Disruption of chromosome 11 in canine fibrosarcomas highlights an unusual variability of CDKN2B in dogs

Background  

In dogs in the western world neoplasia constitutes the most frequently diagnosed cause of death. Although there appear to be similarities between canine and human cancers, rather little is known about the cytogenetic and molecular alterations in canine tumours. Different dog breeds are susceptible to different types of cancer, but the genetic basis of the great majority of these predispositions has yet to be discovered. In some retriever breeds there is a high incidence of soft tissue sarcomas and we have previously reported alterations of chromosomes 11 and 30 in two poorly differentiated fibrosarcomas. Here we extend our observations and present a case report on detail rearrangements on chromosome 11 as well as genetic variations in a tumour suppressor gene in normal dogs.     

Functional implications of the microbial community structure of undefined mesophilic starter cultures

This review describes the recent advances made in the studies of the microbial community of complex and undefined cheese starter cultures. We report on work related to the composition of the cultures at the level of genetic lineages, on the presence and activity of bacteriophages and on the population dynamics during cheese making and during starter culture propagation. Furthermore, the link between starter composition and starter functionality will be discussed. Finally, recent advances in predictive metabolic modelling of the multi-strain cultures will be discussed in the context of microbe-microbe interactions.

     

Growth of human keratinocytes on fibronectin -coated plates

Keratinocytes derived from the skin of newborns and of adults aged 19 to 57 years were grown on plates coated with human fibronectin (HFN) in the absence of a 3T3 monolayer. The cells grew well, attained confluence and could be sub-cultivated at densities approximately 10% of those necessary for successful cultivation of human keratinocytes on collagen coated dishes. Growth was excellent at concentrations of fetal bovine serum (FBS) as low as 5%, and appreciable growth occurred over a six day period even in the complete absence of serum. Growth was enhanced by addition of cholera toxin to the medium. Fibroblast overgrowth of the keratinocyte colonies was not observed. The observation that keratinocytes grow well on fibronectin in the absence of a fibroblast feeder-layer should simplify further study of this fastidious cell type and increases our understanding of keratinocyte growth requirements in vitro.