Tramtrack Is Genetically Upstream of Genes Controlling Tracheal Tube Size in Drosophila

The Drosophila transcription factor Tramtrack (Ttk) is involved in a wide range of developmental decisions, ranging from early embryonic patterning to differentiation processes in organogenesis. Given the wide spectrum of functions and pleiotropic effects that hinder a comprehensive characterisation, many of the tissue specific functions of this transcription factor are only poorly understood. We recently discovered multiple roles of Ttk in the development of the tracheal system on the morphogenetic level. Here, we sought to identify some of the underlying genetic components that are responsible for the tracheal phenotypes of Ttk mutants. We therefore profiled gene expression changes after Ttk loss- and gain-of-function in whole embryos and cell populations enriched for tracheal cells. The analysis of the transcriptomes revealed widespread changes in gene expression. Interestingly, one of the most prominent gene classes that showed significant opposing responses to loss- and gain-of-function was annotated with functions in chitin metabolism, along with additional genes that are linked to cellular responses, which are impaired in ttk mutants. The expression changes of these genes were validated by quantitative real-time PCR and further functional analysis of these candidate genes and other genes also expected to control tracheal tube size revealed at least a partial explanation of Ttk's role in tube size regulation. The computational analysis of our tissue-specific gene expression data highlighted the sensitivity of the approach and revealed an interesting set of novel putatively tracheal genes

Morphology and genome sequence of phage ϕ1402: A dwarf myovirus of the predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus

Phages are among the simplest biological entities known and simultaneously the most numerous and ubiquitous members of the biosphere. Among the three families of tailed dsDNA phages, the Myoviridae have the most structurally sophisticated tails which are capable of contraction, unlike the simpler tails of the Podoviridae and Siphoviridae. Such “nanomachines” tails are involved in both efficient phage adsorption and genome injection. Their structural complexity probably necessitates multistep morphogenetic pathways, involving non-structural components, to correctly assemble the structural constituents. For reasons probably related, at least in part, to such morphological intricacy, myoviruses tend to have larger genomes than simpler phages. As a consequence, there are no well-characterized myoviruses with a size of less than 40 kb. Here we report on the characterization and sequencing of the 23,931 bp genome of the dwarf myovirus ϕ1402 of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus. Our genomic analysis shows that ϕ1402 differs substantially from all other known phages and appears to be the smallest known autonomous myovirus

New skills for new classrooms: training tutors to teach languages online

While online teaching in post-compulsory education is the focus of much research today, the training of online tutors has been largely neglected. Most papers do not go beyond dealing with the technical skills that are needed to teach in an online environment. This article outlines a framework for tutor training, starting with a brief overview of benefits and challenges for online language tutors. On the basis of several years’ experience with teaching languages using a synchronous online environment and training tutors for online language courses, we suggest a pyramid of skills necessary for successful online teaching. These include the more general skills of dealing with the technology and using its advantages, the social skills of community building, language teaching skills, and the skills to teach creatively and develop a personal teaching style in an online medium. The article then suggests how these skills can be implemented in a training programme, which includes both pre-course training and on-going staff development

Extracellular Matrix Protection Factor: A Novel Class of Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis Therapeutic

Injury-related, post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is a disease of the joints caused by an imbalance between extracellular matrix destruction and production. We have developed an innovative disease modifying therapeutic technology to treat PTOA. Extracellular matrix protection factor (ECPF-1) is a novel, safe and effective intra-articular injection that reduces the pain and damage caused by OA. Utilizing the peptide as an early intervention therapeutic, we have assessed its effects on the progression of PTOA. Peptide or control saline was injected into the injured knee joint for four consecutive weeks. Endpoint assessment of: toxicity, measured by CBC and serum chemistry; joint space narrowing, measured by Xray; joint functionality, measured by stride test; and tissue pathology, measured by micro computed tomography and histology were completed. Intra-articular injections of ECPF-1 in a rat model of PTOA demonstrated no cellular toxicity, normal serum chemistry following 4 weekly injections, diminished tissue destruction and increased animal mobility. All data indicates that ECPF-1 is non-toxic and diminishes the pathology associated with OA. This work was supported, in part, by intramural funding