Is the undergraduate microbiology curriculum preparing students for careers in their field?: an assessment of biology majors' conceptions of growth and control of microorganisms.

Background: We present an analysis of students' responses to application-based questions on the topic of growth and control of microorganisms, from a questionnaire administered to 348 second and third year students of an Indian university who were enrolled in its undergraduate programs in Biotechnology or Microbiology. We examined aspects of the laboratory practice as reported by teachers and of the university assessment patterns that may explain our findings. Reports by teachers also included their views on the impact of the laboratory curriculum on building student capabilities.

Correction to: Is the undergraduate microbiology curriculum preparing students for careers in their field?: an assessment of biology majors' conceptions of growth and control of microorganisms.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s40594-018-0138-z.].

Chickpea Ferritin CaFer1 Participates in Oxidative Stress Response, and Promotes Growth and Development.

Ferritins store and sequester iron, and regulate iron homeostasis. The cDNA for a stress-responsive phytoferritin, previously identified in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of chickpea (Cicer arietinum), was cloned and designated CaFer1. The CaFer1 transcript was strongly induced in chickpea exposed to dehydration, hypersalinity and ABA treatment.

Plant Organellar Proteomics in Response to Dehydration: Turning Protein Repertoire into Insights.

Stress adaptation or tolerance in plants is a complex phenomenon involving changes in physiological and metabolic processes. Plants must develop elaborate networks of defense mechanisms, and adapt to and survive for sustainable agriculture. Water-deficit or dehydration is the most critical environmental factor that plants are exposed to during their life cycle, which influences geographical distribution and productivity of many crop species.