DOCSLIB.ORG

Proceedings of the 2013 Pierce's Disease

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Proceedings of the 2013 Pierce's Disease cdfa ~ Symposium Proceedings Proceedings of the 2013 Pierce’s Disease Research Symposium - December 2013 - Compiled by: Pierce’s Disease Control Program California Department of Food and Agriculture Sacramento, CA 95814 Chief Editor: Thomas Esser, CDFA Assistant Editor: Raj Randhawa, CDFA Cover Design and Photograph: Sean Veling, CDFA Printer: California Office of State Publishing, Sacramento, California Funds for Printing Provided by: CDFA Pierce’s Disease and Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Board Cite as: Pierce’s Disease Research Progress Reports. California Department of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento, CA. December 2013. Available on the Internet at: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/pdcp/Research.html Acknowledgements: Many thanks to the scientists and cooperators who are conducting research on Pierce’s disease and submitted reports for inclusion in this document. Note to Readers: The reports contained in this document have not been subjected to scientific peer review. To Request a Copy of This Publication, Please Contact: Pierce’s Disease Control Program California Department of Food and Agriculture 1220 N Street, Sacramento, California 95814 Telephone: 916-900-5024 Website: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/pdcp Revision History: • 12/05/2013 -- page 73 revised TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1: Vector Biology and Ecology REPORTS • Optimizing Electrical Penetration Graph Settings to Record Blue-green Sharpshooter X Waves for Future Studies of Grape Host Plant Resistance to Xylella fastidiosa Inoculation Elaine A. Backus .............................................................................................................................................. 3 ABSTRACTS • Suitability of Fertilized and Unfertilized Eggs of the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter for the Egg Parasitoid Gonatocerus morrilli Rodrigo Krugner............................................................................................................................................. 11 • A Method to Quantify Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Egg Maturation Mark Sisterson ................................................................................................................................................ 12 Section 2: Vector Management REPORTS • The Riverside County Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Program in the Temecula Valley Matthew Daugherty, Tracy Pinckard, and Diane Soto................................................................................... 15 • RNA-Interference and Control of the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter and Other Leafhopper Vectors of Xylella fastidiosa Bryce W. Falk ................................................................................................................................................. 19 • Development and Use of Recombinant Homalodisca coagulata Virus-1 for Controlling the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Bryce W. Falk, Bryony Bonning, W. Allen Miller, and Drake Stenger ......................................................... 26 • The Endocrine System of the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, a Viable Insecticide Target Shizuo G. Kamita and Bruce D. Hammock ................................................................................................... 32 - i - Section 3: Pathogen Biology and Ecology REPORTS • Identification of a New Virulence Factor Required for Pierce’s Disease and Its Utility in Development of a Biological Control Thomas J. Burr, Patricia Mowery, Luciana Cursino, and Kameka Johnson.................................................. 41 • Characterization of the Xylella fastidiosa gcvR Gene Required for Pathogenicity Hong Lin and Xiangyang Shi......................................................................................................................... 48 • Elucidating the Process of Cell-Cell Communication in Xylella fastidiosa to Achieve Pierce’s Disease Control by Pathogen Confusion Steven Lindow................................................................................................................................................ 53 • Characterization of Xylella fastidiosa Genes Required for Pathogenicity Pamela Ronald and Bruce Kirkpatrick ........................................................................................................... 63 • Characterization of Xylella fastidiosa Lipopolysaccharide and Its Role in Key Steps of the Disease Cycle in Grapevine Caroline Roper and Dario Cantu .................................................................................................................... 74 ABSTRACTS • Initiation of a Pan-Genomic Research Project for Xylella fastidiosa Jianchi Chen ................................................................................................................................................... 84 • Identification and Characterization of Xylella fastidiosa Isolated from Coffee Plants in France Bruno Legendre, Stelly Mississipi, Valérie Olivier, Emmanuelle Morel, Dominique Crouzillat, Marie-Agnès Jacques, Françoise Poliakoff, and Charles Manceau ................................................................ 85 Section 4: Pathogen and Disease Management REPORTS • Building a Next Generation Chimeric Antimicrobial Protein to Provide Rootstock- Mediated Resistance to Pierce’s Disease in Grapevines Abhaya M. Dandekar...................................................................................................................................... 89 • Chimeric Antimicrobial Protein and Polygalacturonase-Inhibiting Protein Transgenic Grapevines Field Trial Abhaya M. Dandekar...................................................................................................................................... 95 • Field Evaluation of Grape Plants Expressing Potential Protective DNA Sequences Effective Against Pierce’s Disease David Gilchrist, Abhaya Dandekar, John Labavitch, and Steven Lindow................................................... 101 - ii - • Field Evaluation of Grape Plants Expressing PR1 and UT456 Transgenic DNA Sequences for Protection Against Pierce’s Disease David Gilchrist and James Lincoln ..............................................................................................................105 • Evaluation of Pierce’s Disease Resistance in Transgenic Vitis vinifera Grapevines Expressing Either Grape Thaumatin-Like Protein or Xylella fastidiosa Hemagglutinin Protein Bruce Kirkpatrick ......................................................................................................................................... 112 • Inhibition of Xylella fastidiosa Polygalacturonase to Produce Pierce’s Disease Resistant Grapevines Bruce Kirkpatrick ......................................................................................................................................... 121 • Optimizing Grape Rootstock Production and Export of Inhibitors of Xylella fastidiosa Polygalacturonase Activity John M. Labavitch, Ann L.T. Powell, Alan Bennett, Daniel King, and Rachell Booth ...............................127 • Continued Field Evaluation of Diffusible Signal Factor Producing Grape for Control of Pierce’s Disease Steven E. Lindow ......................................................................................................................................... 136 • Field Trial for Resistance to Pierce’s Disease Thomas A. Miller and Matthew Daugherty .................................................................................................145 • Field Evaluation of Grafted Grape Lines Expressing Polygalacturonase-Inhibiting Proteins Ann L.T. Powell and John M. Labavitch .....................................................................................................147 • Tools for Identifying Polygalacturonase-Inhibiting Protein Transmission from Grapevine Rootstock to Scion Ann L.T. Powell, John M. Labavitch, and Abhaya Dandekar......................................................................156 • Greenhouse Evaluation of Grapevine Fungal Endophytes and Fungal Natural Products Antagonistic to Xylella fastidiosa for Control of Pierce’s Disease Philippe Rolshausen and Caroline Roper .....................................................................................................161 • Can Pierce’s Disease PdR1 Resistance Introgressed into Vitis vinifera be Translocated from a Resistant Rootstock to a Susceptible Scion? Drake C. Stenger, David W. Ramming, and Elizabeth E. Rogers ................................................................169 ABSTRACTS • Virulent Phages of Xylella fastidiosa: Prophylactic and Therapeutic Evaluation Carlos F. Gonzalez, Ry Young, Mayukh Das, Tushar Suvra Bhowmick, and Stephen J. Ahern ................173 • Identification of Novel Secreted Virulence Factors from Xylella fastidiosa Elizabeth Rogers and Steven A. Lee ............................................................................................................174 - iii - Section 5: Crop Biology and Disease Epidemiology REPORTS • Blocking Xylella fastidiosa Transmission Rodrigo Almeida and Fabien Labroussaa ....................................................................................................177 • Development of a Grape Tissue Culture and Transformation Platform for the California Grape Research Community David Tricoli ................................................................................................................................................ 184 • Breeding Pierce’s Disease Resistant Winegrapes Andrew Walker ...........................................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Molecular Mimicry Modulates Plant Host Responses to Pathogens
    Annals of Botany 121: 17–23, 2018 doi:10.1093/aob/mcx125, available online at www.academic.oup.com/aob INVITED REVIEW Molecular mimicry modulates plant host responses to pathogens Pamela Ronald* and Anna Joe Department of Plant Pathology and the Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. *For correspondence. E-mail [email protected] Received: 15 June 2017 Returned for revision: 12 July 2017 Editorial decision: 11 September 2017 Accepted: 14 September 2017 • Background Pathogens often secrete molecules that mimic those present in the plant host. Recent studies indicate that some of these molecules mimic plant hormones required for development and immunity. • Scope and Conclusion This Viewpoint reviews the literature on microbial molecules produced by plant pathogens that functionally mimic molecules present in the plant host. This article includes examples from nematodes, bacteria and fungi with emphasis on RaxX, a microbial protein produced by the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. RaxX mimics a plant peptide hormone, PSY (plant peptide containing sulphated tyrosine). The rice immune receptor XA21 detects sulphated RaxX but not the endogenous peptide PSY. Studies of the RaxX/XA21 system have provided insight into both host and pathogen biology and offered a framework for future work directed at understanding how XA21 and the PSY receptor(s) can be differentially activated by RaxX and endogenous PSY peptides. Key words: Molecular mimicry, plant pathogen, microbial mimic, RaxX, XA21, PSY, engineering receptor INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS BIOLOGICAL MIMICRY? these microbially produced molecules mimic plant hormones that control growth, development, and regulation of innate Biological mimicry and molecular mimicry immunity.
    [Show full text]
  • Engineering Disease and Flood Resistant Rice Strains: Pamela Ronald
    iBiology About Us Blog Newsletter Educators Volunteer HOME IBIOSEMINARS IBIOMAGAZINE IBIOEDUCATION BIO FILMS iBiology > iBioSeminars > Plant Biology > Pamela Ronald Part 2 PAMELA RONALD: TOMORROW’S TABLE: ORGANIC FARMING, GENETICS AND THE FUTURE OF FOOD I. Sustainable Agriculture II. Engineering Resistance to Bacterial Infection and Tolerance to Environmental Stresses Part II: Engineering Resistance to Bacterial Infection and Tolerance to Environmental Stresses Download: High Res Low Res Resources: Related Articles Trouble Viewing? Try it on iTunes. Report a problem. Lecture Overview In her lecture, Ronald emphasizes the importance of developing sustainable agricultural practices that will allow the world’s population to be fed without destroying the Earth. Ronald demonstrates that modern genetics approaches have facilitated development of new crop varieties that can increase crop yields while reducing insecticide use. She proposes that the judicious incorporation of two important strands of agriculture—agricultural biotechnology and agroecological practices—is key to helping feed the growing population and she provides compelling examples to support her stand. In Part 2, Ronald discusses one of the greatest challenges of our time: how to feed the growing population in the presence of disease and environmental stresses that threaten the world’s crops. Currently, twenty-five percent of the world’s rice is grown in flood prone areas. Ronald and her colleagues characterized a gene, Sub1A, that confers tolerance to two weeks of flooding. They demonstrate that transferring Sub1A to a highly intolerant rice species is sufficient for the crop to tolerate submergence in water. Ronald shifts gears to discuss another gene, Xa21, that she and her colleagues discovered that controls the rice immune response.
    [Show full text]
  • Plant-Environment Interactions: from Sensory Plant Biology to Active
    Signaling and Communication in Plants Series Editors František Baluška Department of Plant Cell Biology, IZMB, University of Bonn, Kirschallee 1, D-53115 Bonn, Germany Jorge Vivanco Center for Rhizosphere Biology, Colorado State University, 217 Shepardson Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1173, USA František Baluška Editor Plant-Environment Interactions From Sensory Plant Biology to Active Plant Behavior Editor František Baluška Department of Plant Cell Biology IZMB University of Bonn Kirschallee 1 D-53115 Bonn Germany email: [email protected] ISSN 1867-9048 ISBN 978-3-540-89229-8 e-ISBN 978-3-540-89230-4 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-89230-4 Library of Congress Control Number: 2008938968 © 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other way, and storage in data banks. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the German Copyright Law of September 9, 1965, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer-Verlag. Violations are liable for prosecution under the German Copyright Law. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Cover design: WMXDesign GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany Printed on acid-free paper 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 springer.com František Baluška dedicates this book to Prof.
    [Show full text]
  • Caractérisation Des Xanthomonas Oryzae Au Mali Et Déterminisme Génétique De La Résistance Du Riz Au Flétrissement Bactérien Et À La Strie Foliaire Cheick Tekete
    Caractérisation des Xanthomonas oryzae au Mali et déterminisme génétique de la résistance du riz au flétrissement bactérien et à la strie foliaire Cheick Tekete To cite this version: Cheick Tekete. Caractérisation des Xanthomonas oryzae au Mali et déterminisme génétique de la résistance du riz au flétrissement bactérien et à la strie foliaire. Biologie végétale. Université Mont- pellier; Université des sciences, des techniques et des technologies de Bamako (Mali), 2019. Français. NNT : 2019MONTG059. tel-02612221 HAL Id: tel-02612221 https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-02612221 Submitted on 19 May 2020 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. THÈSE POUR OBTENIR LE GRADE DE DOCTEUR DE L’UNIVERSITÉ DE M ONTPELLIER En Biologie des Interactions École doctorale GAIA Unité de recherche IPME En partenariat international avec l’Université des Sciences , des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako, Mali Caractérisation des Xanthomonas oryzae au Mali et déterminisme génétique de la résistance du riz au flétrissement bactérien et à la strie foliaire
    [Show full text]
  • Bringing Biotechnology to Life an Educational Resource
    FOR GRADES 7–10 VERSION 3.0 BRINGING BIOTECHNOLOGY TO LIFE AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE Brought to you by the American Farm Bureau Foundation® for Agriculture www.agfoundation.org in partnership with the International Food Information Council Foundation www.foodinsight.org. WELCOME “Bringing Biotechnology to Life” is a resource for science educators and others interested in learning more about biotechnology and its role in food production. This unit of instruction addresses national learning standards for 7th–10th grade, yet the interest level may be much broader. Eight sequential lessons guide the learner through the process of understanding DNA, selective breeding over time and agricultural biotechnology today, including foods produced through biotechnology (often referred to by consumers as genetically modified organisms or “GMOs”). Students are also presented with tools to evaluate the reliability of information they see and hear. The unit culminates with a relevant research paper and presentation to people beyond the students’ classmates and teacher. This unit follows the principles of Project Based Learning by engaging students with a driving question, encouraging voice and choice, incorporating critique and revision and including a public audience for the final project. Table of Contents: LESSON 1 Driving Question: What is DNA? ______________________________ 1 LESSON 2 Driving Question: How can we examine DNA? __________________ 7 LESSON 3 Driving Question: What is selective breeding? __________________ 13 LESSON 4 Driving Question:
    [Show full text]
  • Plant Science Bangladesh: Improving Crops C
    Cassie He A&M Consolidated High School College Station, TX Bangladesh, Factor 1: Plant Science Bangladesh: Improving Crops Coupling With Abiotic Stresses Bangladesh, located in South Asia, is considered one of the least developed nations in the world with some of the worst health and nutrition outcome data (Bangladesh Country, Web). It is the world’s eighth- most populous country. Totaling 156.6 million citizens with an area of 147,570 km2, it is the most densely populated non-island nation in the world (Harris, Web). Out of the 156.6 million people, 37 million-a quarter of the population-struggle with food security (World Food, Web). The average household in Bangladesh consists of four-to-five people, usually with two parents and two- three children (Bangladesh, Web). Typically, families live in a small wooden shack with a tin roof referred to as “tin shade” in the slums outside of major cities. These tin shades provide little protection against the blistering heat in the summer and are easily destroyed by annual monsoon rains (World Food, Web). Despite the low unemployment rate of 4.5 percent, 43 percent of Bangladeshi live under $1.25 per day which is below the international extreme poverty line (Feed the Future, Web). Agriculture remains the most important sector of the Bangladesh economy, accounting for 19.6 percent to the national gross domestic product (GDP) and providing 63 percent of the population with employment (Bangladesh- Agriculture, Web). Although the government funds most schools, education in Bangladesh remains poorly developed. The literacy rate is 57.5 percent on average with a significant disparity between female (53 percent) and male (62 percent) (Education, Web).
    [Show full text]
  • Organic Gmos Could Be the Future of Food—If We Let Them | WIRED
    4/2/2020 Organic GMOs Could Be The Future of Food—If We Let Them | WIRED SUBSCRIBE FERRIS JABR BACKCHANNEL 10.07.15 12:00 AM Organic GMOs Could Be The Future of Food — If We Let Them Get unlimited WIRED access Subscribe Sign In https://www.wired.com/2015/10/organic-gmos-could-be-the-future-of-food-if-we-let-them/ 1/16 4/2/2020 Organic GMOs Could Be The Future of Food—If We Let Them | WIRED SUBSCRIBE Rice plants used for genetics research by scientist Pamela Ronald. Two years ago, I traveled to Woodland, California, to meet scientists who were developing tastier and more nutritious fruits and vegetables. On the way to the research center, my taxi driver asked what had brought me to town. “Well,” I started, “I’m a journalist and I’m here Get unlimited WIRED access Subscribe Sign In to visit Monsanto.” “Monsanto? They do all that unnatural GMO stuff, right?” “They do make https://www.wired.com/2015/10/organic-gmos-could-be-the-future-of-food-if-we-let-them/ 2/16 4/2/2020 Organic GMOs Could Be The Future of Food—If We Let Them | WIRED a lot of GMOs,” I replied, “but the scientists I’m visiting do not use genetic engineerinSgU.B”SCRIBE Instead, they perform marker-assisted breeding. They chip off tiny bits of seeds and young plants and analyze their genes in search of desirable traits. Then they use that information to decide which seeds to plant and, later, cross-pollinate and which ones to reject, speeding up the traditional plant breeding process.
    [Show full text]
  • AR 2016 Online.Ai
    “So, by helping men to study plants, I may perhaps be able to contribute something to mankind.” William Boyce Thompson TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 5 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR 6 MESSAGE FROM THE VP OF RESEARCH 7 RESEARCH COLLABORATORS 8 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 13 TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 14 TRAINING, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH 16 POST GRADUATE SOCIETY 17 ALUMNI 18 PHILANTHROPY 22 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 23 BOARD & COUNCILS 3 LETTER from THE PRESIDENT Dear Friends, Like explorers scoung out new terrain, BTI sciensts extend the boundaries that define our understanding of the life sciences. 2016 Cultural richness gives BTI strength, saw breakthrough discoveries about molecular signals in the beneficial interacons between plants and fungi in the periphery of the roots, diversity, connections, and a unique with potenal future applicaons as natural ferlizers. Greater environment for scholarship and learning. understanding of roots and their microbial neighbors holds promise for more harmonious relaons between agricultural systems and our environment. BTI exploraons into the poorly-understood universe users and informaon, and make that informaon accessible and of small biological molecules brought new perspecves in the meaningful. BTI is launching a new computaonal biology iniave science of aging, challenging us to imagine how we might extend to help this process locally, much as we provide resources to our life-spans. At the lab bench, at the computer, or in the field, our students, postdocs and technicians to advance their careers in the sciensts pulse with the same thrill of discovery that William B. direcon of their choice. Thompson expressed when founding the Instute, “The possibilies! I lie awake at night somemes, thinking about them.” The global nature of science is reflected in the 40 countries whose cizens currently work at BTI – a number that is astounding given Science is ever more global, interdisciplinary, informaon-rich, and that we are a family-sized organizaon.
    [Show full text]
  • NOVEDADES SOBRE CRISPR–Cas9 a GRF–GIF Chimeric Protein
    NOVEDADES SOBRE CRISPR–Cas9 (Hoy con autores santafesinos) A GRF–GIF chimeric protein improves the regeneration efficiency of transgenic plants David M. Tricoli, Maria F. Ercoli, Sadiye Hayta, Pamela Ronald, Javier F. Palatnik & Jorge Dubcovsky Nature Biotechnology (2020)Cite this article • Published: 12 October 2020 Abstract The potential of genome editing to improve the agronomic performance of crops is often limited by low plant regeneration efficiencies and few transformable genotypes. Here, we show that expression of a fusion protein combining wheat GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR 4 (GRF4) and its cofactor GRF-INTERACTING FACTOR 1 (GIF1) substantially increases the efficiency and speed of regeneration in wheat, triticale and rice and increases the number of transformable wheat genotypes. GRF4– GIF1 transgenic plants were fertile and without obvious developmental defects. Moreover, GRF4–GIF1 induced efficient wheat regeneration in the absence of exogenous cytokinins, which facilitates selection of transgenic plants without selectable markers. We also combined GRF4–GIF1 with CRISPR–Cas9 genome editing and generated 30 edited wheat plants with disruptions in the gene Q (AP2L-A5). Finally, we show that a dicot GRF– GIF chimera improves regeneration efficiency in citrus, suggesting that this strategy can be applied to dicot crops. Data availability Accession numbers and gene names are available in the phylogenetic tree in Supplementary Fig. 1. All wheat gene names are based on genome release RefSeq v1.0. The raw data for the different experiments are available in Supplementary Tables 3, 4, 6 and 7. The steps for the generation of the different vectors and the transformation protocols are described in the Methods.
    [Show full text]
  • UC Davis Conference Center
    BLPII: 2nd Annual Biotechnology Literacy Project Bootcamp World Food Center Institute for Food and Agricultural Literacy University of California‐Davis| May 31‐June 3 Optional related public event on June 3 When it comes to food and agricultural biotechnology, public opinion is divided. And because food and farming are such visceral issues, public opinion is deeply rooted in our beliefs and ideology, as well as our understanding of science. What can be done to address legitimate concerns and raise the scientific literacy of the public and media on these critical concerns? Independent scientists and researchers can play a unique role in reframing the GMO debate because the public holds them in such high esteem. They are poised to connect emotionally with environmentally conscious individuals and with parents concerned about their children’s health. However, scientists and other credible influencers often lack the resources, support, networking and training necessary to successfully engage in a broad‐based discussion. The Biotechnology Literacy Project (BLP) is dedicated to helping scientists, academic researchers and journalists work together to bring biotechnology directly to the public in a way that is accessible and persuasive. The Genetic Literacy Project and Academics Review, a 501c3 independent non‐profit, are working in partnership with the University of California‐Davis to bring together academics, non‐profit leaders, journalists, business owners and scientists committed to improving the quality and accuracy of public dialogue on issues associated with agricultural biotechnology. This program will take place as a friendly “boot camp” with a select group of participants, from the evening of May 31 to mid‐day on June 3, 2015 at the University of California in Davis.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation Magazine » Blo
    Conservation Magazine » Blog Archive » The Problem of What to Eat http://www.conservationmagazine.org/articles/v9n3/the-problem-of-what-... A publication of the Society for Conservation Biology Feature The Problem of What to Eat Organic farming and eating locally make intuitive sense. But does conventional wisdom about eating sustainably hold up to the science? By Natasha Loder, Elizabeth Finkel, Craig Meisner, and Pamela Ronald July-September 2008 (Vol. 9, No. 3) At first glance, it doesn’t seem that tough a question. Organic farming and eating locally make intuitive sense. Yet does conventional wisdom about eating sustainably hold up to the science? It turns out that many core issues such as pesticide use, soil health, and the impact of food miles are more nuanced and complicated than you might think. Does Buying Local Reduce Your Carbon Footprint? There is a growing legion of eaters who describe themselves as “locavores,” people who eat only food grown within 100 miles of where they live. Until recently, it was no more than a subculture on the food fringe in San Francisco—an area conveniently within easy reach of a wide range of seasonal produce. But now eating local has gone mainstream. Even Marks & Spencer (the iconic British retailer) has recently announced plans to track and label foods for food mile–conscious shoppers. But does eating locally really have a lower carbon footprint than eating food transported halfway round the world? Surprisingly, there’s scant science to lean on. True, when it comes to air freight, many local foods do have a lower carbon footprint.
    [Show full text]
  • September/October 2005
    ASPB News THE NEWSLETTER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLANT BIOLOGISTS Volume 32, Number 5 September/October 2005 Inside This Issue Mike Thomashow Assumes Presidency October 1 President’s Letter Michael F. Thomashow became ASPB and then a full professor. In 2002, he president October 1, 2005. He succeeds was named university distinguished Amasino Becomes President-Elect Roger Hangarter, who is now immedi- professor. ate past president. Thomashow’s early research Carptia Elected Secretary “I am very much looking forward was directed toward understanding Koch Joins Executive to the coming year,” Thomashow said. how Agrobacterium tumefaciens Committee “As president-elect, I came to appreci- causes the formation of tumors on ate, more than I had in the past, how plants. As a Damon Runyon–Walter strong and vibrant our Society is due Winchell Cancer Fund Research fel- Plant Biology 2005 to the hard work and commitment of low, he and coworkers demonstrat- coverage starts on its membership in a variety of areas, ed that the T-DNA is integrated page 8 ranging from education to outreach, to into the nuclear genome, where the public affairs, scientific meetings and, genes that it encodes are expressed. of course, publication of our eminent Mike Thomashow Further studies in his own lab estab- scientific journals. I have also observed lished that the auxin-independent firsthand the excellence and dedication of the staff phenotype of crown gall tumors is due to the ex- at ASPB headquarters who keep us on a steady pression of two genes carried on the T-DNA that course moving forward.
    [Show full text]