Igor Schneider

Abstract The genomes of living lungfishes can inform on the molecular-developmental basis of the Devonian sarcopterygian fish–tetrapod transition. We de novo sequenced the genomes of the African (Protopterus annectens) and South American lungfishes (Lepidosiren paradoxa).

Based on embryology and comparative genomics, recent studies reveal that genetic pathways and gene regulatory elements responsible for the invasion of land by tetrapod ancestors are deeply conserved in fish.

Mechanical robustness and healing ability are important properties of polymeric materials. However, the development of mechanically robust yet rapidly healable polymers is challenging. Herein, we demonstrate that long alkyl side chains simultaneously improve mechanical properties and the healing rate of a photoswitchable polymer. The photoswitchable polymer is a polyacrylate. Its side chain contains a hexamethylene spacer, a photoresponsive azobenzene group, and a long n-hexadecyl tail.