Polycistronic artificial miRNA-mediated resistance to Wheat dwarf virus in barley is highly efficient at low temperature.

Infection of Wheat dwarf virus (WDV) strains on barley results in dwarf disease, imposing severe economic losses on crop production. As the natural resistance resources against this virus are limited, it is imperative to elaborate a biotechnological approach that will provide effective and safe immunity to a wide range of WDV strains. Because vector insect-mediated WDV infection occurs during cool periods in nature, it is important to identify a technology which is effective at lower temperature.

The first transformation method for the thermo-acidophilic archaeon Thermoplasma acidophilum.

A transformation method yielding up to 10(4) transformants per μg circular DNA was developed for Thermoplasma acidophilum. The method is based on a natural DNA uptake process in which T. acidophilum cells keep their integrity and turn competent at pH 3.