1) Zebrafish Egg Collection <ol><li> Nel pomeriggio prima del giorno dello schermo chimica, istituito 10-20 vasche di allevamento pesce zebra. Riempire ogni serbatoio con acqua dal sistema di acquacoltura. Utilizzando una rete di pesce, il trasferimento di un maschio adulto e 1-2 femmine adulte di contenitore interno in ciascun serbatoio di allevamento. Separare i pesci di sesso maschile e femminile le une dalle altre con un divisore. Etichetta le gabbie e mettere un coperchio su di loro. </li><li> La mattina dello schermo, togliere i divisori da vasche di allevamento e permettere zebrafish per accoppiarsi. Nel corso del prossimo 1 ora, permettono uova fecondate di cadere in griglia nella parte inferiore di ogni contenitore interno. </li><li> Dopo 1 ora, il ritorno zebrafish adulto torna ai serbatoi di stoccaggio permanente, rimuovere il contenitore interno e raccogliere le uova da sforzare l&#39;acqua di ogni vasca da riproduzione attraverso un colino da tè di plastica. </li><li> Invertire il filtro su una piastra di Petri e risciacquare il filtro delicatamente per lavare le uova nella scatola di Petri utilizzando una bottiglia di lavaggio contenenti il ​​mezzo E3. </li><li> Tutte le uova non fecondate, che appaiono opache, deve essere rimosso con una pipetta di plastica monouso. Ogni croce accoppiamento dovrebbe produrre circa 200 embrioni. </li></ol> 2) arraying Embrioni in piastre da 96 pozzetti <ol><li> Trasferimento di circa 5 embrioni in media E3 in ciascun pozzetto di una piastra a 96 pozzetti utilizzando una pipetta Pasteur di vetro. </li><li> Una volta che gli embrioni sono disposti sulla piastra a 96 pozzetti, rimuovere tanto del mezzo E3 possibile fuori dei pozzi con una a 12 canali (30 - 300 mL) pipetta, facendo attenzione a non forare l&#39;embrione. Utilizzando la pipetta a 12 canali, consegnare 250 microlitri di media E3 contenente kanamicina 0.5μg/ml in ogni pozzetto il più rapidamente possibile in modo da non permettere embrioni ad asciugarsi. </li><li> Mettere le piastre a 96 pozzetti in 28.5 ° C incubatore fino a raggiungere la fase desiderato quando i composti da aggiungere. </li></ol> 3) Trasferimento della Biblioteca piccole molecole Mentre il trasferimento composto può essere automatizzato con metodi di trasferimento robotica, verrà descritto il metodo manuale di trasferimento. <ol><li> Librerie di piccole molecole sono in genere forniti in un formato a 96 pozzetti, con ogni composto memorizzati in DMSO, secondo uno stock da 10 mm. Circa 60 minuti prima che gli embrioni raggiungere la fase in cui i composti sono da aggiungere, disgelo un numero desiderato di piastre a 96 pozzetti contenenti aliquote di piccole molecole (piatto di origine). Prendere nota del numero di identificazione di serie o altre piastre fonte. Per ridurre al minimo la condensazione sui piatti, scongelamento può avvenire in una camera di essiccazione contenente Drierite (WA HAMMOND DRIERITE CO, Xenia, OH). </li><li> In breve spin down i piatti in una centrifuga da tavolo dotato di multi-bene adattatore piastra. </li><li> Rimuovere il sigillo di alluminio dalla piastra fonte. Usando una pipetta a 12 canali, diluire i composti nella piastra di origine alla concentrazione di 0,5 mm (per esempio, se partire con 250 aliquote nL 10 mM di brodo, aggiungere 4,75 ml di DMSO in ogni pozzetto). </li><li> Quando gli embrioni nella piastra a 96 pozzetti (piastra destinatario) raggiungono lo stadio desiderato, utilizzare un 12-canale (2-20 mL) pipetta per trasferire 2.5μL di composti (0,5 mm), dalle piastre di origine nel recipiente contenente le piastre embrioni. </li><li> Registrare il numero di identificazione della fonte piatti su piatti embrione del destinatario. Copertura piastre destinatario che ora contiene gli embrioni e composti con coperchi dolcezza mescolare le piastre rimestando delicatamente e metterli in una 28.5 ° C Incubatore. </li><li> Coprire ogni piatto di origine che contiene inutilizzati piccole molecole (0,5 mm) con un nastro di tenuta in alluminio e mettere in un congelatore ° -80 C per la conservazione a lungo termine. </li></ol> 4) Lo screening per gli effetti di piccole molecole mediante ispezione visiva delle Fenotipi <ol><li> Prima di eseguire lo schermo, formulare un criterio specifico per ciò che costituirebbe una &quot;hit&quot;. </li><li> A volte desiderato in fase di sviluppo, rimuovere le piastre a 96 pozzetti contenenti composto trattati con embrioni da incubatore ed esaminare ogni pozzetto sotto uno stereomicroscopio. Per una migliore visualizzazione dei cambiamenti sottili, come i cambiamenti nel modello circolatorio, un contrasto di fase microscopio invertito può essere utilizzato. Microscopia a fluorescenza può essere utilizzato per esaminare perturbazione di espressione di proteine ​​GFP o DsRed in un tessuto specifico promotore. </li><li> Analizzare rapidamente le piastre a 96 pozzetti per ogni bene in quali almeno 3 su 5 embrioni presentano le prescritte fenotipo &quot;hit&quot;. Registrazione dell&#39;identità della piastra e la posizione di ogni colpo ben potenziale. </li><li> Riconfermare un successo potenziale di ripetere le prove degli effetti del farmaco a dosaggi diversi (1 uM, 5 uM, 10 mM e 50 mM). Per ogni dose, 10 embrioni vengono testati in 0,5 ml di media E3 in un 48-ben formato piatto. I tempi di aggiunta composti per ripetere il test dovrebbe essere identica a quella della proiezione originale. Un colpo è confermata quando il fenotipo suscitato è riprodotto su una nuova determinazione della compound </li><li> Identificare il composto colpito dal database di piccole molecole in biblioteca chimica. </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Bayliss, P. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chemical+modulation+of+receptor+signaling+inhibits+regenerative+angiogenesis+in+adult+zebrafish.">Chemical modulation of receptor signaling inhibits regenerative angiogenesis in adult zebrafish.</a> Nature chemical biology. 2, 265-273 (2006).</li><li>Burns, C. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-throughput+assay+for+small+molecules+that+modulate+zebrafish+embryonic+heart+rate.">High-throughput assay for small molecules that modulate zebrafish embryonic heart rate.</a> Nature chemical biology. 1, 263-264 (2005).</li><li>Hao, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vivo+structure-activity+relationship+study+of+dorsomorphin+analogues+identifies+selective+VEGF+and+BMP+inhibitors.">In vivo structure-activity relationship study of dorsomorphin analogues identifies selective VEGF and BMP inhibitors.</a> ACS chemical biology. 5, 245-253 (2010).</li><li>Hong, C. C., Peterson, Q. P., Hong, J. Y., Peterson, R. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Artery/vein+specification+is+governed+by+opposing+phosphatidylinositol-3+kinase+and+MAP+kinase/ERK+signaling.">Artery/vein specification is governed by opposing phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase and MAP kinase/ERK signaling.</a> Curr Biol. 16, 1366-1372 (2006).</li><li>Milan, D. J., Peterson, T. A., Ruskin, J. N., Peterson, R. T., MacRae, C. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Drugs+that+induce+repolarization+abnormalities+cause+bradycardia+in+zebrafish.">Drugs that induce repolarization abnormalities cause bradycardia in zebrafish.</a> Circulation. 107, 1355-1358 (2003).</li><li>Peterson, R. T., Link, B. A., Dowling, J. E., Schreiber, S. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Small+molecule+developmental+screens+reveal+the+logic+and+timing+of+vertebrate+development.">Small molecule developmental screens reveal the logic and timing of vertebrate development.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 97, 12965-12969 (2000).</li><li>Yu, P. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dorsomorphin+inhibits+BMP+signals+required+for+embryogenesis+and+iron+metabolism.">Dorsomorphin inhibits BMP signals required for embryogenesis and iron metabolism.</a> Nature chemical biology. 4, 33-41 (2008).</li><li>Zon, L. I., Peterson, R. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vivo+drug+discovery+in+the+zebrafish.">In vivo drug discovery in the zebrafish.</a> Nature reviews. 4, 35-44 (2005).</li><li>Stern, H. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Small+molecules+that+delay+S+phase+suppress+a+zebrafish+bmyb+mutant.">Small molecules that delay S phase suppress a zebrafish bmyb mutant.</a> Nature chemical biology. 1, 366-370 (2005).</li><li>Peterson, R. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chemical+suppression+of+a+genetic+mutation+in+a+zebrafish+model+of+aortic+coarctation.">Chemical suppression of a genetic mutation in a zebrafish model of aortic coarctation.</a> Nature biotechnology. 22, 595-599 (2004).</li></ol>

Nessun conflitto di interessi dichiarati.

Quando si pianifica un pesce zebra-based schermo chimica, particolare attenzione deve essere posta la robustezza del fenotipo in esame e il tasso di sfondo di tale fenotipo. Ciò è particolarmente importante per le schermate per soppressori chimica di un fenotipo indotto. Ad esempio, per un fenotipo causato da shock termico ad induzione di un transgene, la condizione che induce il fenotipo riproducibile deve essere tracciata con precisione prima di iniziare lo schermo per evitare i tassi di falsi positivi inaccettabilm...

<ol><li> Minimo di 20 coppie di zebrafish adulti di genotipo desiderato. </li><li> Reti da pesca, vasche di allevamento, con contenitore interno estraibile e divisori (habitat acquatici). </li><li> Piastre di Petri (10 cm). </li><li> Colino da tè di plastica. </li><li> Lavaggio ad acqua embrione bottiglia containg. </li><li> Usa e getta in polietilene trasferimento pipette. </li><li> Polistirolo da 96 pozzetti a fondo rotondo piastre saggio (Corning COSTAR, Lowell, MA). </li><li> Pipetta Pasteur in vetro (Fisher Scientific). </li><li> Pompa manuale pipetta, 10 mL (Bel-Art Prodotti, Pequannock, NJ). </li><li> Embrione E3 media: 5 mM NaCl, 0,17 mM KCl, 0,33 mM CaCl 2, 0,33 mM MgSO 4, contenente 0,003% PTU (phenylthio-carbamide, Sigma, St. Louis, MO). PTU può essere preparato come soluzione 10x sciogliendo 0,3 g PTU in 1 L di media embrione E3. Le soluzioni contenenti PTU devono essere protetti dalla luce, coprendo con un foglio di alluminio. </li><li> 12-canale pipette, 2-20 microlitri (Eppendorf). </li><li> 12-canale pipette, 300-300 microlitri (Eppendorf). </li><li> Pipetta monouso in polistirolo bacino, 50 mL (Fisher Scientific). </li><li> Molecola piccola libreria di composti strutturalmente diversi disposte in un formato di 96-WLL a 10 magazzino mM in DMSO. Ogni piastra master è aliquotati nei piatti in polipropilene a 96 pozzetti di stoccaggio (Corning), e conservati a -80 ° C fino al momento dell&#39;uso. </li><li> Sigillabile alluminio nastro per piastre a 96 pozzetti (Nunc, Rochester, NY). </li><li> DMSO (Sigma, St. Louis, MO). </li><li> Incubatore di base, 28,5 ° C (Fisher Scientific). </li><li> Stereomicroscopio con base a luce trasmessa (Leica Microsystems, Bannockburn, IL). </li></ol>

large scale zebrafish-based in vivo small molecule screen

Date le loro dimensioni embrione piccolo, rapido sviluppo, la trasparenza, la fecondità, e numerose somiglianze molecolari, morfologiche e fisiologiche per i mammiferi, zebrafish è emersa come un potente<em&gt; In vivo</emPiattaforma&gt; per il fenotipo a base di schermi di droga e analisi chimica genetica. Qui, abbiamo dimostrato un metodo semplice e pratico per lo screening su larga scala di piccole molecole usando embrioni di zebrafish.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Large Scale Zebrafish-Based In vivo Small Molecule Screen at JoVE.com

Large Scale Zebrafish-Based In vivo Small Molecule Screen

Zebrafish è emersa come un potente<em&gt; In vivo</emPiattaforma&gt; per il fenotipo a base di schermi di droga e analisi chimica genetica. Qui, abbiamo dimostrato un metodo semplice e pratico per lo screening su larga scala di piccole molecole usando embrioni di zebrafish.

Large Scale Zebrafish-Based In vivo Screen piccole molecole

Given their small embryo size, rapid development, transparency, fecundity, and numerous molecular, morphological and physiological similarities to ...

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Biology

Large Scale Zebrafish-Based In vivo Small Molecule Screen

13.4K Views.  Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Zebrafish è emersa come un potente In vivo per il fenotipo a base di schermi di droga e analisi chimica genetica. Qui, abbiamo dimostrato un metodo semplice e pratico per lo screening su larga scala di piccole molecole usando embrioni di zebrafish.

Video: Large Scale Zebrafish-Based In vivo Small Molecule Screen

Large-Scale Screens of Metagenomic Libraries

Metagenomic libraries archive large fragments of contiguous genomic sequences from microorganisms without requiring prior cultivation. Generating a streamlined procedure for creating and screening metagenomic libraries is therefore useful for efficient high-throughput investigations into the genetic and metabolic properties of uncultured microbial assemblages. Here, key protocols are presented on video, which we propose is the most useful format for accurately describing a long process that alternately depends on robotic instrumentation and (human) manual interventions. First, we employed robotics to spot library clones onto high-density macroarray membranes, each of which can contain duplicate colonies from twenty-four 384-well library plates. Automation is essential for this procedure not only for accuracy and speed, but also due to the miniaturization of scale required to fit the large number of library clones into highly dense spatial arrangements. Once generated, we next demonstrated how the macroarray membranes can be screened for genes of interest using modified versions of standard protocols for probe labeling, membrane hybridization, and signal detection. We complemented the visual demonstration of these procedures with detailed written descriptions of the steps involved and the materials required, all of which are available online alongside the video.

Su larga scala Schermi di librerie metagenomiche

Metagenomic libraries archive large fragments of contiguous genomic sequences from microorganisms without requiring prior cultivation.  Generating a ...

Ricerca

Biologia

Batch Immunostaining for Large-Scale Protein Detection in the Whole Monkey Brain

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is one of the most widely used laboratory techniques for the detection of target proteins in situ. Questions concerning the expression pattern of a target protein across the entire brain are relatively easy to answer when using IHC in small brains, such as those of rodents. However, answering the same questions in large and convoluted brains, such as those of primates presents a number of challenges. Here we present a systematic approach for immunodetection of target proteins in an adult monkey brain. This approach relies on the tissue embedding and sectioning methodology of NeuroScience Associates (NSA) as well as tools developed specifically for batch-staining of free-floating sections. It results in uniform staining of a set of sections which, at a particular interval, represents the entire brain. The resulting stained sections can be subjected to a wide variety of analytical procedures in order to measure protein levels, the population of neurons expressing a certain protein.

Large-scale immunodetection of target proteins across the entire primate brain is possible by employing novel tissue embedding and sectioning methods combined with the use of creative apparatus for batch staining of multiple free-floating sections at a given time.

Immunostaining lotto per la grande rivelazione di proteine ​​nel cervello della scimmia Whole

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is one of the most widely used laboratory techniques for the detection of target proteins in situ. Questions concerning the ...

Small-scale Nuclear Extracts for Functional Assays of Gene-expression Machineries

A great deal of progress in understanding gene expression has been made using in vitro systems. For most studies, functional assays are carried out using extracts that are prepared in bulk from 10-50 or more liters of cells grown in suspension. However, these large-scale preparations are not amenable to rapidly testing in vitro effects that result from a variety of in vivo cellular treatments or conditions. This journal video article shows a method for preparing functional small-scale nuclear extracts, using HeLa cells as an example. This method is carried out using as few as three 150 mm plates of cells grown as adherent monolayers. To illustrate the efficiency of the small-scale extracts, we show that they are as active as bulk nuclear extracts for coupled RNA Polymerase II transcription/splicing reactions. To demonstrate the utility of the extract protocol, we show that splicing is abolished in extracts prepared from HeLa cells treated with the splicing inhibitor drug E7107. The small-scale protocol should be generally applicable to any process or cell type that can be investigated in vitro using cellular extracts. These include patient cells that are only available in limited quantities or cells exposed to numerous agents such as drugs, DNA damaging agents, RNAi, or transfection, which require the use of small cell populations. In addition, small amounts of freshly grown cells are convenient and/or required for some applications.

A protocol for preparation of robust, small-scale HeLa nuclear extracts is described. This protocol is valuable for assays that require use of small populations of cells, such as cells treated with drugs or RNAi. The method should be applicable to a wide variety of gene expression assays and other cell types, including patient cells.

Estratti nucleari di piccole dimensioni per saggi funzionali di espressione genica Macchinari

A great deal of progress in understanding gene expression has been made using in vitro systems.  For most studies, functional assays are carried out using ...

Infinium Assay for Large-scale SNP Genotyping Applications

Genotyping variants in the human genome has proven to be an efficient method to identify genetic associations with phenotypes. The distribution of variants within families or populations can facilitate identification of the genetic factors of disease. Illumina&#39;s panel of genotyping BeadChips allows investigators to genotype thousands or millions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or to analyze other genomic variants, such as copy number, across a large number of DNA samples. These SNPs can be spread throughout the genome or targeted in specific regions in order to maximize potential discovery. The Infinium assay has been optimized to yield high-quality, accurate results quickly. With proper setup, a single technician can process from a few hundred to over a thousand DNA samples per week, depending on the type of array. This assay guides users through every step, starting with genomic DNA and ending with the scanning of the array. Using propriety reagents, samples are amplified, fragmented, precipitated, resuspended, hybridized to the chip, extended by a single base, stained, and scanned on either an iScan or Hi Scan high-resolution optical imaging system. One overnight step is required to amplify the DNA. The DNA is denatured and isothermally amplified by whole-genome amplification; therefore, no PCR is required. Samples are hybridized to the arrays during a second overnight step. By the third day, the samples are ready to be scanned and analyzed. Amplified DNA may be stockpiled in large quantities, allowing bead arrays to be processed every day of the week, thereby maximizing throughput.

A protocol is described that uses Illumina&#39;s Infinium assays to perform large-scale genotyping. These assays can reliably genotype millions of SNPs across hundreds of individual DNA samples in three days. Once generated, these genotypes can be used to check for associations with a variety of different diseases or phenotypes.

Infinium Assay per i grandi SNP genotipizzazione Applicazioni

Genotyping variants in the human genome has proven to be an efficient method to identify genetic associations with phenotypes. The distribution of ...

A Strategy for Sensitive, Large Scale Quantitative Metabolomics

Metabolite profiling has been a valuable asset in the study of metabolism in health and disease. However, current platforms have different limiting factors, such as labor intensive sample preparations, low detection limits, slow scan speeds, intensive method optimization for each metabolite, and the inability to measure both positively and negatively charged ions in single experiments. Therefore, a novel metabolomics protocol could advance metabolomics studies. Amide-based hydrophilic chromatography enables polar metabolite analysis without any chemical derivatization. High resolution MS using the Q-Exactive (QE-MS) has improved ion optics, increased scan speeds (256 msec at resolution 70,000), and has the capability of carrying out positive/negative switching. Using a cold methanol extraction strategy, and coupling an amide column with QE-MS enables robust detection of 168 targeted polar metabolites and thousands of additional features simultaneously.&#160; Data processing is carried out with commercially available software in a highly efficient way, and unknown features extracted from the mass spectra can be queried in databases.

Metabolite profiling has been a valuable asset in the study of metabolism in health and disease. Utilizing normal-phased liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry with polarity switching and a rapid duty cycle, we describe a protocol to analyze the polar metabolic composition of biological material with high sensitivity, accuracy, and resolution.

Una strategia per sensibili, su larga scala quantitative Metabolomica

Metabolite profiling has been a valuable asset in the study of metabolism in health and disease. However, current platforms have different limiting ...

A Manual Small Molecule Screen Approaching High-throughput Using Zebrafish Embryos

Zebrafish have become a widely used model organism to investigate the mechanisms that underlie developmental biology and to study human disease pathology due to their considerable degree of genetic conservation with humans. Chemical genetics entails testing the effect that small molecules have on a biological process and is becoming a popular translational research method to identify therapeutic compounds. Zebrafish are specifically appealing to use for chemical genetics because of their ability to produce large clutches of transparent embryos, which are externally fertilized. Furthermore, zebrafish embryos can be easily drug treated by the simple addition of a compound to the embryo media. Using whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH), mRNA expression can be clearly visualized within zebrafish embryos. Together, using chemical genetics and WISH, the zebrafish becomes a potent whole organism context in which to determine the cellular and physiological effects of small molecules. Innovative advances have been made in technologies that utilize machine-based screening procedures, however for many labs such options are not accessible or remain cost-prohibitive. The protocol described here explains how to execute a manual high-throughput chemical genetic screen that requires basic resources and can be accomplished by a single individual or small team in an efficient period of time. Thus, this protocol provides a feasible strategy that can be implemented by research groups to perform chemical genetics in zebrafish, which can be useful for gaining fundamental insights into developmental processes, disease mechanisms, and to identify novel compounds and signaling pathways that have medically relevant applications.

The zebrafish is an excellent experimental organism to study vertebrate developmental processes and model human disease. Here, we describe a protocol on how to perform a manual high-throughput chemical screen in zebrafish embryos with a whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH) read-out.

Un manuale Schermo piccole molecole si avvicina ad alta velocità Uso embrioni di zebrafish

Zebrafish have become a widely used model organism to investigate the mechanisms that underlie developmental biology and to study human disease pathology ...

Novel Production Protocol for Small-scale Manufacture of Probiotic Fermented Foods

A novel dried bacterial consortium of Lactobacillus rhamnosus yoba 2012 and Streptococcus thermophilus C106 is cultured in 1 L of milk. This fresh starter can be used for the production of fermented milk and other fermented foods either at home or at small-scale in rural settings. For the fresh starter, 1 L of milk is pasteurized in a pan that fits into a larger pan containing water, placed on a source of heat. In this water bath, the milk is heated and incubated at 85 &#176;C for 30 min. Thereafter, the milk is cooled down to 45 &#176;C, transferred to a vacuum flask, inoculated with the dried bacteria and left for at least 16 hr between 30 &#176;C and 45 &#176;C. For the purpose of frequent home production, the fresh starter is frozen into ice cubes, which can be used for the production of small volumes of up to 2 L of fermented milk. For the purpose of small-scale production in resource-poor countries, pasteurization of up to 100 L of milk is conducted in milk cans that are placed in a large sauce pan filled with water and heated on a fire at 85 &#176;C for 30 min, and subsequently cooled to 45 &#176;C. Next, the 100 L batch is inoculated with the 1 L freshly prepared starter mentioned before. To assure an effective fermentation at a temperature between 30 and 45 &#176;C, the milk can is covered with a blanket for 12 hr. For the production of non-dairy fermented foods, the fresh starter is left in a cheese cloth for 12 hr, and the drained-off whey can be subsequently used for the inoculation of a wide range of food raw materials, including vegetables and cereal-based foods.

A production protocol is described for the small-scale production of probiotic fermented dairy drink with the aid of a novel bacterial starter culture.

Novel Produzione Protocollo per piccola scala Produzione di probiotici fermentati

A novel dried bacterial consortium of Lactobacillus rhamnosus yoba 2012 and Streptococcus thermophilus C106 is cultured in 1 L of milk. This fresh starter ...

ODELAY: A Large-scale Method for Multi-parameter Quantification of Yeast Growth

Growth phenotypes of microorganisms are a strong indicator of their underlying genetic fitness and can be segregated into 3 growth regimes: lag-phase, log-phase, and stationary-phase. Each growth phase can reveal different aspects of fitness that are related to various environmental and genetic conditions. High-resolution and quantitative measurements of all 3 phases of growth are generally difficult to obtain. Here we present a detailed method to characterize all 3 growth phases on solid media using an assay called One-cell Doubling Evaluation of Living Arrays of Yeast (ODELAY). ODELAY quantifies growth phenotypes of individual cells growing into colonies on solid media using time-lapse microscopy. This method can directly observe population heterogeneity with each growth parameter in genetically identical cells growing into colonies. This population heterogeneity offers a unique perspective for understanding genetic and epigenetic regulation, and responses to genetic and environmental perturbations. While the ODELAY method is demonstrated using yeast, it can be utilized on any colony forming microorganism that is visible by bright field microscopy.

We present a method for quantifying growth phenotypes of individual yeast cells as they grow into colonies on solid media using time-lapse microscopy termed, One-cell Doubling Evaluation of Living Arrays of Yeast (ODELAY). Population heterogeneity of genetically identical cells growing into colonies can be directly observed and quantified.

ODELAY: Metodo su vasta scala per la quantificazione multiparametrica della crescita del lievito

Growth phenotypes of microorganisms are a strong indicator of their underlying genetic fitness and can be segregated into 3 growth regimes: lag-phase, ...

Identification of Novel Regulators of Plant Transpiration by Large-Scale Thermal Imaging Screening in Helianthus Annuus

Plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses is governed by a variety of factors, among which the regulation of stomatal aperture in response to water deficit or pathogens plays a crucial role. Identifying small molecules that regulate stomatal movement can therefore contribute to understanding the physiological basis by which plants adapt to their environment. Large-scale screening approaches that have been used to identify regulators of stomatal movement have potential limitations: some rely heavily on the abscisic acid (ABA) hormone signaling pathway, therefore excluding ABA-independent mechanisms, while others rely on the observation of indirect, long-term physiological effects such as plant growth and development. The screening method presented here allows the large-scale treatment of plants with a library of chemicals coupled with a direct quantification of their transpiration by thermal imaging. Since evaporation of water through transpiration results in leaf surface cooling, thermal imaging provides a non-invasive approach to investigate changes in stomatal conductance over time. In this protocol, Helianthus annuus seedlings are grown hydroponically and then treated by root feeding, in which the primary root is cut and dipped into the chemical being tested. Thermal imaging followed by statistical analysis of cotyledonary temperature changes over time allows for the identification of bioactive molecules modulating stomatal aperture. Our proof-of-concept experiments demonstrate that a chemical can be carried from the cut root to the cotyledon of the sunflower seedling within 10 minutes. In addition, when plants are treated with ABA as a positive control, an increase in leaf surface temperature can be detected within minutes. Our method thus allows the efficient and rapid identification of novel molecules regulating stomatal aperture.

Identification of Novel Regulators of Plant Transpiration by Large-Scale Thermal Imaging Screening in Helianthus Annuus

We provide a method for identifying modulators of foliar transpiration by large-scale screening of a compound library.

Identificazione di nuovi regolatori della traspirazione vegetale mediante screening termico su larga scala in Helianthus Annuus

Plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses is governed by a variety of factors, among which the regulation of stomatal aperture in response to water ...

A Semiautomated ChIP-Seq Procedure for Large-scale Epigenetic Studies

Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-Seq) is a powerful and widely used approach to profile chromatin DNA associated with specific histone modifications, such as H3K27ac, to help identify cis-regulatory DNA elements. The manual process to complete a ChIP-Seq is labor intensive, technically challenging, and often requires large-cell numbers (&#62;100,000 cells). The method described here helps to overcome those challenges. A complete semiautomated, microscaled H3K27ac ChIP-Seq procedure including cell fixation, chromatin shearing, immunoprecipitation, and sequencing library preparation, for batch of 48 samples for cell number inputs less than 100,000 cells is described in detail. The semiautonomous platform reduces technical variability, improves signal-to-noise ratios, and drastically reduces labor. The system can thereby reduce costs by allowing for reduced reaction volumes, limiting the number of expensive reagents such as enzymes, magnetic beads, antibodies, and hands-on time required. These improvements to the ChIP-Seq method suit perfectly for large-scale epigenetic studies of clinical samples with limited cell numbers in a highly reproducible manner.

This paper describes a semiautomated, microscaled ChIP-Seq protocol of DNA regions associated with a specific histone modification (H3K27ac) using a ChIP liquid-handler platform, followed by library preparation using tagmentation. The procedure includes control assessment for quality and quantity purposes and can be adopted to other histone modifications or transcription factors.

Una procedura ChIP-Seq semiautomatica per studi epigenetici su larga scala

Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-Seq) is a powerful and widely used approach to profile chromatin DNA associated with specific ...