Grazie a Michaela Hall, Larissa Bispo e Gustavo Tavares per l&#39;assistenza tecnica.

I prodotti alimentari che vengono consumati crudi o poco cotti sono più preoccupazione per la salute umana. Gli esempi includono insalata di verdure, frutta, frutti di mare e crostacei. 1. Raccolta dei campioni <ol><li> Raccogliere i campioni in condizioni che riducono al minimo la contaminazione, e conservati in sacchetti puliti, separati durante il trasporto. Una volta raccolti, i campioni devono essere conservati a 4 ° C e trattati entro 24 ore. </li></ol> 2. Enriched Cultura Preparazione <ol><li> Frutta e verdura: <ol><li> Posizionare circa 10 g di materiale in un sacchetto di plastica resistente. Se l&#39;elaborazione di materiale più grande, concentrarsi sulla pelle della frutta o verdura. Aggiungere 90 ml di 0,1 M tampone fosfato di sodio, pH 7,0 e di processo in un miscelatore a pale per 30 sec. In alternativa, il materiale può essere agitato manualmente se un miscelatore a pale non è disponibile. </li><li> Raccogliere il liquido in due provette da 50 ml Falcon. Provette per centrifuga a 4.000 xg per 7 minuti a batteri pellet. </li&gt; <li> Rimuovere con attenzione il surnatante e sospendere i batteri pellet in 30 ml di sterile Luria Bertani (LB) brodo. </li><li> Incubare su un agitatore O / N, tenendo un tubo a 25 ° C e l&#39;altro a 37 ° C. Le colture devono essere agitati a 200 oscillazioni al minuto (OPM). Conservare le culture a 4 ° C fino a quando necessario. </li></ol></li><li> Frutti di mare: <ol><li> Sezionare lo stomaco (ostriche) o del tratto digestivo (gamberi) con pinza sterile e pinzette e posto in una provetta sterile da 1,5 ml contiene 200 ml di tampone fosfato 0,1 M di sodio, pH 7,0. Macerare il campione per creare un omogenato. </li><li> Dispensare 5 ml di brodo LB in due sterili provette da 5 ml, e inoculare ciascuna con l&#39;omogeneizzato frutti di mare. </li><li> Incubare su un agitatore O / N, tenendo un tubo a 25 ° C e l&#39;altro 37 ° C. Le colture devono essere agitati a 200 opm. Conservare le culture a 4 ° C fino a quando necessario. </li></ol></li></ol> 3. Culture screening per integroni 2 di 2,5 mm. Se necessario, Lorenz (2011) 24 ha delineato l&#39;ottimizzazione e la risoluzione dei problemi di PCR metodi in un numero precedente di questa rivista. <ol><li> La preparazione del DNA Bollito: <ol><li> Dispensare 100 l di cultura arricchito in una sterile 0,5 ml provetta PCR. Riscaldare il campione a 99 ° C per 10 minuti, utilizzando un bagnomaria o calore. Snap freddo in ghiaccio per 2 minuti. </li><li> Microcentrifuga a 14000 g per 5 minuti per far sedimentare i detriti cellulari. Ritorno a ghiaccio. I campioni di DNA possono essere congelati a -20 ° C fino al momento, ma devono essere scongelati in ghiaccio. </li></ol></li><li> Screening per la classe 1 integroni utilizzando PCR: NOTA: culture miste dal / N incubazione O sono proiettati per la classe 1 integroni che utilizzano il protocollo HS463a / HS464 PCR (Tabella 1). <ol><li> Scongelare tutti i reagenti PCR su ghiaccio, lontano da qualsiasi potenziale souRCE di contaminazione del DNA. Make up 48 microlitri PCR mastermix per campione, inclusi i controlli negativi (Tabella 2). Dispensare 48 ml di PCR master mix in ogni provetta, con punte di barriera. </li><li> Aggiungere 2 ml di DNA scongelata per provette PCR singole con puntali. Eseguire apposito programma nel termociclatore PCR. </li><li> Per valutare i risultati della amplificazione, elettroforesi 7 ml di prodotto di PCR su un gel di agarosio al 2% versato ed eseguire in tampone TBE (90 mM TRIS-borato, 2 mM EDTA). Include un marcatore di peso molecolare, come ad esempio una scala di 100 bp. </li><li> Posta macchia il gel con una macchia DNA, e visualizzare utilizzando un transilluminatore UV. Verificare che non vi è stata alcuna amplificazione nel controllo negativo. Una forte banda a circa 470 bp per qualsiasi campione particolare indica che la cultura mista contiene batteri che portano una classe 1 integrone. Colonie Pure verranno isolate da qualsiasi cultura mista che ha restituito una PCR positiva. </li></ol></li></ol><ol><li> Diluizioni seriali e piastre spread: NOTA: Per isolare singole colonie da colture miste PCR-positivi, la coltura mista è serialmente diluiti 10 volte in tampone fosfato di sodio, e poi placcato recuperare singole colonie. <ol><li> Aggiungere 1 ml di coltura mista a 9 ml di tampone fosfato 0,1 M di sodio, pH 7,0 e mescolare per inversione. Aggiungere 1 ml della diluizione ad un ulteriore 9 ml di tampone fosfato, e ripetere fino una diluizione seriale di 10 -8 è raggiunto. </li><li> Stendere 100 ml di i 10 -4 a 10 -8 diluizioni su agar LB, in duplice copia. Incubare le piastre O / N alla stessa temperatura utilizzata per la coltura mista iniziale. Le piastre possono quindi essere conservati a 4 ° C fino al momento, ma è meglio elaborare le singole colonie abbastanza rapidamente. </li></ol></li><li> Selezione colonia unico e la preparazione del DNA bollito: <ol><li> Scegli singole colonie dalle piastre di diluizione seriali, SEnando come molti tipi differenti di colonie possibile, utilizzando criteri come le dimensioni delle colonie, forma e colore. Usa stuzzicadenti sterile per selezionare singole colonie dalla piastra diffusione. </li><li> Toccare lo stuzzicadenti alla colonia, e poi trasferire in un tubo di PCR contenente 100 ml di acqua sterile. Se un gran numero di colonie devono essere sottoposti a screening, quindi le colonie possono essere preparati in un vassoio di microtitolazione. Spin stuzzicadenti tra le dita per rimuovere alcune delle cellule in acqua. </li><li> Utilizzando lo stesso stecchino, inoculare una piastra LB con una striscia della colonia. Un gran numero di colonie possono essere memorizzati su piastre etichettati se ogni striscia è lungo circa 1 cm. Ripetere i passaggi da 1 a 3 fino a selezionare un numero adeguato di isolati. </li><li> Incubare la piastre LB O / N, alla stessa temperatura di quello usato per la coltura arricchita iniziale. Le culture possono quindi essere conservati a 4 ° C fino all&#39;utilizzo. </li><li> Per la preparazione del DNA dalle sospensioni batteriche, seguire la procedura come outlined nella sezione 3.1. Per lo screening dei lisati coltura pura, eseguire la HS463a / HS464 PCR come indicato nella sezione 3.2. Gli isolati che restituiscono un PCR positivo sarà utilizzato per la preparazione di DNA genomico (sezione 5), e per ulteriori analisi. </li></ol></li></ol> 5. Le colonie singole genomico Estrazione del DNA di Integron positivi Uso Bead Beating 25 <ol><li> Inoculare 5 ml di brodo LB con un campione della coltura pura isolato nella sezione 4.2. Incubare O / N, agitando alla stessa temperatura che è stato utilizzato per la coltura arricchita iniziale. </li><li> Cellule pellet a 4.000 xg per 7 minuti, quindi rimuovere il surnatante. Risospendere le cellule pellet in 1 ml di soluzione CLS-TC in un tubo di preparazione veloce di Lisi Matrix E. Utilizzando una macchina tallone pestaggio, elaborare il campione a 5,5 m / sec per 30 sec. </li><li> Provetta da centrifuga a 14000 xg per 5 min e recuperare 700 pl di surnatante in una provetta sterile da 1.5 ml. </li><li> Aggiungere 700 ml di matrice legante diluito 1: 5 con 6 M guanidinium tiocianato e mescolare a temperatura ambiente per 5 minuti. Centrifugare a 14000 g per 1 minuto, il surnatante scarto. </li><li> Aggiungere 800 microlitri etanolo di lavaggio sale (70% di etanolo, 0,1 M di acetato di sodio) e vortex fino a quando il pellet è completamente risospeso. Lavare per 5 minuti a RT, centrifugare a 14.000 xg per 1 minuto e scartare il surnatante. Assicurarsi tutte surnatante è stato rimosso, usando una micropipetta se necessario, quindi lasciare asciugare all&#39;aria per 5 min. </li><li> Risospendere la matrice pellet in 200 microlitri TE (10 mM Tris-HCl, 1 mM EDTA, pH 7,6) pipettando su e giù. Incubare a temperatura ambiente per 3 min. Centrifugare a 14.000 xg per 3 min e trasferimento 160 microlitri della DNA eluito in una provetta sterile. Eseguire una aliquota della estrazione del DNA genomico su 2% w / v gel di agarosio per verificare la resa e l&#39;integrità della estrazione del DNA. Il DNA genomico purificato è conservato a -20 ° C e scongelato in ghiaccio quando richiesto per il test PCR. </li></ol> 6. PCR diagnostici e sequenziamento del DNA NOTA: IlDNA genomico preparata al punto 5 sarà utilizzato per tutte le PCR diagnostici, e per confermare il test positivo per la classe 1 integroni. <ol><li> Scongelare il DNA genomico sul ghiaccio, vortice brevemente il campione di DNA e di spin impulso a 14000 g per 20 sec. Ripetere la PCR per la classe 1 integrone-integrasi gene utilizzando HS463a / HS464 (Tabella 1), a conferma che l&#39;isolato è positivo per l&#39;amplicone 471 bp (Sezione 3.2). </li><li> Identificazione delle colture positive a livello di specie è ottenuta mediante analisi della piccola subunità gene rRNA (16S rDNA). Amplificare il gene 16S con primer f27 / r1492 (Tabella 1). Controllare i prodotti PCR mediante elettroforesi. Tutti gli obiettivi batterici dovrebbero generare un 16S amplicone di circa 1450 bp. </li><li> Sequenza gene amplicone 16S rRNA per determinare l&#39;identità delle specie, ma dal momento che ci sono probabilmente più PCR positivi dal punto 6.2, e molti di questi aspetti positivi saranno le stesse specie di batteri, abbiamo in primo luogo distinguere diverse specie using restrizione digestione del prodotto di PCR 16S. <ol><li> Digest un&#39;aliquota del 16S PCR con l&#39;enzima di restrizione Hinf 1. Ogni enzima che riconosce siti di rottura 4 bp farà, ma Hinf 1 genera buona diversità dagli obiettivi 16S, ed è un affidabile, enzima poco costoso. </li></ol></li><li> Impostare una limitazione di 30 microlitri digerire mastermix (Tabella 2) in una provetta sterile e aggiungere 20 ml di un-purfied prodotto 16S PCR. Incubare a 37 ° C bagnomaria O / N. Controllare il digest su un gel di agarosio al 2%. </li><li> Nota i modelli prodotti dalla digestione Hinf 1. Isolati con la stessa 16S profilo di restrizione saranno probabilmente della stessa specie. Piuttosto che sequenziare ogni prodotto 16S PCR, sequenza al massimo tre rappresentanti di ogni Hinf 1 restrizione modello. </li><li> Purificare i prodotti 16S PCR utilizzando un kit commerciale. Un unico kit exonuclease filamento può essere utilizzato, ma sulla base di colonna o metodi di precipitazione anche lavorare bene per rimuovere unincprimer orporated e DNA cavo rigido. Sequenza 16S amplificati usando Primer R910 (Tabella 1), che istituiscono le reazioni, come specificato dalla struttura sequenziamento. </li><li> Utilizzare la sequenza di DNA derivati ​​di interrogare la banca dati del DNA NCBI con la funzione BLASTN ( <a href="http://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi" target="_blank">http://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi</a> ). Superiore al 97% nucleotide identità è solitamente considerato come l&#39;identità di specie. </li></ol> 7. mappatura e caratterizzazione di integroni e cassette Array NOTA: Classe 1 integroni provenienti da ecosistemi umani dominati sono probabilmente i integroni più comuni in tutti i campioni. Questi integroni tutti hanno un recente un&#39;unica origine, e quindi hanno una sequenza di DNA altamente conservata 5. <ol><li> Distinguere tra una classe 1 integroni provenienti da fonti umane e quelle che si trovano in natura in campioni ambientali eseguendo unaPCR con primer set intI1F165 / intI1R476 10 (Tabella 1). NOTA: Classe 1 integroni da batteri clinici o commensali genererà un prodotto ~ 300 pb, mentre la classe ambientale 1 integroni non genereranno alcun prodotto. </li><li> Caratterizzare le integroni clinici amplificando matrice cassetta con primer HS458 / HS459. Questo PCR amplifica la regione tra intI1 e segmento conservato il 3 &#39;al capolinea della maggior parte degli array di cassette. Poiché il numero e l&#39;identità di cassette è variabile, le dimensioni del prodotto di PCR anche variare. </li><li> Purificare ampliconi e sequenziare il DNA utilizzando ciascuno dei primer di amplificazione. Utilizzare sequenze di interrogare banche dati del DNA utilizzando la funzione BLASTN ( <a href="http://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi" target="_blank">http://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi</a> ). </li><li> Garantire la denominazione di cassette seguire nomenclatura standardizzata 9, dal momento che molte deposizioni di dati per cassette gene integrones usano nomi incoerenti o ambigui. Dare particolare attenzione alle cassette geniche nuovi, dal momento che questi possono codificare nuovi fenotipi, compresi i geni che conferiscono aumentata trasmissibilità, patogenicità o la virulenza 8,21. NOTA: preclinici forme della classe 1 integrone circolano ancora in ambienti naturali. In particolare, coloro che sono legati alla attive Tn 402 trasposoni sono di maggior interesse 26. Gli array di cassette di questi integroni non amplificare con primer HS458 / HS459, ma possono essere amplificati con la MRG284 / MRG285 Primer set (Tabella 1), generando ampliconi di grandezza variabile dipendente sui contenuti cassetta. I prodotti di PCR devono essere purificati e DNA sequenziati come indicato al punto 7.2. </li></ol>

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J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Nucleic Acid Techniques in Bacterial Systematics. , 115-175 (1991).</li><li>Holmes, A. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Recombination+activity+of+a+distinctive+integron-gene+cassette+system+associated+with+stutzeri.+populations+in+soil.">Recombination activity of a distinctive integron-gene cassette system associated with stutzeri. populations in soil.</a> Journal of Bacteriology. 185, 918-928 (2003).</li></ol>

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L&#39;identificazione di integroni e le loro cassette geniche associate è potenzialmente un passo fondamentale nel predire l&#39;emergere di nuovi patogeni opportunisti, tracking percorsi per gli agenti patogeni nella catena alimentare umana, e identificando nuova resistenza e la virulenza determinanti 8,21,26. Lo scopo di questo lavoro è stato quello di descrivere un approccio semplificato per lo screening dei campioni per la classe 1 integroni, che caratterizzano le loro matrici cassette e identificare le...

La scoperta degli antibiotici è stata una delle più grandi conquiste scientifiche del 20 ° secolo. Tuttavia, l&#39;uso e l&#39;abuso di antibiotici ha portato alla rapida evoluzione dei batteri resistenti agli antibiotici, e questi ora rappresentare una seria minaccia per la salute pubblica nel 21 ° secolo. L&#39;aumento di ceppi batterici resistenti alla maggior parte delle opzioni di trattamento solleva la possibilità che stiamo entrando in un&#39;era in cui i farmaci antimicrobici non sono più efficaci 1,2. Il macchinario genetico che conferisce resistenza agli antibiotici è un antico sistema, anticipando gli esseri umani e le pressioni di selezione antibiotici da milioni di anni 3. Elementi genetici mobili, come i plasmidi, trasposoni, isole genomiche, elementi di coniugazione integrativi e integroni possono diffondere geni resistenti agli antibiotici (ARG), sia all&#39;interno e tra specie batteriche 4. Di questi, integroni hanno svolto un ruolo centrale nella diffusione di ARG, nonostante lafatto che si basano su plasmidi e trasposoni per la mobilitazione e l&#39;inserimento in genomi batterici 5. Integroni catturano cassette geniche che utilizzano un integrone-integrasi, e quindi esprimono cassette utilizzando un integrone codificato promotore 6,7 (Figura 1). Integron gene cassette sono piccoli elementi mobili costituiti da singole fasi di lettura aperti (ORF) i cui prodotti possono conferire resistenza agli antibiotici e disinfettanti 8. Classe 1 integroni sono i integroni più comunemente recuperati da isolati clinici 5, dove hanno complessivamente acquisito oltre 130 diverse cassette antibiotico gene di resistenza 9. La diffusione di classe 1 integroni in commensali e batteri patogeni umani associata genera flussi di rifiuti umani che contengono un gran numero di questi elementi genetici 10. Si stima che 10 19 batteri che contengono classe 1 integroni vengono rilasciati tramite fanghi di depurazione ogni anno in il Regno Unito 11. Non è quindi sorprendente che classe 1 integroni che conferiscono resistenza agli antibiotici sono ora rilevati nel microbiota degli uccelli selvatici, pesci e altri fauna selvatica 12-14. Rilasciando integroni indietro nell&#39;ambiente costituisce una significativa minaccia per la salute pubblica, dal momento che l&#39;acquisizione di nuove cassette geniche e riarrangiamenti complessi con altri elementi mobili continua a verificarsi, soprattutto negli impianti di trattamento delle acque reflue e di altri corpi idrici 15-18. L&#39;ambiente naturale diventa un terreno di reclutamento fertile per i nuovi determinanti di resistenza e patogeni opportunisti 19,20. Batteri integrone contenente Nuovi e nuovi ARG possono fare il giro nella comunità umana attraverso acqua e cibo contaminati 21,22. Sorveglianza di ARG ambientali è una strategia chiave per la comprensione e la gestione di resistenza agli antibiotici in futuro 23. In particolare, occorre prestare attenzione agli alimenti che vengono consumati crudi opoco cotti, dal momento che questi rappresentano la più grande minaccia per la trasmissione di nuovi elementi mobili e gli agenti patogeni. In questo protocollo, un approccio semplificato per il rilevamento, l&#39;identificazione e la caratterizzazione di classe 1 integroni e le loro cassette geniche associate nei prodotti alimentari sono delineati (Figura 2). Utilizzando una combinazione di reazione coltura e della polimerasi a catena (PCR), integroni possono essere rapidamente individuati nelle comunità batteriche complesse e singoli isolati. I metodi per identificare le specie di batteri e la conformazione e l&#39;identità delle cassette geniche Integron associata sono dati. Il metodo è adatto per una vasta gamma di alimenti vegetali e animali, ed esempi di workflow tipici sono fornite per ciascuno di questi tipi di alimenti.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>GoTaq Colourless Mastermix</td>
			<td>Promega</td>
			<td>M7132</td>
			<td>Used in all PCRs</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RNAse (Ribonuclease A from bovine pancreas)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>R6513-10MG</td>
			<td>Used in all PCRs</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HinFI restriction enzyme</td>
			<td>Promega</td>
			<td>R6201</td>
			<td>Used to digest 16S rDNA PCR poducts. Enzyme comes with optimal buffer and BSA</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>100 bp ladder</td>
			<td>GE Healthcare</td>
			<td>27400701</td>
			<td>Used as a size standard on all agarose gels</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GelRed DNA stain</td>
			<td>Biotium</td>
			<td>41003</td>
			<td>CAUTION: Personal protection must be worn when handling this material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Guanidinium Thiocyanate</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>AM9422</td>
			<td>CAUTION: Personal protection must be worn when handling this material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CLS-TC Solution</td>
			<td>MP Biomedicals</td>
			<td>6540409</td>
			<td>Resuspension solution used at the begining of the genomic DNA extraction</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lysing Matrix E FastPrep tubes</td>
			<td>MP Biomedicals</td>
			<td>116914500</td>
			<td>Tube required for mechanical disruption of bacterial cell walls. This code is used for packs of 500 tubes, smaller quantities are available.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>binding matrix</td>
			<td>MP Biomedicals</td>
			<td>116540408</td>
			<td>Diluted 1:5 with 6M guanidinium thiocyanate and used in the genomic DNA extraction method.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fast Prep machine</td>
			<td>MP Biomedicals</td>
			<td>Number of options available</td>
			<td>MP Biomedicals has a number of FastPrep machines available to purchase. Visit http://www.mpbio.com for more information</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

screening foodstuffs for class 1 integrons and gene cassettes

Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to health in the 21st century. Acquisition of resistance genes via lateral gene transfer is a major factor in the spread of diverse resistance mechanisms. Amongst the DNA elements facilitating lateral transfer, the class 1 integrons have largely been responsible for spreading antibiotic resistance determinants amongst Gram negative pathogens. In total, these integrons have acquired and disseminated over 130 different antibiotic resistance genes. With continued antibiotic use, class 1 integrons have become ubiquitous in commensals and pathogens of humans and their domesticated animals. As a consequence, they can now be found in all human waste streams, where they continue to acquire new genes, and have the potential to cycle back into humans via the food chain. This protocol details a streamlined approach for detecting class 1 integrons and their associated resistance gene cassettes in foodstuffs, using culturing and PCR. Using this protocol, researchers should be able to: collect and prepare samples to make enriched cultures and screen for class 1 integrons; isolate single bacterial colonies to identify integron-positive isolates; identify bacterial species that contain class 1 integrons; and characterize these integrons and their associated gene cassettes.

Proiezione di colture miste e isolati batterici per intI1 Primer HS463a / HS464 PCR può essere utilizzato per rilevare la presenza della classe 1 integrone-integrasi gene, intI1 (Figura 1). Questo set di primer funziona bene per la rilevazione intI1 in colture miste, ed è anche utilizzato per lo screening colonie batteriche raccolte da dispositivo di spargimento (Figura 2). Isolati positivi dovrebbero generare una singola banda forte a 471 b...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Screening Foodstuffs for Class 1 Integrons and Gene Cassettes at JoVE.com

Screening Foodstuffs for Class 1 Integrons and Gene Cassettes

This protocol describes the detection of class 1 integrons and their associated gene cassettes in foodstuffs.

Screening prodotti alimentari per la Classe 1 integroni e Gene cassette

Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to health in the 21st century. Acquisition of resistance genes via lateral gene transfer is a major ...

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9.0K Views.  Macquarie University. This protocol describes the detection of class 1 integrons and their associated gene cassettes in foodstuffs. 

Video: Screening Foodstuffs for Class 1 Integrons and Gene Cassettes

Transient Gene Expression in Tobacco using Gibson Assembly and the Gene Gun

In order to target a single protein to multiple subcellular organelles, plants typically duplicate the relevant genes, and express each gene separately using complex regulatory strategies including differential promoters and/or signal sequences. Metabolic engineers and synthetic biologists interested in targeting enzymes to a particular organelle are faced with a challenge: For a protein that is to be localized to more than one organelle, the engineer must clone the same gene multiple times. This work presents a solution to this strategy: harnessing alternative splicing of mRNA. This technology takes advantage of established chloroplast and peroxisome targeting sequences and combines them into a single mRNA that is alternatively spliced. Some splice variants are sent to the chloroplast, some to the peroxisome, and some to the cytosol. Here the system is designed for multiple-organelle targeting with alternative splicing. In this work, GFP was expected to be expressed in the chloroplast, cytosol, and peroxisome by a series of rationally designed 5&#8217; mRNA tags. These tags have the potential to reduce the amount of cloning required when heterologous genes need to be expressed in multiple subcellular organelles. The constructs were designed in previous work11, and were cloned using Gibson assembly, a ligation independent cloning method that does not require restriction enzymes. The resultant plasmids were introduced into Nicotiana benthamiana epidermal leaf cells with a modified Gene Gun protocol. Finally, transformed leaves were observed with confocal microscopy.

This work describes a novel method for selectively targeting subcellular organelles in plants, assayed using the BioRad Gene Gun.

Transient espressione genica in tabacco con all&#39;Assemblea Gibson e Gene Gun

In order to target a single protein to multiple subcellular organelles, plants typically duplicate the relevant genes, and express each gene separately ...

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Semi-High Throughput Screening for Potential Drought-tolerance in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Germplasm Collections

This protocol describes a method by which a large collection of the leafy green vegetable lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) germplasm was screened for likely drought-tolerance traits. Fresh water availability for agricultural use is a growing concern across the United States as well as many regions of the world. Short-term drought events along with regulatory intervention in the regulation of water availability coupled with the looming threat of long-term climate shifts that may lead to reduced precipitation in many important agricultural regions has increased the need to hasten the development of crops adapted for improved water use efficiency in order to maintain or expand production in the coming years. This protocol is not meant as a step-by-step guide to identifying at either the physiological or molecular level drought-tolerance traits in lettuce, but rather is a method developed and refined through the screening of thousands of different lettuce varieties. The nature of this screen is based in part on the streamlined measurements focusing on only three water-stress indicators: leaf relative water content, wilt, and differential plant growth following drought-stress. The purpose of rapidly screening a large germplasm collection is to narrow the candidate pool to a point in which more intensive physiological, molecular, and genetic methods can be applied to identify specific drought-tolerant traits in either the lab or field. Candidates can also be directly incorporated into breeding programs as a source of drought-tolerance traits.

Semi-High Throughput Screening for Potential Drought-tolerance in Lettuce Lactuca sativa Germplasm Collections

This protocol was developed to screen a large germplasm collection of the leafy vegetable lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) for drought-tolerance, in order to identify a small candidate pool of lettuce for use in physiological, molecular, and genetic studies to identify underlying drought-tolerance traits along with breeding programs.

Screening Semi-High Throughput per potenziale siccità-tolleranza Lattuga (<em&gt; Lactuca sativa</em&gt;) germoplasma Collezioni

This protocol describes a method by which a large collection of the leafy green vegetable lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) germplasm was screened for likely ...

High-throughput Screening of Recalcitrance Variations in Lignocellulosic Biomass: Total Lignin, Lignin Monomers, and Enzymatic Sugar Release

The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels, chemicals, and other commodities has been explored as one possible pathway toward reductions in the use of non-renewable energy sources. In order to identify which plants, out of a diverse pool, have the desired chemical traits for downstream applications, attributes, such as cellulose and lignin content, or monomeric sugar release following an enzymatic saccharification, must be compared. The experimental and data analysis protocols of the standard methods of analysis can be time-consuming, thereby limiting the number of samples that can be measured. High-throughput (HTP) methods alleviate the shortcomings of the standard methods, and permit the rapid screening of available samples to isolate those possessing the desired traits. This study illustrates the HTP sugar release and pyrolysis-molecular beam mass spectrometry pipelines employed at the National Renewable Energy Lab. These pipelines have enabled the efficient assessment of thousands of plants while decreasing experimental time and costs through reductions in labor and consumables.

Plant cell wall structure and chemistry traits are evaluated to identify ideal feedstocks for biofuels and bio-materials. Standard methods have limitations when applied to large data sets. These high-throughput pretreatment, enzyme saccharification, and pyrolysis-molecular beam mass spectrometry methods compare large numbers of biomass samples with decreased experimental time and cost.

High-throughput screening delle Variazioni riluttanza a lignocellulosica Biomassa: Total lignina, lignina monomeri, e enzimatica Zucchero di uscita

The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels, chemicals, and other commodities has been explored as one possible pathway toward reductions in the ...

Assaying Predatory Feeding Behaviors in Pristionchus and Other Nematodes

This protocol provides multiple methods for the analysis and quantification of predatory feeding behaviors in nematodes. Many nematode species including Pristionchus pacificus display complex behaviors, the most striking of which is the predation of other nematode larvae. However, as these behaviors are absent in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, they have thus far only recently been described in detail along with the development of reliable behavioral assays 1. These predatory behaviors are dependent upon phenotypically plastic but fixed mouth morphs making the correct identification and categorization of these animals essential. In P. pacificus there are two mouth types, the stenostomatous and eurystomatous morphs 2, with only the wide mouthed eurystomatous containing an extra tooth and being capable of killing other nematode larvae. Through the isolation of an abundance of size matched prey larvae and subsequent exposure to predatory nematodes, assays including both "corpse assays" and "bite assays" on correctly identified mouth morph nematodes are possible. These assays provide a means to rapidly quantify predation success rates and provide a detailed behavioral analysis of individual nematodes engaged in predatory feeding activities. In addition, with the use of a high-speed camera, visualization of changes in pharyngeal activity including tooth and pumping dynamics are also possible.

Assaying Predatory Feeding Behaviors in Pristionchus and Other Nematodes

Behavioral assays provide powerful tools for understanding neuronal function. Here we present several protocols for quantifying predatory feeding behavior found in the model nematode Pristionchus pacificus and its relatives. Additionally, we provide methods for analyzing predatory feeding adaptations including mouth structures and teeth.

Saggio comportamenti alimentari predatori in<em&gt; Pristionchus</em&gt; E altri nematodi

This protocol provides multiple methods for the analysis and quantification of predatory feeding behaviors in nematodes. Many nematode species including ...

Screening for Endocrine Activity in Water Using Commercially-available In Vitro Transactivation Bioassays

In vitro transactivation bioassays have shown promise as water quality monitoring tools, however their adoption and widespread application has been hindered partly due to a lack of standardized methods and availability of robust, user-friendly technology. In this study, commercially available, division-arrested cell lines were employed to quantitatively screen for endocrine activity of chemicals present in water samples of interest to environmental quality professionals. A single, standardized protocol that included comprehensive quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) checks was developed for Estrogen and Glucocorticoid Receptor activity (ER and GR, respectively) using a cell-based Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) assay. Samples of treated municipal wastewater effluent and surface water from freshwater systems in California (USA), were extracted using solid phase extraction and analyzed for endocrine activity using the standardized protocol. Background and dose-response for endpoint-specific reference chemicals met QA/QC guidelines deemed necessary for reliable measurement. The bioassay screening response for surface water samples was largely not detectable. In contrast, effluent samples from secondary treatment plants had the highest measurable activity, with estimated bioassay equivalent concentrations (BEQs) up to 392 ng dexamethasone/L for GR and 17 ng 17&#946;-estradiol/L for ER. The bioassay response for a tertiary effluent sample was lower than that measured for secondary effluents, indicating a lower residual of endocrine active chemicals after advanced treatment. This protocol showed that in vitro transactivation bioassays that utilize commercially available, division-arrested cell &#34;kits&#34;, can be adapted to screen for endocrine activity in water.

Screening for Endocrine Activity in Water Using Commercially-available In Vitro Transactivation Bioassays

A protocol to screen for endocrine activity in organic extracts of water samples, including treated wastewater effluent and surface (receiving) water, was adapted using commercially available division-arrested ("freeze and thaw") in vitro transactivation bioassays.

Lo screening per Endocrine attività in acqua mediante disponibili in commercio<em&gt; In Vitro</em&gt; Transattivazione Bioassays

In vitro transactivation bioassays have shown promise as water quality monitoring tools, however their adoption and widespread application has been ...

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Microplastic pollution in the marine environment is a scientific topic that has received increasing attention over the last decade. The majority of scientific publications address microplastic pollution of the sea surface. The protocol below describes the methodology for sampling, sample preparation, separation and chemical identification of microplastic particles. A manta net fixed on an &#187;A frame&#171; attached to the side of the vessel was used for sampling. Microplastic particles caught in the cod end of the net were separated from samples by visual identification and use of stereomicroscopes. Particles were analyzed for their size using an image analysis program and for their chemical structure using ATR-FTIR and micro FTIR spectroscopy. The described protocol is in line with recommendations for microplastics monitoring published by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Technical Subgroup on Marine Litter. This written protocol with video guide will support the work of researchers that deal with microplastics monitoring all over the world.

The protocol below describes the methodology for: microplastics sampling on the sea surface, separation of microplastic and chemical identification of particles. This protocol is in line with the recommendations for microplastics monitoring published by the MSFD Technical Subgroup on Marine Litter.

Protocollo per microplastiche campionamento sulla superficie del mare e Analisi dei campioni

Microplastic pollution in the marine environment is a scientific topic that has received increasing attention over the last decade. The majority of ...

Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis

Plastic resin pellets, categorized as microplastics (&#8804;5 mm in diameter), are small granules that can be unintentionally released to the environment during manufacturing and transport. Because of their environmental persistence, they are widely distributed in the oceans and on beaches all over the world. They can act as a vector of potentially toxic organic compounds (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls) and might consequently negatively affect marine organisms. Their possible impacts along the food chain are not yet well understood. In order to assess the hazards associated with the occurrence of plastic pellets in the marine environment, it is necessary to develop methodologies that allow for rapid determination of associated organic contaminant levels. The present protocol describes the different steps required for sampling resin pellets, analyzing adsorbed organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and identifying the plastic type. The focus is on the extraction of OCPs from plastic pellets by means of a pressurized fluid extractor (PFE) and on the polymer chemical analysis applying Fourier Transform-InfraRed (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The developed methodology focuses on 11 OCPs and related compounds, including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its two main metabolites, lindane and two production isomers, as well as the two biologically active isomers of technical endosulfan. This protocol constitutes a simple and rapid alternative to existing methodology for evaluating the concentration of organic contaminants adsorbed on plastic pieces.

Microplastics act as vector of potentially toxic organic contaminants with unpredictable effects. This protocol describes an alternative methodology for assessing the levels of organochlorine pesticides adsorbed on plastic pellets and identifying the polymer chemical structure. The focus is on pressurized fluid extraction and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Estrazione di pesticidi di organochlorato da pellicole di plastica e analisi di tipo plastico

Plastic resin pellets, categorized as microplastics (&#8804;5 mm in diameter), are small granules that can be unintentionally released to the environment ...

Extraction and Characterization of Surfactants from Atmospheric Aerosols

Surface-active compounds, or surfactants, present in atmospheric aerosols are expected to play important roles in the formation of liquid water clouds in the Earth&#39;s atmosphere, a central process in meteorology, hydrology, and for the climate system. But because specific extraction and characterization of these compounds have been lacking for decades, very little is known on their identity, properties, mode of action and origins, thus preventing the full understanding of cloud formation and its potential links with the Earth&#39;s ecosystems.
In this paper we present recently developed methods for 1) the targeted extraction of all the surfactants from atmospheric aerosol samples and for the determination of 2) their absolute concentrations in the aerosol phase and 3) their static surface tension curves in water, including their Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC). These methods have been validated with 9 references surfactants, including anionic, cationic and non-ionic ones. Examples of results are presented for surfactants found in fine aerosol particles (diameter &#60;1 &#956;m) collected at a coastal site in Croatia and suggestions for future improvements and other characterizations than those presented are discussed.

Methods are presented for the targeted extraction of surfactants present in atmospheric aerosols and the determination of their absolute concentrations and surface tension curves in water, including their Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC).

Estrazione e caratterizzazione di tensioattivi da Atmospheric Aerosol

Surface-active compounds, or surfactants, present in atmospheric aerosols are expected to play important roles in the formation of liquid water clouds in ...

The Barnacle Balanus improvisus as a Marine Model - Culturing and Gene Expression

Barnacles are marine crustaceans with a sessile adult and free-swimming, planktonic larvae. The barnacle Balanus (Amphibalanus) improvisus is particularly relevant as a model for the studies of osmoregulatory mechanisms because of its extreme tolerance to low salinity. It is also widely used as a model of settling biology, in particular in relation to antifouling research. However, natural seasonal spawning yields an unpredictable supply of cyprid larvae for studies. A protocol for the all-year-round culturing of B. improvisus has been developed and a detailed description of all steps in the production line is outlined (i.e., the establishment of adult cultures on panels, the collection and rearing of barnacle larvae, and the administration of feed for adults and larvae). The description also provides guidance on troubleshooting and discusses critical parameters (e.g., the removal of contamination, the production of high-quality feed, the manpower needed, and the importance of high-quality seawater). Each batch from the culturing system maximally yields roughly 12,000 nauplii and can deliver four batches in a week, so up to almost 50,000 larvae per week can be produced. The method used to culture B. improvisus is, probably, to a large extent also applicable to other marine invertebrates with free-swimminglarvae. Protocols are presented for the dissection of various tissues from adults as well as the production of high-quality RNA for studies on gene expression. It is also described how cultured adults and reared cyprids can be utilized in a wide array of experimental designs for examining gene expression in relation to external factors. The use of cultured barnacles in gene expression is illustrated with studies of possible osmoregulatory roles of Na+/K+ ATPase and aquaporins.

The Barnacle Balanus improvisus as a Marine Model - Culturing and Gene Expression

The barnacle Balanus (Amphibalanus) improvisus is a model for studying osmoregulation and antifouling. However, natural seasonal spawning yields an unpredictable supply of cyprid larvae. Here, a protocol for the all-year-round culturing of B. improvisus is described, including the production of larvae. The use of cultured barnacles in gene expression studies is illustrated.

Il Barnacle Balanus BalanUs come modello Marine - coltura e l'espressione genica

Barnacles are marine crustaceans with a sessile adult and free-swimming, planktonic larvae. The barnacle Balanus (Amphibalanus) improvisus is particularly ...

Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes-Mediated Transformation of Potato and the Promoter Activity of a Suberin Gene by GUS Staining

Agrobacterium sp. is one of the most widely used methods to obtain transgenic plants as it has the ability to transfer and integrate its own T-DNA into the plant&#39;s genome. Here, we present two transformation systems to genetically modify potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants. In A. tumefaciens transformation, leaves are infected, the transformed cells are selected and a new complete transformed plant is regenerated using phytohormones in 18 weeks. In A. rhizogenes transformation, stems are infected by injecting the bacteria with a needle, the new emerged transformed hairy roots are detected using a red fluorescent marker and the non-transformed roots are removed. In 5-6 weeks, the resulting plant is a composite of a wild type shoot with fully developed transformed hairy roots. To increase the biomass, the transformed hairy roots can be excised and self-propagated. We applied both Agrobacterium-mediated transformation methods to obtain roots expressing the GUS reporter gene driven by a suberin biosynthetic gene promoter. The GUS staining procedure is provided and allows the cell localization of the promoter induction. In both methods, the transformed potato roots showed GUS staining in the suberized endodermis and exodermis, and additionally, in A. rhizogenes transformed roots the GUS activity was also detected in the emergence of lateral roots. These results suggest that A. rhizogenes can be a fast alternative tool to study the genes that are expressed&#160;in roots.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes-Mediated Transformation of Potato and the Promoter Activity of a Suberin Gene by GUS Staining

Here, we present two protocols to transform potato plants. The Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformation leads to a complete transgenic plant while the Agrobacterium rhizogenes produces transgenic hairy roots in a wild type shoot that can be self-propagated. We then detect promoter activity by GUS staining in the transformed roots.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens e Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediata trasformazione di patate e l'attività del promotore di un Gene di suberina da GUS Staining

Agrobacterium sp. is one of the most widely used methods to obtain transgenic plants as it has the ability to transfer and integrate its own T-DNA into ...

Methods Article

Screening prodotti alimentari per la Classe 1 integroni e Gene cassette