The META tool optimizes metagenomic analyses across sequencing platforms and classifiers.

A major challenge in the field of metagenomics is the selection of the correct combination of sequencing platform and downstream metagenomic analysis algorithm, or "classifier". Here, we present the Metagenomic Evaluation Tool Analyzer (META), which produces simulated data and facilitates platform and algorithm selection for any given metagenomic use case. META-generated read data are modular, scalable, and reflect user-defined community profiles, while the downstream analysis is done using a variety of metagenomic classifiers.

GRIBCG: a software for selection of sgRNAs in the design of balancer chromosomes.

Background: Balancer chromosomes are tools used by fruit fly geneticists to prevent meiotic recombination. Recently, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing has been shown capable of generating inversions similar to the chromosomal rearrangements present in balancer chromosomes. Extending the benefits of balancer chromosomes to other multicellular organisms could significantly accelerate biomedical and plant genetics research.

Cell wall composition and penetration resistance against the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum higginsianum are affected by impaired starch turnover in Arabidopsis mutants.

Penetration resistance represents the first level of plant defense against phytopathogenic fungi. Here, we report that the starch-deficient Arabidopsis thaliana phosphoglucomutase (pgm) mutant has impaired penetration resistance against the hemibiotrophic fungus Colletotrichum higginsianum. We could not determine any changes in leaf cutin and epicuticular wax composition or indolic glucosinolate levels, but detected complex alterations in the cell wall monosaccharide composition of pgm.