Agarose gel electrophoresis of proteins.

This unit describes electrophoretic separation and identification of large proteins from a complex protein mixture. Agarose gel is utilized for the electrophoretic matrix, and detection of proteins is accomplished by transfer of the proteins to a membrane that is probed with specific antibodies and chemiluminescence reagents. Alternatively the protein can be detected in the gel using radiolabeled antibodies and autoradiography.

Spectral properties of selected UV-blocking and UV-transmitting covering materials with application for production of high-value crops in high tunnels.

The spectral properties of selected UV-blocking and UV-transmitting covering materials were characterized by means of a UV-VIS spectroradiometer or a UV-VIS spectrometer to provide researchers and growers with guidelines for selecting suitable materials for use in studying the effects of ambient solar UV radiation on the production of tomatoes and other high-value crops in high tunnels. A survey was made of a wide range of plastic covering materials to identify commercially available products that had the desired characteristics of transmitting high levels of photosynthetically active radiation and of being stable under ambient solar UV radiation. The study was focused on evaluating films that either blocked or transmitted UV wavelengths below 380 nm to determine comparative growth, yield and market quality and to provide a tool for integrated pest management.

Evaluating UV-B effects and EDU protection in soybean leaves using fluorescence.

A growth-chamber experiment was conducted to evaluate whether ethylenenediurea (EDU), a chemical shown to be protective against ozone pollution, could ameliorate foliar damage induced by ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation exposure in 'Roanoke' soybean (Glycine max L.), a UV-B-sensitive cultivar, and whether these effects could be discriminated using fluorescence (F) observations. The experiment had four treatment groups: control; biologically effective UV-B (18 kJ m(-2) day(-1)); EDU (500 micromol mol(-1)); and both UV-B and EDU (UV/EDU).