Paramecium as Modern Model System, 2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

Following the philosophy of the precious Special Issue, entitled "Paramecium as a Modern Model System" (Guest editor, Prof. Dr. Judith Van Houten), I am once again calling for papers to be submitted to this second edition, broadening the scope of the included research fields. Until half a century ago, Paramecium was a research material used in many laboratories around the world in a variety of research fields. The existence of cell sex and lifespan was first discovered in Paramecium, which is why it is called the ancestor of model organisms in cell biology and genetics. Since then, however, the number of Paramecium researchers has decreased to the point where it was feared it would become an endangered species. Nevertheless, dramatic advances have been made in research fields such as sex determination, lifespan regulation, signal transduction, parasitism, endosymbiosis, differentiation of two types of nuclei, and species evolution. Furthermore, in 2012, the National Bioresource Project “Paramecium” was launched in Japan, creating an environment for the preservation and utilization of strains. To protect researches using this extremely useful organism from extinction and to pioneer new research fields, I call for the submission of your groundbreaking research articles and reviews to this Special Issue.

Some of its focal points (potential subtopics) include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Mating type substances;
• Lifespan regulation;
• Parasitic microorganisms;
• Endosymbiosis and its effects on host phenotypes;
• Differentiation of two types of nuclei;
• Evolution of species and syngens;
• Genome rearrangements;
• Signal transduction;
• Intracellular trafficking;
• Ciliary movement;
• Structure and function of contractile vacuole;
• Conjugation, autogamy, and cytogamy;
• Function of surface antigen (immobilization antigen);
• Environmental adaptability;
• Water purification capacity;
• Use as food for other organisms.

Dr. Masahiro Fujishima
Guest Editor

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• mating type
• lifespan
• parasitism and endosymbiosis
• nuclear differentiation
• evolution of species and syngen
• genome rearrangement
• signal transduction
• intracellular trafficking
• ciliary movement
• contractile vacuole
• sexual reproduction
• surface antigen
• environmental adaptation
• water purification
• use as food

• Paramecium as Modern Model System in Microorganisms (7 articles)