Restoration Biology: A Population Biology Perspective

A major goal of population biologists involved in restoration work is to restore populations to a level that will allow them to persist over the long term within a dynamic landscape and include the ability to undergo adaptive evolutionary change. We discuss five research areas of particular importance to restoration biology that offer potentially unique opportunities to couple basic research with the practical needs of restorationists. The five research areas are: (1) the influence of numbers of individuals and genetic variation in the initial population on population colonization, establishment, growth, and evolutionary potential; (2) the role of local adaptation and life history traits in the success of restored populations; (3) the influence of the spatial arrangement of landscape elements on metapopulation dynamics and population processes such as migration; (4) the effects of genetic drift, gene flow, and selection on population persistence within an often accelerated, successional time frame; and (5) the influence of interspecific interactions on population dynamics and community development. We also provide a sample of practical problems faced by practitioners, each of which encompasses one or more of the research areas discussed, and that may be solved by addressing fundamental research questions.     

Colicin Biology

Colicins are proteins produced by and toxic for some strains of Escherichia coli. They are produced by strains of E. coli carrying a colicinogenic plasmid that bears the genetic determinants for colicin synthesis, immunity, and release. Insights gained into each fundamental aspect of their biology are presented: their synthesis, which is under SOS regulation; their release into the extracellular medium, which involves the colicin lysis protein; and their uptake mechanisms and modes of action. Colicins are organized into three domains, each one involved in a different step of the process of killing sensitive bacteria. The structures of some colicins are known at the atomic level and are discussed. Colicins exert their lethal action by first binding to specific receptors, which are outer membrane proteins used for the entry of specific nutrients. They are then translocated through the outer membrane and transit through the periplasm by either the Tol or the TonB system. The components of each system are known, and their implication in the functioning of the system is described. Colicins then reach their lethal target and act either by forming a voltage-dependent channel into the inner membrane or by using their endonuclease activity on DNA, rRNA, or tRNA. The mechanisms of inhibition by specific and cognate immunity proteins are presented. Finally, the use of colicins as laboratory or biotechnological tools and their mode of evolution are discussed.     

Cell Biology

A selection of interesting papers that were published in the two months before our press date in major journals most likely to report significant results in cell biology.     

Practical Biology

More pooters A safer ‘pooter’ Michael John Surtees

A water pooter; Miles Robbins     

Cell Biology

A selection of interesting papers that were published in the two months before our press date in major journals most likely to report significant results in cell biology.     

Human Biology

This paper describes the setting up of a nature trail for educational purposes. It discusses the aims, methods of use, and possible evaluation techniques for such a trail. Some probable developments of the ‘trail’ concept at Hartsholme are reviewed. Examples are given of both school-based and leisure-learning activities.     

Synthetic Biology

Cover illustration: Synthetic Biology. This special issue, edited by Alfonso Jaramillo and Jean-Loup Foulon, highlights articles from the International conference on Synthetic Biology (December 2010) organized by the Genopole and iSSB. The cover image depicts a tentative synthetic leaf in half revealing its genetic circuitry. A zoom box details the leaf's interior circuits, which are made up of three multiplexed light sensors regulating gene expression controlled by red, green and blue light. The image (provided by Daniel Camsund) illustrates the application of light sensors reported in this issue (http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/biot.201100091 ).     

Chemical Biology

A selection of interesting papers that were published in the two months before our press date in major journals most likely to report significant results in chemical biology.