Comparative Genomic Analysis Confirms Five Genetic Populations of the Select Agent, .

is a Gram-positive, nematode-vectored bacterium that infects several grass species in the family Poaceae. Unique in its genus, has the smallest genome, possesses a complete CRISPR-Cas system, a vancomycin-resistance cassette, produces tunicamycin, a corynetoxin responsible for livestock deaths in Australia, and is designated a Select Agent in the United States. In-depth, genome-wide analyses performed in this study support the previously designated five genetic populations, with a core genome comprising approximately 80% of the genome for all populations.

Population structure and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus Sect. Flavi from maize in Nigeria and Ghana.

Aflatoxins are highly toxic carcinogens that contaminate crops worldwide. Previous studies conducted in Nigeria and Ghana found high concentrations of aflatoxins in pre- and post-harvest maize. However, little information is available on the population structure of Aspergillus Sect.

Plant cytogenetics at the dawn of the 21st century.

The years 1996-1997 saw advances in plant chromosome handling, structure, behaviour and manipulation. Improved protocols were developed for flow sorting, microdissection and microcloning. Fibre FISH was used to map a range of DNA sequences at a resolution of a few kilobases.