Characterization of Human CD8αβ Interaction With Classical and Unconventional MHC Molecules.

The CD8 co-receptor exists as both an αα homodimer, expressed on subsets of specialized lymphoid cells, and as an αβ heterodimer, which is the canonical co-receptor on cytotoxic T-cells, tuning TCR thymic selection and antigen-reactivity in the periphery. However, the biophysical parameters governing human CD8αβ interactions with classical MHC class I (MHCI) and unconventional MHC-like molecules have not been determined. Using hetero-dimerized Fc-fusions to generate soluble human CD8αβ, we demonstrate similar weak binding affinity to multiple different MHCI alleles compared with CD8αα.

A Comparison of Cysteine-Conjugated Nitroxide Spin Labels for Pulse Dipolar EPR Spectroscopy.

The structure-function and materials paradigms drive research on the understanding of structures and structural heterogeneity of molecules and solids from materials science to structural biology. Functional insights into complex architectures are often gained from a suite of complementary physicochemical methods. In the context of biomacromolecular structures, the use of pulse dipolar electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (PDS) has become increasingly popular.

Thinking ahead? Exploring adult social care provision with older people in Northern Ireland.

A plethora of government policies impacting older people in the United Kingdom (UK) have been strongly influenced by the rhetoric that service users should be actively involved in their social care; including decisions and delivery. User involvement is integral to the government's current drive to make service more "person-centred" or "personalised" in adult social care. However, there has been little engagement with the broader Northern Ireland public on future adult social care policies.

Training Medical Novices in Spinal Microsurgery: Does the Modality Matter? A Pilot Study Comparing Traditional Microscopic Surgery and a Novel Robotic Optoelectronic Visualization Tool.

The operative microscope has been a staple instrument in the neurosurgical operating room over the last 50 years. With advances in optoelectronics, options such as robotically controlled high magnification have become available. Such robotically controlled optoelectronic systems may offer new opportunities in surgical technique and teaching.

Expression of antimicrobial peptides under control of a camalexin-biosynthetic promoter confers enhanced resistance against Pseudomonas syringae.

In Arabidopsis thaliana phytoalexin biosynthesis is tightly regulated. The camalexin biosynthetic gene CYP71B15/PAD3 is highly expressed in response to pathogens and specific abiotic triggers, while constitutive expression is very low. Based on this property we expressed artificial antimicrobial peptides under control of the CYP71B15 promoter avoiding potential toxic effects to the plant related to constitutive expression.

The Biosynthetic Pathway of Indole-3-Carbaldehyde and Indole-3-Carboxylic Acid Derivatives in Arabidopsis.

Indolic secondary metabolites play an important role in pathogen defense in cruciferous plants. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), in addition to the characteristic phytoalexin camalexin, derivatives of indole-3-carbaldehyde (ICHO) and indole-3-carboxylic acid (ICOOH) are synthesized from tryptophan via the intermediates indole-3-acetaldoxime and indole-3-acetonitrile. Based on feeding experiments combined with nontargeted metabolite profiling, their composition in nontreated and silver nitrate (AgNO)-treated leaf tissue was comprehensively analyzed.