Transient Expression of Silicon-Induced Histidine-Rich Defensins in Limits Necrotic Lesion Development Caused by Phytopathogenic Fungi.

Silicon (Si) supplementation permits plants to better deter infection. Supplementing hydroponically-propagated with 1 mM potassium silicate (KSiO) reduced necrotic lesion development on detached leaves by both and . Previously, a family of Si-induced genes was identified in .

Potential Whole-Cell Biosensors for Detection of Metal Using MerR Family Proteins from sp. YSU and OR02.

Cell-based biosensors harness a cell's ability to respond to the environment by repurposing its sensing mechanisms. MerR family proteins are activator/repressor switches that regulate the expression of bacterial metal resistance genes and have been used in metal biosensors. Upon metal binding, a conformational change switches gene expression from off to on.