The Role of Mast Cells in the Immune Response Against Bacterial Infections

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Role of Mast Cells in the Immune Response Against Bacterial Infections The Role of Mast Cells in the Immune Response against Bacterial Infections vorgelegt von Dipl. Mol. Med., Carolin Zimmermann, geb. in Stuttgart von der Fakultät III - Prozesswissenschaften der Technischen Universität Berlin zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades Doktor der Naturwissenschaften -Dr.rer.nat.- genehmigte Dissertation Promotionsausschuss: Vorsitzender: Prof. Roland Lauster Gutachter: Prof. Jens Kurreck Gutachter: Prof. Marcus Maurer Tag der wissenschaftlichen Aussprache: 19.05.2016 Berlin, 2016 Table of contents Table of contents I. List of abbreviations ............................................................................................................. VII II. Summary .................................................................................................................................. X III. Zusammenfassung ................................................................................................................... XI 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Mast cell morphology and distribution pattern ...................................................................... 1 1.2. Mast cell origin and differentiation........................................................................................ 2 1.3. Mast cell heterogeneity .......................................................................................................... 3 1.4. Mast cell-deficient mouse models ......................................................................................... 4 1.5. Classical mast cell activation ................................................................................................. 5 1.6. Mast cell activation within the innate immune system .......................................................... 5 1.7. Mast cell functions in response to pathogens ........................................................................ 8 1.7.1. Mast cell involvement in innate responses to bacterial infections 9 1.7.2. Role of mast cells in skin innate immunity against bacteria 14 1.7.3. Role of mast cells in skin wound healing 15 1.8. Skin wound infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa ......................................................... 18 1.8.1. Skin wound infection 18 1.8.2. Pseudomonas aeruginosa 18 1.9. Aim of the study .................................................................................................................. 19 2. Materials ................................................................................................................................. 21 2.1. Cell sources .......................................................................................................................... 21 II Table of contents 2.2. Mast cell-deficient mouse strains......................................................................................... 21 2.3. Genetically modified mice ................................................................................................... 21 2.4. Cell culture media and supplements .................................................................................... 22 2.5. Bacterial culture media and supplements ............................................................................ 22 2.6. Buffers, reagents and chemicals .......................................................................................... 22 2.7. Antibodies ............................................................................................................................ 23 2.8. Cytokines ............................................................................................................................. 24 2.9. Primers ................................................................................................................................. 24 2.10. Commercial kits ................................................................................................................... 24 2.11. Consumables ........................................................................................................................ 25 2.12. Devices and technical support ............................................................................................. 25 2.13. Analysis software ................................................................................................................. 26 2.14. Manufacturers and distributers ............................................................................................ 26 3. Methods ................................................................................................................................... 29 3.1. Isolation and culture of bone marrow-derived cultured MCs (BMCMCs) ......................... 29 3.2. Murine keratinocyte cell culture .......................................................................................... 29 3.3. Isolation and culture of primary human keratinocytes ........................................................ 30 3.4. Bacterial culture ................................................................................................................... 30 3.5. Mouse model: Skin wound infection ................................................................................... 32 3.6. Histology .............................................................................................................................. 34 3.7. In vivo live imaging ............................................................................................................. 35 3.8. Skin explant infection .......................................................................................................... 35 3.9. Cell culture infection experiments ....................................................................................... 35 3.10. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) ................................................................... 37 3.11. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) ............................................ 37 III Table of contents 3.12. Flow cytometry .................................................................................................................... 38 3.13. Myeloperoxidase assay ........................................................................................................ 39 3.14. Data presentation and statistical analysis ............................................................................. 39 4. Results ..................................................................................................................................... 41 4.1. Genetically mast cell-deficient KitW/KitW-v mice show impaired wound closure upon skin wound infection with P. aeruginosa .................................................................................... 41 4.2. Local mast cell reconstitution of genetically mast cell-deficient KitW/KitW-v mice normalises wound closure upon skin wound infection with P. aeruginosa ........................ 43 4.3. Mast cells control bacterial numbers in P. aeruginosa-infected skin wounds .................... 45 4.4. P. aeruginosa reduction requires mast cell-keratinocyte interaction................................... 47 4.5. Mast cell-derived IL-6 induces antimicrobial defence in keratinocytes upon P. aeruginosa infection ........................................................................................................ 51 4.6. IL-6 production in mast cells is dependent on stimulation by IL-1 family members .......... 51 4.7. Mast cell-derived IL-6 protects from skin wound infections with P. aeruginosa ............... 55 4.8. Topical treatment with recombinant IL-6 enhances defence against P. aeruginosa skin wound infection ................................................................................................................... 57 4.9. Recombinant IL-6 treatment stimulates the antibacterial response of human keratinocytes ........................................................................................................................ 57 5. Discussion ............................................................................................................................... 61 5.1. Mast cells are required for closure of infected skin wounds ............................................... 61 5.2. Mast cells reduce the bacterial load within P. aeruginosa infected skin wounds ............... 64 5.3. Mast cell-mediated bacterial clearance is independent of immune cell recruitment ........... 68 5.4. Mast cells promote the release of antimicrobial peptides by keratinocytes......................... 69 5.5. Skin antibacterial capacity requires mast cell-derived IL-6 ................................................ 71 5.6. Keratinocytes induce IL-6 production and release in mast cells ......................................... 72 5.7. Mast cell-derived IL-6 is required for normal healing of infected skin wounds in mice .... 74 5.8. Strengths and limitations ..................................................................................................... 75 IV Table of contents 5.9. Conclusion and outlook ....................................................................................................... 75 6. List of figures .......................................................................................................................... 76 7. List of tables ...........................................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Npgrj Nprot 406 2517..2526
    PROTOCOL Identification and analysis of essential Aspergillus nidulans genes using the heterokaryon rescue technique Aysha H Osmani, Berl R Oakley & Stephen A Osmani Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. Correspondence should be addressed to S.A.O. ([email protected]) Published online 29 December 2006; corrected online 25 January 2007 (details online); doi:10.1038/nprot.2006.406 s In the heterokaryon rescue technique, gene deletions are carried out using the pyrG nutritional marker to replace the coding region of target genes via homologous recombination in Aspergillus nidulans. If an essential gene is deleted, the null allele is maintained in spontaneously generated heterokaryons that consist of two genetically distinct types of nuclei. One nuclear type has the essential gene deleted but has a functional pyrG allele (pyrG+). The other has the wild-type allele of the essential gene but lacks a functional pyrG allele (pyrG–). Thus, a simple growth test applied to the uninucleate asexual spores formed from primary transformants can natureprotocol / m identify deletions of genes that are non-essential from those that are essential and can only be propagated by heterokaryon rescue. o c . The growth tests also enable the phenotype of the null allele to be defined. Diagnostic PCR can be used to confirm deletions at the e r molecular level. This technique is suitable for large-scale gene-deletion programs and can be completed within 3 weeks. u t a n . w w INTRODUCTION w / / : One of the most fundamental pieces of information regarding the non-essential gene is deleted, the resulting strains are able to grow p t t function of any gene is whether the gene is essential or not.
    [Show full text]
  • Harvard Biolabs Stockroom
    THE HARVARD BIOLABS STOCKROOM Biolabs Basement—B060 Biolabs Bldg ‐ 16 Divinity Ave Phone: 617.495.2385 Monday ‐ Friday: 8:00 am ‐ 4:50 pm* *Closed daily 12:00 ‐ 1:00 pm The Harvard Biolabs Stockroom The Harvard BioLabs Stockroom Biolabs Basement—B060 The current Harvard Biolabs Stockroom was created in collaboraon with Operaons and Facilies at FAS and VWR Internaonal to provide researchers with quick, convenient access to the most frequently ordered laboratory supplies, enzymes and biologicals. Products are sourced from VWR core suppliers, as well as other popular manufacturers such as Qiagen, NEB, Falcon and Corning. Researchers using Harvard funds for payment are eligible to purchase from the Stockroom. To ensure accurate billing, shoppers should be prepared to provide idenficaon and up‐to‐date grant informaon at the request of Stockroom personnel. All non‐stockroom orders should be placed on‐line via HCOM or by calling VWR at 866‐229‐9967 “Call Ahead” ‐The Stockroom offers walk‐ in service. However, you may want to “call ahead” to 617‐495‐2385 so the VWR associate can ensure availability of the products requested. VWR will provide a receipt detailing all items on the order. Only products in stock will be included. Back orders will not be accepted. Backordered products should be ordered as a new transacon when stock arrives. Check with VWR at 866‐229‐9967 or HCOM for availability. VWR manages the 190 and 200 proof tax free ethanol program for Harvard University. Ethanol can be purchased by the gallon(s) or pint in the Stockroom. The on‐campus stockroom is intended to meet immediate needs for less‐ than‐case quanty products; for larger orders it is recommended purchases be made on line via HCOM, by calling 866‐229‐9967 or by e‐mailing [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • Bacterial Survival in Microscopic Surface Wetness Maor Grinberg†, Tomer Orevi†, Shifra Steinberg, Nadav Kashtan*
    RESEARCH ARTICLE Bacterial survival in microscopic surface wetness Maor Grinberg†, Tomer Orevi†, Shifra Steinberg, Nadav Kashtan* Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel Abstract Plant leaves constitute a huge microbial habitat of global importance. How microorganisms survive the dry daytime on leaves and avoid desiccation is not well understood. There is evidence that microscopic surface wetness in the form of thin films and micrometer-sized droplets, invisible to the naked eye, persists on leaves during daytime due to deliquescence – the absorption of water until dissolution – of hygroscopic aerosols. Here, we study how such microscopic wetness affects cell survival. We show that, on surfaces drying under moderate humidity, stable microdroplets form around bacterial aggregates due to capillary pinning and deliquescence. Notably, droplet-size increases with aggregate-size, and cell survival is higher the larger the droplet. This phenomenon was observed for 13 bacterial species, two of which – Pseudomonas fluorescens and P. putida – were studied in depth. Microdroplet formation around aggregates is likely key to bacterial survival in a variety of unsaturated microbial habitats, including leaf surfaces. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.48508.001 Introduction *For correspondence: The phyllosphere – the aerial parts of plants – is a vast microbial habitat that is home to diverse [email protected] microbial communities (Lindow and Brandl, 2003; Lindow and Leveau, 2002; Vorholt, 2012; Vacher et al., 2016; Leveau, 2015; Bringel and CouA˜ ce, 2015). These communities, dominated by †These authors contributed bacteria, play a major role in the function and health of their host plant, and take part in global bio- equally to this work geochemical cycles.
    [Show full text]
  • WL Brewery Contaminates Instructions Highres
    WHITE LABS ® TEST KITS BREWERY CONTAMINANTS DETECTION SAMPLE KIT PLEASE READ ALL PROCEDURAL INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY BEFORE STARTING THE TEST. YOUR KIT INCLUDES: • (5) 15mL sterile culture tubes with rack • (10) 15mL sterile culture tubes with 9mL sterile water (for dilutions) • (1) 2oz 70% isopropanol solution • (1) 90mL Hsu’s Lactobacillus and Pediococcus (HLP) Media (keep refrigerated) • (6) Lin’s Cupric Sulfate Media (LCSM) plates (please keep plates stored media side up in refrigerator until 1 hour before use) • (6) Schwartz Differential Media (SDA) plates (please keep plates stored media side up in refrigerator until 1 hour before use) • (10) sterile cell spreaders • (2) 50mL vials sterile, distilled water • (2) pair laboratory gloves • (16) sterile transfer pipettes with graduations • Instructions OTHER SUGGESTED MATERIALS: (MUST BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY) • Alcohol lamp • Micropipettor and tips BACKGROUND: This kit provides three types of selective medias for the detection of aerobic bacteria (SDA medium), anaerobic bacteria (HLP medium), and wild yeast (LCSM medium). White round colonies will be present in HLP is Lactobacillus or Pediococcus is present. Teal or blue bacterial colonies will be present on SDA if bacterial contamination is present. LCSM provides the best means for a brewery to test for the presence of Non-Saccharomyces wild yeast. This medium inhibits, or markedly restricts, growth of brewery culture yeast while permitting growth of a variety of wild yeast using cupric sulfate. Some specific brewing yeast strains (typically Hefeweizen, Belgian strains) of brewer’s yeast show weak growth on LWYM. TAKING THE SAMPLE: How to take a sterile sample from a heat exchanger: • Collect wort from a valve after heat exchanger in sterile 50 ml tube (provided) How to take a fermentor/brite tank sample: • Use cotton swab to swab any sediment in the zwiggle/stop cock.
    [Show full text]
  • The Failure of the Three R's and the Future of Animal Experimentation
    University of Chicago Legal Forum Volume 2006 | Issue 1 Article 7 Reduce, Refine, Replace: The aiF lure of the Three R's and the Future of Animal Experimentation Darian M. Ibrahim [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/uclf Recommended Citation Ibrahim, Darian M. () "Reduce, Refine, Replace: The aiF lure of the Three R's and the Future of Animal Experimentation," University of Chicago Legal Forum: Vol. 2006: Iss. 1, Article 7. Available at: http://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/uclf/vol2006/iss1/7 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Chicago Unbound. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Chicago Legal Forum by an authorized administrator of Chicago Unbound. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Reduce, Refine, Replace: The Failure of the Three R's and the Future of Animal Experimentation DarianM Ibrahimt The debate in animal ethics is defined by those who advocate the regulation of animal use and those who advocate its aboli- tion.' The animal welfare approach, which focuses on regulating animal use, maintains that humans have an obligation to treat animals "humanely" but may use them for human purposes.2 The animal rights approach, which focuses on abolishing animal use, argues that animals have inherent moral value that is inconsis- tent with us treating them as property.3 The animal welfare approach is the dominant model of ani- mal advocacy in the United States.4 Animal experimentation provides a fertile ground for testing this model because a unique confluence of factors make experimentation appear susceptible to meaningful regulation.
    [Show full text]
  • (Gekko Gecko LINNAEUS, 1758) Saliva on Angiogenesis
    Jurnal Biologi Indonesia 13(2): 253-260 (2017) Effect of Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko LINNAEUS, 1758) Saliva on Angiogenesis During Wound Healing Phase of Autotomized Tail in Common Sun Skink (Eutropis multifasciata KUHL, 1820) (Pengaruh Saliva Tokek (Gekko gecko, LINNEAUS 1758) Terhadap Angiogenesis Pada Fase Penyembuhan Luka Ekor Kadal Kebun (Eutropis multifasciata KUHL, 1820) Setelah Autotomi) Nurul Inayah1,2, Nyoman Puniawati Soesilo2 & Rarastoeti Pratiwi3 (1)Zoology Division, Research Center for Biology-Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) (2,3) Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University Email: [email protected] Received: December 2016, Accepted: June 2017 ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Tokay gecko saliva on morphology and angiogenesis response on the healing process of skink tail wound and also to characterize the protein profile of Gecko saliva. Twelve skinks were autotomized and wound surface of tail smeared by young gecko saliva, adult gecko saliva, and human’s saliva twice per day and control. The morphological changes of the wound surface were observed. The angiogenesis response was observed in vitro using Chorioallantois Membrane (CAM) of the ninth day's chick embryos. Protein profile of gecko saliva analyzed with SDS-PAGE. Generally, treated wound showed a better healing. Young gecko saliva able to stimulate angiogenesis in wound healing stage of sun skink tail after autotomy. Saliva protein of young and adult Gecko differences was not only in the size (or density) but also in the number of the bands. The young and adult Gecko revealed a striking consistency of protein patterns, indicating a profound physiological stability of the whole saliva.
    [Show full text]
  • Polypropylene
    CELLTREAT® Scientific Products is dedicated to manufacturing unique, high-quality laboratory plastic consumables at significant savings compared to alternative brands. User-friendly features are incorporated into the CELLTREAT product line to improve research efficiency with easier handling and outstanding performance. We provide high levels of personalized service and regularly challenge everything we do to improve and exceed customer expectations. Experience the CELLTREAT difference. CELLTREAT Table of Contents Accessories (Bag Cutter & Timer) .............................. 9 Flasks, Erlenmeyer - PETG ......................................... 43 Beakers ...................................................................... 9 Flasks, Erlenmeyer & Fernbach - Polycarbonate ....... 42 Bio-reaction Tubes .................................................... 19 Flasks, Non-Treated Suspension Culture ................... 29 Vent Control Labels .......................................... 19 Flasks, Tissue Culture Treated ................................... 28 Bottles, Centrifuge .................................................. 21 Flasks, Caps Only ....................................................... 29 Bottles, Media ........................................................... 44 Glass Fiber Filter Disks .............................................. 45 Bottles, Roller ........................................................... 41 Lab Grab Multi-Use Extension Grabber .................... 37 Bottles, Solution .....................................................
    [Show full text]
  • CELLTREAT Cell and Tissue Culture Labware
    Table of Contents Table of Contents Tissue and Suspension Culture Flasks .................................................. 1 Flask Caps and Cell Strainers ............................................................... 2 Tissue Culture Dishes ............................................................................. 3 Multiwell Plates, Treated and Non-Treated .....................................4-5 Chambered Cell Culture Slides ........................................................... 6 Bio-reaction Tubes .............................................................................6-7 Fernbach and Erlenmeyer Culture Flasks ........................................... 8 Roller Bottles and Square Media Bottles ............................................ 9 Cell Scrapers and Lifters ..................................................................... 10 Vacuum Filter Systems ........................................................................ 11 Solution Bottles .................................................................................... 11 Filter Adapters & Centrifuge Tube Filters .......................................... 12 Syringe Filters ........................................................................................ 13 Petri-Dishes ........................................................................................... 14 Inoculating Loops, Needles and Cell Spreaders ............................. 15 Pipets and Reagent Reservoirs .....................................................16-21 Centrifuge Tubes
    [Show full text]
  • Detection of Bacteriophage Infection Using Absorbance
    DETECTION OF BACTERIOPHAGE INFECTION USING ABSORBANCE, BIOLUMINESCENCE, AND FLUORESCENCE TESTS Thesis Submitted to The School of Engineering of the UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree Master of Science in Civil Engineering By Lindsey Marie Staley UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON Dayton, Ohio May, 2011 DETECTION OF BACTERIOPHAGE INFECTION USING ABSORBANCE, BIOLUMINESCENCE, AND FLUORESCENCE TESTS Name: Staley, Lindsey Marie APPROVED BY: ___________________________ __________________________ Denise Taylor, Ph. D., P.E. Kenya Crosson, Ph.D. Advisory Committee Chairman Committee Member Assistant Professor Assistant Professor Department of Civil and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Environmental Engineering and Engineering Mechanics Engineering Mechanics ____________________________ Deogratias Eustace, Ph.D. Committee Member Assistant Professor Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering Mechanics ___________________________ __________________________ John G. Weber, Ph.D. Tony E. Saliba, Ph.D. Associate Dean Wilke Distinguished Professor & School of Engineering Dean School of Engineering ii ABSTRACT DETECTION OF BACTERIOPHAGE INFECTION USING ABSORBANCE, BIOLUMINESCENCE, AND FLUORESCENCE TESTS Name: Staley, Lindsey Marie University of Dayton Advisor: Dr. Denise Taylor The activated sludge treatment process is a common method employed to treat wastewater. Normal operation of this process results in a floc-forming bacterial mixture, which settles rapidly. However, filamentous bacteria can cause sludge bulking, which interferes with the compaction and settling of flocs. A common method to control sludge bulking is adding a chemical such as chlorine to the activated sludge basin, which kills not only the problematic bacteria, but also the essential floc-forming bacteria. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that only infect bacteria. It is hypothesized that phages of filamentous bacteria can be added to the activated sludge basin to control sludge bulking, rather than a chemical.
    [Show full text]
  • Extracellular Vesicles in Skin Wound Healing
    Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 2 August 2021 doi:10.20944/preprints202108.0004.v1 Review Extracellular vesicles in skin wound healing Deimantė Narauskaitė1#, Gabrielė Vydmantaitė1#, Justina Rusteikaitė2, Revathi Sampath2, Akvilė Rudaitytė1, Ga- bija Stašytė1, María Isabel Aparicio Calvente1, Aistė Jekabsone1,2*, 1 Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Technologies, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania; D.N.- [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; G.S.- [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] 2 Preclinical Research Laboratory for Medicinal Products, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania; [email protected]; [email protected] # Contributed equally * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +370 675 94455 Abstract: Each year, millions of individuals suffer from a non-healing wound, abnormal scarring, or injuries accompanied by an infection. For these cases, scientists are searching for new therapeutic interventions, from which one of the most promising is the use of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Naturally, EV-based signalling takes part in all four wound healing phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and remodelling. Such an extensive involvement of EVs suggests exploiting their action to modulate the impaired healing phase. Furthermore,
    [Show full text]
  • Reading List 2012.Indd
    General Reading iGAS Guidelines - Published January 2012 CLICK HERE Educational Interim UK guidelines for management of close community contacts of invasive group A streptococcal disease. Health Protection Agency, Workshops 2012 Group A Streptococcus Working Group. Communicable Disease and Public Health 2004; 7(4):354-361. CLICK HERE Keynote Presentation: Diagnosis and Complicated infections of skin and skin structures: when the infection is more than skin deep. DiNubile MJ, Lipsky, B. Journal of treatment Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2004, 53, Suppl. S2, ii37-ii50 of skin and soft CLICK HERE Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and tissue infections soft tissue infections. Stevens DL et al. Clinical Infectious Disease 2005; 41:1373–1406 CLICK HERE Infections of skin and soft tissue: Outcomes of a classifi cation scheme. Eron J. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2000;31:287(A432). CLICK HERE Occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of pathogens isolated from skin and soft tissue infections: report from the SENTRY READING Antimicrobial Surveillance Program (United States and Canada, 2000). Rennie RP et al. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2003 Apr; 45(4):287-293. LIST CLICK HERE Comparison of community and health care associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. Naimi TS, et al. JAMA 2003; 290: 2976-2984 CLICK HERE Methicillin resistant S. aureus infections amoung patients in the emergency department. Moran GJ et al. The New England Journal of Medicine 2006 CLICK HERE HPR 2011;5(7): News CLICK HERE Polyclonal multiply antiobiotic-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with Panton-Valentine leucocidin in England. JAC 2009; doi: 10.1093/jac/dkp386; CLICK HERE Eff ect of antibiotics on Staphylococcus aureus producing panton- valentine leukocidin.
    [Show full text]
  • Mb352 General Microbiology Laboratory 2021
    MB352 GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY 2021 Alice Lee North Carolina State University North Carolina State University MB352 General Microbiology Laboratory 2021 (Lee) This text is disseminated via the Open Education Resource (OER) LibreTexts Project (https://LibreTexts.org) and like the hundreds of other texts available within this powerful platform, it freely available for reading, printing and "consuming." Most, but not all, pages in the library have licenses that may allow individuals to make changes, save, and print this book. Carefully consult the applicable license(s) before pursuing such effects. Instructors can adopt existing LibreTexts texts or Remix them to quickly build course-specific resources to meet the needs of their students. Unlike traditional textbooks, LibreTexts’ web based origins allow powerful integration of advanced features and new technologies to support learning. The LibreTexts mission is to unite students, faculty and scholars in a cooperative effort to develop an easy-to-use online platform for the construction, customization, and dissemination of OER content to reduce the burdens of unreasonable textbook costs to our students and society. The LibreTexts project is a multi-institutional collaborative venture to develop the next generation of open-access texts to improve postsecondary education at all levels of higher learning by developing an Open Access Resource environment. The project currently consists of 13 independently operating and interconnected libraries that are constantly being optimized by students, faculty, and outside experts to supplant conventional paper-based books. These free textbook alternatives are organized within a central environment that is both vertically (from advance to basic level) and horizontally (across different fields) integrated.
    [Show full text]