Productivity of mixed versus pure stands of oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. and Quercus robur L.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) along an ecological gradient

The mixture of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and oak (sessile oak, Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., and pedunculate oak, Q. robur L.) is of considerable importance in Europe and will probably become even more important under climate change. Therefore, the performance of oak and beech in mixture was compared with the species’ growth in pure stands. Data from 37 long-term mixing experiments in Poland, Germany and Switzerland were pooled for analysis of mixing effects on stand productivity and possible interrelationships with mixing portions or site conditions. We found that on average, mixed stands of oak and beech exceeded biomass productivity in pure stands by 30 % or 1.7 t ha^?1 year^?1, as the growth of both species was benefitted by the mixture. However, that the interaction actually ranged from facilitation and overyielding on poor sites to underyielding on fertile sites triggered by competition. An empirically derived interaction model showed volume and dry mass growth changing in mixed stands from gains of 50 % to losses of 10 % depending on site conditions. It is concluded that the analysed mixture grows in accordance with the stress-gradient hypothesis and that our results suggest a site-specific relationship between species mixture and biomass productivity. As a consequence, an adequate species mix should result in increased productivity under steady state as well as climate change.     

Artificial meat? Feasible approach based on the experience from cell culture studies

This short review is to list pros and cons which are based on the literature and personal experience in cell culture studies related to possible commercial production of artificial meat as functional food. The general view of muscle composition and determinants of meat quality are shortly described. Principles of muscle cell propagation in culture and mutual relationships between different cell types present in this organ are briefly discussed. Additionally, the effects of some cytokines and growth factors for muscle cell growth and muscle tissue development are indicated. Finally, conclusion remarks related to detrimental consequences of meat production to natural environment as well as personal opinion of author on the prospects of artificial meat production are declared.     

Genetic linkage map of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaeosphaeria nodorum</Emphasis>, the causal agent of stagonospora nodorum blotch disease of wheat

A genetic linkage map of the fungal pathogen Phaeosphaeria nodorum, the causal agent of stagonospora nodorum blotch disease of wheat, was created. A total of 152 ascospore-derived progeny from a single pseudothecium, which resulted from a cross of two opposite mating type isolates, Sn37-1 and S-81-B13B, was analysed with AFLP, RAPD, ISSR, expressed sequence tag (EST)-derived microsatellite primers and sequence tagged site markers developed from specific genes. The genetic linkage map consisted of 276 molecular markers, and included markers developed from five genes [Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd), malate synthase (Mls1), mannitol 1-phosphate dehydrogenase (Mpd1), mating type (MAT1) and RNA polymerase II (RPB2)], which were assigned to 21 major linkage groups (LGs). The total length of the 21 major LGs was 1,932.1 centiMorgans (cM) with an average spacing of 6.88 cM between loci. The idiomorph mating type gene (MAT1) loci was placed in LG 2 and was closely linked to RAPD marker A4-680. On the other hand, 24 molecular markers and four gene loci [β-glucosidase (bgl1), histidinol dehydrogenase (Hdh2), mannitol 1-phosphate dehydrogenase (Mpd2), and xylanase (Xyl 10-2)] were dispersed in 11 minor LGs. The segregation ratio of the xylanase (Xyl 10-1) locus was distorted and not mapped. This is the first genetic linkage map reported for this important foliar pathogen of wheat. In combination with the genomic sequence of P. nodorum strain SN15 (), the availability of a genetic linkage map of this organism would be an important tool to investigate quantitative trait loci (QTL) of biologically important phenotypes and for positional cloning.     

Building programmable jigsaw puzzles with RNA

One challenge in supramolecular chemistry is the design of versatile, self-assembling building blocks to attain total control of arrangement of matter at a molecular level. We have achieved reliable prediction and design of the three-dimensional structure of artificial RNA building blocks to generate molecular jigsaw puzzle units called tectosquares. They can be programmed with control over their geometry, topology, directionality, and addressability to algorithmically self-assemble into a variety of complex nanoscopic fabrics with predefined periodic and aperiodic patterns and finite dimensions. This work emphasizes the modular and hierarchical characteristics of RNA by showing that small RNA structural motifs can code the precise topology of large molecular architectures. It demonstrates that fully addressable materials based on RNA can be synthesized and provides insights into self-assembly processes involving large populations of RNA molecules.