Inducible, Tissue-Specific Gene Expression in Arabidopsis Using GR-LhG4-Mediated Trans-Activation.

Inducible, tissue-specific gene expression is a potent tool to study gene regulatory networks as it allows spatially and temporally controlled genetic perturbations. To this end, we generated a toolkit that covers many cell types in the three main meristems: the root apical meristem, the shoot apical meristem, and the vascular cambium. The system is based on an extensive set of driver lines expressing a synthetic transcription factor under cell type-specific promoters. Induction leads to nuclear translocation of the transcription factor and expression of response elements under control of a cognate synthetic promoter. In addition, a fluorescent reporter incorporated in driver lines allows to monitor induction. All previously generated driver lines are available from the Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Center. This protocol describes how users can create their own constructs compatible with the existing set of lines and as well as induction and imaging procedures.

Computer aided epitope design as a peptide vaccine component against Lassa virus.

Lassa virus (LASV) is an arena virus causing hemorrhagic fever and it is endemic in several regions of West Africa. The disease-causing virus records high mortality rate in endemic regions due to lack of appropriate treatment and prevention strategies. Therefore, it is of interest to design and develop viable vaccine components against the virus. We used the Lassa virus envelope glyco-proteins as a vaccine target to identify linear peptides as potential epitopes with immunogenic properties by computer aided epitope prediction tools. We report a T-cell epitope 'LLGTFTWTL' and a B-cell epitope 'AELKCFGNTAVAKCNE' with predicted potential immunogenicity for further in vivo and in vitro consideration.