Genomics and post-genomics research in the European research area

The European Research Area (ERA) provides a unique framework for organizing and structuring agricultural genomics and post-genomics research in Europe. The principal features of this novel trend in biological research are high technological sophistication and multidisciplinarity. The successful development of this research activity requires a high degree of focus as regards the research effort and international cooperation and coordination, which can only be achieved by combining national competencies through the development of high-throughput facilities and laboratories, bioinformatics infrastructure and a network of centres of excellence throughout Europe

Genome-wide expression analysis of plant cell cycle modulated genes

Genome-wide expression analysis is rapidly becoming an essential tool for identifying and analysing genes involved in, or controlling, various biological processes ranging from development to responses to environmental cues. The control of cell division involves the temporal expression of different sets of genes, allowing the dividing cell to progress through the different phases of the cell cycle. A landmark study using DNA microarrays to follow the patterns of gene expression in synchronously dividing yeast cells has allowed the identification of several hundreds of genes that are involved in the cell cycle. Although DNA microarrays provide a convenient tool for genome-wide expression analysis, their use is limited to organisms for which the complete genome sequence or a large cDNA collection is available. For other organisms, including most plant species, DNA fragment analysis based methods, such as cDNA-AFLP, provide a more appropriate tool for genome-wide expression analysis. Furthermore, cDNA-AFLP exhibits properties that complement DNA microarrays and, hence, constitutes a useful tool for gene discovery

The ral gene of phage λ, I : identification of a non-essential gene that modulates restriction and modification in Escherichia coli

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Identification of differentially expressed genes in thyrotropin stimulated dog thyroid cells by the cDNA-AFLP technique.

In dog thyrocytes in primary culture, thyrotropin (TSH), through cAMP, positively controls proliferation and differentiation. As until now, the key events and the genes involved in the action of TSH remain largely uncharacterized, our goal was to identify new differentially expressed genes in TSH-induced thyroid proliferation. Using cDNA-AFLP, we visualized 105 different transcripts showing significant differential expression during the stimulation of dog thyrocytes with TSH for different times, in the presence of insulin. Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses confirmed the pattern expression of 5 clones encoding known proteins: thrombospondine 1, TNFr1, RhoE, RalB, and annexin A2. These regulations provide molecular counterparts of in vivo physiological effects of TSH: angiogenesis (decreased thrombospondin 1), decreased apoptosis (decreased TNFR1) and actin filament disruption, macropinocytosis and thyroid hormone secretion (decreased RhoE).Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe