EVER WONDERED WHY WE DONT GET CONSISTENT RESULTS (if we are not getting that is ;) ) Bioactive leachates from Laboratory consumables.....something that we all should read and know about!!

http://www.eppendorf.com/int/img/consumables/Plastics_hamper_DNA_assays_Nature_News.pdf

http://www.eppendorf.com/int/index.php?action=consumables&contentid=1&page=8

How Plants Know When to Flower

                               
Flowering works in Arabidopsis should lead to a better understanding of how the same genes work in crop plants such as rice


The plants produce a protein named FKF1 known as FLOWERING LOCUS T in their leaves that induces flowering. FKF1 protein is a photoreceptor and it is activated by sunlight.This protein is expressed in the late afternoon every day, and is very tightly regulated by the plant's circadian clock.When this protein is expressed during days that are short, this protein cannot be activated, as there is no daylight in the late afternoon. When this protein is expressed during a longer day, this photoreceptor makes use of the light and activates the flowering mechanisms involving FLOWERING LOCUS T.


Once this protein is made, it travels from the leaves to the shoot apex, a part of the plant where cells are undifferentiated, meaning they can either become leaves or flowers. At the shoot apex, this protein starts the molecular changes that send cells on the path to becoming flowers.


10.1126/science.1219644

New species in 2012

 

 http://species.asu.edu

Cyanobacteria forming Minerals Intracellularly

A Photosynthetic Cyanobacterium Candidatus Gloeomargatia lithophora performs biomineralization i.e.formation of minerals (ca,mg.barium,strontium) intracellularly (importantly calcium carbonate) while other organisms are known to form extracellularly.

                             

                     Inclusions of calcium,magnesium,barium,strontium carbonates 

                                         seen inside the cyanobacterium.

10.1126/science.1216171
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120511101352.htm

First Drug from GM Plant

 

A human enzyme grown in carrot cells will treat patients with Gaucher disease.

 http://blogs.nature.com/news/2012/05/first-plant-made-drug-on-the-market.html

Plant RNA Paper Questioned!!

The paper by Zhang et al (which has been discussed in one of our seminars) describes how plant miRNA molecules that enter animal systems after ingestion inhibit proteins that aid removal of LDL in the bloodstream. This paper however, had been through rough weather as many a reviewer considered it to be "too extraordinary"?! which makes me think, how is it possible that any reviewer can disagree with an idea per se, when it is substantiated with results? Isn't it natural that they ask for further substantiation of the results rather than reject it by simply saying 'too extraordinary!'? I wonder if there is a rulebook to abide by. If not, it is high time they had one.

http://the-scientist.com/2012/04/16/plant-rna-paper-questioned/