University of Dundee

About: University of Dundee is a education organization based out in Dundee, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Protein kinase A. The organization has 19258 authors who have published 39640 publications receiving 1919433 citations. The organization is also known as: Universitas Dundensis & Dundee University.

Soil microbial community structure: Effects of substrate loading rates

Abstract: A fuller understanding of the interactions which affect rhizosphere microbial community structure requires experimental manipulation of the individual components of that interaction (e.g. amount and composition of exudate, soil moisture and soil nutrient status). We describe an experiment where a synthetic root exudate was applied continuously to a soil held at constant water potential. The solution contained compounds characteristic of root exudates (fructose, glucose, sucrose, succinic acid, malic acid, arginine, serine and cysteine), which were added at a range of concentrations. After 14 d of such substrate addition, a central portion of soil, known to be influenced by the added substrate, was removed for analysis. Microbial community structure of this central core was determined by the broad-scale measurements; community DNA hybridisation and %G+C profiling, and phospholipid–fatty acid analysis (PLFA). The trend was that microbial community structure changed consistently as substrate loading increased, and that fungi dominated over bacteria at high substrate loading rates. The DNA and the PLFA analyses both indicated that there was a coherent gradient of changes with increased substrate loading. This may have arisen as a consequence of the competitive ability of soil microorganisms being dependent on the quantity of available substrate.

Making sense of focus groups

Abstract: CONTEXT: This paper provides an overview of the contribution of medical education research which has employed focus group methodology to evaluate both undergraduate education and continuing professional development. PRACTICALITIES AND PROBLEMS: It also examines current debates about the ethics and practicalities involved in conducting focus group research. It gives guidance as to how to go about designing and planning focus group studies, highlighting common misconceptions and pitfalls, emphasising that most problems stem from researchers ignoring the central assumptions which underpin the qualitative research endeavour. PRESENTING AND DEVELOPING FOCUS GROUP RESEARCH: Particular attention is paid to analysis and presentation of focus group work and the uses to which such information is put. Finally, it speculates about the future of focus group research in general and research in medical education in particular.