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Glycans constitute a significant fraction of biomolecular diversity on cellular surfaces across all kingdoms of life. As the structure of glycans is not directly encoded by the organism’s DNA, it is impossible to use high-throughput DNA technologies to study the role of cellular glycosylation or to understand how glycocalyx is recognized by glycan-binding proteins (GBPs). To address this gap, we recently described a liquid glycan array (LiGA) platform that allows profiling of glycan–GBP interactions on the surface of live cells in vitro and in vivo using next-generation sequencing. LiGA is a library of DNA-barcoded bacteriophages, where each clonal bacteriophage displays 5–1,500 copies of a glycan and the distinct DNA barcode inside each bacteriophage clone encodes the structure and density of the displayed glycans. Deep sequencing of the glycophages associated with live cells yields a glycan-binding profile of GBPs expressed on the surface of cells. This protocol provides detailed instructions for how to use LiGA to probe cell surface receptors and includes information on the preparation of glycophages, analysis by MALDI–TOF mass spectrometry, the assembly of a LiGA library and its deep sequencing. Using this protocol, we measure glycan-binding profiles of the immunomodulatory sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins‑1, -2, -6, -7 and -9 expressed on the surface of different cell types. Compared with existing methods that require complex specialist equipment, this method allows users with basic molecular biology expertise to measure the precise glycan-binding profile of GBPs on the surface of any cell type expressing exogenous GBP within 2–3 d.

The central dogma of biology does not allow for the study of glycans using DNA sequencing. We report a liquid glycan array (LiGA) platform comprising a library of DNA ‘barcoded’ M13 virions that display 30–1,500 copies of glycans per phage. A LiGA is synthesized by acylation of the phage pVIII protein with a dibenzocyclooctyne, followed by ligation of azido-modified glycans. Pulldown of the LiGA with lectins followed by deep sequencing of the barcodes in the bound phage decodes the optimal structure and density of the recognized glycans. The LiGA is target agnostic and can measure the glycan-binding profile of lectins, such as CD22, on cells in vitro and immune cells in a live mouse. From a mixture of multivalent glycan probes, LiGAs identify the glycoconjugates with optimal avidity necessary for binding to lectins on living cells in vitro and in vivo.

Cyclotides are plant-derived mini proteins. They are genetically encoded as precursor proteins that become post-translationally modified to yield circular cystine-knotted molecules. Because of this structural topology cyclotides resist enzymatic degradation in biological fluids, and hence they are considered as promising lead molecules for pharmaceutical applications. Despite ongoing efforts to discover novel cyclotides and analyze their biodiversity, it is not clear how many individual peptides a single plant specimen can express. Therefore, we investigated the transcriptome and cyclotide peptidome of Viola tricolor. Transcriptome mining enabled the characterization of cyclotide precursor architecture and processing sites important for biosynthesis of mature peptides. The cyclotide peptidome was explored by mass spectrometry and bottom-up proteomics using the extracted peptide sequences as queries for database searching. In total 164 cyclotides were discovered by nucleic acid and peptide analysis in V. tricolor. Therefore, violaceous plants at a global scale may be the source to as many as 150 000 individual cyclotides. Encompassing the diversity of V. tricoloras a combinatorial library of bioactive peptides, this commercially available medicinal herb may be a suitable starting point for future bioactivity-guided screening studies.

Emoticons are graphic signs illustrated with ASCII characters to accompany text-based computer-mediated communication (Dresner & Herring, 2010). The effects of using emoticons has begun to be investigated, but little effort has been put forth to determine how well people are able to interpret the meaning of emoticons. Preliminary data from the current research effort is reported to indicate how well 34 undergraduate students were able to correctly interpret 50 distinct emoticons from Yahoo Messenger. Results suggest that correct interpretation varied widely between emoticons, and the reported frequency of use was positively correlated with emoticon interpretability. Research and design implications are discussed, as well as questions for future research.

As of 2005, 5.5% of the American population had some form of diabetes, with an increasing rate of diagnosis. Adults 65 years of age and over are at an increased risk for developing diabetes. Sixty-four participants completed 10 trials of control solution testing. MANOVA results indicated main effects of participant age and order of glucometer use on dependent variables. Follow-up ANOVAs revealed a main effect of age on task time, errors during training, and near transfer errors, and a main effect of glucometer use on rate of near and far transfer errors committed. Results and avenues of further investigation are discussed.

Channelrhodopsins are widely used in neuroscience and cardiology as research tools and are considered prospective therapeutics, but their natural diversity and mechanisms remain poorly characterized. Genomic and metagenomic sequencing projects are producing an ever-increasing wealth of data, whereas biophysical characterization of the encoded proteins lags behind.

AbstractAn evaluation of a Blackwell U.S.–U.K. approval plan is ongoing during 1997–98. The goals of this evaluation are: to determine if appropriate books are being received in each subject; to obtain feedback from faculty members involved in selection; and to evaluate Blackwell as an approval plan vendor. The plan’s purpose and context are also being reviewed, especially budgetary and staffing issues. An evaluation procedure was written, statistical reports and lists of titles received on each profile were produced and distributed to departments, and discussions were held among liaison librarians and faculty members analyzing this data. Blackwell’s performance as an approval vendor will be measured against specific performance criteria, including publisher coverage and prevention of duplication. Results from the project to date include revision and improved coordination of subject profiles, experience using Blackwell’s Collection Manager Web site, and preparation for possible participation in an OhioLINK statewide approval plan.

Literary research has become more interdisciplinary in the last two decades, caused by a fragmentation of disciplines, a reexamination of the literary canon in response to societal demands for cultural relevance, and the growing impact of computer technology. This trend has changed patterns of literary publication and use of literature collections in libraries. To respond to these changes, literature bibliographers have had to overcome rigidly disciplinary selection tools, conventional staffing patterns, and uniform methods of allocating acquisition budgets. Strategies for coping with these problems include improved communication among selectors and use of new, computer generated selection tools to identify and acquire important interdisciplinary publications.

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Nitric oxide synthase is conserved in some species of algae, but not in land plants.

Although it is agreed that a major polyploidy event, gamma, occurred within the eudicots, the phylogenetic placement of the event remains unclear.