Enhancement of the tolerance ofArabidopsisto high temperatures by genetic engineering of the synthesis of glycinebetaine

AbstractWith fast growth rates, broad halotolerance and the ability to thrive at high temperatures, algae in the genus Picochlorum are emerging as promising biomass producers. Recently, we isolated a remarkably productive strain, Picochlorum celeri, that attains > 40 g m−2 day−1 productivities using simulated outdoor light. To test outdoor productivities, Picochlorum celeri was cultivated in 820 L raceway ponds at the Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation. Picochlorum celeri demonstrated the highest outdoor biomass productivities reported to date at this testbed averaging ~ 31 g m−2 day−1 over four months with a monthly (August) high of ~ 36 g m−2 day−1. Several single day productivities were > 40 g m−2 day−1. Importantly for sustainability, Picochlorum celeri achieved these productivities in saline water ranging from seawater to 50 parts per thousand sea salts, without any biocides or pond crashes, for over 143 days. Lastly, we report robust genetic engineering tools for future strain improvements.

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In situ REM imaging of surface processes on ceramic bulk crystals from 300 to 1670 K in a conventional TEM

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100087616 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 49 ◽

pp. 660-661

Author(s):

Z. L. Wang ◽

J. Bentley

Keyword(s):

High Temperatures ◽

Image Resolution ◽

Atomic Processes ◽

Crystal Surfaces ◽

Beam Radiation ◽

Surface Areas ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Reflection Electron Microscopy ◽

Gas Reactions

Studying the behavior of surfaces at high temperatures is of great importance for understanding the properties of ceramics and associated surface-gas reactions. Atomic processes occurring on bulk crystal surfaces at high temperatures can be recorded by reflection electron microscopy (REM) in a conventional transmission electron microscope (TEM) with relatively high resolution, because REM is especially sensitive to atomic-height steps.Improved REM image resolution with a FEG: Cleaved surfaces of a-alumina (012) exhibit atomic flatness with steps of height about 5 Å, determined by reference to a screw (or near screw) dislocation with a presumed Burgers vector of b = (1/3)<012> (see Fig. 1). Steps of heights less than about 0.8 Å can be clearly resolved only with a field emission gun (FEG) (Fig. 2). The small steps are formed by the surface oscillating between the closely packed O and Al stacking layers. The bands of dark contrast (Fig. 2b) are the result of beam radiation damage to surface areas initially terminated with O ions.

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