Where in the genome is the flax b1 locus?

Non-Peer Reviewe

Robust and stable transcriptional repression in Giardia using CRISPRi.

Giardia lamblia is a binucleate protistan parasite causing significant diarrheal disease worldwide. An inability to target Cas9 to both nuclei, combined with the lack of nonhomologous end joining and markers for positive selection, has stalled the adaptation of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genetic tools for this widespread parasite. CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) is a modification of the CRISPR/Cas9 system that directs catalytically inactive Cas9 (dCas9) to target loci for stable transcriptional repression. Using a Giardia nuclear localization signal to target dCas9 to both nuclei, we developed efficient and stable CRISPRi-mediated transcriptional repression of exogenous and endogenous genes in Giardia. Specifically, CRISPRi knockdown of kinesin-2a and kinesin-13 causes severe flagellar length defects that mirror defects with morpholino knockdown. Knockdown of the ventral disk MBP protein also causes severe structural defects that are highly prevalent and persist in the population more than 5 d longer than defects associated with transient morpholino-based knockdown. By expressing two guide RNAs in tandem to simultaneously knock down kinesin-13 and MBP, we created a stable dual knockdown strain with both flagellar length and disk defects. The efficiency and simplicity of CRISPRi in polyploid Giardia allows rapid evaluation of knockdown phenotypes and highlights the utility of CRISPRi for emerging model systems

Waste management in Cange, Haiti

Our goal is to create a self-sustained waste management system in order to improve the sanitation and environmental health in Cange, Haiti. Cange currently has no waste management system; garbage is either piled in ravines or burned. We have divided Cange\u27s waste into three waste streams for treatment: organics, plastics, and other. The organics will be primarily treated with municipal scale composting windrows and the finished compost will be sold to surrounding farms. The plan for the plastic materials is to work with merchants to minimize the need and use of disposable plastic, repurpose used plastic waste into other marketable items (e.g., woven bags, construction blocks, etc.), and to recycle them at a newly formed micro-recycling facility. Other materials are expected to be mainly construction debris, which is already widely repurposed by the community, so it will be collected in a central refuse pile. In conclusion, we believe this system will effectively process the waste in a beneficial manner to the community

An Unexpected Outcome of a Pediatric Simulation Encounter for Occupational Therapy Students.

This presentation reviewed how to plan and implement a pediatric simulated educational experience to align with the targeted course learning objective(s). Participants learned how to incorporate best practices into simulation education in order to advance occupational therapy education

The key position: influence of staple location on constrained peptide conformation and binding

First published online 29 Sep 2016Constrained α-helical peptides are showing potential as biological probes and therapeutic agents that target protein-protein interactions. However, the factors that determine the optimal constraint locations are still largely unknown. Using the β-integrin/talin protein interaction as a model system, we examine the effect of constraint location on helical conformation, as well as binding affinity, using circular dichroism and NMR spectroscopy. Stapling increased the overall helical content of each integrin-based peptide tested. However, NMR analysis revealed that different regions within the peptide are stabilised, depending on constraint location, and that these differences correlate with the changes observed in talin binding mode and affinity. In addition, we show that examination of the atomic structure of the parent peptide provides insight into the appropriate placement of helical constraints.Kelly L. Keeling, Okki Cho, Denis B. Scanlon, Grant W. Booker, Andrew D. Abell and Kate L. Wegene

Unblocking high-value botanical value chains: Is there a role for blockchain systems?

Blockchain systems are a fast emerging and a currently widely discussed novel strategy for a decentralised cryptographically-enhanced digital ledger recording transactions among stakeholders. This perspective paper looks at its potential uses in the context of high value and mostly low volume botanical material traded globally and used as medicines, health foods, in cosmetics and other applications. We offer a perspective on key areas in the supply of such products globally and how blockchain systems may help in sustainable sourcing, quality assurance, and in tackling supply problems in cases of complex multiherbal preparations. Both open and closed blockchain systems are feasible, and it seems likely that, at least in the initial development, closed ones are the main ones to be utilized. While blockchain’s potential is not yet clear, the examples presented here highlight the opportunities of this new technology

Characterization of flax germplasm for resistance to fusarium wilt

Non-Peer ReviewedFusarium wilt of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lini (Fol) is an economically important disease that can result in severe yield losses. Due to the pathogen’s ability to survive in soil for long periods, it is essential to identify fusarium wilt resistant flax varieties. The objectives of the study were to phenotype and compare a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of flax in a controlled environment and in field wilt nurseries. Disease reaction of a subset (160) of RIL lines developed from cultivars ‘Aurore’ (moderately resistant) and ‘Oliver’ (susceptible) was assessed under controlled environment conditions to two Fol isolates. Disease severity was determined and the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated. The population varied in response from resistant to highly susceptible, indicating that resistant to wilt was probably polygenic. Twenty-eight days after inoculation, 14% and 5% of the RILs were severely wilted (scores of 8 and 9, with isolates 131 and 81, respectively). Plant height was negatively correlated with AUDPC (r2= -0.13155 for 131 and r2=-0.29841 for 81). Similarly, in the field in wilt nurseries, at Saskatoon and Morden, evaluation of the full set of 200 RILs, the disease reaction varied from resistant to susceptible, with 21% and 42% of RILs severely wilted (rated 8 and 9) at each site at the green boll stage. The results from the two locations were significantly different, although moderately correlated (r2=0.6127). The 160 RILs in controlled environment inoculated with isolates 131 and 81 showed a higher correlation for disease severity at 28 days after inoculation, with the wilt nursery in Saskatoon (r= 0.40028 and r2=0.38046) as compared to Morden (r2=0.33016 and r2=0.21140) at green boll stage. Differences in environmental and experimental conditions (such as seeding date) at the two locations, as well as different Fol strains in the soil combined with the subjectivity of the grading system may explain the differences between locations

Influence of Grain Size on Phase Transitions in Halide Perovskite Films

Grain size in polycrystalline halide perovskite films is known to have an impact on the optoelectronic properties of the films, but its influence on their soft structural properties and phase transitions is unclear. Here, we use temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction, absorption, and macro- and micro-photoluminescence measurements to investigate the tetragonal to orthorhombic phase transition in thin methylammonium lead iodide films with grain sizes ranging from the micron scale down to the tens of nanometre scale. We show that the phase transition nominally at ~150 K is increasingly suppressed with decreasing grain size and, in the smallest grains, we only see the first evidence of a phase transition at temperatures as low as ~80 K. With decreasing grain size, we also see an increasing magnitude of the hysteresis in the structural and optoelectronic properties when cooling to, and then upon heating from, 100K. Our work reveals the remarkable sensitivity of the optoelectronic, physical and phase properties to the local environment of the perovskite structure, which will have large ramifications for phase and defect engineering in operating devices.EPSRC NanoDTC Royal Society ERC Starting Gran