Project description:Metagenome data from soil samples were collected at 0 to 10cm deep from 2 avocado orchards in Channybearup, Western Australia, in 2024. Amplicon sequence variant (ASV) tables were constructed based on the DADA2 pipeline with default parameters.
Project description:Lemna minor a small aquatic plant has been used extensively in ecotoxicolgical testing to elucidate substance-related effects to freshwater plants. They are free-floating freshwater macrophyte, very sensitive towards chemical exposure and easy to cultivate thus makes the plant suitable for laboratory testing. Here we present a rapid and reproducible data dependent proteomics approach for identifying growth related molecular signatures in lemna minor as an alternative to algae testing. For this, we have analyzed the proteome of lemna minor exposed to bentazon as a model substances for identifying growth related molecular perturbations. These fingerprints allow for a definition of potential biomarkers as tools in screening approaches and for integration in plant growth inhibition studies, for identifying suspect substances, such as in the Lemna sp. growth inhibition test (OECD TG 221).
Project description:Lemna minor a small aquatic plant has been used extensively in ecotoxicolgical testing to elucidate substance-related effects to freshwater plants. They are free-floating freshwater macrophyte, very sensitive towards chemical exposure and easy to cultivate thus makes the plant suitable for laboratory testing. Here we present a rapid and reproducible data dependent proteomics approach for identifying growth related molecular signatures in lemna minor as an alternative to algae testing. For this, we have analyzed the proteome of lemna minor exposed to atorvastatin as a model substances for identifying growth related molecular perturbations. These fingerprints allow for a definition of potential biomarkers as tools in screening approaches and for integration in plant growth inhibition studies (OECD TG 221), for identifying suspect substances.
Project description:Genome sequencing of UK duckweed panel including Lemna minor, Lemna japonica, Lemna minuta, Lemna turionifera and Spirodela polyrhiza accessions.
Project description:Dietary intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) has been inversely associated with lower risk of ulcerative colitis. A pig model was used to evaluate the impact of feeding FV on the host response to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Methods: Six-week-old pigs were fed a grower diet alone or supplemented with lyophilized FV equivalent to the half (half-FV) or full (full-FV) daily levels recommended for humans by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). Pigs were fed a 1) grower diet alone (negative control), 2) grower diet and orally treated with 4% DSS for 10 days to induce colitis (positive control), 3) half-FV diet treated with 4% DSS or 4) full-FV diet treated with 4% DSS. Pigs were monitored for the development of clinical signs of colitis. Proximal colon (PC) contents and mucosa (PCM) were collected for gut metagenome, tissue transcriptome and histopathological analysis. Results: Pigs fed the full-FV diet did not exhibit diarrhea, showed less fecal occult blood (FOB), PCM crypt hyperplasia but with no differential expressed genes (DEG) or changes in PC microbiome diversity (p < 0.05). Pigs within the half-FV group exhibited increased group FOB and DEG associated with tissue remodeling, crypt and goblet cell hyperplasia in the PCM and no changes in PC microbiome diversity and two pigs exhibiting diarrhea (p < 0.05). Pigs within the DSS positive control group exhibited a reduced DEG involved with intestinal immune response and PC microbiome diversity with altered metagenome, increased group PCM erosion and FOB with persistent diarrhea in one pig (p < 0.05) Conclusions: Overall, our results showed that pigs fed a three-week full-FV supplemented diet, were resistant to DSS-induced colitis with a differential dose-dependent protective effect on host intestinal tissue and gut metagenome when exposed to an inflammatory challenge.
Project description:The Lemnaceae (duckweeds) are the world’s smallest but fastest growing flowering plants. Prolific clonal propagation facilitates continuous micro-cropping for plant-based protein and starch production, and holds tremendous promise for sequestration of atmospheric CO2. Here, we present chromosomal assemblies, annotations, and phylogenomic analysis of Lemna genomes that uncover candidate genes responsible for the unique metabolic and developmental traits of the family, such as anatomical reduction, adaxial stomata, lack of stomatal closure, and carbon sequestration via crystalline calcium oxalate. Lemnaceae have selectively lost genes required for RNA interference, including Argonaute genes required for reproductive isolation (the triploid block) and haploid gamete formation. Triploid hybrids arise commonly among Lemna, and we have found mutations in highly-conserved meiotic crossover genes that could support polyploid meiosis. Further, mapping centromeres by chromatin immunoprecipitation suggests their epigenetic origin despite divergence of underlying tandem repeats and centromeric retrotransposons. Syntenic comparisons with Wolffia and Spirodela reveal that diversification of these genera coincided with the “Azolla event” in the mid-Eocene, during which aquatic macrophytes reduced high atmospheric CO2 levels to those of the current ice age. Facile regeneration of transgenic fronds from tissue culture, aided by reduced epigenetic silencing, makes Lemna a powerful biotechnological platform, as exemplified by recent engineering of high-oil Lemna that outperforms oil seed crops.