Alshamali,F.; Brandstätter,A.; Zimmermann,B.; Parson,W.; 249 entire mtDNA control region sequences were generated and analyzed in a population sample from Dubai, one of the seven United Arab Emirates. The control region was amplified in one piece and sequenced with different sequencing primers. Sequence evaluation was performed twice and validated by a third senior mtDNA scientist. Phylogenetic analyses were used for quality assurance purposes and for the determination of the haplogroup affiliation of the samples. [Read More]

Meraner,A.; Brandstätter,A.; Thaler,R.; Aray,B.; Unterlechner,M.; Niederstätter,H.; Parson,W.; Zelger,R.; Dalla,Via J.; Dallinger,R.; The codling moth (Cydia pomonella L., Tortricidae, Lepidoptera) is an important pest of pome fruit with global distribution. It has adapted successfully to different habitats by forming various ecotypes and populations, often termed strains, which differ among each other in several morphological, developmental, and physiological features. Many strains of Cydia pomonella have developed resistance against a broad range of chemically different pesticides. [Read More]

Thaler,R.; Brandstätter,A.; Meraner,A.; Chabicovski,M.; Parson,W.; Zelger,R.; Dalla,Via J.; Dallinger,R.; Originally resident in southeastern Europe, the codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) (Tortricidae) has achieved a nearly global distribution, being one of the most successful pest insect species known today. As shown in our accompanying study, mitochondrial genetic markers suggest a Pleistocenic splitting of Cydia pomonella into two refugial clades which came into secondary contact after de-glaciation. The actual distribution pattern shows, however, that Central European codling moths have experienced a geographic splitting into many strains and locally adapted populations, which is not reflected by their mitochondrial haplotype distribution. [Read More]

Herndler-Brandstetter,D.; Veel,E.; Laschober,G.T.; Pfister,G.; Brunner,S.; Walcher,S.; Parson,W.; Lepperdinger,G.; Grubeck-Loebenstein,B.; The age-related decline in immune system functions is responsible for the increased prevalence of infectious diseases and the low efficacy of vaccination in elderly individuals. In particular, the number of peripheral naive T-cells declines throughout life and they exhibit severe functional defects at advanced age. However, we have recently identified a non-regulatory CD8+CD45RO+ CD25+ T-cell subset that occurs in a subgroup of healthy elderly individuals, who still exhibit an intact humoral immune response following influenza vaccination. [Read More]

Oberacher,H.; After completion of the human genome sequence the search for differences among individual genomes has become the centre of focus for geneticists. Two different types of polymorphism-single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and short tandem repeats (STRs)-are major sources of genetic diversity and are of widespread use in genetic analysis. A plethora of genotyping techniques have been developed, and mass spectrometry (MS) is among the most widely used analytical platforms. The most striking advantage of mass spectrometric genotyping assays over others is the use of the measured molecular mass information for allele calling. [Read More]