西方马脑炎核酸疫苗表达载体构建及免疫原性研究

为构建西方马脑炎病毒(western equine encephalomyelitis virus,WEEV)结构基因C-E3-E2-6k-E1重组真核表达载体,并研究其作为核酸疫苗的免疫原性.采用PCR方法扩增目的基因,酶切之后连接到pcDNA3.1上构建真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-C-E,用酶切和测序分析方法鉴定正确后,重组质粒被转染到293T细胞,经电镜检测和间接免疫荧光方法证明基因可以表达后,用该重组质粒免疫小鼠,免疫后检测实验组小鼠外周血中CD4+T细胞/CD8+T细胞比例和血清中细胞因子IL-2、IL-4及IFN-γ浓度,以上实验组各项免疫指标与对照组相比差异均显著(P＜ 0.05);ELISA方法检测实验组小鼠血清中WEEV的IgG抗体效价是1∶16.研究结果表明重组质粒pcDNA3.1-C-E可在细胞中获得瞬时表达,并且重组质粒作为核酸疫苗能够刺激小鼠产生免疫反应,具有较强免疫原性,为今后WEEV核酸疫苗研制奠定了良好基础.     

Termite mound density and distribution patterns across three land-use types in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province,South Africa

This study investigated the effect of land-use on density and distribution patterns of termite mounds. A total area of 12 ha was investigated using four 1 ha plots from each of three land-use types (mango orchards, maize fields and communal rangelands). A total of 297 mounds from four termite species were recorded. Plotted GIS coordinates for each mound in ArcMap showed a random distribution pattern in all land-use types. The mean number of mounds per hectare was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in communal rangelands (52.5 ± 1.21), than in maize fields (14.75 ± 3.15) and mango orchards (7.5 ± 0.87), and dominated by small-sized mounds of Trinervitermes sp. Few mounds of Odontotermes sp. were found. Mounds of the edible termites, Macrotermes natalensis and M. falciger, were found in all land-use types, with the highest density for both species being in maize fields. Although the mound height for both species was similar, mound circumference for M. falciger was significantly larger (p < 0.001) which may limit land available for agricultural use. Density of mounds was influenced by land-use which may lead to changes in termite ecosystem functioning and availability of termites as a free source of protein.     

识“微”见远，立德树人——微生物学核心课程建设

微生物学作为生物学专业的基础课,在构建学生知识体系、课堂价值观引领方面具有重要作用。为实现"金课"建设目标,微生物学理论课在建设过程中,秉承着夯实基础、注重前沿的理念,在课程内容设计上注重不同课程的衔接和过渡,在教学方法上通过开展特色专题讲座、建设精品教材、应用"对分易"平台、举办"我是主讲人"等活动,以识"微"见远的理念,提升教学质量,延伸教学效果。与此同时,深刻认识到对人才培养而言,既要育智,更要育人。因此在教学中注重结合专业内容,激发学生的社会责任感和使命感;以榜样力量给予学生学习的目标与指引,立德树人,进而实现课程全方位育人的目标。     

Novel nucleic acid detection strategies based on CRISPR-Cas systems: From construction to application

Beyond their widespread application as genome-editing and regulatory tools, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated (Cas) systems also play a critical role in nucleic acid detection due to their high sensitivity and specificity. Recently developed Cas family effectors have opened the door to the development of new strategies for detecting different types of nucleic acids for a variety of purposes. Precise and efficient nucleic acid detection using CRISPR-Cas systems has the potential to advance both basic and applied biological research. In this review, we summarize the CRISPR-Cas systems used for the recognition and detection of specific nucleic acids for different purposes, including the detection of genomic DNA, nongenomic DNA, RNA, and pathogenic microbe genomes. Current challenges and further applications of CRISPR-based detection methods will be discussed according to the most recent developments.     

Effects of land-use change on functional and taxonomic diversity of Neotropical bats

Human land-use changes are particularly extensive in tropical regions, representing one of the greatest threats to terrestrial biodiversity and a key research topic in conservation. However, studies considering the effects of different types of anthropogenic disturbance on the functional dimension of biodiversity in human-modified landscapes are rare. Here, we obtained data through an extensive review of peer-reviewed articles and compared 30 Neotropical bat assemblages in well-preserved primary forest and four different human-disturbed habitats in terms of their functional and taxonomic diversity. We found that disturbed habitats that are structurally less similar to primary forest (pasture, cropland, and early-stage secondary forest) were characterized by a lower functional and taxonomic diversity, as well as community-level functional uniqueness. These habitats generally retained fewer species that perform different ecological functions compared to higher-quality landscape matrices, such as agroforestry. According to functional trait composition, different bat ensembles respond differently to landscape change, negatively affecting mainly gleaning insectivorous bats in pasture, narrow-range species in cropland, and heavier animalivorous bats in secondary forest. Although our results highlight the importance of higher-quality matrix habitats to support elevated functional and taxonomic bat diversity, the conservation of bat species that perform different ecological functions in the mosaic of human-modified habitats also depends on the irreplaceable conservation value of well-preserved primary forests. Our study based on a pooled analysis of individual studies provides novel insights into the effects of different human-modified habitats on Neotropical bat assemblages.     

Cloning Vectors Based on Cryptic Plasmids Isolated from Lactic Acid Bacteria:Their Characteristics and Potential Applications in Biotechnology

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are Gram positive bacteria, widely distributed in nature, and industrially important as they are used in a variety of industrial food fermentations. The use of genetic engineering techniques is an effective means of enhancing the industrial applicability of LAB. However, when using genetic engineering technology, safety becomes an essential factor for the application of improved LAB to the food industry. Cloning and expression systems should be derived preferably from LAB cryptic plasmids that generally encode genes for which functions can be proposed, but no phenotypes can be observed. However, some plasmid-encoded functions have been discovered in cryptic plasmids originating from Lactobacillus, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Pediococcus spp. and can be used as selective marker systems in vector construction. This article presents information concerning LAB cryptic plasmids, and their structures, functions, and applications. A total of 134 cryptic plasmids collated are discussed.     

微地形改造的生态环境效应研究进展

干旱缺水和生境不良使世界上许多地区的植被恢复和生态改善面临困难。为了提高植被成活率、遏制土壤侵蚀和土地退化态势,国内外许多重点地区都开展了多种微地形改造与下垫面整地措施,使得地表生境和植被状况得到一定改善。但微地形改造对生态环境影响的基础研究仍严重滞后于实践的客观需求,许多关键效应和科学机理不明。本文系统梳理和总结了国内外学者在不同生态系统类型区和自然地理单元上开展的相关研究。认为微地形改造对土壤属性和微生境、降雨入渗和水蚀过程、植被恢复的效果及其生态服务功能发挥等多个方面都有重要影响,并综述了相关研究进展。同时指出当前微地形改造研究中存在的突出问题。包括科学分类标准有待系统化、实地量化技术相对滞后、微地形改造的水文效应有待强化、影响植被恢复的机理不明等若干重要局限。建议应进一步加强微地形改造的分类体系研发、发展微地形改造方式的定量刻画技术;设立野外定位站,跟踪监测其长期效应,并加强不同微地形改造措施的生态环境效应对比,为科学筛选和优化下垫面改造技术、服务区域生态改善和应对气候变化提供科学依据。     

桂西南岩溶山地不同土地利用方式土壤微生物量及其活性特征

以广西平果县石漠化典型岩溶山地为研究区域,选择海拔接近的稀疏次生林地、灌丛、荒草地、裸地和农田等5种主要土地利用方式为研究对象,研究土壤微生物生物量及其活性的变异特征。结果表明:在不同土地利用方式下,随着植被的恢复,土壤养分含量不断提高,大小顺序表现为次生林>灌丛>农田>荒草地>裸地。土壤微生物量和呼吸强度变化显著(P<0.05),其中微生物量总体呈上升趋势,次生林和灌丛增幅较大,荒草地和裸地增幅较小;土壤基础呼吸强度除荒草地之外均显著增加,和土壤养分含量的变化趋势相一致。代谢熵(qCO2)变化规律不同,大小关系表现为:灌丛>农田>次生林>荒草地>裸地。不同土地利用方式下,由于相应地上、地下资源输入等环境因素的改变导致了土壤微生物量的差异性。为实现桂西南石漠化地区岩溶山地土壤生态系统的健康发展,从土壤生物学角度出发,积极推进植被生态恢复工程,尽可能减少人为活动对土地的干扰程度更有利于提高土壤质量。