Publications by authors named "J Antoniw"

The scale of production of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) has increased dramatically to meet the growing demand for sustainably sourced materials. This work defines the colloidal stability window for commercially produced carboxylated CNCs (DextraCel) compared to the more traditional sulfated CNCs. Phase diagrams showing the stable, reversibly agglomerated, irreversibly aggregated/sedimented, and colloidal glass "zones" as a function of suspension pH, ionic strength, CNC surface charge content, counterion, and concentration are presented.

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The Dothideomycete fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola is the causal agent of Septoria tritici blotch, a devastating disease of wheat leaves that causes dramatic decreases in yield. Infection involves an initial extended period of symptomless intercellular colonisation prior to the development of visible necrotic disease lesions. Previous functional genomics and gene expression profiling studies have implicated the production of secreted virulence effector proteins as key facilitators of the initial symptomless growth phase.

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The fungus Fusarium graminearum forms an intimate association with the host species wheat whilst infecting the floral tissues at anthesis. During the prolonged latent period of infection, extracellular communication between live pathogen and host cells must occur, implying a role for secreted fungal proteins. The wheat cells in contact with fungal hyphae subsequently die and intracellular hyphal colonisation results in the development of visible disease symptoms.

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Background: Acquiring and exploring whole genome sequence information for a species under investigation is now a routine experimental approach. On most genome browsers, typically, only the DNA sequence, EST support, motif search results, and GO annotations are displayed. However, for many species, a growing volume of additional experimental information is available but this is rarely searchable within the landscape of the entire genome.

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Article Synopsis
  • Mycosphaerella graminicola is a significant plant-pathogenic fungus that causes septoria tritici blotch, a disease that negatively impacts wheat yield and quality, posing threats to global food production.
  • The complete sequencing of its genome revealed 21 chromosomes, including eight dispensable ones that can be lost without affecting the fungus, indicating a complex genetic structure influenced by horizontal gene transfer.
  • Comparative analysis showed unusual "mesosynteny" with another Dothideomycete, suggesting rapid chromosomal rearrangements, and highlighted that M. graminicola has fewer genes for breaking down plant cell walls, hinting at a stealthy pathogenic strategy involving protein degradation during infection.
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