Cloning of chloroplast psbA and rbcL-genes from cotton Gossipium hirsutum

The fragments of cotton Gossipium hirsutum c.v. 108-f chloroplast genome were cloned in Escherichia coli cells. The cloned psbA and rbcL genes have been selected using the heterologous probes from spinach. The preliminary attempts to clone the complete psbA gene in pUC19 vector failed, probably, due to the toxicity of its product to Escherichia coli cells, and its 5'- and 3'-ends were cloned separately. Reconstruction experiments revealed that while the complete psbA gene was unable to be stably inherited by Escherichia coli cells, its structural part lacking the promoter region could be readily cloned in the bacterial cells.     

Production of the lepidoptera-specific crystal protein by a local isolate of Bacillus thuringiensis

Summary A local isolate of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.81) produced crystal protein which was identified as a cry I gene of Class I. The synthesis and assembly of crystal complements were investigated at intervals throughout the growth cycle. Incubation temperature had a marked effect on toxin synthesis; production being the highest at 25°C and the lowest at 42°C. The mutants of B. t. 81, unable to synthesize crystal protein complements, have also been described.     

The rise of coastal Middle Bronze Age Levant – A multidisciplinary approach for investigating in Sidon,Lebanon

Objectives

The Levantine Middle Bronze Age (MBA, circa 2000–1500 BCE) marks a period of increased trade and regional interaction, spurred on by technological developments. In light of previous research exhibiting limited mobility in Sidon, further investigation was conducted using biodistance analysis to understand local population history and site development.

Materials and Methods

Dental nonmetric traits, a proxy for genetic information, were explored using ASUDAS on a sub-sample of primary inhumations (n = 35). The biodistance matrix was generated using Gower distance measures, and further tested using PERMDISP, PERMANOVA, Mantel test and hierarchical cluster analysis. The data was also contrasted to ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and δ¹⁸O as well as δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values.

Results

There were no significant diachronic differences in isotopes values, and there was biological continuity (n = 35, Mantel test r = 0.11, p = 0.02, comparing local phases and biodistance). The analysis also suggested of a sub-group of individuals with biological proximity shared a more limited range of mobility and dietary habits.

Conclusions

The isotopes (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N) and biodistance analysis conducted on the Sidon College site skeletal assemblage exhibits stability and continuity of the people, despite the site's increasing role in the maritime network. This continuity may have been a key factor in Sidon's success, allowing it to accumulate wealth and resources for centuries to come.