long reads only and Hybrid-Seq strategies in transcriptome analysis. In addition, Hybrid-Seq shows superior performance over long reads only in most transcriptome analyses. Conclusions: Both PacBio and ONT sequencing are suitable for full-length single-molecule transcriptome analysis. As this first use of ONT reads in a Hybrid-Seq analysis has shown, both PacBio and ONT can benefit from a combined Illumina strategy. The tools and analytical methods developed here provide a resource for future applications and evaluations of these rapidly-changing technologies.

Junctophilin-2 (JP2) is a structural protein required for normal excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling. Following cardiac stress, JP2 is cleaved by Ca2+-dependent protease calpain, which disrupts the E-C coupling ultrastructural machinery and drives heart failure progression. Here we demonstrate that stress-induced proteolysis of JP2 liberates an N-terminal fragment (JP2NT) that translocates to the nucleus, binds to genomic DNA and controls expression of a spectrum of genes in cardiomyocytes. Transgenic overexpression of JP2NT in mice modifies the transcriptional profile resulting in attenuated pathological remodeling in response to cardiac stress. Conversely, loss of JP2NT function accelerates stress-induced development of hypertrophy and heart failure in mutant mice. These data reveal a self-protective mechanism in failing cardiomyocytes that transduce mechanical information (E-C uncoupling) into salutary transcriptional reprogramming in the stressed heart.

Electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) offers a promising way of effectively converting CO2 to value‐added chemicals and fuels by utilizing renewable electricity. To date, the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to single‐carbon products, especially carbon monoxide and formate, has been well achieved. However, the efficient conversion of CO2 to more valuable multicarbon products (e.g., ethylene, ethanol, n‐propanol, and n‐butanol) is difficult and still under intense investigation. Here, recent progresses in the electrochemical CO2 reduction to multicarbon products using copper‐based catalysts are reviewed. First, the mechanism of CO2RR is briefly described. Then, representative approaches of catalyst engineering are introduced toward the formation of multicarbon products in CO2RR, such as composition, morphology, crystal phase, facet, defect, strain, and surface and interface. Subsequently, key aspects of cell engineering for CO2RR, including electrode, electrolyte, and cell design, are also discussed. Finally, recent advances are summarized and some personal perspectives in this research direction are provided.

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