ORCID Profile
0000-0002-7057-2018
Current Organisations
The University of Auckland
,
Universidade Federal de Campina Grande
,
The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited
,
New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd
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Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 25-01-2014
DOI: 10.1093/PCP/PCT200
Abstract: Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CPKs) are plant proteins that directly bind calcium ions before phosphorylating substrates involved in metabolism, osmosis, hormone response and stress signaling pathways. CPKs are a large multigene family of proteins that are present in all plants studied to date, as well as in protists, oomycetes and green algae, but are not found in animals and fungi. Despite the increasing evidence of the importance of CPKs in developmental and stress responses from various plants, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of CPKs from algae to higher plants has not been undertaken. This paper describes the evolution of CPKs from green algae to plants using a broadly s led phylogenetic analysis and demonstrates the functional ersification of CPKs based on expression and functional studies in different plant species. Our findings reveal that CPK sequence ersification into four major groups occurred in parallel with the terrestrial transition of plants. Despite significant expansion of the CPK gene family during evolution from green algae to higher plants, there is a high level of sequence conservation among CPKs in all plant species. This sequence conservation results in very little correlation between CPK evolutionary groupings and functional ersity, making the search for CPK functional orthologs a challenge.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-10-2017
DOI: 10.1007/S00705-017-3581-0
Abstract: We report a sequence of a novel vitivirus from Vitis vinifera obtained using two high-throughput sequencing (HTS) strategies on RNA. The initial discovery from small-RNA sequencing was confirmed by HTS of the total RNA and Sanger sequencing. The new virus has a genome structure similar to the one reported for other vitiviruses, with five open reading frames (ORFs) coding for the conserved domains described for members of that genus. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete genome sequence confirmed its affiliation to the genus Vitivirus, with the closest described viruses being grapevine virus E (GVE) and Agave tequilana leaf virus (ATLV). However, the virus we report is distinct and shares only 51% amino acid sequence identity with GVE in the replicase polyprotein and 66.8% amino acid sequence identity with ATLV in the coat protein. This is well below the threshold determined by the ICTV for species demarcation, and we propose that this virus represents a new species. It is provisionally named "grapevine virus G".
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 31-05-2006
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2583.2006.00656.X
Abstract: RNA interference (RNAi) or gene silencing is typically induced in insects by the injection of double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), short interfering RNAs, or through the use of hairpin constructs in transgenic insects. Here we demonstrate in the horticultural pest, Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), that RNAi can be triggered by oral delivery of dsRNA to larvae. Transcript levels of a larval gut carboxylesterase gene (EposCXE1) were reduced to less than half that of controls within 2 days of being fed EposCXE1 dsRNA. Transcript levels of the pheromone binding protein gene (EposPBP1) were reduced in adult antennae by feeding larvae EposPBP1 dsRNA. Knockdown of EposPBP1 transcripts was observed for the first 2 days after adult eclosion but recovered to wild-type levels at 4 days posteclosion. The potential mechanisms involved in the initiation, movement and lification of the silencing signal are discussed.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-2018
DOI: 10.1007/S00705-018-3738-5
Abstract: A novel virus, with characteristics of viruses classified within the genus Vitivirus, was identified from a s le of Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay in New Zealand. The virus was detected with high throughput sequencing (small RNA and total RNA) and its sequence was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Its genome is 7507 nt long (excluding the polyA tail) with an organisation similar to that described for other classifiable members of the genus Vitivirus. The closest relative of the virus is grapevine virus E (GVE) with 65% aa identity in ORF1 (65% nt identity) and 63% aa identity in the coat protein (66% nt identity). The relationship with GVE was confirmed with phylogenetic analysis, showing the new virus branching with GVE, Agave tequilina leaf virus and grapevine virus G (GVG). A limited survey revealed the presence of this virus in multiple plants from the same location where the newly described GVG was discovered, and in most cases both viruses were detected as co-infections. The genetic characteristics of this virus suggest it represents an isolate of a new species within the genus Vitivirus and following the current nomenclature, we propose the name "Grapevine virus I".
Publisher: New Zealand Plant Protection Society
Date: 27-01-2020
DOI: 10.30843/NZPP.2020.73.11012
Abstract: Taro leaf blight (TLB), caused by Phytophthora colocasiae, is normally characterised by leaf lesions. There are isolated reports of P. colocasiae causing a corm rot but the symptoms are not well defined and have not been recorded in Samoa. Here we report on an inoculation method and describe the symptoms of corm rot caused by P. colocasiae. In this study, a corm inoculation method was developed in physical containment laboratories in New Zealand and subsequent symptom development studies were undertaken on TLB-tolerant taro cultivars in Apia, Samoa. The Samoan TLB-tolerant taro cultivars were able to be wound-infected with P. colocasiae and the results confirm previous descriptions of P. colocasiae infection giving rise to light brown firm rots in corms. This work has allowed the pictorial record of corm rots to be updated, potentially providing for better distinction between corm rots caused by P. colocasiae and those caused by other pathogens, such as Fusarium spp.
Publisher: New Zealand Ecological Society
Date: 2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-02-2022
DOI: 10.1111/EJE.12766
Abstract: Dental undergraduates will access the Internet searching for learning materials to complement their training however, open access content is not generally recommended by dental schools. This study aimed to evaluate how dental students are using online video content. Students from eight Universities (Athens, Birmingham, Brescia, Cardiff, Melbourne, Paris, Sao Paulo and Val ia) representing three continents were invited to complete a survey on their access and learning from online videos. International students behave similarly when studying dental content online. Of 515 respondents, 94.6% use the Internet as a learning tool. It was observed that videos are not frequently recommended during didactic lectures (9.6%). But many students (79.9%) will use YouTube for their learning which includes clinical procedures. Students will check online content before performing procedures for the first time (74.8%), to understand what was explained in class (65.9%) or read in books (59.5%), to relearn clinical techniques (64.7%) and to visualise rare procedures (49.8%). More than half of the students do not fully trust the accuracy or the reliability of online content. This does not prevent students from watching and sharing dental videos with classmates (64.4%). The content watched is not shared with teachers (23.3%) even when it contradicts what was learnt in the school (38.2%). This study concludes that students regularly integrate open access digital resources into learning portfolios but are hesitant to inform their teachers about their viewing habits. Students wish to receive critical skills on how to evaluate the material they encounter outside their traditional learning space.
Publisher: Microbiology Society
Date: 25-08-2023
DOI: 10.1099/JGV.0.001864
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 06-06-2020
DOI: 10.3390/V12060621
Abstract: The Australasian Virology Society (AVS) aims to promote, support and advocate for the discipline of virology in the Australasian region. The society was incorporated in 2011 after 10 years operating as the Australian Virology Group (AVG) founded in 2001, coinciding with the inaugural biennial scientific meeting. AVS conferences aim to provide a forum for the dissemination of all aspects of virology, foster collaboration, and encourage participation by students and post-doctoral researchers. The tenth Australasian Virology Society (AVS10) scientific meeting was held on 2–5 December 2019 in Queenstown, New Zealand. This report highlights the latest research presented at the meeting, which included cutting-edge virology presented by our international plenary speakers Ana Fernandez-Sesma and Benjamin tenOever, and keynote Richard Kuhn. AVS10 honoured female pioneers in Australian virology, Lorena Brown and Barbara Coulson. We report outcomes from the AVS10 career development session on “Successfully transitioning from post-doc to lab head”, winners of best presentation awards, and the AVS gender equity policy, initiated in 2013. Plans for the 2021 meeting are underway which will celebrate the 20th anniversary of AVS where it all began, in Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 26-01-2022
DOI: 10.3390/V14020247
Abstract: A new dsRNA virus from the oomycete Phytophthora pluvialis has been characterized and designated as Phytophthora pluvialis RNA virus 1 (PplRV1). The genome of the PplRV1 reference genome is 6742 bp that encodes two predicted open reading frames (ORFs). ORF1 and ORF2 overlap by a 47 nt “slippery” frameshift sequence. ORF1 encodes a putative protein of unknown function. ORF2 shows high similarity to the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of other dsRNA viruses. Phylogenetic analysis of the putative PplRV1 RdRp and its most closely related viruses showed PplRV1 is distinct from other known viruses (below 33% amino acid similarity), which indicates this virus may belong to a new virus family. Analyses of the geographical distribution of PplRV1 in relation to two genetically distinct classes of its host revealed two corresponding genotypes of the PplRV1 (termed a and b), which share 92.3% nt identity. The reference genome for the second genotype is 6760 bp long and a prediction of its genetic organization shows three ORFs, with ORF2 being split into two ORFs, ORF2a and ORF2b, that is conserved in seven of eleven genotype b isolates. Additionally, a quick and simple diagnostic method using qPCR has been developed, which is suitable for large scale screens to identify PplRV1 in Phytophthora.
Publisher: Scientific Societies
Date: 02-2020
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United States of America
Location: Brazil
Location: Brazil
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: New Zealand
Location: New Zealand
No related grants have been discovered for Robin MacDiarmid.