Biological Resource Center Research Articles

Code of Conduct on Biosecurity for Biological Resource Centres: procedural implementation

A globally applicable code of conduct specifically dedicated to biosecurity has been developed together with guidance for its procedural implementation. This is to address the regulations governing potential dual-use of biological materials, associated information and technologies, and reduce the potential for their malicious use. Scientists researching and exchanging micro-organisms have a responsibility to prevent misuse of the inherently dangerous ones, that is, those possessing characters such as pathogenicity or toxin production. The code of conduct presented here is based on best practice principles for scientists and their institutions working with biological resources with a specific focus on micro-organisms. It aims to raise awareness of regulatory needs and to protect researchers, their facilities and stakeholders. It reflects global activities in this area in response to legislation such as that in the USA, the PATRIOT Act of 2001, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001; the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001 and subsequent amendments in the UK; the EU Dual-Use Regulation; and the recommendations of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), under their Biological Resource Centre (BRC) Initiative at the beginning of the millennium (OECD, 2001). Two project consortia with international partners came together with experts in the field to draw up a Code of Conduct on Biosecurity for BRCs to ensure that culture collections and microbiologists in general worked in a way that met the requirements of such legislation. A BRC is the modern day culture collection that adds value to its holdings and implements common best practice in the collection and supply of strains for research and development. This code of conduct specifically addresses the work of public service culture collections and describes the issues of importance and the controls or practices that should be in place. However, these best practices are equally applicable to all other microbiology laboratories holding, using and sharing microbial resources. The code was introduced to the Seventh Review Conference to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), United Nations, Geneva, 2011; the delegates to the States' parties recommended that this code of conduct be broadly applied in the life sciences and disseminated amongst microbiologists, hence the publishing of it here along with practical implementation guidance. This paper considers the regulatory and working environment for microbiology, defines responsibilities and provides practical advice on the implementation of best practice in handling the organism itself, associated data and technical know-how.

Abstract 2790: Establishment and characterization of human skingraft model in immunodeficient mice.

Abstract The humanization process of mice with various tissues named Chi-mice aimed to reproduce better the human situation and to be more predictive than conventional models. In order to evaluate new targeting therapies or adverse side effects involving skin components, pre-clinical studies need to be assayed with new molecules in adequate and validated mouse models bearing human skin. The collection of skin samples was done under ethically approved master agreements and with the signed consent of each patient. The patient's clinical history, the serology results (HIV, HBV and HCV) and tissue banking were centralized in our internal approved biological resource center. To develop such models, we used skins of different origins including foreskin, breast and abdomen that were isolated by different methods (full recovery of about 1 cm depth sample or dermatomization of the 1-2 mm epidermal/dermal layer). These samples were xenografted on immune deficient NOD-SCID mice under different conditions including matrigel grafting. After one month implantation, skingrafts were collected and observed microscopically to confirm the preservation of human organization of skin by full histology. Also, the species nature of vessels was characterized by immunochemistry to evaluate the host penetration within human skingraft and both CD-31 positive mouse and human vessels were found in the skingraft. In the context of vascular leak syndrome (VLS) induction by IL2 treatment, we have used the wet/dry ratio of skingraft to measure the induced-edema and we have measured the blue evans uptake in those injured skingraft to appreciate the epidermal vasculature leaking. Anapathological comparisons were also performed to reveal the histological modifications observed during VLS. These different characterizations performed during development of the skingraft model enabled us to obtain human skin xenografted on mice that retained the human characteristics of the primary material. The co-implantation of other human tissue (tumor) with skin in same mice which refined better the humanized model will be presented. The use of fresh skin and various tissues in drug discovery and early preclinical development of new therapies aimed at corroborating results with clinical reality. Altogether, these processes from the clinical sample collection to the in vivo drug efficacy study through ex vivo assays should help the preclinical drug selection, development and clinical positioning as well as companion biomarker identification. Citation Format: Guillaume Serin, Loïc Morgand, Marie Leblanc, Francis Bichat. Establishment and characterization of human skingraft model in immunodeficient mice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2790. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2790

Abstract 2785: Development program of patient tumor tissue bank to support the drug and target discovery.

Abstract Background: The humanization of mice with various tissues named Chi-mice® aimed to reproduce the human situation to be more predictive than conventional models. Despite significant progress in identifying malignancy of cancer cells, a more detailed understanding of tumor generation is needed. Xenograft of tumor cells into immunodeficient rodents has constituted the major preclinical screen for the development of new drugs. These models have identified efficacious agents, but their chemosensitivity, genetic drift and clonal selection induced by cell culture have been part of the high attrition rate observed in the clinical development. Patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) obtained in xenografting fresh patient tumor samples in mice are reported as being more predictive to the clinical situation in maintaining the histopathology and molecular diversity of the patient tumors. Methods: The PDXs collection has been set up under ethical agreement with informed consent of patients. The patients have been screened for absence of HIV, HBV and HCV. The anonymized patient's clinical history and tissue banking (including normal tissue when available) are centralized in our internal biological resource center. Tumor samples were freshly implanted in nude or SCID mice. Results: PDX Passage 0 Passage 1 Take rate (%) Breast 152 10 6 Lung 18 7 39 Bladder 31 11 35 Liver 31 4 13 Stomach 17 7 41 Kidney 28 8 29 Pancreas 21 4 19 Prostate 57 5 9 Total 355 56 Xenograft Passage 0 Lymphoma Established model SCID mice 85 16 (19%) 19 (22%) Nude mice 270 0 (0%) 37 (14%) Cryopreservation of the PDX is performed at early passages allowing using these PDX only at low passage. The histopathology, EGFR, PSA, AR, HER, ER and PR statute for lung, prostate and breast carcinoma and tumor growth characteristics of these PDX are being performed. Lymphoma characterization was performed using immunohistochemistry (hCD20, m/hKi67). Lymphoma detection, probably related to EBV infection, leads to switch to nude mice for xenografting.Conclusion: To create a highly diversified panel of PDX, we organized a global process from multiple centers. These PDX are currently being used in preclinical development of new therapies and clinical positioning including biomarkers identification. Citation Format: Marc Hillairet de Boisferon, Francis Bichat, Caroline Mignard, Loïc Morgand, Lydia Blot, Corinne Venot, Ana Merino-Trigo, Patricia Vrignaud. Development program of patient tumor tissue bank to support the drug and target discovery. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2785. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2785

Biochemical mutagens affect the preservation of fungi and biodiversity estimations

Many fungi have significant industrial applications or biosafety concerns and maintaining the original characteristics is essential. The preserved fungi have to represent the situation in nature for posterity, biodiversity estimations, and taxonomic research. However, spontaneous fungal mutations and secondary metabolites affecting producing fungi are well known. There is increasing interest in the preservation of microbes in Biological Resource Centers (BRC) to ensure that the organisms remain viable and stable genetically. It would be anathema if they contacted mutagens routinely. However, for the purpose of this discussion, there are three potential sources of biochemical mutagens when obtaining individual fungi from the environment: (a) mixtures of microorganisms are plated routinely onto growth media containing mutagenic antibiotics to control overgrowth by contaminants, (b) the microbial mixtures may contain microorganisms capable of producing mutagenic secondary metabolites, and (c) target fungi for isolation may produce "self" mutagens in pure culture. The probability that these compounds could interact with fungi undermines confidence in the preservation process and the potential effects of these biochemical mutagens are considered for the first time on strains held in BRC in this review.

Acute Lung, Heart, Liver, and Pancreatic Involvements with Hyponatremia and Retinochoroiditis in a 33-Year-Old French Guianan Patient

1 Department of Infectious Diseases, Hopital Bichat, Paris Diderot University, Paris, France, 2 Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Hopital Bichat, Paris Diderot University, Paris, France, 3 National Reference Centre on Toxoplasmosis and Biological Resource Centre Toxoplasma, EA3800, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, CHU Maison Blanche, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France, 4 INSERM UMR 1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, University of Limoges, Limoges, France, 5 EA 3593, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Cayenne Hospital, University of the Antilles and Guyana, Cayenne, French Guiana

Current situation and challenges of specialized microbial resource centres in Russia

Establishment of national biological resource centres (BRCs) is of special concern and requires harmonization of regulations on microorganisms’ handling, improvement of legal control pertaining to intellectual property right, access to genetic resources and fair benefit sharing arising from their biotechnology application. As exemplified by the Regional Specialized Collection of Alkanotrophic Microorganisms (acronym IEGM, World Federation for Culture Collections # 768, www.iegm.ru/iegmcol) hosted at the Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, the role of specialized microbial collections is emphasized as the governing factors of innovative development of biotechnology and bioindustry. The publication aims at drawing attention to the regional BRC being formed in the Perm Krai which provides the appropriate information on the holdings and is responsible for screening, study and maintenance of valuable microbial gene pool to meet the needs of ecology, industry and biotechnology, and for developing novel methodological approaches to studying extremotolerant microorganisms. This centre also contributes to the development and application of advanced achievements in enzymatic transformation of carbon compounds, production of fodder using non-traditional raw material, oil- and gas-prospecting activities, monitoring and bioremediation of contaminated sites.

SPRECware: Software Tools for Standard PREanalytical Code (SPREC) Labeling – Effective Exchange and Search of Stored Biospecimens

Biobanks provide stored material to basic, translational, and epidemiological research and this material should be transferred without institute-dependent intrinsic bias. The ISBER Biospecimen Science Working Group has released a "Standard PREanalytical Code" (SPREC), which is a proposal for a standard coding of the preanalytical options that have been adopted in order to track and make explicit the preanalytical variations in the collection, preparation, and storage of specimens. In this paper we address 2 issues arising in any biobank or biolaboratory aiming at adopting SPREC: (i) reducing the burden required to adopt this standard coding, and (ii) maximize the immediate benefits of this adoption by providing a free, dedicated software tool. We propose SPRECware, a vision encompassing tools and solutions for the best exploitation of SPREC based on information technology (www.sprecware.org). As a first step, we make available SPRECbase, a software tool useful for generating, storing, managing, and exchanging SPREC-related information associated to specimens. Adopting SPREC is useful both for internal purposes (such as finding the samples having some given preanalytical features), and for exchanging the preanalytical information associated to biological samples between Laboratory Information Systems. In case of a common adoption of this coding, it would be easy to find out whether and where, among the participating Biological Resource Centers, the specimens for a given study are available in order to carry out a planned experiment.

Intraspecific Variation of the Aquatic Fungus Articulospora tetracladia: An Ubiquitous Perspective

The worldwide-distributed aquatic fungus Articulospora tetracladia Ingold is a dominant sporulating species in streams of the Northwest Iberian Peninsula. To elucidate the genetic diversity of A. tetracladia, we analyzed isolates collected from various types of plant litter or foam in streams from North and Central Portugal and North Spain, between 2000 and 2010. Genetic diversity of these fungal populations was assessed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprints and by using ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 barcodes. Moreover, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 barcodes of A. tetracladia reported in other parts of the world (Central Europe, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and Malaysia) were retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology (NCBI) and the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation Biological Resource Center (NBRC) to probe into genetic diversity of A. tetracladia. PCR-DGGE of ITS2 region of 50 Iberian fungal isolates distinguished eight operational taxonomic units (OTUs), which were similar to those obtained from neighboring trees based on ITS2 gene sequences. On the other hand, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 barcodes of 68 fungal isolates yielded nine OTUs, but five fungal isolates were not assigned to any of these OTUs. Molecular diversity was highest for OTU-8, which included only European isolates. Two haplotypes were observed within OTU-8 and OTU-9, while only one haplotype was found within each of the remaining OTUs. Malaysia did not share haplotypes with other countries. Overall results indicate that, apart from the Malaysian genotypes, A. tetracladia genotypes were geographically widespread irrespective of sampling time, sites or substrates. Furthermore, PCR-DGGE appeared to be a rapid tool for assessing intraspecific diversity of aquatic hyphomycetes.

Best practices for fungal germplasm repositories and perspectives on their implementation

In over 50years, the Fungal Genetics Stock Center has grown to become a world-recognized biological resource center. Along with this growth comes the development and implementation of myriad practices for the management and curation of a diverse collection of filamentous fungi, yeast, and molecular genetic tools for working with the fungi. These practices include techniques for the testing, manipulation, and preservation of individual fungal isolates as well as for processing of thousands of isolates in parallel. In addition to providing accurate record keeping, an electronic managements system allows the observation of trends in strain distribution and in sample characteristics. Because many ex situ fungal germplasm repositories around the world share similar objectives, best-practice guidelines have been developed by a number of organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories. These best-practice guidelines provide a framework for the successful operation of collections and promote the development and interactions of biological resource centers around the world.

Phospholipase Cγ2 (PLCγ2) Is Key Component in Dectin-2 Signaling Pathway, Mediating Anti-fungal Innate Immune Responses

C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) such as Dectin-2 function as pattern recognition receptors to sense fungal infection. However, the signaling pathways induced by these receptors remain largely unknown. Previous studies suggest that the CLR-induced signaling pathway may utilize similar signaling components as the B cell receptor-induced signaling pathway. Phospholipase Cγ2 (PLCγ2) is a key component in B cell receptor signaling, but its role in other signaling pathways has not been fully characterized. Here, we show that PLCγ2 functions downstream of Dectin-2 in response to the stimulation by the hyphal form of Candida albicans, an opportunistic pathogenic fungus. Using PLCγ2- and PLCγ1-deficient macrophages, we found that the lack of PLCγ2, but not PLCγ1, impairs cytokine production in response to infection with C. albicans. PLCγ2 deficiency results in the defective activation of NF-κB and MAPK and a significantly reduced production of reactive oxygen species following fungal challenge. In addition, PLCγ2-deficient mice are defective in clearing C. albicans infection in vivo. Together, these findings demonstrate that PLCγ2 plays a critical role in CLR-induced signaling pathways, governing antifungal innate immune responses.

Ex situ conservation and exploitation of fungi in Italy

The kingdom Fungi comprises one of the most diverse groups of living organisms. They are numerous, ubiquitous and undertake many roles both independently and in association with other organisms. Fungi display a wide diversity of forms also mirrored by functional diversity and play such a dominant role in human society that they are arguably biotechnologically the most important group of organisms. Ex situ conservation of fungi, not only guarantees correct management and conservation of biodiversity, but also its exploitation in different fields. This article describes the major biological resource centres dealing with fungi in Italy and gives several examples of fungal exploitation in different fields of applications.

Endo-β-1,3-galactanase from Winter Mushroom Flammulina velutipes

Arabinogalactan proteins are proteoglycans found on the cell surface and in the cell walls of higher plants. The carbohydrate moieties of most arabinogalactan proteins are composed of β-1,3-galactan main chains and β-1,6-galactan side chains, to which other auxiliary sugars are attached. For the present study, an endo-β-1,3-galactanase, designated FvEn3GAL, was first purified and cloned from winter mushroom Flammulina velutipes. The enzyme specifically hydrolyzed β-1,3-galactan, but did not act on β-1,3-glucan, β-1,3:1,4-glucan, xyloglucan, and agarose. It released various β-1,3-galactooligosaccharides together with Gal from β-1,3-galactohexaose in the early phase of the reaction, demonstrating that it acts on β-1,3-galactan in an endo-fashion. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that FvEn3GAL is member of a novel subgroup distinct from known glycoside hydrolases such as endo-β-1,3-glucanase and endo-β-1,3:1,4-glucanase in glycoside hydrolase family 16. Point mutations replacing the putative catalytic Glu residues conserved for enzymes in this family with Asp abolished activity. These results indicate that FvEn3GAL is a highly specific glycoside hydrolase 16 endo-β-1,3-galactanase.

Receptor-like Protein-tyrosine Phosphatase α Enhances Cell Surface Expression of Neural Adhesion Molecule NB-3

Neural adhesion molecule NB-3 plays an important role in the apical dendrite development of layer V pyramidal neurons in the visual cortex, and receptor-like protein-tyrosine phosphatase α (PTPα) mediates NB-3 signaling in this process. Here we investigated the role of PTPα in regulating cell surface expression of NB-3. We found that cortical neurons from PTPα knock-out mice exhibited a lower level of NB-3 at the cell surface. When expressed in COS1 cells, NB-3 was enriched in the Golgi apparatus with a low level of cell surface expression. However, co-expression of PTPα increased the cell surface distribution of NB-3. Further analysis showed that PTPα facilitated Golgi exit of NB-3 and stabilized NB-3 protein at the cell surface by preventing its release from the plasma membrane. The extracellular region of PTPα but not its catalytic activity is necessary for its effect on NB-3 expression. Thus, the PTPα-mediated increase of NB-3 level at the cell surface represents a novel function of PTPα in NB-3 signaling in neural development.

Make Histri: Reconstructing the exchange history of bacterial and archaeal type strains

Abstract Each transfer of a microbial strain between a Biological Resource Center (BRC) and an individual researcher or another BRC imposes a risk of contamination or human error. Such artifacts jeopardize the quality of scientific results. In order to trace back possible scientific discrepancies that can be linked to failure of authenticity of the biological material involved, we launched the ‘Make Histri’ project that aims at reconstructing the exchange history (‘Histri’) of all bacterial and archaeal type strains as can be deduced from the information contained in BRC online catalogs. A Histri, visualized as a rooted tree, contains all known strain numbers attributed to the various cultures of a given strain, annotated with additional information about each transfer of microbial material.

Abstract 1598: Extensive use of fresh patient-derived tumor samples for drug discovery and drug positioning in oncology

Abstract Most preclinical investigations in Oncology research are performed using permanent cancer cell lines that have been kept in continuous in vitro passages since decades. These plastic-cultured cells became very different from their original tumors since accumulated genetic abnormalities and multiple selections of subclones occurred over time. The use of fresh patient-derived tumor samples for ex vivo assays and for establishment of new relevant in vivo tumor models allows investigating the anti-tumor activity of new therapies directly linked with clinical reality. In this respect, Oncodesign has developed a large and international network of clinical centers for the collection of a large number of fresh patient-derived tumor biopsies from all cancer pathologies and from healthy tissues. The collection of these samples is done under ethically approved master agreements and with the signed consent of each patient. The patient's clinical history, the serology results (HIV, HBV and HCV) and tissue banking are centralized in our internal approved biological resource center. Examples of ex vivo assays will be presented based on patient-derived acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia and other hemopathologies using chromium release and Annexin V FACS assays. These studies aimed to demonstrate the CDC, ADCC and apoptosis induction of new therapeutics antibodies whereby approved antibodies such as rituximab and alemtuzumab were used as positive controls. Similarly, these fresh patient-derived models were used to study the direct dose-response effect of new chemotherapeutic agents through apoptosis induction (bortezomib used as positive control). The freshly collected tumors were also used to establish new in vivo tumor models in different strains of mice and rats. The full characterization of the genetic patterns of the xenograft derived tumors was compared with the original collected human tumors and with the clinical data of the patient. A panel of “standard of care” compounds was tested in these new tumor models for pharmacological characterization. The expansion of such tumors at early passages in mice was used to implement a reproducible ex vivo 3D assay. The assay was developed to investigate the potential anti-tumor activity of conventional and targeted therapies, and allows sufficient throughput for use during drug discovery lead optimisation. Ex vivo drug effects were then correlated with in vivo results using the same panel of tumorgrafts. The use of fresh patient-derived tumors in drug discovery and early preclinical development of new therapies aimed at corroborating results with clinical reality. Altogether, these processes from the clinical tumor collection to the in vivo drug efficacy study through ex vivo assays should help the preclinical drug selection, development and clinical positioning as well as companion biomarker identification. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1598. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1598

Sub-Saharan centralized biorepository for genetic and genomic research

Quality-assessed biomedical samples are essential for academia- and industry driven research on human diseases. The etiologies and the molecular genetic factors relevant in African diseases, including both infections and complex degenerative diseases as well as cancer, need to be studied using well annotated and well-preserved biosamples acquired from native African ethnic groups and compare the results with non-African populations and/or with Afro-Americans. However, a number of difficulties negatively impact on the possibility to obtain clinically annotated biological samples in most Sub-Saharan African countries. This is mainly due to major organizational problems, lack of clinical centres that can dedicate resources to research, as well as lack of facilities in which biomaterials can be properly processed and safely stored. Harmonization of biosample acquisition, storage phenotyping schemes and biocomputer infrastructures are the principal objectives of biological resource centers (BRCs). BRCs comprise biobanks of different formats (collection of blood, DNA, tissues, etc., annotated with medical, environmental, life-style and follow up data) a fundamental tool for molecular epidemiological studies aiming to increase excellence and efficacy of biomedical results, drug development and public health. BRCs provide large and highly controlled biomolecular resources necessary to meet the “omics” scientific platforms.Sudan may be a candidate nation to host such infrastructure, in view of its strategic geographical position and the already existing simple biobanking experiences connected with research groups in Central Sudan.Here, we describe the potential role of biobanks in African genetic studies aiming to dissect the eziopathogenesis of complex diseases in relation to environmental and life-style factors.

NKS1, Na+- and K+-sensitive 1, regulates ion homeostasis in an SOS-independent pathway in Arabidopsis

An Arabidopsis thaliana mutant, nks1-1, exhibiting enhanced sensitivity to NaCl was identified in a screen of a T-DNA insertion population in the genetic background of Col-0 gl1sos3-1. Analysis of the genome sequence in the region flanking the T-DNA left border indicated two closely linked mutations in the gene encoded at locus At4g30996. A second allele, nks1-2, was obtained from the Arabidopsis Biological Resource Center. NKS1 mRNA was detected in all parts of wild-type plants but was not detected in plants of either mutant, indicating inactivation by the mutations. Both mutations in NKS1 were associated with increased sensitivity to NaCl and KCl, but not to LiCl or mannitol. NaCl sensitivity was associated with nks1 mutations in Arabidopsis lines expressing either wild type or null alleles of SOS1, SOS2 or SOS3. The NaCl-sensitive phenotype of the nks1-2 mutant was complemented by expression of a full-length NKS1 allele from the CaMV35S promoter. When grown in medium containing NaCl, nks1 mutants accumulated more Na+ than wild type and K+/Na+ homeostasis was perturbed. It is proposed NKS1, a plant-specific gene encoding a 19kDa endomembrane-localized protein of unknown function, is part of an ion homeostasis regulation pathway that is independent of the SOS pathway.

Alkoxy-auxins Are Selective Inhibitors of Auxin Transport Mediated by PIN, ABCB, and AUX1 Transporters

Polar auxin movement is a primary regulator of programmed and plastic plant development. Auxin transport is highly regulated at the cellular level and is mediated by coordinated transport activity of plasma membrane-localized PIN, ABCB, and AUX1/LAX transporters. The activity of these transporters has been extensively analyzed using a combination of pharmacological inhibitors, synthetic auxins, and knock-out mutants in Arabidopsis. However, efforts to analyze auxin-dependent growth in other species that are less tractable to genetic manipulation require more selective inhibitors than are currently available. In this report, we characterize the inhibitory activity of 5-alkoxy derivatives of indole 3-acetic acid and 7-alkoxy derivatives of naphthalene 1-acetic acid, finding that the hexyloxy and benzyloxy derivatives act as potent inhibitors of auxin action in plants. These alkoxy-auxin analogs inhibit polar auxin transport and tropic responses associated with asymmetric auxin distribution in Arabidopsis and maize. The alkoxy-auxin analogs inhibit auxin transport mediated by AUX1, PIN, and ABCB proteins expressed in yeast. However, these analogs did not inhibit or activate SCF(TIR1) auxin signaling and had no effect on the subcellular trafficking of PIN proteins. Together these results indicate that alkoxy-auxins are inactive auxin analogs for auxin signaling, but are recognized by PIN, ABCB, and AUX1 auxin transport proteins. Alkoxy-auxins are powerful new tools for analyses of auxin-dependent development.

BEI Resources: a biological resource center for parasitologists

BEI Resources: a biological resource center for parasitologists

Culture Collections and the Biotechnology Deal

Culture collections provide starting material for life science research, development and production. Especially in biotechnology, well characterised and pure microbial strains are essential for reproducible and safe bioprocesses. Culture collections also play a role as repositories of biological material for future applications and help to preserve biological diversity. In addition, they also maintain the know-how needed for more complex identification methods and help to develop new techniques. To enable culture collections to achieve higher quality standards, new certification guidelines for biological resource centres are currently being developed.