Fish ES cells and applications to biotechnology

ES cells provide a promising tool for the generation of transgenic animals with site-directed mutations. When ES cells colonize germ cells in chimeras, transgenic animals with modified phenotypes are generated and used either for functional genomics studies or for improving productivity in commercial settings. Althought the ES cell approach has been limited to, mice, there is strong interest for developing the technology in fish.. We describe the step-by-step procedure for developing ES cells in fish. Key aspects include avoiding cell differentiation, specific in vitro traits of pluripotency, and, most importantly, testing for production of chimeric animals as the main evidence of pluripotency. The entire process focuses on two model species, zebrafish and medaka, in which most work has been done. The achievements attained in these species, as well as their applicability to other commercial fish, are discussed. Because of the difficulties relating to germ line competence, mostly of long-term fish ES cells, alternative cell-based approaches such as primordial germ cells and nuclear transfer need to be considered. Although progress to date has been slow, there are promising achievements in homologous recombination and alternative avenues yet to be explored that can bring ES technology in fish to fruition.

The influence of carbon ion irradiation on sweet sorghum seeds

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different doses of 100 MeV/u carbon ions on sweet sorghum seeds in order to improve crop yields and their sugar content. After irradiation, seeds were germinated and grown to 30 days, and others were sown in the field. At the end of harvesting season all planted seeds were picked separately and M2 generations obtained. The differences among the treatments were examined using the RAPID procedure. In the study done by using 38 primers; according to the amplification results, the differences among the various doses treatment were shown.

甜高粱在青海高原种植的初步研究；Preliminary study on sweet sorghum growing on Qinghai Plateau

为探讨甜高粱(Sorghum bicolor)在青海作为饲料作物种植的可能性,在青海高原上做了初步试验,结果显示:密度对茎秆高度、茎粗、产量有显著影响,对生育期、单株质量影响不显著,株行距为0.40 m×0.20m时,产量最高;浇水次数对甜高粱的生育期、茎秆高度、茎粗、单株质量、产量没有显著影响,表明甜高粱对水分依赖不高,具有很强的耐旱和抗旱性;地膜对甜高粱有极显著影响,使其生育期提前,茎秆高度增高,单株质量增加、产量提高;糖分含量在开花-收获期为15.93%~16.67%,比不盖地膜增加了29.19%~47.98%;大田示范密度0.50 m×0.20 m,开花-收获期666.7 m2产量达4 890.8 kg,投入产出比为1∶1.78,效益显著。研究表明,在青海高原东部农业区盖地膜种植饲用甜高粱,用作饲料是完全可行的。

聚乙二醇模拟干旱对甜高粱幼苗丙二醛、脯氨酸含量的影响；Effects of Drought Stress Simulated by PEG on Malonaldehyde and Proline Contents of Sweet Sorghum Seedlings

以甜高粱品种KFJT-CK及经过碳离子辐照选育出的早熟突变株KFJT-1为材料,用浓度分别为5%,10%和15%的聚乙二醇(PEG)6000模拟干旱对其进行胁迫处理,测定丙二醛(MDA)及脯氨酸(Pro)的含量。随着胁迫时间的延长和胁迫程度的增加,MDA含量持续升高;Pro含量在5%和10%PEG胁迫下持续升高,在15%PEG胁迫下先升高后降低。表明碳离子辐照可能使甜高粱膜脂过氧化特性发生改变,影响Pro的表达。为进一步研究碳离子束辐照对甜高粱的耐旱生理提供一定的基础,并为下一步的育种工作提供有用的参考。

Molecular biotechnology of marine algae in China

Molecular biotechnology of marine algae is referred to as the biotechnology on the identification, modification, production and utilization of marine algal molecules. It involves not only the manipulation of macromolecules such as DNA, RNA and proteins, but also deals with low molecular weight compounds such as secondary metabolites. In the last decade, molecular systematic researches to investigate the relationship and to examine the evolutionary divergence among Chinese marine algae have been carried out by Chinese scientists. For example, RAPD has been widely used in several laboratories to elucidate genetic variations of the reds, such as Porphyra, Gracilaria, Grateloupia and the greens such as Ulva and Enteromorpha. Some important data have been obtained. The study on molecular genetic markers for strain improvement is now in progress. In 1990s, genetic engineering of economic seaweeds such as Laminaria, Undaria, Porphyra, Gracilaria and Grateloupia has been studied in China. For Laminaria japonica, the successfully cultivated kelp in China, a model transformation system has been set up based on the application of plant genetic techniques and knowledge of the algal life history. Progress has been made recently in incorporating a vaccine gene into kelp genome. Evidence has been provided showing the expression of gene products as detectable vaccines. In the present paper, the progress of molecular biotechnological studies of marine algae in China, especially researches on elucidating and manipulating nucleic acids of marine algae, are reviewed.

Algal biotechnology industries and research activities in China

In old China there were very few people engaged in the study of the algae, but in new China, freshwater and marine algae are studied by over one hundred old and new phycologists. There is now an algal biotechnology industry consisting of an aquaculture industry, producing large amounts of the seaweeds Laminaria, Porphyra, Undaria, Gracilaria, eucheumoids, and the microalgae Dunaliella and Spirulina. There is also a phycocolloid industry, producing algin, agar and carrageenan; an industry producing chemicals and drugs, such as iodine, mannitol, phycocyanin, beta -carotene, PSS (propylene glycol alginate sulfate) and FPS (fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides) and an industry producing food, feed and fertilizer. The Laminaria cultivation industry produces about 900,000 t dry Laminaria, probably the largest producer in the world and 13,000 t algin, undoubtedly one of the largest algin producer in the world.