Planetary science: bedrock formation at Meridiani Planum

The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity discovered sulphate-rich sedimentary rocks at Meridiani Planum on Mars, which are interpreted by McCollom and Hynek as altered volcanic rocks. However, their conclusions are derived from an incorrect representation of our depositional model, which is upheld by more recent Rover data. We contend that all the available data still support an aeolian and aqueous sedimentary origin for Meridiani bedrock.     

A genetically humanized mouse model for hepatitis C virus infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a major medical problem. Antiviral treatment is only partially effective and a vaccine does not exist. Development of more effective therapies has been hampered by the lack of a suitable small animal model. Although xenotransplantation of immunodeficient mice with human hepatocytes has shown promise, these models are subject to important challenges. Building on the previous observation that CD81 and occludin comprise the minimal human factors required to render mouse cells permissive to HCV entry in vitro, we attempted murine humanization via a genetic approach. Here we show that expression of two human genes is sufficient to allow HCV infection of fully immunocompetent inbred mice. We establish a precedent for applying mouse genetics to dissect viral entry and validate the role of scavenger receptor type B class I for HCV uptake. We demonstrate that HCV can be blocked by passive immunization, as well as showing that a recombinant vaccinia virus vector induces humoral immunity and confers partial protection against heterologous challenge. This system recapitulates a portion of the HCV life cycle in an immunocompetent rodent for the first time, opening opportunities for studying viral pathogenesis and immunity and comprising an effective platform for testing HCV entry inhibitors in vivo.     

水稻光敏与温敏核不育基因之间互作效应与利用研究

选育不育期败育彻底、不育性稳定的光、温敏不育系是目前两系法杂交稻制种安全可靠的重要保证.本研究利用光敏不育系7001S与安全型温敏不育系广博S,广培S杂交,将农垦58S光敏不育基因与安农S温敏不育基因重组在一起.进行了重组体的不育性和不育稳定性研究.安农S核不育基因使得重组型光敏不育系的不育性变得非常稳定,不同来源的重组型光敏不育系互交杂种F2代光敏不育株率达70%以上,容易从中筛选到不育起点温度低的重组型光敏不育系.将光敏不育基因回交转移到广博S和广培S中,得到与广博S或广培S相似的重组型光敏不育系光广博S,光广培S,其不育起点温度提高.用光广博S(或光广培S)为父本与广博S(或广培S)杂交产生了不育起点温度极低的温敏不育F1代;用广博S与其重组型温敏不育近等基因系光温广博S杂交,其F1代不育起点温度也很低.研究表明,光敏不育基因与温敏不育基因重组,能够解决光敏不育系难获得和败育不彻底的问题;短日高温下,光敏不育性对温敏不育性表现上位作用;控制农垦58S不育类型不育起点温度表达的遗传因子与安农S不育类型的很可能不同,建立安全型温敏不育系的带有光敏不育基因的近等基因系(重组型光敏不育系或者重组型光温敏不育系),用其作为父本与安全型温敏不育系杂交,其F1代可代替安全型温敏不育系用于生产.