Das Pinealorgan der Wirbeltiere: ein Modell für Untersuchungen von Rezeptor-und Effektormechanismen in neuronalen Systemen

Cell and molecular biological investigations have greatly contributed to our understanding of receptor and effector mechanisms in sensory, neuronal, and endocrine cells. A fascinating aspect of this line of research is how such mechanisms have evolved and how they interact with each other. As shown in this contribution, the vertebrate pineal organ is an interesting model to study these problems, because it undergoes a conspicuous transformation during phylogeny, comprises two well-chraracterized receptor mechanisms (photoreception and adrenoreception), and acts upon its targets via neuronal and neuroendocrine signals.

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Herrn Professor Dr. Drs. h. c. A. Oksche zum 65. Geburtstag gewidnet     

Langzeitmonitoring möglicher Auswirkungen gentechnisch veränderter Pflanzen auf Pflanzengesellschaften Konzeptentwicklung am Beispiel von Raps (Brassica napus)

Ecological monitoring of genetically engineered plants (GEPs) is being developed in the Bavarian Environmental Protection Agency. Focusing on oilseed rape (Brassica napus, Cruciferae), a method is being established to measure the impact of the commercial release of GEPs on plant communities. Oilseed rape is known to escape from cultures and to establish outside the fields. It also produces hybrid offspring with wild relatives of the European flora. The study site is located in Bavaria (Germany) and comprises an area of 5700 ha. It is characterized by a mosaic of protected natural habitats in close vicinity to intensively cultivated farmland. In this region species composition and population density of Cruciferae is documented prior to a possible commercial release of GEPs. Furthermore Cruciferae of the study site are tested for the presence of transgenes. Therefore, plant material of selected Cruciferae is randomly sampled. We also test oilseed rape honey from the study site and pollen from pollen traps for the presence of hybrid pollen. The molecular method used is the ‘real-time PCR’. In addition, an intensive monitoring program is established in two types of biotopes, which are located in the study site. Multivariate statistics are being used to correlate plant community data with soil parameters.