This study aimed to contribute to the understanding of playing through distress and painduring athletic training and competition by investigating athletes’ psychological flexibilityand psychosocial responses to pain. This quantitative study consisted of two parts: (1) anonline survey (explicit measures) consisting of the Personalized Psychological FlexibilityIndex (PPFI) and the behavioural subscale of the Avoidance-endurance Questionnaire(AEQ). (2) an Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP-Athlete) that was specificallydeveloped for this project, to assess patterns of psychologically flexible responses todiscomfort and pain responses in a homogeneous sample of athletes’. Twenty-nine malefootball players that were pain-free with no injuries completed the survey, and 15 of themalso completed the challenging IRAP-Athlete. The results showed that athletes reportedhigher frequencies of endurance responses to pain as compared to avoidance responses, andhigher levels of acceptance towards discomfort when pursuing a goal relevant to theirtraining. The IRAP-Athlete seems to be a promising tool that can be used to further exploreathletes’ responses to distress.

The Lite (Light) satellite for the study of B-mode polarization and Inflation from cosmic background Radiation Detection (LiteBIRD) is a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)-led Strategic Large-Class mission designed to search for the existence of the primordial gravitational waves produced during the inflationary phase of the early Universe, through the measurement of their imprint onto the polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). It is an international collaboration, with European Union (EU) operations being coordinated by France. A short study on the merits of 2-dimensional versus 3-dimensional elements in the Finite Element Model (FEM) meshing of basic plates and beams was performed as well as the analysis of two different methods of representing threaded connections in FEM models. Both these activities were in service of the creation of a FEM model of the structure of the contribution of the EU to LiteBIRD: the Medium-High-Frequency Telescope (MHFT). All analysis was done using the Siemens NX software and the Simcenter Nastran solver. This model has passed preliminary quality checks and will be used for future structural analysis intended to verify the integrity of the design, its compliance with JAXA requirements, and to perform screw dimensioning. The results of those analyses will inform possible future design changes or will support the current design. Logistical work on the project was also performed, consisting of the groundwork to initiate an Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) plan and an Assembly, Integration and Verification (AIV) plan. This primarily involved the creation of a Model Definition Document, which contained clear and complete descriptions of the different MHFT models to be used throughout project development. The document defines the purpose and components of the models, the dependencies between models, as well as the necessary tests to be performed on each as part of the AIT and AIV process. A list of the structure interfaces was also created, which will contribute to the development of an interface control document.

Le Virus Respiratoire Syncytial (VRS) est responsable de 70 % des cas de bronchiolite chez les enfants de moins de cinq ans. La survenue de bronchiolites sévères chez le nourrisson est un facteur de risque de développement d’asthme en grandissant. Aucun vaccin contre le VRS n’est disponible chez l’Homme. Le système immunitaire inné est la première ligne de défense de l’organisme contre les infections. De plus, en interaction avec la flore bactérienne commensale des poumons, l’immunité innée participe à la maturation de la réponse immunitaire adaptative qui confère à l’individu une protection sur le long terme vis-à-vis des pathogènes. Afin d’expliquer la susceptibilité néonatale au VRS, nous avons caractérisé un nouveau mécanisme de contrôle de la réponse innée antivirale lors de l’infection de souriceaux. Nous avons également testé une nouvelle approche de modulation de la réponse immunitaire au VRS par le microbiote pulmonaire. Ainsi, mieux comprendre les mécanismes immunologiques et virologiques responsables de bronchiolites sévères en période néonatale permettra de développer des moyens de lutte sûrs et efficaces contre l’infection par le VRS. / Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is responsible for 70 % of bronchiolitis in children under five years old. Severe bronchiolitis in infants is a risk factor for asthma development. No vaccine against RSV is available in humans. The innate immune system is the first line of defense against infections. Moreover, in interaction with lung microbiota, innate immunity shapes adaptive immune response responsible for long-term protection against pathogens. To explain the susceptibility of young children to RSV, we characterized a novel regulatory mechanism of the innate antiviral response during neonatal RSV infection in the murine model. We also tested a new approach for modulating immune responses to RSV by the pulmonary microbiota. Thus, a better understanding of immunological and virological mechanisms responsible for severe bronchiolitis during the neonatal period will allow the development of safe and effective therapeutic strategies against RSV infection.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:51:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 536332 bytes, checksum: 5951891794c17e210fb52fda2d6fa297 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-22 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Devido à ausência de estudo de caracterização da variabilidade genética das populações de Pseudocercospora fijiensis recentemente introduzidas no Brasil, o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a adequabilidade do marcador IRAP para estudar variações genéticas entre indivíduos, bem como determinar a estrutura genética da população brasileira de P. fijiensis com base no fingerprinting gerado por amplificação de polimorfismo entre retrotransposons (IRAP). Um total de 22 locos foi amplificado, sendo 77.3 % polimórficos. A análise de agrupamento revelou dois principais grupos no Brasil. A diversidade gênica (HE) foi de 0.22 e pela análise de variância molecular verificou-se que a maior variabilidade genética está dentro das populações. A Análise Discriminante de Componente Principal (DAPC) revelou que não há nenhuma estruturação relacionada com as origens geográficas e cultiva hospedeiro. O sistema de marcador baseado em retrotransposon IRAP é ferramenta apropriada para estudar a variabilidade genética em P. fijiensis. / Due to the lack of characterization study of genetic variability in populations of Pseudocercospora fijiensis recently introduced in Brazil, the objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of IRAP marker for studying genetic variations between individuals, and to determine the genetic structure of the population of P. fijiensis based on fingerprinting generated by inter-retrotransposons amplified polymorphism (IRAP). A total of 22 loci were amplified and 77.3% showed a polymorphism. Cluster analysis revealed two major groups in Brazil. The observed genetic diversity (HE) was 0.22, and through molecular analysis of variance, it was determined that the greatest genetic variability occurs within populations. The Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC) revealed no structuring related to the geographical origin of culture of the host. The IRAP-based marker system is a suitable tool for the study of genetic variability in P. fijiensis.

Insulin regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) was first identified in fat and muscle cells where it is believed to regulate GLUT4 translocation. It has since been found to be behind a variety of functions, many not yet fully understood. Preliminary research from Monash University suggested that IRAP may play a role in cellular senescence. Senescence is a term that describes arrested cell division and is a tumor repressive mechanism. Senescent cells have been shown to secrete, among other things, the growth hormone TGFβ1, which in turn plays an important role in the cell differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. The potential link between IRAP and senescence was the basis of this work. Senescent fibroblasts from three different passages (n=3) in the BJ3 cell-line were cultured and treated with different IRAP inhibitors; ANG-4, AL06 and HFI-419 which were all compared to an untreated control group. They were marked with a β-galactosidase stain, a senescent cellmarker, and imaged. The study demonstrated that the IRAP inhibitors led to a certain decrease in % of senescent cells compared to the control groups. However, this reduction was not considered statistically significant. Similarly, inhibition of the enzyme did not indicate any influence over the differentiation of the cells. The lack of effect could be due to chance based on the low number of sample size, or the condition of the cells used in the trial as they were partially immortalized BJ fibroblasts well beyond the passage of their intended use. In order to further demonstrate an association between IRAP and senescence, further trials are required. / Insulin reglerad aminopeptidas (IRAP) introducerades till en början som ett markörprotein. Man har sedan dess funnit att den står bakom en rad olika funktioner, många ännu inte  fullt klarlagda. Preliminär forskning från laboratoriet i Monash University tydde på att IRAP kan ha en koppling till senescerande fibroblaster. Senescence är en term som beskriver upphörd celldelning och är en tumörrepressiv mekanism. Senescerande celler har påvisats utsekrera bland annat tillväxthormonet TGFβ1, som i sin tur spelar en viktig roll i celldifferentieringenav fibroblaster till myofibroblaster. Den potentiella kopplingen mellan IRAP och senescence låg som grund till detta arbete. Senescerande fibroblaster från tre olika kulturer (n=3) i BJ3-cellinjen odlades och behandlades med olika IRAP-inhibitorer; ANG-4, AL06 och HFI-419 som alla jämfördes med en kontrollgrupp. Därefter markerades de med en β-galaktosidas-markör, en markör för senescerande celler, och mikroskoperades. Studien påvisade att IRAP-inhibitorerna ledde till en viss procentuell minskning av senescerande celler jämfört med kontrollgrupperna. Dock bedömdes inte denna minskning som statistiskt signifikant i studien. Likväl fann man ingen procentuell minskning av differentierade fibroblaster. Hypotetiskt sett skulle man vilja se att reduktionen av senescerande celler motsvarade en nedreglering av TGFβ1-proteiner. Eftersom närvaron av TGFβ1 tros spela en ledande roll i celldifferentiering till myofibroblastfenotypen, bör den procentuella mängden differentierade cellerna minska med inhibitorbehandlingarna. Den bristande påverkan av enzyminhibitionen kan bero på en rad olika faktorer. Cellerna som användes under försökets gång var väl bortom deras brukliga användningscykel. För att vidare påvisa ett potentiellt samband mellan IRAP och senescence behöver vidare försök utföras.

This study investigates the constructs of Derivation and Complexity and how they relate to latency. Derivation and Complexity are theoretical constructs that have been posited as two of the main factors in differences in latency to responding in implicit measures such as the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) and the Implicit Association Task (IAT). This study trained participants to relate two groups of novel stimuli in a linear fashion and then tested their latency to responding to derived relations (relations based on previously trained relations, but not directly trained themselves). The study then analyzed participant's latency to responding after dividing the responses based on derivation, complexity, and phase. The study found a significant relationship between phase and latency (p=.01), derivation and latency (p=.01), and complexity and latency (p=.04). This indicates that brief, immediate relational responses are influenced by both derivation and complexity as well as practice responding and these variables should be considered in future investigations into implicit attitudes.

Peptidomimetics derived from the bioactive hexapeptide angiotensin IV (Ang IV, Val1-Tyr2-Ile3-His4-Pro5-Phe6) have been designed and synthesized. These peptidomimetics are aimed at inhibiting the insulin-regulated amino peptidase (IRAP), also known as the AT4 receptor. This membrane-bound zinc-metallopeptidase is currently under investigation regarding its potential as a target for cognitive enhancers. The work presented herein was based on stepwise replacement of the amino acid residues in Ang IV by natural and unnatural amino acids, non-peptidic building blocks, and also on the introduction of conformational constraints. Initially, we focused on the introduction of secondary structure mimetics and backbone mimetics. The C-terminal tripeptide His-Pro-Phe was successfully replaced by a γ-turn mimetic scaffold, 2-(aminomethyl)phenylacetic acid (AMPA), which was coupled via an amide bond to the carboxyl terminus of Val-Tyr-Ile. Substitution of Val-Tyr-Ile, Val-Tyr, Tyr-Ile and Tyr, respectively, by 4-hydroxydiphenylmethane scaffolds comprising a 1,3,5-substituted benzene ring as a central moiety unfortunately rendered peptidomimetics that were less potent than Ang IV. The subsequent approach involved the introduction of conformational constraints into Val-Tyr-Ile-AMPA by replacing Val and Ile by amino acid residues appropriate for disulfide cyclization or ring-closing metathesis. Chemically diverse structures encompassing an N-terminal 13- or 14-membered macrocyclic tripeptide and a C-terminal non-peptidic moiety were developed. Tyr2 and AMPA were modified to acquire further knowledge about the structure-activity relationships and, in addition, to improve the metabolic stability and reduce the polarity. Several of the compounds displayed a high capacity to inhibit IRAP and exhibited Ki values in the low nanomolar range. Hence, the new compounds were more than ten times more potent than the parent peptide Ang IV. Enhanced selectivity over the closely related aminopeptidase N (AP-N) was achieved, as well as improved stability against proteolysis by metallopeptidases present in the assays. However, additional investigations are required to elucidate the bioactive conformation(s) of the relatively flexible N-terminal macrocycles. The compounds presented in this thesis have provided important information on structure-activity relationships regarding the interaction of Ang IV-related pseudopeptides and peptidomimetics with IRAP. The best compounds in the series constitute important starting points for further discovery of Ang IV peptidomimetics suitable as tools in the investigation of IRAP and other potential targets for Ang IV. The literature presents strong support for the hypothesis that drug-like IRAP inhibitors would serve as a new type of future cognitive enhancers with potential use in the treatment of cognitive disorders, e.g. Alzheimer’s disease.

Submitted by Alisson Mota (alisson.davidbeckam@gmail.com) on 2015-07-15T20:56:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Ana Mara Oliveira da Silva.pdf: 1079315 bytes, checksum: 9670391d445166cd6d29c8f86059974b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2015-07-16T15:55:23Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Ana Mara Oliveira da Silva.pdf: 1079315 bytes, checksum: 9670391d445166cd6d29c8f86059974b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2015-07-16T15:53:16Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Ana Mara Oliveira da Silva.pdf: 1079315 bytes, checksum: 9670391d445166cd6d29c8f86059974b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2015-07-16T15:58:21Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Ana Mara Oliveira da Silva.pdf: 1079315 bytes, checksum: 9670391d445166cd6d29c8f86059974b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-16T15:58:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Ana Mara Oliveira da Silva.pdf: 1079315 bytes, checksum: 9670391d445166cd6d29c8f86059974b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-09 / CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Manioc (Manihot esculenta Crantz) performs an important social role as a food source in the tropical world. The germplasm maintained manioc forms the basis for technological exploitation of the species in the development of new cultivars. To be efficiently used require different methods of genetic characterization. Markers based on transposable elements are suitable for genetic analyzes because of their qualities of reproducibility and abundant polymorphism. We used 430 manioc accessions that compose the Embrapa germplasm collected in the Amazon basin. The retrotransposons sequences were located in the Phytozome database, IRAP primers designed with Primer3 program, structuring within the germplasm has been detected by STRUCTURE software v. 2.2 and the genetic diversity was assessed using the Popgen software v1.32. IRAP data to the software STRUCTURE suggested the existence of two gene clusters (k = 2) with 93 and other with 127 varieties of total 430 plants, considering only the fidelity above 80%. The AMOVA for K = 2 showed greater variation within the group (89%) than among groups (11%). The six IRAP primer pairs were informative for assessing genetic diversity, with averages of 96% polymorphism, 0.4 heterozygosity and Shannon index 0.57, however, did not detect structuring within cassava germplasm compared to other assisted structuring markers. / A mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) desempenha importante papel social como fonte de alimentação nas regiões tropicais mundiais. O germoplasma conservado constitui a base para aproveitamento tecnológico da espécie no desenvolvimento de novas cultivares. Para que seja eficientemente utilizado necessita de diferentes métodos de caracterização genética. Os marcadores com base em elementos transponíveis são indicados para análises genéticas devido as suas qualidades de reprodutibilidade e polimorfismo abundante. Foram utilizados 430 acessos de mandioca que compõem o germoplasma da Embrapa, coletados na bacia amazônica. As sequências de retrotransposons foram localizadas no banco de dados do Phytozome, os primers IRAP desenhados com o programa Primer3, a estruturação dentro do germoplasma foi detectada através do software STRUCTURE v 2.2 e a diversidade genética foi avaliada utilizando o software Popgen v1.32. Para os dados de IRAP o software STRUCTURE sugeriu a existência de dois agrupamentos genéticos (K=2) um com 93 e outro com 127 variedades do total de 430 plantas, considerando apenas a fidelidade acima de 80%. A AMOVA para K = 2 revelou mais variação dentro do grupo (89%) que entre os grupos (11%). Os seis pares de primers IRAP foram informativos para avaliar a diversidade genética, com médias de 96% de polimorfismo, 0.4 de heterozigosidade e com índice de Shannon de 0.57, porém, não detectaram estruturação dentro do germoplasma de mandioca comparada com a estruturação assistida por outros marcadores.

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2016-06-15T20:37:56Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Kellen Rosa da Cruz - 2016.pdf: 2861182 bytes, checksum: 0321c4e0cfb84ad753664693273c2e23 (MD5) license_rdf: 19874 bytes, checksum: 38cb62ef53e6f513db2fb7e337df6485 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-06-28T12:38:55Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Kellen Rosa da Cruz - 2016.pdf: 2861182 bytes, checksum: 0321c4e0cfb84ad753664693273c2e23 (MD5) license_rdf: 19874 bytes, checksum: 38cb62ef53e6f513db2fb7e337df6485 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-28T12:38:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Kellen Rosa da Cruz - 2016.pdf: 2861182 bytes, checksum: 0321c4e0cfb84ad753664693273c2e23 (MD5) license_rdf: 19874 bytes, checksum: 38cb62ef53e6f513db2fb7e337df6485 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-04 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / LVV-hemorphin-7 (LVV-h7) and LVV-hemorphin-6 (LVV-h6) are bioactive peptides resulting from degradation of hemoglobin β-globin chain. LVV-h7 is a specific agonist of angiotensin IV receptor. This receptor belongs to the class of insulin-regulated aminopeptidases (IRAP), which also exerts oxytocinase activity. Herein, our aims were: i) to evaluate whether LVVs modify centrally-organized behavior and cardiovascular responses to stress and ii) to assess whether underlying mechanisms involve activation of oxytocin (OT) receptors, as result of reduction of IRAP proteolytic activity upon OT. Adult male Wistar rats (270-370g) received (ip) injections of LVV-h7 and LVV-h6 (153nmol/Kg), or vehicle (0.1ml). Different protocols were used: i) open field (OP) test for locomotor/exploratory activities; ii) elevated plus maze (EPM) for anxiety-like behavior; iii) forced swimming (FS) test for depression-like behavior and iv) air jet for cardiovascular reactivity to acute stress exposure. Diazepam (2mg/Kg) and imipramine (15mg/Kg) were used as positive control for EPM and FS tests, respectively. The antagonist of OT receptors, atosiban (1 e 0,1 mg/Kg), was used to determine the involvement of oxytocinergic paths. Both LVVs: i) increased the number of entries and the time spent in open arms of the maze, an indicative of anxiolysis; ii) reduced the immobility during FS test, an indicative of antidepressant effect; and iii) increased the exploratory activity, but locomotion episodes were significantly increased only by LVV-h7; while the specific OT antagonist, atosiban, did not revert the effect anxiolytic-like evoked by LVVs. It also changed the effects upon exploration evoked by LVV’s and the antidepressant-like effect promoted by LVV-h7. Besides, LVV-h6 and LVV-h7 did not change the cardiovascular reactivity and neuroendocrine responses to acute stress. We conclude that LVVs modulate behavior, display antidepressant and anxiolytic effects and do not change the cardiovascular reactivity to acute stress exposure. LVV-h7 behavioral effects are mediated in part by oxytocin receptors. / LVV-h7 e LVV-h6 são peptídeos bioativos resultantes da degradação da cadeia β-globina da hemoglobina. LVV-h7 é um agonista do receptor de angiotensina IV. Esse receptor pertence a classe de aminopeptidases reguladas por insulina (IRAP), que também exerce atividade ocitocinase. Ao se ligar ao receptor, LVV-h7 inibe a atividade catalítica de IRAP sobre neuropeptídeos, incluindo ocitocina (OT), levando ao aumento nos níveis de ocitocina. Assim, nossos objetivos foram: i) avaliar se as LVVs modificam o comportamento organizado centralmente e as respostas cardiovascular ao estresse agudo emocional e ii) verificar se os mecanismos responsáveis pelos efeitos, envolvem a ativação de receptores de ocitocina, como resultado da redução da atividade proteolítica de IRAP sobre a OT. Ratos Wistar, adultos, (270-370 g) receberam injeções i.p. de LVV-h6 e LVV-h7 (153nmol/Kg), ou veículo (0,1 ml). Diferentes protocolos foram usados: i) labirinto em cruz elevada para comportamento tipo-ansiedade; ii) campo aberto para atividade locomotora/exploratória; iii) nado forçado para comportamento tipo-depressão e iv) estresse por jato de ar para reatividade cardiovascular à exposição ao estresse agudo. Diazepam (2 mg/Kg) e imipramina (15 mg/Kg) foram usados como controle positivo para LCE e NF, respectivamente. O antagonista de receptores de OT, atosibano (1 e 0,1 mg/Kg), foi usado para determinar o envolvimento de vias ocitocinérgicas. Ambas LVVs: i) aumentaram o número de entradas e o tempo despendido nos braços abertos do LCE, um indicativo de ansiólise; ii) reduziram a imobilidade durante o NF, indicando efeito tipo antidepressivo e, iii) aumentaram a atividade exploratória no CA, episódios de locomoção foram significativamente aumentados apenas pela LVV-h7; iv) o antagonista de receptores de OT não alterou o efeito evocado pela LVVs sobre o efeito tipo ansiolítico. Entretanto, reverteu o aumento na exploração evocado pelas LVV’s e também o efeito tipo antidepressivo evocado apenas pela LVV-h7. Além disso, LVV-h6 e LVV-h7 não alteraram a resposta pressora, taquicárdica e neuroendócrina evocada pelo estresse egudo emocional. Nós concluímos que LVVs modulam o comportamento, desempenhando efeito tipo ansiolítico e tipo antidepressivo e não são capazes de alterar a reatividade cardiovascular ao estresse. Os efeitos comportamentais de LVV-h7 são mediados, em parte, por receptores de OT.

Inbred lines for hybrid crop production have been a mainstay of plant breeding. Biotechnological approaches to hasten the process are available including anther culture to halve the genome and protoplast fusion to create hybrids between incompatible partners. We applied these techniques to potato to evaluate their potential for breeding highly heterozygous, cross-pollinating species. Four families of monoploids (2n=1x=12), developed from diploid hybrids with diverse genomic constitutions but heavily favoring Solanum phureja, a primitive cultivated potato, were used in electrofusion experiments to create intermonoploid somatic hybrids (SH). The "monoploid sieve" results in the survival of only those gametes free of lethal and deleterious genes but generates sterile sporophytes, necessitating protoplast fusion for SH development. From six intermonoploid electrofusion combinations, 276 plants were regenerated over 6-9 months. Fusion conditions were optimized. Ploidy was determined by flow-cytometry and SH confirmed by microsatellite analysis. Field evaluations over three years revealed that intermonoploid SH were inferior to cultivars. Dihaploids derived by anther culture of a tetraploid intermonoploid SH were reduced in vigor with an increase in homozygosity, while 2x X 2x sexually derived populations had better yield than the SH, suggesting that producing SH introduced or eliminated factors required for productivity. Molecular analysis of the SH was conducted to examine genomic stability through protoplast isolation and plant regeneration. Sequence specific amplified polymorphism (S-SAP) represents a hybrid system incorporating amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technology in conjunction with the use of a defined genomic sequence, e.g., retrotransposon display (RD) when the defined sequence is anchored into a consensus sequence of a retrotransposon such as the long terminal repeat (LTR) sequence of Tst1. Parental monoploids, SH and various Solanaceae were evaluated by RD. Fluorescently-labeled retrotransposon-based primers were used in the ALFexpress automated fragment analyzer system. Eleven probes from RD were created for Southern blot analysis and used to verify taxonomic relationships between selected Solanaceae. Blots of intermonoploid somatic hybrids confirmed hybridity and occasional loss of genomic fragments. No activation or replication of retrotransposons was detected. Sequencing of inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism (IRAP) and S-SAP fragments revealed that all fragments had the expected Tst1 retroelement and/or the AFLP adaptor sequence. BLAST analysis identified 4 of the 17 fragments sequenced as part of the chloroplast genome, a tobacco anther-specific gene, repetitive DNA, and the phytochrome F gene. / Ph. D.