92 research outputs found
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of olive (Olea europaea L.) with an antifungal protein from Aspergillus giganteus.
Broad-spectrum resistance to pests and diseases is difficult to obtain through classical breeding programs, hence, this is a targeted trait for accelerating the development of major olive cultivars using plant trans- formation technologies. Olive Verticillium wilt, caused by Verticillium dahliae, is considered to be an important constraint for cultivation of olive trees (López-Escudero and Mercado-Blanco 2010). Different transgenic approaches have been proposed to engineer plants for resistance to fungal diseases, including production of antifungal proteins (Gurr and Rushton 2005). Regarding this approach, among different anti- fungal compounds, the antifungal protein (AFP) from Aspergillus giganteus can be considered a promising candidate for practical applications in crop protection (Meyer 2007). AFP is a defensin-like protein that belongs to a group of small-sized secretory proteins rich in cysteine residues. The protein possesses in vitro antifungal activity inhibiting the growth of several fungal pathogens. Previous work has already shown that afp gene can be expressed in transgenic rice plants inducing resistance to the fungus Magnaporthe grisea and indicating the usefulness of such approach for protection against rice blast. (Coca et al. 2004).
In this work, transgenic olive plants were generated by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation as des- cribed by Torreblanca et al. (2010). The AGL-1 strain containing the pBIN61-afp binary vector was used. This plasmid contains the nptII gene for paromomycin selection and a chemically synthesized codon-op- timized afp gene under the control of the 35S CaMV promoter. Globular somatic embryos derived from a mature seed of cultivar `Picual ́ were transformed obtaining an average success rate around 2%. Plants were regenerated from six independent lines and transgenic nature was confirmed by PCR studying nptII and afp insertion. With the aim of studying whether the afp gene can be used to induce resistance against fungal diseases in olive, susceptibility to the fungal pathogens Rosellinia necatrix and Verticilium dahliae will be evaluated. In addition, the inhibitory effect of proteins extracts from transgenic leaves on the in vitro growth of these fungal pathogens will also be examined.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucia Tec
Expression analysis of Flowering related genes in olive plants transformed with the "Medicago truncatula" FT gene MtFTa1
Olive tree (Olea europaea L.) forms inflorescences in lateral buds that flower in spring. Flowering occurs due to the presence of a mobile flower-promoting factor called florigen, the product of “FLOWERING LOCUS T” (FT). In many plants, FT and TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1) genes encode related proteins with opposite functions, i.e. FT induces flowering, while TFL1 represses it. Olive flower induction seems to be mediated by an increase in FT levels in response to cold winters. Because of climate change, warmer winters are expected, which can alter flowering time. Three olive transgenic lines containing the MtFTa1 gene from Medicago truncatula were obtained (FT5, FT7 and FT15) to study the effect of FT on flowering time (Haberman et al., 2017). The embryogenic line P1 from a seed of cv. Picual was used for transformation, and also as control (CP1). FT7 flowered continuously; FT5 did not flower and showed a dwarf branching phenotype, and FT15 had a dwarf-branching habit and developed abnormal flowers. The expression of the transgene and three endogenous genes (OeFT1, OeFT2 and OeTFL1-1) was analyzed in these juvenile plants, as well as in the control (CP1), throughout the year (autumn, winter and spring).Proyecto de Excelencia P11-AGR-7992, Junta de Andalucí
Micro-Scale Abrasive Wear Testing of CrN Duplex PVD Coating on Pre-Nitrided Tool Steel
Specific wear rates were calculated from a series of micro-scale abrasive tests by means of the calotte-grinding method. The tested material was a CrN coating deposited by arc evaporation on ionnitrided AISI H13 steel. Characterizations included: phase analysis, chemical composition, metallography, microhardness, micro-scratch resistance and nano-indentation hardness. On wear testing, the counter body was a 30 mm diameter steel ball rotating at a tangential speed of 9.42 m/min and normal load of 0.54 N. The abrasive was a mono-crystalline diamond micro abrasive paste, 1 micrometer grit. Wear volumes were calculated by measuring the wear scars at various test intervals. In non-perforating tests, Archard’s wear equation was directly employed for calculating coating wear rate as the slope of the linear least square data fit. In perforating tests, Allsopp’s method was employed for the simultaneous determination of coating and substrate wear rates, from the slope and intercept values of the linear least square data fit. Coating specific wear rate values obtained from both non-perforating and perforating tests were very consistent, with a relative difference within 6%. Relative errors in specific wear rate values were estimated to be of the order of 0.05 for the coating and 0.2 for the substrate.
Keywords: Micro-scale abrasion, duplex surface treatment, specific wear rate, calotte grinding method, PVD coating, ion nitridin
A core collection of modified strawberry germplasm as a resource tool for funghi infection and fruit texture studies
Strawberry has been extensively used as a model organism for functional genomics
of genes related with fungi infection (Amil-Ruiz et al, 2011) and fruit ripening,
specially fruit texture (Posé et al, 2011). These studies implied the genetic
transformation and subsequent characterization of a wide range of traits, resulting in
a considerable number of lines being created and more or less extensively studied.
A preliminary data survey was performed previous publications, laboratory notebooks
and project reports. Main categories and the relevant features (like cultivar,
transgene sequence, germplasm availability, plant phenotype, experiment results,
etc) were identified, establishing the appropriate relationships. The project followed
the Chado schema used by the GMOD initiative http://www.gmod.org.
The germplasm collection currently hosts two strawberry cultivar (Camarosa and
Chandler), nine transgenic lines with resistance genes against fungi infections and
over a dozen for fruit texture related genes. Collected information includes in vitro
and in planta leaf symptomatology and fungus spore germination, as well as gene
expression for each transgene, plant production, fruit color, shape and firmness.
Data on cell wall fractionation, pectin and soluble sugars quantification, FT-IR and
size exclusion chromatography, AFM pectin structure characterization and
Immunohistological analysis.
The intrinsic value of these studies makes necessary to preserve both the germplasm
and the data generated, and to make it available to the community for further study
and reuse. Community driven formats will facilitate the use of the data in new.
studies. The present project aims to increase the value of the transgenic strawberry
plants in the collection, using standard data formats and open source tools to
facilitate access to the research and breeding communities as well as to facilitate the
distribution of the germplasm.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.
AGL2011-2481
Modelo Multifractal Aplicado al Riego
We define the binomial multifractal distribution as an expression of a law of small numbers. We studied a form of evaluation or design of a distribution system in an irrigation district by determining its conduction capacity with the desired flexibility knowing the following parameters: flow, frequency, and irrigation time. The method consists of the approximation of the binomial distribution through the Gaussian, an inverse relation of probability, two estimations of Gaussian parameters, and the application of the multifractal distribution. We present the mathematical reformulation of Boltzmann relation in the statistical mechanics, which gives origin to the multifractal model. In particular, we illustrate its application in the problems of irrigation, pointing out that it is also possible to apply it to multifractal models: variogram, exponential, gamma, and Gaussian.Definimos la distribución multifractal binomial, como expresión de una ley de los pequeños números. Estudiamos una forma de evaluación o de diseño de un sistema de distribución en un distrito de riego, al determinar su capacidad de conducción con la flexibilidad deseada, conociendo los parámetros de gasto, frecuencia y tiempo de riego. El método es la aproximación de la distribución binomial por la Gaussiana, una relación inversa de probabilidad, dos estimaciones de parámetros Gaussianos, y la aplicación de la distribución multifractal. Presentamos la reformulación matemática de la relación de Boltzmann en la mecánica estadística, que da origen al modelo multifractal. En particular, ilustramos su aplicación en el problema del riego. Pero también es posible aplicarlo a los modelos multifractales: variograma, exponencial, gama, y Gaussiano
Caracterización de variantes somaclonales de olivo obtenidos tras la exposición al filtrado crudo del hongo Rosellinia necatrix.
Líneas embriogénicas de olivo tolerantes al filtrado crudo (FC) del hongo Rosellinia necatrix, un patógeno muy extendido por el sur de España y que afecta al aguacate y al olivo, fueron previamente obtenidas (Palomo-Ríos et al. 2017). Dos de estas líneas fueron seleccionadas para la regeneración de plantas, R2-L3 y R2-L4, ambas tolerantes al 60% (v/v) del FC del hongo. En este trabajo se ha llevado a cabo una caracterización del crecimiento de estas plantas y de su comportamiento
tras la inoculación con R. necatrix.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech
Characterization of wine grape from different regions of Mendoza (Argentina)
En las últimas décadas, la actividad vitivinícola
de la provincia de Mendoza (Argentina)
apunta a mejorar la calidad de sus uvas y
sus vinos, para optimizar las condiciones de
competencia en el plano internacional. En
Mendoza, desde 1999 la Fundación Instituto
de Desarrollo Rural (IDR) se propuso determinar
el comportamiento agronómico y la caracterización
fenológica de las variedades de vid
de mayor utilización en la elaboración de vinos
en todas las zonas productivas de la provincia.
A partir de 2005 y mediante un convenio específico
con la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias,
se realizaron, en esta Institución, los análisis
físicos y químicos con el objetivo de describir
los mostos de variedades viníferas blancas
y tintas. Este proceso permitió generar una
herramienta para el desarrollo de estrategias
de optimización de calidad de los productos.
Se estudiaron las variedades Chardonnay,
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec y
Bonarda y se realizó una caracterización zonal
empleando los Índices de Tonietto (IF), de
Winkler (IW) y de Huglin (IH). Los resultados
de los análisis físico-químicos de los mostos
de variedades tintas durante las cosechas
2005, 2006 y 2007 muestran que existe correlación
inversa entre los índices climáticos
estudiados y los contenidos de antocianos y
polifenoles. Se observa también que las variedades
de ciclo largo, como Bonarda, encuentran
limitantes importantes en zonas frías para
alcanzar contenidos de azúcar comercialmente
aceptables (mínimo 220 g/L).The wines of Mendoza, Argentina, have
an important place in the world. During the last
decades production has been concentrated on
quality wines, instead of common wines, to meet
the demands of the international market.Rural
Development Foundation has tried to determine
the agricultural behaviour and the phenolic characterization
of the most widely used varieties in
Mendoza since 1999. In 2005, due to a specific
agreement with the Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias
of the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, phisical
and chemical tests were made in this institution
to describe musts of white and red vitis vinifera
varieties.The resulting information has been a
fundamental tool, for developing strategies to
obtain quality products. The representative varieties
of Mendoza, such as Chardonay, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec and Bonarda
were studied. Tonietto, Winkler and Huglin indexes
were used for the climatic characterization.
Results of analyses of must of red varieties from
2005, 2006 and 2007 vintages show inverse
correlation between climatic indexes and antocyanes
–polyphenols contents. Large cicle
varieties, as Bonarda, do not get sugar comercial
levels (220 g/L) at cold zones.Fil: González, Graciela.
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Nazrala, Jorge José Bautista.
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Ciencias Enológicas y AgroalimentariasFil: Beltrán, Miguel Ángel.
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Navarro, Armando.
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: De Borbón, Liliana.
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Senatra, Liliana.
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Albornoz, Liliana.
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Hidalgo, Andrea.
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: López, Marcela.
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Gez, María Inés.
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Mercado, Laura.
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Poetta, Silvia.
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Alberto, Marcelo.
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y Fisicoquímic
Seroepidemiology of infection with Toxoplasma gondii in healthy blood donors of Durango, Mexico
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Toxoplasma gondii </it>(<it>T. gondii</it>) infection in blood donors could represent a risk for transmission in blood recipients. There is scarce information about the epidemiology of <it>T. gondii </it>infection in blood donors in Mexico. Therefore, we sought to determine the prevalence of <it>T. gondii </it>infection and associated socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics in a population of healthy blood donors of Durango City, Mexico.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Four hundred and thirty two blood donors in two public blood banks of Durango City, Mexico were examined for <it>T. gondii </it>infection between August to September 2006. Blood donors were tested for anti-<it>T. gondii </it>IgG and IgM antibodies by using enzyme-linked immunoassays (Diagnostic Automation Inc., Calabasas, CA, USA). Socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics from each participant were also obtained.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty two (7.4%) of 432 blood donors had IgG anti-<it>T. gondii </it>antibodies. Eight (1.9%) of them had also IgM anti-<it>T. gondii </it>antibodies. Multivariate analysis using logic regression showed that <it>T. gondii </it>infection was associated with the presence of cats at home (adjusted OR = 3.81; 95% CI: 1.45–10.01). The age group of 45–60 years showed a significantly higher frequency of <it>T. gondii </it>infection than the group of 25–34 years (p = 0.02). Blood donors without education had a significantly higher frequency of infection (15.8%) than those with 13–19 years of education (4.5%) (p = 0.04). Other characteristics of blood donors including male gender, consumption of undercooked meat or blood transfusion did not show an association with infection.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The prevalence of <it>T. gondii </it>infection in healthy blood donors of Durango City, Mexico is lower than those reported in blood donors of south and central Mexico, and is one of the lowest reported in blood donors worldwide. <it>T. gondii </it>infection in our blood donors was most likely acquired by contact with cats. Prevalence of infection increased with age and decreased with educational level.</p
The ecology of peace : preparing Colombia for new political and planetary climates
ABSTRACT: Colombia, one of the world’s most species-rich nations, is currently undergoing a profound social transition: the end of a decadeslong conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC. The peace agreement process will likely transform the country’s physical and socioeconomic landscapes at a time when humans are altering Earth’s atmosphere and climate in unprecedented ways. We discuss ways in which these transformative events will act in combination to shape the ecological and environmental future of Colombia. We also highlight the risks of creating perverse development incentives in these critical times, along with the potential benefits – for the country and the world – if Colombia can navigate through the peace process in a way that protects its own environment and ecosystems
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