131 research outputs found
A DNA-based method for studying root responses to drought in field-grown wheat genotypes
Root systems are critical for water and nutrient acquisition by crops. Current methods measuring root biomass and length are slow and labour-intensive for studying root responses to environmental stresses in the field. Here, we report the development of a method that measures changes in the root DNA concentration in soil and detects root responses to drought in controlled environment and field trials. To allow comparison of soil DNA concentrations from different wheat genotypes, we also developed a procedure for correcting genotypic differences in the copy number of the target DNA sequence. The new method eliminates the need for separation of roots from soil and permits large-scale phenotyping of root responses to drought or other environmental and disease stresses in the field.Chun Y. Huang, Haydn Kuchel, James Edwards, Sharla Hall, Boris Parent, Paul Eckermann, Herdina, Diana M. Hartley, Peter Langridge & Alan C. McKa
Ribosomal DNA Deletions Modulate Genome-Wide Gene Expression: ârDNAâSensitiveâ Genes and Natural Variation
The ribosomal rDNA gene array is an epigenetically-regulated repeated gene locus. While rDNA copy number varies widely between and within species, the functional consequences of subtle copy number polymorphisms have been largely unknown. Deletions in the Drosophila Y-linked rDNA modifies heterochromatin-induced position effect variegation (PEV), but it has been unknown if the euchromatic component of the genome is affected by rDNA copy number. Polymorphisms of naturally occurring Y chromosomes affect both euchromatin and heterochromatin, although the elements responsible for these effects are unknown. Here we show that copy number of the Y-linked rDNA array is a source of genome-wide variation in gene expression. Induced deletions in the rDNA affect the expression of hundreds to thousands of euchromatic genes throughout the genome of males and females. Although the affected genes are not physically clustered, we observed functional enrichments for genes whose protein products are located in the mitochondria and are involved in electron transport. The affected genes significantly overlap with genes affected by natural polymorphisms on Y chromosomes, suggesting that polymorphic rDNA copy number is an important determinant of gene expression diversity in natural populations. Altogether, our results indicate that subtle changes to rDNA copy number between individuals may contribute to biologically relevant phenotypic variation
Development of a TaqMan qPCR assay for detection of Alexandrium spp and application to harmful algal bloom monitoring
EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ); Scientific Opinion on the risk posed by Shiga toxinproducing Escherichia coli (STEC) and other pathogenic bacteria in seeds and sprouted seeds
Population genomics of marine zooplankton
Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2017. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Bucklin, Ann et al. "Population Genomics of Marine Zooplankton." Population Genomics: Marine Organisms. Ed. Om P. Rajora and Marjorie Oleksiak. Springer, 2018. doi:10.1007/13836_2017_9.The exceptionally large population size and cosmopolitan biogeographic distribution that
distinguish many â but not all â marine zooplankton species generate similarly exceptional patterns of
population genetic and genomic diversity and structure. The phylogenetic diversity of zooplankton has
slowed the application of population genomic approaches, due to lack of genomic resources for closelyrelated
species and diversity of genomic architecture, including highly-replicated genomes of many
crustaceans. Use of numerous genomic markers, especially single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), is
transforming our ability to analyze population genetics and connectivity of marine zooplankton, and
providing new understanding and different answers than earlier analyses, which typically used
mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers. Population genomic approaches have confirmed that,
despite high dispersal potential, many zooplankton species exhibit genetic structuring among geographic
populations, especially at large ocean-basin scales, and have revealed patterns and pathways of population
connectivity that do not always track ocean circulation. Genomic and transcriptomic resources are
critically needed to allow further examination of micro-evolution and local adaptation, including
identification of genes that show evidence of selection. These new tools will also enable further
examination of the significance of small-scale genetic heterogeneity of marine zooplankton, to
discriminate genetic ânoiseâ in large and patchy populations from local adaptation to environmental
conditions and change.Support was provided by the
US National Science Foundation to AB and RJO (PLR-1044982) and to RJO (MCB-1613856); support to
IS and MC was provided by Nord University (Norway)
My Animation
MyAnimation.mp4 placed 14th out of 300 entries in the 24 HOURS Animation contest hosted by California State University, Long Beach. The annual competition challenges students to produce a 30-second animated film within 24 hours of learning what the film\u27s topic should be
SOLVENT STRUCTURE AND GELATION OF POLYSACCHARIDES IN CONCENTRATED SOLUTIONS OF SIMPLE SUGARS
Chrysochromulina laurentiana: an electron microscopic study of a new species of Prymnesiophyceae from Canadian Shield lakes
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