Aggregation and Sedimentation of Thalassiosira weissflogii (diatom) in a Warmer and More Acidified Future Ocean

Increasing Transparent Exopolymer Particle (TEP) formation during diatom blooms as a result of elevated temperature and pCO₂ have been suggested to result in enhanced aggregation and carbon flux, therewith potentially increasing the sequestration of carbon by the ocean. We present experimental results on TEP and aggregate formation by Thalassiosira weissflogii (diatom) in the presence or absence of bacteria under two temperature and three pCO₂ scenarios. During the aggregation phase of the experiment TEP formation was elevated at the higher temperature (20°C vs. 15°C), as predicted. However, in contrast to expectations based on the established relationship between TEP and aggregation, aggregation rates and sinking velocity of aggregates were depressed in warmer treatments, especially under ocean acidification conditions. If our experimental findings can be extrapolated to natural conditions, they would imply a reduction in carbon flux and potentially reduced carbon sequestration after diatom blooms in the future ocean.     

A Rapid Protocol For Site-directed Mutagenesis and Gene Synthesis Using Synthetic Oligonucleotides

Abstract

DNA segments of 100 to 150 nucleotides in length have been assembled by overlapping synthetic oligonucleotides and cloned directly into the single stranded vector M13 without purification of the synthetic DNA segments prior to cloning.     

Stamping Vital Cells—a Force-Based Ligand Receptor Assay

Gaining information about receptor profiles on cells, and subsequently finding the most efficient ligands for these signaling receptors, remain challenging tasks in stem cell and cancer research as well as drug development. We introduce a live-cell method with great potential in both screening for surface receptors and analysing binding forces of different ligands. The technique is based on the molecular force assay, a parallel-format, high-throughput experiment on a single-molecule level. On human red blood cells, we demonstrate the detection of the interaction of N-acetyl-α-D-galactosaminyl residues with the lectin helix pomatia agglutinine and of the CD47 receptor with its antibody. The measurements are performed under nearly physiological conditions and still provide a highly specific binding signal. Moreover, with a detailed comparative force analysis on two cell types with different morphology, we show that our method even allows the determination of a DNA force equivalent for the interaction of the CD47 receptor and its antibody.     

Geruchsdressuren an Meerschweinchen

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