We introduce a temperature gradient block and detail its construction and utilization. The block provides 22 discrete temperatures, linearly distributed between a user-defined range from 0 to 90 &#176;C. Data collected from this setup enables testing and developing new theories on the temperature response of soil organic matter decomposition rates.

temperature-response-soil-organic-matter-decomposition-rates

Temperature Response of Soil Organic Matter Decomposition Rates: Construction and Applications of a Temperature Gradient Block

Soil is the Earth's largest carbon (C) reservoir, holding nearly twice as much C as the atmosphere. Climate change-induced temperature increases could ...

Here, a protocol for assaying nucleic acid metabolizing enzymes is presented, using examples of ligase, nuclease, and polymerase enzymes. The assay utilizes fluorescently labeled and unlabeled oligonucleotides that can be combined to form duplexes mimicking RNA and/or DNA damages or pathway intermediates, allowing for the characterization of enzyme behavior.

using-modified-synthetic-oligonucleotides-to-assay-nucleic-acid

Using Modified Synthetic Oligonucleotides to Assay Nucleic Acid-Metabolizing Enzymes

The availability of a range of modified synthetic oligonucleotides from commercial vendors has allowed the development of sophisticated assays to ...

Here, a protocol is presented to perform a fluctuation assay and estimate microbial mutation rate using phenotypic markers. This protocol will enable researchers to assay mutations in diverse microbes and environments, determining how genotype and ecological context affect spontaneous mutation rates.

measuring-microbial-mutation-rates-with-the-fluctuation-assay

Measuring Microbial Mutation Rates with the Fluctuation Assay

Fluctuation assays are widely used for estimating mutation rates in microbes growing in liquid environments. Many cultures are each inoculated with a few ...

Institution - University of Waikato

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