La maturation des fruits est un processus complexe, principalement régulé par l'hormone végétal éthylène, qui entraîne d'importants changements métaboliques et physiologiques, ayant pour résultat la dispersion des graines. Le changement le plus visible qui se produit pendant la maturation des fruits est le changement de couleur. L'organite responsable de ce phénomène est le chromoplaste, lieu d’accumulation des caroténoïdes. Toutefois, ce n'est pas son unique rôle. Il a été montré qu’il est aussi impliqué dans la biosynthèse des lipides, de l’amidon, des vitamines et des arômes. Parce que la plupart des protéines (95%) qui composent le protéome du chromoplaste sont codées par le noyau, l’approche génomique n'est pas suffisante pour connaître les fonctions de chromoplaste dans la synthèse des métabolites d'intérêt. La protéomique de haut débit associée à la bio- nformatique a été utilisée pour caractériser le chromoplaste de tomate. L’analyse du protéome de chromoplastes de fruits de tomate rouges a révélé la présence de 988 protéines correspondantes à 802 unigènes d’Arabidopsis, dont 209 n’ont pas été répertoriés jusqu'à présent dans des banques de données plastidiales. Ces données ont révélé plusieurs caractéristiques du chromoplaste. Les protéines du métabolisme des lipides et de trafic sont bien représentées, y compris toutes les protéines de la voie de la lipoxygénase nécessaire à la synthèse des arômes volatiles dérivés de lipides. Les protéines impliquées dans la synthèse de l'amidon coexistent avec plusieurs protéines qui dégradent l'amidon. Les chromoplastes ne contiennent plus les protéines de biosynthèse de la chlorophylle mais contiennent des protéines impliquées dans la dégradation de la chlorophylle. Aucun des protéines impliquées dans le mécanisme de transport thylacoïdal n’ont été trouvées. Étonnamment, les chromoplastes contiennent l'ensemble des protéines du cycle de Calvin, y compris la Rubisco, ainsi que la voie des pentoses phosphates (OxPPP). L'analyse de l'évolution du transcriptome des gènes codant pour des protéines chromoplastiques a été réalisée. Ces données ont confirmé la réduction de la photosynthèse et le maintien du cycle de Calvin, ainsi que la biosynthèse de l'amidon et des lipides. Des analyses biochimiques complémentaires ont montré dans des chromoplastes isolés la présence d’une activité de deux enzymes importantes dans la biosynthèse des arômes (lipoxygénase et l'alcool déshydrogénase). Par ailleurs, à l’aide du couplage de protéines à la GFP et à leur expression dans des protoplastes, nous avons montré que des protéines ne présentant pas de peptide signal peuvent être localisées dans le chromoplaste. Enfin, un protocole d'isolement des plastes de fruits de tomate à différents stades de maturation a été mis au point et les fractions plastidiales ainsi obtenues ont été caractérisées par la microscopie confocale à balayage laser. La transition du chloroplaste à chromoplaste est un processus qui n'a jamais été décrit par la protéomique. Ce travail est en cours et devrait répondre à certaines questions concernant les changements qui ont lieu dans l'organite, et apporter des informations nouvelles pour la compréhension de la maturation des fruits. / Fruit ripening is a complex process, mainly regulated by the fruit hormone ethylene, resulting in significant metabolic and physiological changes, having as outcome seed dispersal. The most flagrant change taking place during ripening is the change in color. The organelle responsible for this is the chromoplast, the place of carotenoids accumulation. However this is not its unique role. It was found to be involved in lipid, starch, vitamins and aroma biosynthesis. Due to the fact that most proteins (95%) composing the chromoplast are codified by the nucleus knowledge on gene expression and genome sequences is not useful in the investigation of the functions of chromoplast in the synthesis of the metabolites of interest. High- hroughput proteomics associated with bio-informatics was used to characterize the tomato chromoplast and to reveal its intimate structure. Analysis of the proteome of red fruit chromoplasts revealed the presence of 988 proteins corresponding to 802 Arabidopsis unigenes, among which 209 had not been listed so far in plastidial data banks. These data revealed several features of the chromoplast. Proteins of lipid metabolism and trafficking were well represented, including all the proteins of the lipoxygenase pathway required for the synthesis of lipid-derived aroma volatiles. Proteins involved in starch synthesis co- xisted with several starch-degrading proteins and starch excess proteins. Chromoplasts lacked proteins of the chlorophyll biosynthesis branch and contained proteins involved in chlorophyll degradation. None of the proteins involved in the thylakoid transport machinery were discovered. Surprisingly, chromoplasts contain the entire set of Calvin cycle proteins including Rubisco, as well as the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (OxPPP). The analysis of the evolution of the transcriptome of chromoplastic protein-encoding genes was performed. This data confirmed the reduction of the photosynthesis and the maintenance of the Calvin cycle, and of the lipid and starch biosynthesis. Further analysis is performed showing the activity of two important actors in the aroma biosynthesis (lipoxygenase and alcohol dehydrogenase). Several proteins with possible chromoplastic location were coupled with the GFP and expressed in the single cell system. A protocol for isolating tomato fruit chloroplasts and immature chromoplasts was described along with the characterization of the plastidial fractions by confocal microscopy. The transition of the chloroplast to chromoplast is a process that was never described by means of proteomics. This work answers some questions regarding the changes that take place in the organelle, and brings novel information for the understanding of fruit ripening process

Les piles à combustible microbiennes, en tant que biotechnologie potentiellement durable, peuvent assurer la conversion directe de la matière organique en électricité en utilisant des biofilms bactériens comme biocatalyseurs. Dans un context politique où les législations françaises et européennes favorisent et imposent la revalorisation des déchets organiques provenant des industries ou des collectivités territoriales, les biopiles microbiennes semblent un moyen peu couteux et prometteur pour répondre à ce besoin. Cette thèse a pour objectif d'améliorer les connaissances sur la formation des biofilms électroactifs à la surface de l'anode, et de comprendre les mécanismes impliqués dans la compétition entre les bactéries électroactives et les autres communautés bactériennes dans le but d'améliorer la sélection des bactéries électroactives dans le biofilm anodique. Une attention particulière sera portée sur les forces de cisaillement comme un outil de control de la formation des biofilms anodiques. Ces recherches ont pour but à long terme d'améliorer la production d’électricité produite par les biopiles microbiennes, et plus particulièrement d’améliorer les performances du compartiment anodique, en vue d’appliquer cette technologie dans les stations d’épurations pour la réduction du coût énergétique du traitement des eaux usées. A travers cette thèse, différents points sur la dynamique des communautés bactériennes lors de la formation du biofilm ont été mis en évidence. La formation du biofilm est divisée en deux étapes. Dans un premier temps, les bactéries électroactives (EAB) non spécifiques se développent dans toutes les biopiles, produisant ou non de l'électricité et dans le milieu liquide comme sur l’anode. Les EAB spécifiques deviennent ensuite plus compétitives et prédominantes mais seulement dans les biopiles produisant de l'électricité et seulement dans le biofilm anodique. Cette deuxième étape correspond à une augmentation exponentielle de la production d'électricité. A partir de ces résultats, nous émettons l'hypothèse qu'une inhibition de la première étape devrait diminuer la compétition entre les EAB non spécifiques et spécifiques au cours de la colonisation anodique, et favoriser la croissance des EAB spécifiques dans le biofilm. Nous proposons d'utiliser la contrainte de cisaillement pour sélectionner les EAB spécifiques pendant l'étape d'adhésion en détachant les EAB non spécifiques. Dans un premier temps, pour cette étude, des biopiles avec une configuration de chambre à écoulement de cisaillement ont été conçues, construites et mises en place. Les résultats démontrent que sous une contrainte de cisaillement élevée, l'abondance des EAB spécifiques telle que Geobacter était très élevée, jusqu'à 30,14% en opposition à une contrainte de cisaillement faible où l'abondance relative était inférieure à 1%. En outre, la contrainte de cisaillement diminue le pourcentage de couverture de la surface anodique, ce qui montre que la sélection des EAB spécifiques se produit en détachant d'autres bactéries. Ainsi, la contrainte de cisaillement pourrait être utilisée pour sélectionner les EAB spécifiques durant les premières étapes d’adhésion. Enfin, l'effet de la contrainte de cisaillement sur la sélection microbienne au cours de la croissance du biofilm a été étudié. Ces résultats confirment les conclusions précédentes: les EAB spécifiques sont sélectionnées lorsque les contraintes de cisaillement sont plus élevées. Ce travail démontre le rôle majeur des contraintes de cisaillement dans la formation du biofilm L'utilisation de contraintes de cisaillement pourrait être un moyen de contrôler la sélection des EAB et la quantité de matières mortes dans les biofilms anodiques. C’est un facteur qui devrait être pris en compte dans l’architecture et la mise en place des réacteurs / Microbial fuel cells (MFCs), as a potentially sustainable biotechnology, can directly convert organic matter into electricity by using bacterial biofilms as biocatalysts. In a political context where European legislation favors and imposes the revalorization of organic waste from industries, MFC seems an inexpensive and promising technology to meet this need. The aim of this thesis is to improve knowledge of the formation of electroactive biofilms on the anodic surface, and to understand the mechanisms involved in the competition between electroactive bacteria (EAB) and other bacteria. Special attention will be paid to shear force as a tool to control the formation of anodic biofilms. First, bacterial successions have been studied under stationary conditions and in standard laboratory configurations. The results show that the formation of the biofilm is divided in two stages. At first, non-specific EAB grow in all MFCs, producing or not electricity. Then, specific EAB become predominant only in MFCs producing electricity and is associated to an exponential increase of electricity. From these results, we hypothesize that inhibition of the first step should decrease the competition between nonspecific and specific EAB. We propose to use the shear stress to select specific EAB during the adhesion. First, MFCs with a shear stress flow chamber configuration were designed, constructed and set up. The results show that the proportion of specific EAB such as Geobacter was higher, up to 30.14% as opposed to a lower shear stress (less than 1%). Then, the effect of shear stress on microbial selection during biofilm growth was studied. These results confirm the previous conclusions: specific EAB are selected when shear stress is higher. This work demonstrates the major role of shear stress in biofilm formation and could be a way to control the selection of EAB. This factor should be taken into account in the architecture and implementation of the reactors

This diploma thesis deals with the study of film formation in compliant contact. Primary attention is dedicated to the influence of the entrainment speed and slide-to-roll ratio (SRR) on the central film thickness. Based on a research study of the available experimental methods, the fluorescence microscopy was used to achieve the aim of the work. Experiments were realized in ball-on-disk configuration. Firstly, a validation of the method was performed where the solid contact of the ceramic ball and the glass disk was analyzed. Since the measured values were in a good agreement with the theoretical prediction, a ball of NBR rubber material, which is commonly used for production of lip seals and o-rings, was subsequently used. The experimental measurements were performed under pure rolling and rolling/sliding conditions when the entrainment speeds varied in the range from 10 to 400 mm / s. A constant load of 0.2 N was applied. The measured data were then compared to the theoretical predictions for compliant contacts. The results showed that the thickness of the lubricating film gradually increases with increasing entrainment speed, which corresponds to theoretical assumption. Against expectations, evident influence of SRR on the film formation has been observed. In the last part of the thesis the measured data are confronted with previously published studies. Finally, some limitations of this study are discussed and recommendations for further improvement of the used experimental method are suggested.

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the penetration features of the hydrofobized hyaluronic acid – based polymeric micelles using Nile red as carried tracer. Furthermore, to implement basic characterization of polymeric micelles for potential cosmetic applications using Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) as carried substance. It was found that the size of the polymeric micelles with carried CoQ10 did not exceed 100 nm. Applied delivery systems based on hydrophobic hyaluronic acid were suitable for potential topical application. Delivery systems with Nile Red as carried tracer demonstrated excellent penetration features. We assume that delivery systems with CoQ10 will exhibit similar penetration features. An issue has appeared whether the carrier breaks or proceeds along with NR to the skin. Moreover, another experiments have been designed which could also verify the penetration features of these systems.

The aim of this work is to make a literature search in the measurement of membrane voltage using voltage-sensitive dyes and suggest a method for measuring the membrane voltage on the available cells using the voltage-sensitive dye di 4 ANEPPS and its further implementation. The work contains an introduction to electrophysiology of cells, and explains typical fluorescence characteristics. The thesis contains the description of a fluorescence microscope. The document presents characteristics of voltage-sensitive dyes and their distribution. A large part of the work describes the implementation and measurement of the experiment. The document also includes different methods for measuring and processing of all results.

This master´s thesis discusses cytotoxicity of selected naphthoquinones on prostatic cell cultures. The introductory part is dedicated to general characteristic of naphthoquinones with focus on their cytotoxicity, testing of cytotoxicity and mechanisms of cytotoxicity. This part is followed by chapters about cytotoxicity, characteristics and biological activities of selected naphthoquinones; plumbagin and naphthazarin. The last part of this thesis’ theoretical section speaks about fluorescence microscopy and its use in research of naphthoquinones cytotoxicity. The practical part is dedicated to evaluation of cytotoxical tests’ results and to analysation of pictures of cells obtained by fluorescence microscope. At the end of thesis, all finding are summarized and put in the context.

The aim of this work is to realize measurements of membrane potential with voltagesensitive dye Di-4-ANEPPS and the data processed and analyzed. The work includes theoretical basis in the form of electrophysiology animal cells, explains fluorescence and describes the fluorescence microscope. The document is largely devoted to the characterization and distribution of voltage-sensitive dyes (VSD). The practical part deals with the various components necessary to perform the experiment as a pulse generator, high-speed camera and camera’s acquisition and describes experiment. The conclusion will be compared with results from theoretical assumptions.

This diploma thesis deals with the proposal of methodology for film thickness eva- luation within compliant contacts. With respect to characteristics of such contact pairs, like variable film thickness, high surface roughness, or poor conductivity and reflectivity, the usage of conventional experimental methods is particularly complicated. In present study, an optical method based on the principle of fluo- rescent microscopy was employed in present thesis. An evaluation algorithm in- volving background normalization and calibration of fluorescent intensity to film thickness was created in a form of experimental software. The proposed algori- thm was validated by using elastohydrodynamic contact formed between ceramic ball and glass disc. The measured film thickness was compared with theoretical prediction, while very good agreement of obtained data was observed. Further, a series of experiments with compliant samples was conducted, while the central film thickness was evaluated as a function of mean speed, applied lubricant, ap- plied load and slide-to-roll ratio. The last part of the thesis is focused on results analysis and discussion considering the previously published literature.

The scope of thesis was the optimization of methods for the study of yeast and their metabolites using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Red yeasts are characterized by overproduction of carotenoids and lipids, which are used in food, pharmaceutical and feed industries. Currently, intensive research is being carried on to find appropriate microbiological alternatives for synthesis of these substances. Present thesis is focused on selected yeast genera: Rhodotorula, Sporobolomyces, Cystofilobasidium and strain Phaffia rhodozyma. Yeasts were cultivated on different nutrient media, in which glucose was used as a nutritional source, and also on glycerol and whey as waste material. In two strains - Cystofilobasidium macerans and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa growth characteristics were determined on a synthetic glucose production medium. All studied strains were able to use waste substrates as a source of nutrients. Some of the strains displayed increased production of carotenoids, and, additionally, in some cases also relatively high production of lipids. In classical cultivation in lipid and glucose medium supplemented with vitamins the best production characteristics displayed Rhodotorula glutinisstrain. In glycerol medium the highest amount of carotenoids and lipidic substances produced Sporobolomyces shibatanus strain. Strain Sporobolomyces roseus showed the best production characteristics on whey as the main source of carbon. The results show use of whey and glycerol seems like appropriate option for potential carbon source to cultivate carotenogenic yeasts and production of carotenoids and selected lipidic substances as products with higher added value. Further optimization of nutrient medium on the given substrates is needed for higher production of selected metabolites. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry have proved to be suitable options for determination of the observed metabolites in the cells, their amount and viability.

This work is dealing with application of advanced fluorescence techniques for gaining knowledge about culture development during fermentation of red yeasts. Flow cytometry was used for auto-fluorescence measurement a carotenoids quantitation. It was resolved that while carotenoids are stored mainly in membranes the technique was feasible. If red yeast starts to accumulate carotenoids into lipid bodies mainly throughout the course of stationary phase, then the method starts to fail. Flow cytometric method using cell size measurement and light scatter for lipid quantitation was proved as applicable, too. However, it works only if cells are not starved. Individual calibration for each species is needed for elimination inter-species variations of intracellular structures. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy was also used for studying of red yeast. Inherent ability to resolve different fluorescent species of the same molecule, which arise due to different molecular environment, helps with quantitation of cellular lipidic structures changes through the course of fermentation. Increase in the levels of carotenoids and/or rigidity of membranes was found as mechanism of protection during metabolic shifts, when intracellular content is vulnerable to damage.