Genome sequence of Soos: a siphovirus of the CP cluster infecting .

Novel actinobacteriophage Soos was isolated and purified from Southern Indiana soil using host NRRL B-16540. Sequencing revealed a 57,509 bp circularly permuted genome encoding 87 predicted protein-coding genes. Soos is only the third phage in cluster CP, along with phages Clawz and Sting.

Genome Sequence of Gordonia rubripertincta Phage Survivors, a Cluster CT Siphovirus.

Bacteriophage Survivors is a siphovirus isolated from Gordonia rubripertincta NRRL B-16540. Survivors has a 45,436-bp genome encoding 69 predicted protein-coding genes, of which 32 have assigned functions. Based on gene content similarity to sequenced actinobacteriophages, Survivors is assigned to phage cluster CT.

Models of Classroom Assessment for Course-Based Research Experiences.

Course-based research pedagogy involves positioning students as contributors to authentic research projects as part of an engaging educational experience that promotes their learning and persistence in science. To develop a model for assessing and grading students engaged in this type of learning experience, the assessment aims and practices of a community of experienced course-based research instructors were collected and analyzed. This approach defines four aims of course-based research assessment - 1) Assessing Laboratory Work and Scientific Thinking; 2) Evaluating Mastery of Concepts, Quantitative Thinking and Skills; 3) Appraising Forms of Scientific Communication; and 4) Metacognition of Learning - along with a set of practices for each aim.

Student Misconceptions about Plants - A First Step in Building a Teaching Resource.

Plants are ubiquitous and found in virtually every ecosystem on Earth, but their biology is often poorly understood, and inaccurate ideas about how plants grow and function abound. Many articles have been published documenting student misconceptions about photosynthesis and respiration, but there are substantially fewer on such topics as plant cell structure and growth; plant genetics, evolution, and classification; plant physiology (beyond energy relations); and plant ecology. The available studies of misconceptions held on those topics show that many are formed at a very young age and persist throughout all educational levels.

The SOS4 pyridoxal kinase is required for maintenance of vitamin B6-mediated processes in chloroplasts.

Vitamin B(6) (pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and its vitamers) is an important cofactor in numerous enzymatic reactions. In spite of its importance, the consequences of altering vitamin B(6) content on plant growth and development are not well understood. This study compares two mutants for vitamin B(6)-metabolizing enzymes in Arabidopsis thaliana: a pdx1.

Transcriptomic characterization of a synergistic genetic interaction during carpel margin meristem development in Arabidopsis thaliana.

In flowering plants the gynoecium is the female reproductive structure. In Arabidopsis thaliana ovules initiate within the developing gynoecium from meristematic tissue located along the margins of the floral carpels. When fertilized the ovules will develop into seeds.

Synergistic disruptions in seuss cyp85A2 double mutants reveal a role for brassinolide synthesis during gynoecium and ovule development.

Background: The Arabidopsis SEUSS (SEU) gene encodes a transcriptional adaptor protein that is required for a diverse set of developmental events, including floral organ identity specification, as well as gynoecium, ovule and embryo development. In order to better understand the molecular mechanisms of SEUSS action we undertook a genetic modifier screen to identify seuss-modifier (sum) mutations.

Results: Screening of M2 lines representing approximately 5,000 M1 individuals identified mutations that enhance the seuss mutant phenotypic disruptions in ovules and gynoecia; here we describe the phenotype of the sum63 mutant and enhanced disruptions of ovule and gynoecial development in the seu sum63 double mutant.

Regulation of the Arabidopsis thaliana vitamin B6 biosynthesis genes by abiotic stress.

Vitamin B(6) (pyridoxine and its vitamers) plays an essential role as a co-factor for enzymatic reactions and has also recently been implicated in defense against cellular oxidative stress. The biosynthetic pathway was thoroughly characterized in Escherichia coli, however most organisms, including plants, utilize an alternate pathway involving two genes, PDX1 and PDX2. Arabidopsis thaliana contains one copy of PDX2, but three full-length copies of PDX1, one each on chromosomes 2, 3, and 5 (referred to as PDX1.