Advances in Tissue Culture and Transformation Studies in Non-model Species: Passiflora spp. (Passifloraceae).

In this chapter, we report advances in tissue culture applied to Passiflora. We present reproducible protocols for somatic embryogenesis, endosperm-derived triploid production, and genetic transformation for such species knowledge generated by our research team and collaborators in the last 20 years. Our research group has pioneered the work on passion fruit somatic embryogenesis, and we directed efforts to characterize several aspects of this morphogenic pathway.

Somatic Embryogenesis of Brachiaria brizantha (Syn. Urochloa brizantha) Analyzed by In Situ Hybridization.

In situ hybridization with mRNA probes enables the detection and localization of gene expression in plant somatic embryogenesis samples. BbrizSERK is a gene that is expressed in embryogenic cells and tissues of Brachiaria. Here we describe methods used for in situ hybridization to localize BbrizSERK transcripts during somatic embryogenesis of Brachiaria brizantha according to the plant material and observations intended, using paraffin or butyl methyl methacrylate resin-embedded samples, as well as a method for whole-mount preparation applicable for the analysis of other genes involved in embryogenic processes, along with other in vitro processes.

Anther development in Brachiaria brizantha (syn. Urochloa brizantha) and perspective for microspore in vitro culture.

Brachiaria, a genus from the Poaceae family, is largely cultivated as forage in Brazil. Among the most cultivated varieties of Brachiaria spp., B.

Transcriptome Analysis of (Cactaceae) Reveals Metabolic Changes During Shoot Organogenesis Induction.

is an endangered cactus highly valued for its ornamental properties. shoot production of this species provides a sustainable alternative to overharvesting from the wild; however, its propagation could be improved if the genetic regulation underlying its developmental processes were known. The present study generated transcriptome data, describing shoot organogenesis induction in .

Microbially-Enhanced Vanadium Mining and Bioremediation Under Micro- and Mars Gravity on the International Space Station.

As humans explore and settle in space, they will need to mine elements to support industries such as manufacturing and construction. In preparation for the establishment of permanent human settlements across the Solar System, we conducted the ESA BioRock experiment on board the International Space Station to investigate whether biological mining could be accomplished under extraterrestrial gravity conditions. We tested the hypothesis that the gravity () level influenced the efficacy with which biomining could be achieved from basalt, an abundant material on the Moon and Mars, by quantifying bioleaching by three different microorganisms under microgravity, simulated Mars and Earth gravitational conditions.

Space station biomining experiment demonstrates rare earth element extraction in microgravity and Mars gravity.

Microorganisms are employed to mine economically important elements from rocks, including the rare earth elements (REEs), used in electronic industries and alloy production. We carried out a mining experiment on the International Space Station to test hypotheses on the bioleaching of REEs from basaltic rock in microgravity and simulated Mars and Earth gravities using three microorganisms and a purposely designed biomining reactor. Sphingomonas desiccabilis enhanced mean leached concentrations of REEs compared to non-biological controls in all gravity conditions.

No Effect of Microgravity and Simulated Mars Gravity on Final Bacterial Cell Concentrations on the International Space Station: Applications to Space Bioproduction.

Microorganisms perform countless tasks on Earth and they are expected to be essential for human space exploration. Despite the interest in the responses of bacteria to space conditions, the findings on the effects of microgravity have been contradictory, while the effects of Martian gravity are nearly unknown. We performed the ESA BioRock experiment on the International Space Station to study microbe-mineral interactions in microgravity, simulated Mars gravity and simulated Earth gravity, as well as in ground gravity controls, with three bacterial species: , , and .

Anatomy, Flow Cytometry, and X-Ray Tomography Reveal Tissue Organization and Ploidy Distribution in Long-Term Cultures of Species.

Cacti have a highly specialized stem that enables survival during extended dry periods. Despite the ornamental value of cacti and the fact that stems represent the main source of explants in tissue culture, there are no studies on their morpho-anatomical and cytological characteristics in . The present study seeks to address the occurrence of cells with mixed ploidy level in cacti tissues.

SERK genes identification and expression analysis during somatic embryogenesis and sporogenesis of sexual and apomictic Brachiaria brizantha (Syn. Urochloa brizantha).

In Brachiaria brizantha BbrizSERK1, BbrizSERK2 and BbrizSERK3 were identified. SERK expression marks somatic embryogenesis, sexual MMC, and sexual and apomictic PMC. BbrizSERK3 might have a regulatory role in reproductive development.

Compatibility in pollen-pistil interaction of interspecific crossings with Passiflora spp.

Intraspecies or interspecies crossings transfer relevant alleles between plants. However, some interspecies crossings involving Passiflora species impede ovule fertilization and the viable development of seeds. Thus, the purpose of this study was to verify the viability of interspecific crossings and monitor pollen tube development.

Leaf heteroblasty in Passiflora edulis as revealed by metabolic profiling and expression analyses of the microRNAs miR156 and miR172.

Background And Aims: Juvenile-to-adult phase transition is marked by changes in leaf morphology, mostly due to the temporal development of the shoot apical meristem, a phenomenon known as heteroblasty. Sugars and microRNA-controlled modules are components of the heteroblastic process in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves. However, our understanding about their roles during phase-changing in other species, such as Passiflora edulis, remains limited.

De novo assembly and transcriptome of Pfaffia glomerata uncovers the role of photoautotrophy and the P450 family genes in 20-hydroxyecdysone production.

Pfaffia glomerata is a medically important species because it produces the phytoecdysteroid 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-E). However, there has been no ready-to-use transcriptome data available in the literature for this plant. Here, we present de novo transcriptome sequencing of RNA from P.

Cellular and Morpho-histological Foundations of In Vitro Plant Regeneration.

In vitro plant regeneration systems have turned into invaluable tools to plant biotechnology. Despite being poorly understood, the molecular mechanisms underlying the control of both morphogenetic pathways, de novo organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis, have been supported by recent findings involving proteome-, metabolome-, and transcriptome-based profiles. Notwithstanding, the integration of molecular data with structural aspects has been an important strategy of study attempting to elucidate the basis of the cell competence acquisition to further follow commitment and determination to specific a particular in vitro regeneration pathway.

Morpho-histological, histochemical, and molecular evidences related to cellular reprogramming during somatic embryogenesis of the model grass Brachypodium distachyon.

The wild grass species Brachypodium distachyon (L.) has been proposed as a new model for temperate grasses. Among the biotechnological tools already developed for the species, an efficient induction protocol of somatic embryogenesis (SE) using immature zygotic embryos has provided the basis for genetic transformation studies.

Metformin anti-tumor effect via disruption of the MID1 translational regulator complex and AR downregulation in prostate cancer cells.

Background: Metformin is an approved drug prescribed for diabetes. Its role as an anti-cancer agent has drawn significant attention because of its minimal side effects and low cost. However, its mechanism of anti-tumour action has not yet been fully clarified.