ARI Projects - 2007

The threat of a human influenza pandemic continues to be a major concern throughout the world. Preventative methods for inhibiting infection would be greatly improved by the availability of vaccine technologies that provided for broad protection against different influenza strains, as well as a method to rapidly and effectively produce these vaccines. Project Details

Echinacea purpurea is a purple coneflower that has been used by Native Americans for years to treat diverse ailments. E. purpurea has been found to stimulate innate immunity, thus enhancing macrophage and natural killer cell function. However, the effect of E. purpurea on the adaptive immune system remains uncertain due to conflicting observations resulting from, in part, inconsistent E. purpurea preparations. Project Details

Choline is an essential nutrient found in foods primarily as phosphatidylcholine, also known as lecithin. The recommended intake for choline is 425 mg/d for females and 550 mg/d for males. Choline can be converted to betaine which is used to convert homocysteine, an amino acid with adverse effects, to methionine, a beneficial amino acid used for protein synthesis, DNA maintenance and other reactions. Project Details

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DNA methylation is a heritable epigenetic feature that is associated with X chromosome inactivation, genomic imprinting, transcriptional silencing of the genes and genomic stability. Aberrations in DNA methylation are associated with numerous pathologies, including cancer. Project Details

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The development of enriched n-3 fatty acids (n-3FA) eggs has brought greater benefits for the prevention of chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart problems in humans. US egg production of table egg-type sector in October were 6.6 billion with a total number of layers of 288 million. California is ranked number 5 th on table egg-type production, representing an important sector for the economic of this state. Project Details

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There is a national need and call for the preparation of future agriculturalists to be both agriculturally literate and possess knowledge and skill required to advance in agricultural professions. As California 's education system adjusts to be both accountable and meaningful, careful attention should be focused on whether or not current content and pedagogical practices are meeting the State's most pressing and immediate needs for agricultural education. Project Details

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Nematodes are important parasites of a wide diversity of economically important plants and animals on a global scale.  Alternatives to current control practices are badly needed because of evolving nematode resistance and because of the toxicity of current nematicides to other organisms and to the environment. Project Details

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The goal of this research is to develop improved methods to minimize runoff from irrigated landscapes. It is anticipated the results of this research landscape and irrigation designers as well as integrated into Best Management Practices (BMPs) for urban watersheds within California . For example the California Urban Water Conservation Council works with water purveyors to implement landscape best management practices that address address landscape water use issues. Project Details

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Foods that are high in whole grains and soluble fiber are associated with the prevention of diseases such as heart disease and type-2 diabetes. One in eight children in the United States has two or more risk factors for heart disease. In addition, 30-50% of new child diabetes cases are classified as type 2, and 31% of kids are at risk of or overweight. Project Details

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Lettuce is the most economically important vegetable produced in California with annual farm-gate receipts of $1.0-1.5 billion annually (USDA, 2005). The low desert production areas of CA and AZ (Imperial and Yuma valleys) produce 96% of the nation's lettuce during the fall and winter. These fall and winter crops are planted in the late summer and early fall when temperatures are still high, subjecting seeds to temperatures well over the maximum permissible germination temperature. Project Details

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To engage in effective and meaningful research requires the ability to conduct both basic and applied research. Often experiments require specialized equipment, especially studies at the biochemical and molecular level. To increase the efficiency, throughput and quality of our research in biochemical and molecular studies we propose to purchase a fluorescent spectrophotometer with 96- or 384-well capabilities. Project Details

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Lettuce is an important agricultural crop in California . Its continued success will only be possible by continuous development of new lettuce cultivars in response to new diseases and insects and changing consumer preferences. For the last fifty years traditional breeding approaches have been based on selection of phenotypes, which is an inefficient process. Project Details

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