Polymorphisms Detected in the Tyrosinase and MATP (SLC45A2) Genes Did Not Explain Coat Colour Dilution in a Sample of Alpaca (Vicugna pacos)

The molecular basis of inheritance of alpaca fibre colour is poorly understood. However, colour dilution genes are anticipated to be causing a major effect on alpaca fibre colour. Candidate genes for dilutions included tyrosinase (tyr) and membrane associated transport protein (matp), both of which have been associated with coat colour dilution in other species. The coding regions of the tyr and matp genes were sequenced in 24 animals with various colour phenotypes. No polymorphism found in the coding region of tyr and matp exons 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 could account for the dilutions in fibre colour observed

Identification of a Potential Marker for Absence of Dark Fibre in Vicugna pacos (alpaca)

The Melanocortin-1 receptor gene was sequenced in a group of 41 Australian alpacas and seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified within the coding region (D42D, N118N, L206L, E311E, T28A, G126S and R301C). Three of these SNP (T28A, G126S and R301C) showed an association with phenotypic colour variants when both skin and fibre colour were used to segregate animals into groups. We propose the identification of a haplotype (T28A/G126S), which appears to be a marker for the absence of dark pigment in alpaca fleeces. Animals with the G82/C126 combination did not have any dark pigment. Both A82G & C901T are potentially capable of altering MC1R function. It?s therefore possible that we have identified wild type (dominant) and loss-of-function (recessive) alleles of the alpaca MC1R gene

Characterization of the sheep Complement Factor B gene (CFB)

The Complement Factor B gene (CFB) of the alternative complement pathway has been identified in the sheep Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) and its genomic sequence determined. CFB is located approximately 600bp upstream of the complement C2 gene, contains 18 exons, and manifests the domain signature characteristic of CFB protein. Thirteen single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in merino sheep and interbreed variation was identified by comparison with International Sheep Genomics Consortium data. Two predicted non synonymous substitutions were observed and in-silico analysis indicates that these are likely to have a destabilising effect on the protein structure. Sheep and cattle CFB were compared and shown to contain a common nine nucleotide deletion in exon 18 relative to human CFB. Predicted CFB amino acid sequences for these two species contain 761 aa relative to 764 aa in the human orthologue. Sequencing of the cosmid and BAC clones used in this study permitted the relative positions of three adjacent loci to be determined and showed that the previously described microsatellite locus (BfMs) is located within SKIV2L

Defying and defining the darkness: Translating French memories of the Holocaust

This project contributes to a growing body of scholarly work that reads the Holocaust in translation. It illustrates how Francophone writers bridge the gap between their experience of the Holocaust and its representation using "substitute vocabularies". "Substitute vocabularies" is a term employed in this thesis to describe some of the narrative techniques - multilingualism, poetry and song, the visual and literary idioms - used by Holocaust writers to communicate life-changing experiences of loss, absence and grief, and other related phenomena. The project brings together the analysis of Holocaust manuscripts, published narratives, graphic novels and films, as cultural products that translate Holocaust experiences for their authors. It explores how the various agents involved in the transmission of the Holocaust (translators, victims' family members, editors and illustrators) interact with such "substitute vocabularies", and the knowledge that these vocabularies communicate, across different modalities and in different languages (French, English and German). This thesis explores how translation is transformative for Holocaust representation in three case study chapters, allowing "the source text to live beyond itself, to exceed its own limitations" (Brodzki 2007, p.2). This thesis, therefore, stages translation as a critical tool that can enable new forms of knowledge about the Holocaust to come to light in a future soon to be without living witnesses

Analysis of pooled genome sequences from Djallonke and Sahelian Sheep of Ghana reveals co-localisation of regions of reduced heterozygosity with candidate genes for disease resistance and adaptation to a tropical environment

Background: The Djallonke sheep is well adapted to harsh environmental conditions, and is relatively resistant to Haemonchosis and resilient to animal trypanosomiasis. The larger Sahelian sheep, which cohabit the same region, is less well adapted to these disease challenges. Haemonchosis and Trypanosomiasis collectively cost the worldwide animal industry billions of dollars in production losses annually. Results: Here, we separately sequenced and then pooled according to breed the genomes from five unrelated individuals from each of the Djallonke and Sahelian sheep breeds (sourced from Ghana), at greater than 22-fold combined coverage for each breed. A total of approximately 404 million (97%) and 343 million (97%) sequence reads from the Djallonke and Sahelian breeds respectively, were successfully mapped to the sheep reference genome Oar v3.1. We identified approximately 11.1 million and 10.9 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Djallonke and Sahelian breeds, with approximately 15 and 16% respectively of these not previously reported in sheep. Multiple regions of reduced heterozygosity were also found; 70 co-localised within genomic regions harbouring genes that mediate disease resistance, immune response and adaptation in sheep or cattle. Thirty- three of the regions of reduced heterozygosity co-localised with previously reported genes for resistance to haemonchosis and trypanosomiasis. Conclusions: Our analyses suggest that these regions of reduced heterozygosity may be signatures of selection for these economically important diseases

A rapid non-destructive DNA extraction method for insects and other arthropods

Preparation of arthropods for morphological identification often damages or destroys DNA within the specimen. Conversely, DNA extraction methods often destroy the external physical characteristics essential for morphological identification. We have developed a rapid, simple and non-destructive DNA extraction technique for arthropod specimens. This technique was tested on four arthropod orders, using specimens that were fresh, preserved by air drying, stored in ethanol, or collected with sticky or propylene glycol traps. The technique could be completed in twenty minutes for Coleoptera, Diptera and Hemiptera, and two minutes for the subclass Acarina, without significant distortion, discolouration, or other damage to the specimens

The Influence of MHC and Immunoglobulins A and E on Host Resistance to Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Sheep

Gastrointestinal nematode parasites in farmed animals are of particular importance due to their effects on production. In Australia, it is estimated that the direct and indirect effects of parasite infestation cost the animal production industries hundreds of millions of dollars each year. The main factors considered by immunologists when studying gastrointestinal nematode infections are the effects the host's response has on the parasite, which immunological components are responsible for these effects, genetic factors involved in controlling immunological responses, and the interactions between these forming an interconnecting multilevel relationship. In this paper, we describe the roles of immunoglobulins, in particular IgA and IgE, and the major histocompatibility complex in resistance to gastrointestinal parasites in sheep. We also draw evidence from other animal models to support the involvement of these immune components. Finally, we examine how IgA and IgE exert their influence and how methods may be developed to manage susceptible animals

Variants of HCMV UL18 sequenced directly from clinical specimens associate with antibody and T-cell responses to HCMV

Around 80% of adults worldwide carry human cytomegaloviris (HCMV). The HCMV gene UL18 is a homolog of HLA class I genes and encodes a protein with high affinity for the NK and T-cell cytotoxicity inhibitor LIR-1. UL18 was deep sequenced from blood, saliva or urine from Indonesian people with HIV (PWH) (n = 28), Australian renal transplant recipients (RTR) (n = 21), healthy adults (n = 7) and neonates (n = 4). 95% of samples contained more than one variant of HCMV UL18, as defined by carriage of nonsynonymous variations. When aligned with immunological markers of the host’s burden of HCMV, the S318N variation associated with high levels of antibody reactive with HCMV lysate in PWH over 12 months on antiretroviral therapy. The A107T variation associated with HCMV antibody levels and inflammatory biomarkers in PWH at early timepoints. Variants D32G, D248N, V250A and E252D aligned with elevated HCMV antibody levels in RTR, while M191K, E196Q and F165L were associated with HCMV-reactive T-cells and proportions of Vδ2− γδ T-cells—populations linked with high burdens of HCMV. We conclude that UL18 is a highly variable gene, where variation may alter the persistent burden of HCMV and/or the host response to that burden

New species and new records of sponge-inhabiting barnacles (Cirripedia, balanidae, acastinae) from Australia

The subfamily Acastinae contains a diverse group of barnacles that are obligate symbionts of sponges and alcyonacean and antipatharian corals. Integrating morphological and genetic (COI) data to compare against known species, this paper reports on nine species of sponge-inhabiting barnacles of the subfamily Acastinae, including three undescribed species (Acasta caveata sp. nov., Euacasta acutaflava sp. nov., and E. excoriatrix sp. nov.) and three species previously not recorded in Australian waters (A. sandwichi, Pectinoacasta cancellorum, and P. sculpturata). The new species are distinguished from similar species by a suite of morphological characters as well as genetic distances. A lectotype for Pectinoacasta cancellorum is designated. Sponge hosts were identified for all specimens where possible and are represented by 19 species from eight families and five orders