Blog | chXout® | Applied genetics news & research

Why is holly (not always) prickly?

19th December 202320th December 2023 By chXout Team Comment Closed

Have you ever wondered why holly leaves are prickly? A study by Herrera and Bazaga (2012) looked into the very interesting link between mammalian browsing and the European holly tree (Ilex aquifolium) defensive response of producing prickly leaves. Research has already taken place to suggest this link, with this particular study looking into a “three-way link between herbivory, phenotypic plasticity and epigenetic changes in plants.”We should probably start by looking at the definitions of some of the terms used:Epigenetics: this is the study of how the way your genes work can be changed by behaviours and the environment without any changes to DNA sequences.Plasticity: the ability to adapt to environmental or habitat changes.Phenotype: an observable trait or characteristic, for example, eye colour.Phenotypic plasticity: when an organism is able to produce different phenotypes in response to environmental changes.Heterophylly: where environmental conditions can cause significant variation in leaf shape or form on a single plant.DNA methylation: an epigenetic change where methyl groups are...

IUCN Red List Update

12th December 202313th December 2023 By chXout Team Comment Closed

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species collates the extinction risk of animal, plant and fungi species. It is used to gain an insight into biodiversity health and aid conservation decisions. The assessment lists species into one of the below categories:Not EvaluatedData DeficientLeast ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically EndangeredExtinct in the wildExtinct157,190 species have been assessed to date with over 44,000 species threatened with extinction.As the COP28 UN climate conference takes place in Dubai, the IUCN released an update to the list on Monday 11 December 2023 in the hopes of bringing attention to the link between biodiversity and climate change.The update included the first global freshwater fish assessment which found that one quarter of the assessed species are at risk of extinction. Freshwater fish are crucial to ecosystem function, human food provision and livelihoods. Threats to freshwater fish species are summarised in the table below. Threat % Freshwater Fish Species affected Climate changePollutionDams & water extractionOverfishingInvasive species & disease1757452533An...

DNA Barcoding Fungi

9th October 20239th October 2023 By chXout Team Comment Closed

DNA Barcoding Fungi THE FUNGI KINGDOM Fungi are one the largest and most diverse groups of organisms in the world. As we have the plant and animal kingdoms, fungi make up a kingdom of their own. From just talking a look at them, you would probably assume that fungi and plants are very similar, when in fact fungi are actually biologically closer to animals. Fungi are responsible for important environmental processes such as nutrient cycling and plant, animal and soil health. Humans also rely on fungi in food production, including items such as cheese, bread and chocolate and the manufacture of drugs and biofuels. Not forgetting that there is a huge market for edible mushrooms all over the world. Mycology is the study of fungi. For something that is so important to ecosystems and biodiversity, fungi are under-studied when compared with animals and plants. There are estimated to be at least six times as many species of fungi than plants, anywhere between 2 and 11...

Invasive species one of the 5 main drivers of biodiversity loss

8th September 202312th December 2023 By chXout Team Comment Closed

Invasive species one of the 5 main drivers of biodiversity loss What are invasive species? Invasive species are those which are not native or indigenous to an ecosystem and have a negative impact on that area or other organisms around them. This is different to a non-native species which are usually introduced by humans and do not have the same negative impact with no threat to the area or other organisms.Invasive species are sometimes introduced accidentally but can also be purposely introduced by humans without realising the consequences. human activity is the biggest reason for the spread of these species.They are called invasive species because they can:adapt very quickly.reproduce quickly.harm property or the economy.harm or kill native plants and animals.cause competition for food and resources with native species.sometimes bring in diseases. Examples of invasive species Common invasive species in the UK include the European rabbit, grey squirrel, muntjac deer, American bullfrog and American mink. European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) How much of a problem...

Using eDNA analysis for great crested newt surveys

14th March 202314th March 2023 By chXout Team Comment Closed

The great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) is the largest and rarest newt to be found in the United Kingdom. In the last century the species has faced a large decline leading to them becoming a protected species in the UK and Europe. Great crested newts (GCN’s), their eggs, breeding sites and resting places are protected by law. This makes it an offence to: capture, kill, disturb or injure great crested newts deliberately. damage or destroy a breeding or resting place. obstruct access to their resting or sheltering places (deliberately or by not taking enough care). possess, sell, control or transport live or dead newts, or parts of them. take great crested newt eggs. Due to their protected status, it is now often a requirement to survey for GCN when there are waterbodies within a certain radius of a development site as part of the planning application. Standard methods of ecological surveys include torch surveying, bottle traps and egg searches by licenced surveyors. Environmental...

Bacteria that have a “genetic LEGO set”?

10th February 202315th February 2023 By chXout Team Comment Closed

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have recently published a paper which explains how Prochlorococcus bacteria, which are responsible for a large amount of the oceans’ oxygen production, are able to survive in a range of oceanic environments using what they are describing to be like a “genetic LEGO set”. It was found that these organisms are able to use a form of gene transfer using what the scientists have called “tycheposons.” These are blocks of DNA which are able to detach and then be transported to other organisms via vesicles produced from their cell membrane. They are also able to “hijack” infectious particles known as capsids from viruses and travel from one organism to another. Evidence of this has been found when capsids and vesicles have been collected and studied from the ocean and found to contain this same genetic material. Tycheposons are thought to be particularly special as they are helping the receiving organism to adapt or diversify...