Isolation and characterization of strong gene regulatory sequences from apple, Malus x domestica

For the strong expression of genes in plant tissue, the availability of specific gene regulatory sequences is desired. We cloned promoter and terminator sequences of an apple (Malus x domestica) ribulose biphosphate carboxylase small subunit gene (MdRbcS), which is known for its high expression and used gus reporter gene expression to test the regulatory activity of the isolated promoter and terminator sequences in transgenic tobacco. The MdRbcS promoter itself seemed to be less strong than the CaMV35S promoter when both used in combination with the nos terminator. However, the combination of the promoter and terminator of MdRbcS was able to drive gus to similar expression levels as the reference construct with CaMV35S promoter and nos terminator. This observation indicates the importance of the terminator sequence for gene expression. It is concluded that the combination of the MdRbcS promoter and terminator is a suitable regulatory sequence set for the expression of transgenes to a high level in plants and for intragenesis in apple specificall

Language Interactions between Parent and Child During a Shared Reading Storytime

The purpose of this study was to examine the language interactions between a parent and child during a shared reading storytime. Children from a Head Start program were videotaped with a parent reading a wordless picture book. Transcripts were taken from these videos and the language between the parent and the child was examined. Positive and negative interactions were noted, as well as child initiated and parent initiated interactions. The data were analyzed and implications for further research and classroom practice were discussed

Oriental lily hybrids engineered to resist aphid attack

Establishing in vitro bulb scale cultures of lily cultivars followed by callusing and regeneration after gene transfer was found to be not very successful in our hands, except for ‘Snow Queen’. Identifying a more generally applicable system to generate callus with the ability to regenerate and amenable to Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer was the goal of the research described here. Callus was induced on style and filament explants of 26 cultivars of lily. The cultivars were chosen from the hybrid groups longiflorum, asiatics and orientals of the genus Lilium but also interspecific hybrids were represented. Most cultivars were diploids but some were of triploid level and one was tetraploid. In general once callus was induced, it could relatively easily be maintained and propagated for further use. Regeneration was observed on both callus types from all cultivars tested with an efficiency ranging from 40 to 100%. Gene transfer as demonstrated by positive reporter gene uidA activity was found in all cultivars tested. Transgenic plants could be obtained in the first series of transformations and the applicability of a marker-free system was proven in lily. The protocol can now be used for the introduction of genes aiming at conferring resistance to aphids

Inheritance of determinants of flower colour in tetraploid roses

The choice of selection breeding for crop improvement in cut roses requires a better understanding of biological mechanisms and knowledge of the inheritance of the major target traits which can lead to new or improved screening methods. Colour is still the most important trait in cut roses. A tetraploid mapping population will be characterized for flower colour, by using colour charts such as the official chart of the Royal Horticultural Society, and additionally, by image analysis and measuring reflectance using a spectrocolorimeter. The genetics of flower colour will be studied. In addition, flower petals of all genotypes will be analysed by HPLC to characterize secondary metabolic components that determine flower colour, such as anthocyanins. The inheritance of these components will also be assessed and compared to that of flower colour. Preliminary results show that the most effective method to quantify colour is by HPLC analysis of the extracted anthocyanins. The highest pelargonidin concentrations occur at relatively low cyanidin concentrations. Absorbance and reflectance measurements illustrate the accumulated effect of all the individual antho¬cyanins present in the peta

Development of cisgenic apples with durable resistance to apple scab

Most of the apple (Malus × domestica) growers are facing serious disease problems with apple scab which is caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis. Developing a resistant variety in apple through classical breeding is very slow and inefficient. So, we aim at improving existing apple varieties through a new concept called “cisgenesis” which saves time and effort compared to classical breeding. Malus floribunda proved to be a good source of natural scab resistance genes. The genes HcrVf1 and HcrVf2, consisting of promoter, coding and terminator sequences in their natural configuration, were isolated from Malus floribunda and cloned into the binary vector pMF1. Apple cv. ‘Gala’ was transformed with pMF1 containing HcrVf1 and HcrVf2, individually or in combination. pMF1 can be used to obtain marker-free plants by recombinase-based excision of a fragment carrying undesired gene sequences, such as antibiotic-selection marker genes, leaving behind only the gene(s)-of-interest and one recombination site. Using this vector it is therefore possible to stack several genes by retransformation using the same selection procedure. In order to obtain durable resistance, we have the intention to combine different resistance genes from Malus either by stacking them one by one or by introducing them all together in one T-DNA. Performance of all different types of cisgenic plants will be evaluated by monitoring scab resistance levels phenotypically and by determining gene expression profiles through quantitative RT-PC

Generation of Constitutive Active ERK Mutants as Tools for Cancer Research in Zebrafish

Article / Letter to editorInstituut Biologie Leide

Kamera Pengawas Sebagai Aplikasi Wireless Aplication Protocol

Telah banyak menjadi pembicaraan bahwa saat ini telah terjadi refolusi dalam perkembangan teknologiinformasi. Bahkan dikatakan pada saat ini telah terjadi evolusi teknologi informasi seiring dengan berkembangpesatnya teknologi dan layanan komunikasi bergerak di dunia. Hadirnya GPRS merupakan lompatan pentingdari teknologi wireless dalam hal ini adalah WAP. Wireless Aplication Protocol atau WAP telah menjadistandart Internasional untuk menampilkan internet bergerak pada perangkat seluler. WAP dirancang pertamakali sebagai protokol komunikasi bergerak yang tidak bergantung pada perangkat dan sistem tertentu. WAPdirancang sebagai bagian dari sistem 3G di masa depan seperti halnya Bluetooth dan GPRS

Generation of Constitutive Active ERK Mutants as Tools for Cancer Research in Zebrafish

Article / Letter to editorInstituut Biologie Leide

Generation of Constitutive Active ERK Mutants as Tools for Cancer Research in Zebrafish

Article / Letter to editorInstituut Biologie Leide