Phylogenetic aspects of the sulfate assimilation genes from Thalassiosira pseudonana

Diatoms are unicellular algae responsible for approximately 20 % of global carbon fixation. Their evolution by secondary endocytobiosis resulted in a complex cellular structure and metabolism compared to algae with primary plastids. In the last years the interest on unicellular algae increased. On the one hand assessments suggest that diatom-mediated export production can influence climate change through uptake and sequestration of atmospheric CO(2). On the other hand diatoms are in focus because they are discussed as potential producer of biofuels. To follow the one or other idea it is necessary to investigate the diatoms biochemistry in order to understand the cellular regulatory mechanisms. The sulfur assimilation and methionine synthesis pathways provide S-containing amino acids for the synthesis of proteins and a range of metabolites such as dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) in order to provide basic metabolic precursors needed for the diatoms metabolism. To obtain an insight into the localization and organization of the sulfur metabolism pathways, the genome of Thalassiosira pseudonana-a model organism for diatom research-might help to understand the fundamental questions on adaptive responses of diatoms to dynamic environmental conditions such as nutrient availability in a broader context

Zofia Drzewieniecki’s entry to the Free Europe Committee, Inc.” contest for the best “Letter to the Home Country”

Zofia Drzewieniecki’s entry to the Free Europe Committee, Inc.” contest for the best “Letter to the Home Country” (“List do Kraju”) and supporting documentation. Drzewieniecki won a prize and was told that anonymous excerpts from her and other letters would be dropped anonymously to Poland. (In Polish).https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/drzcivdoc/1015/thumbnail.jp

Zofia Drzewieniecki’s entry to the Free Europe Committee, Inc.” contest for the best “Letter to the Home Country”

Zofia Drzewieniecki’s entry to the Free Europe Committee, Inc.” contest for the best “Letter to the Home Country” (“List do Kraju”) and supporting documentation. Drzewieniecki won a prize and was told that anonymous excerpts from her and other letters would be dropped anonymously to Poland. (In Polish).https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/drzcivdoc/1015/thumbnail.jp

Comparative Functional Genomics of Salt Stress in Related Model and Cultivated Plants Identifies and Overcomes Limitations to Translational Genomics

One of the objectives of plant translational genomics is to use knowledge and genes discovered in model species to improve crops. However, the value of translational genomics to plant breeding, especially for complex traits like abiotic stress tolerance, remains uncertain. Using comparative genomics (ionomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics) we analyzed the responses to salinity of three model and three cultivated species of the legume genus Lotus. At physiological and ionomic levels, models responded to salinity in a similar way to crop species, and changes in the concentration of shoot Cl− correlated well with tolerance. Metabolic changes were partially conserved, but divergence was observed amongst the genotypes. Transcriptome analysis showed that about 60% of expressed genes were responsive to salt treatment in one or more species, but less than 1% was responsive in all. Therefore, genotype-specific transcriptional and metabolic changes overshadowed conserved responses to salinity and represent an impediment to simple translational genomics. However, ‘triangulation’ from multiple genotypes enabled the identification of conserved and tolerant-specific responses that may provide durable tolerance across species