We hypothesize that these intermediate-sized pellets are actively shaped by ants and passively shaped by the tunnel to optimally balance individual carrying capacity against clogging, pellet disruption and locomotor hindrance, which could diminish the transport efficacy of the collective.ĬOUPLING INDUCED SYNCHRONIZATION OF MEXICAN JUMPING BEANS Mean pellet size was comparable to head width, differed slightly depending on soil moisture and particle size, and was significantly smaller than the maximum pellet size an ant could form. Individual ants used complex, coordinated motion of limbs, mandibles and antennae to create pellets. Ants constructed tunnels through the repetitive excavation and transport of cohesive soil pellets. To begin to discover principles by which colonies balance these competing demands, we studied excavation strategies employed by fire ants during nest construction in substrates composed of particles of different sizes and moisture content. Such cooperative construction is a challenge: individuals must effectively manipulate soil in confined, crowded, dark conditions without interfering with the flow and functioning of the collective. Many social insects construct underground nests composed of networks of tunnels and chambers. SOCIAL EXCAVATION IN SUBTERRANEAN ENVIRONMENTS Finally, I will present preliminary data evidencing early success in attempting this new method. I will also present a novel method for the creation of bespoke DNA with tandem repeats using rolling circle replication. In this week’s PoLS meeting, I will talk about our plans to investigate the suspected contribution of the 3D configuration of DNA to the anti-cooperative allostery in TetR binding. This suggest that there is a negative allosteric interaction between TFs through DNA. Despite a preference for binding to the operator sequence, experiments have shown the surprising result that TFs do not saturate a tandem array of binding sites. Transcription factors (TFs) can specifically bind to the operator sequence thereby inhibiting or activating RNA polymerase. The most common mode of gene regulation occurs at the level of transcription with the initiation of messenger RNA. Regulation of gene expression is an essential process for all forms of ife. Creating long, bespoke DNA with tandem repeats
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