Scientists close in on 'cell from hell' lurking in Chesapeake Bay
Article Abstract:
The dinoflagellates blamed for killing thousands of fish and poisoning fisherman in Chesapeake Bay on America's mid-Atlantic coast are related to Pfiesteria piscida, a versatile single-cell organism that can take twenty distinct forms during its life-cycle. Pfiesteria piscicida was first identified by JoAnn Burkholder of North Carolina State University in 1992 and she attributes neurological symptoms she has experienced to contact with the organism in the laboratory. Congress is expected to give a $7 million emergency fund to the Centers for Disease Control for Pfiesteria research.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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Ever decreasing circles
Article Abstract:
It has been possible to identify the structure and gene content of the dinoflagellate chloroplast genome. Dinoflagellate chloroplasts have a common origin with other chloroplasts, but have developed a unique genome architecture in which each gene has its own minicircle. All minicircles of a specific dinoflagellate species have a repeat region that seems to be involved in inter-circle gene conversion, thus maintaining identity between regions. The repeat region could contain a replication origin and an anchor point for circle segregation during chloroplast division.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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