Development and Validation of Markers for the Fertility Restorer Gene Rf1 in Sunflower

Hybrid breeding in sunflowers based on CMS PET1 requires development of restorer lines carrying, in most cases, the restorer gene Rf1. Markers for marker-assisted selection have been developed, but there is still need for closer, more versatile, and co-dominant markers linked to Rf1. Homology searches against the reference sunflower genome using sequences of cloned markers, as well as Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC)-end sequences of clones hybridizing to them, allowed the identification of two genomic regions of 30 and 3.9 Mb, respectively, as possible physical locations of the restorer gene Rf1 on linkage group 13. Nine potential candidate genes, encoding six pentatricopeptide repeat proteins, one tetratricopeptide-like helical domain, a probable aldehyde dehydrogenase 22A1, and a probable poly(A) polymerase 3 (PAPS3), were identified in these two genomic regions. Amplicon targeted next generation sequencing of these nine candidate genes for Rf1 was performed in an association panel consisting of 27 maintainer and 32 restorer lines and revealed the presence of 210 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and 67 Insertions/Deletions (INDELs). Association studies showed significant associations of 10 SNPs with fertility restoration (p-value lt 10(-4)), narrowing Rf1 down to three candidate genes. Three new markers, one co-dominant marker 67N04_P and two dominant markers, PPR621.5R for restorer, and PPR621.5M for maintainer lines were developed and verified in the association panel of 59 sunflower lines. The versatility of the three newly developed markers, as well as of three existing markers for the restorer gene Rf1 (HRG01 and HRG02, Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequence (CAPS)-marker H13), was analyzed in a large association panel consisting of 557 accessions

Association studies and marker development for the fertility restorer gene Rf1 in sunflower

Fertility restoration is an essential part of hybrid breeding based on cytoplasmic male sterility. In sunflower, the CMS PET1 originating from an interspecific hybridization between Helianthus petiolaris and H. annuus is world-wide used in hybrid breeding. The restorer gene Rf1 is responsible for restoring fertility in the hybrids by specifically reducing the co-transcript of atp1 and the CMS-specific orfH522 in the anthers. From the mode of action (differences in RNA stability) Rf1 could be a pentatricopeptide repeat gene. Blasting BAC-end sequences and sequences of markers linked to the restorer gene Rf1 two physical locations (encompassing 30 Mb and 3.9 Mb, respectively) on linkage group 13 could be identified in the sunflower genome sequence of HanXRQ. These two regions contained nine possible candidate genes for Rf1: seven pentatricopeptide repeat genes, one aldehyde dehydrogenase and one poly(A) polymerase 3 gene. Using a next generation sequencing approach, the nine candidate genes were sequenced with 120 x coverage in an association panel of 59 lines (27 maintainer and 32 restorer lines) and 210 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as well as 67 insertions/deletions (InDels) could be identified

An Outer Membrane Vesicle-Based Permeation Assay (OMPA) for Assessing Bacterial Bioavailability

When searching for new antibiotics against Gram-negative bacterial infections, a better understanding of the permeability across the cell envelope and tools to discriminate high from low bacterial bioavailability compounds are urgently needed. Inspired by the phospholipid vesicle-based permeation assay (PVPA), which is designed to predict non-facilitated permeation across phospholipid membranes, outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) of Escherichia coli either enriched or deficient of porins are employed to coat filter supports for predicting drug uptake across the complex cell envelope. OMVs and the obtained in vitro model are structurally and functionally characterized using cryo-TEM, SEM, CLSM, SAXS, and light scattering techniques. In vitro permeability, obtained from the membrane model for a set of nine antibiotics, correlates with reported in bacterio accumulation data and allows to discriminate high from low accumulating antibiotics. In contrast, the correlation of the same data set generated by liposome-based comparator membranes is poor. This better correlation of the OMV-derived membranes points to the importance of hydrophilic membrane components, such as lipopolysaccharides and porins, since those features are lacking in liposomal comparator membranes. This approach can offer in the future a high throughput screening tool with high predictive capacity or can help to identify compound- and bacteria-specific passive uptake pathways

Arsenic distribution and speciation in the fronds of the hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata

Pteris vittata is the first plant reported to be a hyperaccumulator of arsenic (As), and little is known about the mechanisms of As hyperaccumulation in this plant. Arsenic distribution at the whole plant (fronds) and cellular level was investigated using chemical analyses and energy dispersive X-ray microanalyses (EDXA). Speciation of As in the fronds was determined using X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) analyses. The majority of As was found in the pinnae (96% of total As). The concentration of As in pinnae decreased from the base to the apex of the fronds. Arsenic concentrations in spores and midribs were much lower than in the pinnae. EDXA analyses revealed that As was compartmentalized mainly in the upper and lower epidermal cells, probably in the vacuoles. The distribution pattern of potassium was similar to As, whereas other elements (Ca, Cl, K, Mg, P and S) were distributed differently. XANES analyses showed that approximately 75% of the As in fronds was present in the As(III) oxidation state and the remaining as As(V)

Alles auf Anfang mit der Rewind-Technique : Führt das Rückwärts-Vorstellen traumatischer Ereignisse zu weniger Intrusionen?

eingereicht von: Lena FuhrmannLiteraturverzeichnis: Blatt 43-49Zusammenfassung/abstract in deutscher und englischer SpracheParis-Lodron-Universität Salzburg, Masterarbeit, 2018(VLID)500309

Der österreichische Arbeiterfotograf Hans Cechal

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit Leben und Werk Hans Cechals (1907-1988), eines österreichischen Arbeiterfotografen der Zwischenkriegszeit. Der Terminus „Arbeiterfotograf“ bezieht sich dabei auf die sogenannte Arbeiterfotografenbewegung der 1920er und 1930er Jahre und beschreibt die Ausübung der Amateurfotografie durch Angehörige der Arbeiterklasse. In Österreich etablierte sich diese „linke“ Amateurfotografie vornehmlich in Fotogruppen des Touristenvereins Die Naturfreunde und der Volkshochschulen. Von Hans Cechal wurde bisher ausschließlich die Fotomontage Schlote öffentlich publiziert. Bescheiden waren auch die zugänglichen Informationen über sein Leben und seine biografischen Daten. Mit dieser Arbeit wird der gesamte fotografische Nachlass Hans Cechals Gegenstand genauerer Untersuchungen und seine biografischen Daten werden vervollständigt. Es wird untersucht, unter welchen historischen, sozialen und politischen Voraussetzungen Hans Cechal seinem Hobby als Fotograf nachging, welche fotografischen Strömungen und Stile ihn beeinflussten und wie sich seine Fotografien eingebettet in einen größeren fotohistorischen Kontext bewerten lassen. Dazu werden seine Fotografien auf Anleihen aus dem Neuen Sehen und der Neuen Sachlichkeit geprüft und mit dem Bildprogramm der sozialdemokratischen Illustrierten Der Kuckuck verglichen. So wird überprüft, in welchem Maße sich seine Fotografien an der Ästhetik der Neuen Fotografie orientierten und bis zu welchem Grad sie alten Bildtraditionen folgten oder im Einklang mit der bürgerlich-konservativen Amateurfotografie standen