Analysis of conglutin seed storage proteins across lupin species using transcriptomic, protein and comparative genomic approaches

Background - The major proteins in lupin seeds are conglutins that have primary roles in supplying carbon, sulphur and nitrogen and energy for the germinating seedling. They fall into four families; α, β, γ and δ. Interest in these conglutins is growing as family members have been shown to have beneficial nutritional and pharmaceutical properties. Results - An in-depth transcriptome and draft genome from the narrow-leafed lupin (NLL; Lupinus angustifolius) variety, Tanjil, were examined and 16 conglutin genes were identified. Using RNAseq data sets, the structure and expression of these 16 conglutin genes were analysed across eight lupin varieties from five lupin species. Phylogenic analysis suggest that the α and γ conglutins diverged prior to lupin speciation while β and δ members diverged both prior and after speciation. A comparison of the expression of the 16 conglutin genes was performed, and in general the conglutin genes showed similar levels of RNA expression among varieties within species, but quite distinct expression patterns between lupin species. Antibodies were generated against the specific conglutin families and immunoblot analyses were used to compare the levels of conglutin proteins in various tissues and during different stages of seed development in NLL, Tanjil, confirming the expression in the seed. This analysis showed that the conglutins were expressed highly at the mature seed stage, in all lupin species, and a range of polypeptide sizes were observed for each conglutin family. Conclusions - This study has provided substantial information on the complexity of the four conglutin families in a range of lupin species in terms of their gene structure, phylogenetic relationships as well as their relative RNA and protein abundance during seed development. The results demonstrate that the majority of the heterogeneity of conglutin polypeptides is likely to arise from post-translational modification from a limited number of precursor polypeptides rather than a large number of different genes. Overall, the results demonstrate a high degree of plasticity for conglutin expression during seed development in different lupin species

Effect of the addition of salt to Pickering emulsion polymerizations using polymeric nanogels as stabilizers

Nanogels made from crosslinked block copolymer micelles are used as stabilizers in the Pickering emulsion polymerization of styrene. The effect of the addition of salt, i.e. NaCl, on the emulsion polymerization is studied. It is shown that an increase in ionic strength of the dispersing medium in these polymerizations led to the formation of latexes of larger diameters. Along with an increase in size, the morphology of these polymer colloids changed from Janus to patchy with an increase in number of nanogels adsorbed on the polymer surface, as a function of the salt concentration in water. In particular, at the highest tested ionic strength, ca. 25 mM, fully armored polymeric particles surrounded by a dense layer of adsorbed stabilizing nanogels were formed. Kinetic studies carried out at varying NaCl concentrations suggested that particle formation in the reaction followed a combination of a coagulative nucleation mechanism, characterized by a clustering process of Janus precursors to form bigger aggregates, and droplet nucleation. Preliminary film formation studies on latexes made with n-butyl acrylate as a comonomer indicated the potential of this technique for the production of coherent polymer films which included a substructure of functional nanogels

WRAP Trupact Loading System Operational Test Procedure

This procedure has been prepared to verify the TRUPACT System (TS) operates in accordance with system design and specifications

WRAP TRUPACT loading systems operational test report

This Operational Test Report documents the operational testing of the TRUPACT process equipment HNF-3918, Revision 0, TRUPACT Operational Test Procedure. The test accomplished the following: Procedure validation; Facility equipment interface; Facility personnel support; and Subcontractor personnel support interface. Field changes are documented as test exceptions with resolutions. All resolutions are completed or a formal method is identified to track the resolution through to completion

Grafting of dodecyl methacrylate onto hydroxylated polybutadiene by miniemulsion polymerization

Homogeneous copolymer latex particles of dodecyl methacrylate (DMA) and low-molecular-weight hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) oligomers were prepared by free-radical polymerization using miniemulsion methods. Rate data and latex characteristics were consistent with the classical miniemulsion mechanism where nucleation of monomer droplets is the predominant pathway of particle formation. There is essentially no particle formation by secondary nucleation in the water phase. Characterization of the copolymer latex particles using transmission electron microscopy and modulated differential scanning calorimetry suggested that there is a significant amount of grafted poly(DMA)/HTPB polymer contributing to the miscibility of the HTPB and poly(DMA) phases. Particles were more homogeneous at increased HTPB composition, of relatively narrow polydispersity, and could be prepared reproducibly using a number of different initiation systems. The observed trends can all be rationalized in terms of conventional understanding of miniemulsion polymerization systems. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc