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Articles 1 - 15 of 15
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Intraspecific Differences In Molecular Stress Responses And Coral Pathobiome Contribute To Mortality Under Bacterial Challenge In Acropora Millepora, Rachel M. Wright, Carly D. Kenkel, Carly E. Dunn, Erin N. Shilling, Line K. Bay, Mikhail V. Matz
Intraspecific Differences In Molecular Stress Responses And Coral Pathobiome Contribute To Mortality Under Bacterial Challenge In Acropora Millepora, Rachel M. Wright, Carly D. Kenkel, Carly E. Dunn, Erin N. Shilling, Line K. Bay, Mikhail V. Matz
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Disease causes significant coral mortality worldwide; however, factors responsible for intraspecific variation in disease resistance remain unclear. We exposed fragments of eight Acropora millepora colonies (genotypes) to putatively pathogenic bacteria (Vibrio spp.). Genotypes varied from zero to >90% mortality, with bacterial challenge increasing average mortality rates 4-6 fold and shifting the microbiome in favor of stress-associated taxa. Constitutive immunity and subsequent immune and transcriptomic responses to the challenge were more prominent in high-mortality individuals, whereas low-mortality corals remained largely unaffected and maintained expression signatures of a healthier condition (i.e., did not launch a large stress response). Our results suggest that …
Distribution Of Abundant And Active Planktonic Ciliates In Coastal And Slope Waters Off New England, Sarah J. Tucker, George B. Mcmanus, Laura A. Katz, Jean-David Grattepanche
Distribution Of Abundant And Active Planktonic Ciliates In Coastal And Slope Waters Off New England, Sarah J. Tucker, George B. Mcmanus, Laura A. Katz, Jean-David Grattepanche
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Despite their important role of linking microbial and classic marine food webs, data on biogeographical patterns of microbial eukaryotic grazers are limited, and even fewer studies have used molecular tools to assess active (i.e., those expressing genes) community members. Marine ciliate diversity is believed to be greatest at the chlorophyll maximum, where there is an abundance of autotrophic prey, and is often assumed to decline with depth. Here, we assess the abundant (DNA) and active (RNA) marine ciliate communities throughout the water column at two stations off the New England coast (Northwest Atlantic)—a coastal station 43 km from shore (40 …
Insights Into Transgenerational Epigenetics From Studies Of Ciliates, Olivia A. Pilling, Anna J. Rogers, Bethaney Gulla-Devaney, Laura A. Katz
Insights Into Transgenerational Epigenetics From Studies Of Ciliates, Olivia A. Pilling, Anna J. Rogers, Bethaney Gulla-Devaney, Laura A. Katz
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Epigenetics, a term with many meanings, can be broadly defined as the study of dynamic states of the genome. Ciliates, a clade of unicellular eukaryotes, can teach us about the intersection of epigenetics and evolution due to the advantages of working with cultivable ciliate lineages, plus their tendency to express extreme phenotypes such as heritable doublet morphology. Moreover, ciliates provide a powerful model for studying epigenetics given the presence of dimorphic nuclei – a somatic macronucleus and germline micronucleus – within each cell. Here, we exemplify the power of studying ciliates to learn about epigenetic phenomena. We highlight “classical” examples …
Unusual Features Of Non-Dividing Somatic Macronuclei In The Ciliate Class Karyorelictea, Ying Yan, Anna J. Rogers, Feng Gao, Laura A. Katz
Unusual Features Of Non-Dividing Somatic Macronuclei In The Ciliate Class Karyorelictea, Ying Yan, Anna J. Rogers, Feng Gao, Laura A. Katz
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Genome structure and nuclear organization have been intensely studied in model ciliates such as Tetrahymena and Paramecium, yet few studies have focused on nuclear features of other ciliate clades including the class Karyorelictea. In most ciliates, both the somatic macronuclei and germline micronuclei divide during cell division and macronuclear development only occurs after conjugation. However, the macronuclei of Karyorelictea are non-dividing (i.e. division minus (Div−)) and develop anew from micronuclei during each asexual division. As macronuclei age within Karyorelictea, they undergo changes in morphology and DNA content until they are eventually degraded and replaced by newly developed macronuclei. No less …
Pteronura Brasiliensis (Carnivora: Mustelidae), Paula Noonan, Siobhan Prout, Virginia Hayssen
Pteronura Brasiliensis (Carnivora: Mustelidae), Paula Noonan, Siobhan Prout, Virginia Hayssen
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Pteronura brasiliensis (Zimmermann, 1780), the giant otter, is the largest freshwater otter. Found in South America, it inhabits slow-moving rivers and creeks and feeds predominantly on fish. Extinct in the southern portions of its former range, P. brasiliensis is listed as "Endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Threats to P. brasiliensis include habitat destruction, illegal hunting, and disease.
A Dna Origami Platform For Quantifying Protein Copy Number In Super-Resolution, Francesca Cella Zanacchi, Carlo Manzo, Angel S. Alvarez, Nathan D. Derr, Maria F. Garcia-Parajo, Melike Lakadamyali
A Dna Origami Platform For Quantifying Protein Copy Number In Super-Resolution, Francesca Cella Zanacchi, Carlo Manzo, Angel S. Alvarez, Nathan D. Derr, Maria F. Garcia-Parajo, Melike Lakadamyali
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Single-molecule-based super-resolution microscopy offers researchers a unique opportunity to quantify protein copy number with nanoscale resolution. However, while fluorescent proteins have been characterized for quantitative imaging using calibration standards, similar calibration tools for immunofluorescence with small organic fluorophores are lacking. Here we show that DNA origami, in combination with GFP antibodies, is a versatile platform for calibrating fluorophore and antibody labeling efficiency to quantify protein copy number in cellular contexts using super-resolution microscopy.
Disentangling Sources Of Variation In Ssu Rdna Sequences From Single Cell Analyses Of Ciliates: Impact Of Copy Number Variation And Experimental Error, Chundi Wang, Tengteng Zhang, Yurui Wang, Laura A. Katz, Feng Gao, Weibo Song
Disentangling Sources Of Variation In Ssu Rdna Sequences From Single Cell Analyses Of Ciliates: Impact Of Copy Number Variation And Experimental Error, Chundi Wang, Tengteng Zhang, Yurui Wang, Laura A. Katz, Feng Gao, Weibo Song
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) is widely used for phylogenetic inference, barcoding and other taxonomy-based analyses. Recent studies indicate that SSU rDNA of ciliates may have a high level of sequence variation within a single cell, which impacts the interpretation of rDNA-based surveys. However, sequence variation can come from a variety of sources including experimental errors, especially the mutations generated by DNA polymerase in PCR. In the present study, we explore the impact of four DNA polymerases on sequence variation and find that low-fidelity polymerases exaggerate the estimates of single-cell sequence variation. Therefore, using a polymerase with high fidelity …
A Novel, Species-Specific, Real-Time Pcr Assay For The Detection Of The Emerging Zoonotic Parasite Ancylostoma Ceylanicum In Human Stool, Marina Papaiakovou, Nils Pilotte, Jessica R. Grant, Rebecca J. Traub, Stacey Llewellyn, James S. Mccarthy, Alejandro J. Krolewiecki, Rubén Cimino, Rojelio Mejia, Steven A. Williams
A Novel, Species-Specific, Real-Time Pcr Assay For The Detection Of The Emerging Zoonotic Parasite Ancylostoma Ceylanicum In Human Stool, Marina Papaiakovou, Nils Pilotte, Jessica R. Grant, Rebecca J. Traub, Stacey Llewellyn, James S. Mccarthy, Alejandro J. Krolewiecki, Rubén Cimino, Rojelio Mejia, Steven A. Williams
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Historically, Ancylostoma ceylanicum has been viewed as an uncommon cause of human hookworm infection, with minimal public health importance. However, recent reports have indicated that this zoonotic hookworm causes a much greater incidence of infection within certain human populations than was previously believed. Current methods for the species-level detection of A. ceylanicum rely on techniques that involve conventional PCR accompanied by restriction enzyme digestions. These PCR-based assays are not only labo- rious but they lack sensitivity as they target suboptimal regions on the DNA. As efforts aimed at the eradication of hookworm disease have grown substantially over the last decade, …
Callosciurus Prevostii (Rodentia: Sciuridae), Peter W.W. Lurz, Isabella Fielding, Virginia Hayssen
Callosciurus Prevostii (Rodentia: Sciuridae), Peter W.W. Lurz, Isabella Fielding, Virginia Hayssen
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Prevost's squirrel, Callosciurus prevostii (Desmarest, 1822), is a diurnal, medium-sized, arboreal squirrel. Its distribution extends from peninsular Thailand and Sumatra to northern Sulawesi, Borneo, and adjacent islands. It inhabits secondary forests, fruit orchards, as well as palm and coconut plantations. Fruit is the main component of its diet, but some arthropods are also eaten. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources lists C. prevostii as "Least Concern" due to its wide distribution and tolerance for some degree of habitat modification.
Application Of A Household-Based Molecular Xenomonitoring Strategy To Evaluate The Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Program In Tamil Nadu, India, Swaminathan Subramanian, Purushothaman Jambulingam, Brian K. Chu, Candasamy Sadanandane, Venkatesan Vasuki, Adinarayanan Srividya, Mohamed S. Mohideen Abdulkader, Kaliannagounder Krishnamoorthy, Harikishan K. Raju, Sandra J. Laney, Steven A. Williams, Ralph H. Henderson
Application Of A Household-Based Molecular Xenomonitoring Strategy To Evaluate The Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Program In Tamil Nadu, India, Swaminathan Subramanian, Purushothaman Jambulingam, Brian K. Chu, Candasamy Sadanandane, Venkatesan Vasuki, Adinarayanan Srividya, Mohamed S. Mohideen Abdulkader, Kaliannagounder Krishnamoorthy, Harikishan K. Raju, Sandra J. Laney, Steven A. Williams, Ralph H. Henderson
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the world’s foremost debilitating infectious diseases with nearly 800 million people at risk of infection. Given that LF is a mosquito-borne disease, the use of molecular xenomonitoring (MX) to detect parasite DNA/RNA in mosquitoes can serve as a valuable tool for LF monitoring and evaluation, particularly in Culexvector areas. We investigated using MX in a low-level prevalence district of Tamil Nadu, India by applying a household-based sampling strategy to determine trap location sites. Two independent mosquito samples were collected in each of a higher human infection hotspot area (sites with community microfilaria prevalence �1%) …
A Program Aimed Toward Inclusive Excellence For Underrepresented Undergraduate Women In The Sciences, Laura A. Katz, Kathryn M. Aloisio, Nicholas J. Horton, Minh Ly, Sara B. Pruss, Kate Queeney, Cate Rowen, Patricia Marten Dibartolo
A Program Aimed Toward Inclusive Excellence For Underrepresented Undergraduate Women In The Sciences, Laura A. Katz, Kathryn M. Aloisio, Nicholas J. Horton, Minh Ly, Sara B. Pruss, Kate Queeney, Cate Rowen, Patricia Marten Dibartolo
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Created to foster inclusive excellence, Smith College’s Achieving Excellence in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science (AEMES) Scholars program provides early faculty-mentored research opportunities and other programming as a way to foster success in academic outcomes for underrepresented women in science. Using academic record data, we compared Scholars’ outcomes over time with those of underrepresented students before program launch and to relevant peer comparison groups. Since its launch, AEMES Scholars have achieved significantly higher gateway life sciences course grade point averages (GPAs), rates of persistence in life and natural sciences, and participation in natural sciences advanced research relative to baseline. Gains for …
Differential Toxic Effects Of Ulva Lactuca (Chlorophyta) On The Herbivorous Gastropods, Littorina Littorea And L. Obtusata (Mollusca), Paulette Peckol, Alysha B. Putnam
Differential Toxic Effects Of Ulva Lactuca (Chlorophyta) On The Herbivorous Gastropods, Littorina Littorea And L. Obtusata (Mollusca), Paulette Peckol, Alysha B. Putnam
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Members of the genus Ulva are widespread and abundant in intertidal and shallow subtidal areas but there are conflicting data regarding susceptibility to herbivory. While some studies have documented that Ulva spp. were favored by a diversity of marine herbivores, other work has revealed herbivore deterrence. We investigated grazing and growth rates of the littorinid species, Littorina littorea and L. obtusata, when offered Fucus vesiculosus, Ascophyllum nodosum, Ulva lactuca, and Chondrus crispus, highlighting distinctive vulnerabilities to toxic effects of U. lactuca. Ulva lactuca was the preferred food of L. littorea, while L. obtusata showed no grazing on this ephemeral algal …
Amoebozoans Are Secretly But Ancestrally Sexual: Evidence For Sex Genes And Potential Novel Crossover Pathways In Diverse Groups Of Amoebae, Yonas I. Tekle, Fiona C. Wood, Laura A. Katz, Mario A. Cero ́ N-Romero, Lydia A. Gorfu
Amoebozoans Are Secretly But Ancestrally Sexual: Evidence For Sex Genes And Potential Novel Crossover Pathways In Diverse Groups Of Amoebae, Yonas I. Tekle, Fiona C. Wood, Laura A. Katz, Mario A. Cero ́ N-Romero, Lydia A. Gorfu
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Sex is beneficial in eukaryotes as it can increase genetic diversity, reshuffle their genomes, and purge deleterious mutations. Yet, its evolution remains a mystery. The eukaryotic clade supergroup Amoebozoa encompasses diverse lineages of polymorphic amoeboid forms, including both free-living and parasitic lineages. The group is generally believed to be asexual, though recent studies show that some of its members are implicated in cryptic forms of sexual cycles. In this study, we conduct a comprehensive inventory and analysis of genes involved in meiosis and related processes, in order to investigate the evolutionary history of sex in the clade. We analyzed genomic …
Gper/Gpr30, A Membrane Estrogen Receptor, Is Expressed In The Brain And Retina Of A Social Fish (Carassius Auratus) And Colocalizes With Isotocin, Lisa A. Mangiamele, Julia R. Gomez, Nancy J. Curtis, Richmond R. Thompson
Gper/Gpr30, A Membrane Estrogen Receptor, Is Expressed In The Brain And Retina Of A Social Fish (Carassius Auratus) And Colocalizes With Isotocin, Lisa A. Mangiamele, Julia R. Gomez, Nancy J. Curtis, Richmond R. Thompson
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Estradiol rapidly (within 30 minutes) influences a variety of sociosexual behaviors in both mammalian and nonmammalian vertebrates, including goldfish, in which it rapidly stimulates approach responses to the visual cues of females. Such rapid neuromodulatory effects are likely mediated via membrane-associated estrogen receptors; however, the localization and distribution of such receptors within the nervous system is not well described. To begin to address this gap, we identified GPER/GPR30, a G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor, in goldfish (Carassius auratus) neural tissue and used reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization to test if GPR30 is expressed in the brain regions that …
Rapid Turnover Of Ciliate Community Members In New England Tide Pools, Mary Badger, Sarah J. Tucker, Jean-David Grattepanche, Laura A. Katz
Rapid Turnover Of Ciliate Community Members In New England Tide Pools, Mary Badger, Sarah J. Tucker, Jean-David Grattepanche, Laura A. Katz
Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
The rocky intertidal zone represents a dynamic habitat marked by considerable species richness, which has been well-documented for invertebrates and macroalgae. This high biodiversity exists in the context of extreme fluctuations in abiotic factors such as temperature, salinity and pH that occur during each tidal cycle. Despite these attributes, few studies have focused on microbial diversity in tide pools, including analyses of the ciliate communities that are the focus of this study. We investigated the spatial and temporal distributions of ciliate species across the intertidal environment at sites in Maine and Connecticut, USA. Our study used a DNA fingerprinting technique, …