Clil in Genetics: Class Activity and English Language Usage in Classroom

Utilization of the English language to access scientific knowledge is essential to learning. Therefore, many schools have developed the Integrated English Program (IEP), to enable students to develop both academic content and language skill. Teaching genetics by using English as a medium, is challenging for non-native English speaking teachers as there are many specialized terms in the content to be delivered. Students’ confidence in using the language in authentic situations seem low and learner engagement is often lacking in such traditional educational settings. The purpose of this study is to investigate how content and language integrated learning (CLIL) impact on student’s attitudes, learning achievement and use English of students' when applying CLIL in teaching Genetics. The class activities were designed as six steps in delivering the program. The result indicates that both learner engagement and students’ confidence in using the language are characteristic. It can also be noted that content integration, with extensive focus on authentic materials and cooperation, promote language development. As well as learning achievement with a higher score after using such integration. Nevertheless, the main challenge outlined by the participants is the language barrier. Hence, planning of the teaching units, as to provide the right support and challenges for the different learners, and to design the tasks so that natural collaboration becomes a key factor for introducing a content integrated collaborative language classroom.

The Monofunctional Catalase KatE of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri Is Required for Full Virulence in Citrus Plants

BACKGROUND: Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Xac) is an obligate aerobic phytopathogen constantly exposed to hydrogen peroxide produced by normal aerobic respiration and by the plant defense response during plant-pathogen interactions. Four putative catalase genes have been identified in silico in the Xac genome, designated as katE, catB, srpA (monofunctional catalases) and katG (bifunctional catalase). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Xac catalase activity was analyzed using native gel electrophoresis and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. We demonstrated that the catalase activity pattern was regulated in different growth stages displaying the highest levels during the stationary phase. KatE was the most active catalase in this phase of growth. At this stage cells were more resistant to hydrogen peroxide as was determined by the analysis of CFU after the exposition to different H(2)O(2) concentrations. In addition, Xac exhibited an adaptive response to hydrogen peroxide, displaying higher levels of catalase activity and H(2)O(2) resistance after treatment with sub-lethal concentrations of the oxidant. In the plant-like medium XVM2 the expression of KatE was strongly induced and in this medium Xac was more resistant to H(2)O(2). A XackatE mutant strain was constructed by insertional mutagenesis. We observed that catalase induction in stationary phase was lost meanwhile the adaptive response to peroxide was maintained in this mutant. Finally, the XackatE strain was assayed in planta during host plant interaction rendering a less aggressive phenotype with a minor canker formation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed that in contrast to other Xanthomonas species, Xac catalase-specific activity is induced during the stationary phase of growth in parallel with the bacterial resistance to peroxide challenge. Moreover, Xac catalases expression pattern is modified in response to any stimuli associated with the plant or the microenvironment it provides. The catalase KatE has been shown to have an important function for the colonization and survival of the bacterium in the citrus plant during the pathogenic process. Our work provides the first genetic evidence to support a monofunctional catalase as a virulence factor in Xac

Production of monascus pigments by a solid-liquid state culture method

10.1016/0922-338X(95)91275-AJournal of Fermentation and Bioengineering795516-518JFBI