Creative young minds plus serendipity — a recipe for science

Botany ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
pp. 443-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry Fowke

The author highlights his 40-year academic career with emphasis on the major contributions of technicians, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows in his research laboratory. Postdoctoral research in Canberra, Australia, on algal cell division preceded a faculty position in the Biology Department, University of Saskatchewan, that stretched from 1970 until today. Early work in Saskatoon that focused on cultured plant cells and protoplasts developed into an investigation of the structure and function of plant coated vesicles. A short sabbatical in Sweden resulted in a 15-year research program on somatic embryogenesis in conifers. A return to the study of cell division over the last 10 plus years resulted in the discovery and analysis of a family of plant cell division inhibitors. The author’s story emphasizes the importance of having motivated and creative scientists in the laboratory, but also recognizes the impact of serendipity. International collaborations are also featured.

eLife ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-Zon Wu ◽  
Magdalena Bezanilla

Plant cells divide using the phragmoplast, a microtubule-based structure that directs vesicles secretion to the nascent cell plate. The phragmoplast forms at the cell center and expands to reach a specified site at the cell periphery, tens or hundreds of microns distant. The mechanism responsible for guiding the phragmoplast remains largely unknown. Here, using both moss and tobacco, we show that myosin VIII associates with the ends of phragmoplast microtubules and together with actin plays a role in guiding phragmoplast expansion to the cortical division site. Our data lead to a model whereby myosin VIII links phragmoplast microtubules to the cortical division site via actin filaments. Myosin VIII's motor activity along actin provides a molecular mechanism for steering phragmoplast expansion.


Author(s):  
Ann Cleary

Microinjection of fluorescent probes into living plant cells reveals new aspects of cell structure and function. Microtubules and actin filaments are dynamic components of the cytoskeleton and are involved in cell growth, division and intracellular transport. To date, cytoskeletal probes used in microinjection studies have included rhodamine-phalloidin for labelling actin filaments and fluorescently labelled animal tubulin for incorporation into microtubules. From a recent study of Tradescantia stamen hair cells it appears that actin may have a role in defining the plane of cell division. Unlike microtubules, actin is present in the cell cortex and delimits the division site throughout mitosis. Herein, I shall describe actin, its arrangement and putative role in cell plate placement, in another material, living cells of Tradescantia leaf epidermis.The epidermis is peeled from the abaxial surface of young leaves usually without disruption to cytoplasmic streaming or cell division. The peel is stuck to the base of a well slide using 0.1% polyethylenimine and bathed in a solution of 1% mannitol +/− 1 mM probenecid.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (13) ◽  
pp. 162-168
Author(s):  
Pippa Hales ◽  
Corinne Mossey-Gaston

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers across Northern America and Europe. Treatment options offered are dependent on the type of cancer, the location of the tumor, the staging, and the overall health of the person. When surgery for lung cancer is offered, difficulty swallowing is a potential complication that can have several influencing factors. Surgical interaction with the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) can lead to unilateral vocal cord palsy, altering swallow function and safety. Understanding whether the RLN has been preserved, damaged, or sacrificed is integral to understanding the effect on the swallow and the subsequent treatment options available. There is also the risk of post-surgical reduction of physiological reserve, which can reduce the strength and function of the swallow in addition to any surgery specific complications. As lung cancer has a limited prognosis, the clinician must also factor in the palliative phase, as this can further increase the burden of an already compromised swallow. By understanding the surgery and the implications this may have for the swallow, there is the potential to reduce the impact of post-surgical complications and so improve quality of life (QOL) for people with lung cancer.


2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 112-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Erickson-Levendoski ◽  
Mahalakshmi Sivasankar

The epithelium plays a critical role in the maintenance of laryngeal health. This is evident in that laryngeal disease may result when the integrity of the epithelium is compromised by insults such as laryngopharyngeal reflux. In this article, we will review the structure and function of the laryngeal epithelium and summarize the impact of laryngopharyngeal reflux on the epithelium. Research investigating the ramifications of reflux on the epithelium has improved our understanding of laryngeal disease associated with laryngopharyngeal reflux. It further highlights the need for continued research on the laryngeal epithelium in health and disease.


1998 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
John A Atkinson ◽  
Camilla Dickson ◽  
Jane Downes ◽  
Paul Robins ◽  
David Sanderson

Summary Two small burnt mounds were excavated as part of the programme to mitigate the impact of motorway construction in the Crawford area. The excavations followed a research strategy designed to address questions of date and function. This paper surveys the various competing theories about burnt mounds and how the archaeological evidence was evaluated against those theories. Both sites produced radiocarbon dates from the Bronze Age and evidence to suggest that they were cooking places. In addition, a short account is presented of two further burnt mounds discovered during the construction of the motorway in Annandale.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-34
Author(s):  
K. Korobkova ◽  
V. Patyka

Contemporary state of the distribution of mycoplasma diseases of cultivated crops in Ukraine was analyzed. The changes of the physiological state of plant cells under the impact of mollicutes were investigated. It was demonstrated that there is temporary increase in the activity of peroxidase, catalase, polyphenoloxidase, phenylalanine-ammonia-lyase at the early stages of interaction. The adhesive properties are changed in the mollicutes under the impact of plant lectin; there is synthesis of new polypeptides. It was determined that the phytopathogenic acholeplasma is capable of producing a complex of proteolytic enzymes into the culture me- dium. It was concluded that when plant cells are infected with acholeplasma, a number of signaling interactions and metabolic transformations condition the recognition of pathogenesis and ensure the aggregate response of a plant to stress in the form of defense reactions. It was assumed that some specifi cities of the biology of phy- topathogenic acholeplasma determine their avoiding the immune mechanisms of plants and promote long-term persistence of mollicutes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 5-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn M. Callahan

ABSTRACT In this paper, I offer personal insights based on my experiences (thus far) in an evolving academic accounting career model. While I value all aspects of an academic career responsibilities (teaching, research, and service), this narrative focuses primarily on the role of accounting scholarship and, broadly, the impact of diversity on the same. I offer these perspectives and personal experiences from the unique vantage point as an African American woman, focused first on contributing to top-tired accounting scholarship, and more recently on roles as an administrator of an accounting department and business college. While my academic journey is unique by objective measures (often dubbed “trailblazing” by others), I offer suggestions that may be useful to any academic who is dedicated to success in our field. Given the evolving accounting model and challenges ahead, my overriding goal remains to encourage junior accounting colleagues to persevere, as an accounting academic career is richly rewarding.


2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-122
Author(s):  
Doris Adams Hill ◽  
Theoni Mantzoros ◽  
Jonté C. Taylor

Special educators are often considered the experts in their school when it comes to developing functional behavior assessments (FBA) and behavior intervention plans (BIP), yet rarely are they trained much beyond basic antecedents, behaviors, and consequences (ABC). This column discusses concepts that will expand special education professionals’ knowledge to make better decisions regarding interventions for the students they serve. Specifically, the focus is on motivating operations (MO) and function-based interventions and the implications of these on behavior. Knowledge of the concept of MOs can enhance a teacher’s ability to provide evidence-based interventions and more fully developed behavioral interventions for students in their purview.


Horticulturae ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Amandeep Kaur ◽  
Louise Ferguson ◽  
Niels Maness ◽  
Becky Carroll ◽  
William Reid ◽  
...  

Pecan is native to the United States. The US is the world’s largest pecan producer with an average yearly production of 250 to 300 million pounds; 80 percent of the world’s supply. Georgia, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, California, Louisiana, and Florida are the major US pecan producing states. Pecan trees frequently suffer from spring freeze at bud break and bloom as the buds are quite sensitive to freeze damage. This leads to poor flower and nut production. This review focuses on the impact of spring freeze during bud differentiation and flower development. Spring freeze kills the primary terminal buds, the pecan tree has a second chance for growth and flowering through secondary buds. Unfortunately, secondary buds have less bloom potential than primary buds and nut yield is reduced. Spring freeze damage depends on severity of the freeze, bud growth stage, cultivar type and tree age, tree height and tree vigor. This review discusses the impact of temperature on structure and function of male and female reproductive organs. It also summarizes carbohydrate relations as another factor that may play an important role in spring growth and transition of primary and secondary buds to flowers.


Author(s):  
Valentin Sencio ◽  
Marina Gomes Machado ◽  
François Trottein

AbstractBacteria that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract are essential for good health. The gut microbiota has a critical role in pulmonary immunity and host’s defense against viral respiratory infections. The gut microbiota’s composition and function can be profoundly affected in many disease settings, including acute infections, and these changes can aggravate the severity of the disease. Here, we discuss mechanisms by which the gut microbiota arms the lung to control viral respiratory infections. We summarize the impact of viral respiratory infections on the gut microbiota and discuss the potential mechanisms leading to alterations of gut microbiota’s composition and functions. We also discuss the effects of gut microbial imbalance on disease outcomes, including gastrointestinal disorders and secondary bacterial infections. Lastly, we discuss the potential role of the lung–gut axis in coronavirus disease 2019.


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