Plant viruses have been instrumental in our understanding of the biophysical properties pertaining to non-enveloped icosahedral virus particles. A substantial amount of research has been performed over five decades on Turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV), arguably one of the most extensively studied icosahedral plant viruses and the type-member of the...
The objective of this study was to characterize an unknown agent associated with decline in black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) in Oregon. A virus was found consistently associated with decline symptoms of black raspberries and was named Black raspberry decline associated virus (BRDaV). Double stranded RNA extraction from BRDaV-infected black raspberry...
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) encompasses a spectrum of lymphoid progenitors that have undergone malignant transformation and clonal proliferation at various stages of differentiation. Some cases of ALL have been documented to have prenatal origins and in particular neonatal exposure to various environmental pollutants is associated with increased disease risk, including...
RNA silencing pathways are required for a wide variety of processes in most
eucaryotes. In plants, small-interfering RNA (siRNA) arising from transposons and other
repetitive sequences is associated with heterochromatin formation and maintenance.
MicroRNAs and trans-acting siRNAs encoded at discrete loci function as negative regulators of
gene expression by triggering...
Evaluating the relative influences of positive and negative interactions in shaping communities is a major topic in modern ecology. Facilitative interactions between basal species are important in habitats with intense predation pressure or severe abiotic stresses. However, few studies address the potential for positive interactions between trophic levels to influence...
The United States is the third-largest producer of raspberries in the world. Washington
State leads the nation in red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) production. 'Meeker', the
most grown red raspberry cultivar in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon and
British Columbia, Canada) is highly susceptible to Raspberry crumbly fruit, a virusinduced...
Plant hormones regulate progression through the different phases of plant development in response to endogenous and environmental cues. Gene expression studies, as well as genetic and molecular analysis of mutants with altered hormonal responses, are two common approaches to elucidate hormone response pathways. This dissertation compares ovary and fruit development...
Cooperative behaviors in bacteria are increasingly appreciated for their relevance to microbial ecology and utility as model systems for social evolution. One example is the secretion of siderophores, a structurally diverse group of compounds that chelate extracellular iron. Siderophore production is considered cooperative because the benefits can be shared with...