The role of Fat Mass and Obesity-associated protein (FTO) and its substrate N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in mRNA processing and adipogenesis remains largely unknown. We show that FTO expression and m6A levels are inversely correlated during adipogenesis. FTO depletion blocks differentiation and only catalytically active FTO restores adipogenesis. Transcriptome analyses in combination with m6A-seq revealed that gene expression and mRNA splicing of grouped genes are regulated by FTO. M6A is enriched in exonic regions flanking 5′- and 3′-splice sites, spatially overlapping with mRNA splicing regulatory serine/arginine-rich (SR) protein exonic splicing enhancer binding regions. Enhanced levels of m6A in response to FTO depletion promotes the RNA binding ability of SRSF2 protein, leading to increased inclusion of target exons. FTO controls exonic splicing of adipogenic regulatory factor RUNX1T1 by regulating m6A levels around splice sites and thereby modulates differentiation. These findings provide compelling evidence that FTO-dependent m6A demethylation functions as a novel regulatory mechanism of RNA processing and plays a critical role in the regulation of adipogenesis.

We present a simple yet robust method for fabricating angled, hierarchically patterned high-aspect-ratio polymer nanohairs to generate directionally sensitive dry adhesives. The slanted polymeric nanostructures were molded from an etched polySi substrate containing slanted nanoholes. An angled etching technique was developed to fabricate slanted nanoholes with flat tips by inserting an etch-stop layer of silicon dioxide. This unique etching method was equipped with a Faraday cage system to control the ionincident angles in the conventional plasma etching system. The polymeric nanohairs were fabricated with tailored leaning angles, sizes, tip shapes, and hierarchical structures. As a result of controlled leaning angle and bulged flat top of the nanohairs, the replicated, slanted nanohairs showed excellent directional adhesion, exhibiting strong shear attachment (Ϸ26 N/cm 2 in maximum) in the angled direction and easy detachment (Ϸ2.2 N/cm 2 ) in the opposite direction, with a hysteresis value of Ϸ10. In addition to single scale nanohairs, monolithic, micro-nanoscale combined hierarchical hairs were also fabricated by using a 2-step UV-assisted molding technique. These hierarchical nanoscale patterns maintained their adhesive force even on a rough surface (roughness <20 m) because of an increase in the contact area by the enhanced height of hierarchy, whereas simple nanohairs lost their adhesion strength. To demonstrate the potential applications of the adhesive patch, the dry adhesive was used to transport a large-area glass (47.5 ؋ 37.5 cm 2 , second-generation TFT-LCD glass), which could replace the current electrostatic transport/ holding system with further optimization.biomimetics ͉ gecko ͉ angled etching ͉ slanted nanohair ͉ hierarchical nanohair A dhesive are used in many aspects of the daily life. With increasing demands for various applications in the industry, new adhesives have been developed that use thermoplastic, UV or light curing, rubbery and pressure-sensitive materials (1). In general, such man-made adhesives have high (sometimes extremely strong) adhesion strength but are not easily detached. Furthermore, they are seldom reusable because the surfaces are quickly contaminated by adhering materials because of their tacky nature. In contrast, nature has created its own adhesives with unique structures and functions. For example, mussels generate specialized adhesive proteins, allowing for strong adhesion to wet surfaces, which is not easily achievable with man-made adhesives (2).In addition, dry adhesion mechanism in gecko lizards has attracted much attention because it provides strong, yet reversible attachment against surfaces of varying roughness and orientation. Such unusual adhesion capability is attributed to arrays of millions of fine microscopic foot hairs (setae), splitting into hundreds of smaller, nanoscale ends (spatulae), which form intimate contact to various surfaces by van der Waals forces with strong adhesion (Ϸ10

A new type of medical skin patch is developed that contains high‐density, mushroom‐like micropillars. Such dry‐adhesive micropillars are highly biocompatible, have minimized side effects, and provide reasonable normal adhesion strength. To arrive at optimal conditions for the dry adhesive skin patch, the proper design of various structural and material parameters of micropillars is investigated.

Photocatalytic water splitting represents a promising way to produce renewable hydrogen fuel from solar energy. Ultrathin semiconductor electrodes for water splitting are of particular interest because the optical absorption occurs in the region where photogenerated charge carriers can effectively contribute to the chemical reactions on the surface. It is therefore important to manipulate and concentrate the incident light so that more photons can be absorbed within the thin film. Here we show an enhanced photocurrent in a thin-film iron oxide photoanode coated on arrays of Au nanopillars. The enhancement can be attributed primarily to the increased optical absorption originating from both surface plasmon resonances and photonic-mode light trapping in the nanostructured topography. The resonances can be tuned to a desirable wavelength by varying the thickness of the iron oxide layer. A net enhancement as high as 50% was observed over the solar spectrum.

The relative abundance of nitrate (N) over phosphorus (P) has increased over the period since 1980 in the marginal seas bordering the northwestern Pacific Ocean, located downstream of the populated and industrialized Asian continent. The increase in N availability within the study area was mainly driven by increasing N concentrations and was most likely due to deposition of pollutant nitrogen from atmospheric sources. Atmospheric nitrogen deposition had a high temporal correlation with N availability in the study area (r = 0.74 to 0.88), except in selected areas wherein riverine nitrogen load may be of equal importance. The increase in N availability caused by atmospheric deposition and riverine input has switched extensive parts of the study area from being N-limited to P-limited.