Wageningen University and Research 9 articles published in JoVE Biochemistry Design and Construction of an Experimental Setup to Enhance Mineral Weathering through the Activity of Soil Organisms Tullia Calogiuri1,2, Mathilde Hagens2, Jan Willem Van Groenigen1, Thomas Corbett3, Jens Hartmann4, Rick Hendriksen5, Iris Janssens6, Ivan A. Janssens7, Guillermo Ledesma Dominguez7, Grant Loescher4, Steven Mortier6, Anna Neubeck3, Harun Niron7, Reinaldy P. Poetra4, Lukas Rieder4, Eric Struyf7, Michiel Van Tendeloo8, Tom De Schepper6, Tim Verdonck9, Siegfried E. Vlaeminck8, Sara Vicca7, Alix Vidal1 1Soil Biology Group, Wageningen University & Research, 2Soil Chemistry and Chemical Soil Quality, Wageningen University & Research, 3Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, 4Institute for Geology, Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, University of Hamburg, 5Tupola, Wageningen University & Research, 6IDLab - Department of Computer Science, University of Antwerp - imec, 7Plants and Ecosystems (PLECO), Biology Department, University of Antwerp, 8Research Group of Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology, University of Antwerp, 9Department of Mathematics, University of Antwerp - imec Here we present the construction and operation of an experimental setup to enhance mineral weathering through the activity of soil organisms while concurrently manipulating abiotic variables known to stimulate weathering. Representative results from the functioning of the setup and sample analyses are discussed together with points for improvement. Engineering Real-Time Imaging of Bonding in 3D-Printed Layers J. Jesse Buijs1, Raoul Fix1, Hanne M. van der Kooij1, Thomas E. Kodger1 1Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University & Research With a non-invasive and real-time technique, nanoscopic polymer motion inside a polymer filament is imaged during 3D printing. Fine-tuning this motion is crucial for producing constructs with optimal performance and appearance. This method reaches the core of plastic layer fusion, thus offering insights into optimal printing conditions and material design criteria. Bioengineering On-Chip Octanol-Assisted Liposome Assembly for Bioengineering Chang Chen*1, Ketan A. Ganar*1, Siddharth Deshpande1 1Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University & Research The present protocol describes octanol-assisted liposome assembly (OLA), a microfluidic technique to generate biocompatible liposomes. OLA produces monodispersed, micron-sized liposomes with efficient encapsulation, allowing immediate on-chip experimentation. This protocol is anticipated to be particularly suitable for synthetic biology and synthetic cell research. Behavior Iterative Development of an Innovative Smartphone-Based Dietary Assessment Tool: Traqq Desiree A. Lucassen1, Elske M. Brouwer-Brolsma1, Anne M. van de Wiel1, Els Siebelink1, Edith J. M. Feskens1 1Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research This article describes the protocol for the development of an innovative smartphone-based dietary assessment application Traqq, including expert evaluations and usability testing. Behavior Concept Development and Use of an Automated Food Intake and Eating Behavior Assessment Method Marlou P. Lasschuijt1, Elske Brouwer-Brolsma1, Monica Mars1, Els Siebelink1, Edith Feskens1, Kees de Graaf1, Guido Camps1 1Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University & Research This protocol shows and explains a new technology-based dietary assessment method. The method consists of a dining tray with multiple built-in weighing scales and a video camera. The device is unique in the sense that it incorporates automated measures of food and drink intake and eating behavior over the course of a meal. Biology MRM Microcoil Performance Calibration and Usage Demonstrated on Medicago truncatula Roots at 22 T Remco van Schadewijk1, Julia R. Krug2,3,4, Andrew Webb5, Henk Van As2,4, Aldrik H. Velders3,4, Huub J. M. de Groot1, A. Alia1,6 1Solid-state NMR, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Leiden University, 2Laboratory of Biophysics, Wageningen University & Research, 3Laboratory of BioNanoTechnology, Wageningen University & Research, 4MAGNEtic resonance Facility, Wageningen University & Research, 5C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Radiology department, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden University, 6Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, Leipzig University A protocol to study biological tissue at high spatial resolution using ultra-high field magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) using microcoils is presented. Step-by-step instructions are provided for characterizing the microcoils. Finally, optimization of imaging is demonstrated on plant roots. Genetics Transforming, Genome Editing and Phenotyping the Nitrogen-fixing Tropical Cannabaceae Tree Parasponia andersonii Titis A.K. Wardhani1,2, Yuda Purwana Roswanjaya1,2, Simon Dupin1,3, Huchen Li1,4, Sidney Linders1, Marijke Hartog1, Rene Geurts1, Arjan van Zeijl1 1Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, 2Center of Technology for Agricultural Production, Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), 3Department of Ecological Science, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 4Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing University of Agriculture Parasponia andersonii is a fast-growing tropical tree that belongs to the Cannabis family (Cannabaceae) and can form nitrogen-fixing root nodules in association with the rhizobium. Here, we describe a detailed protocol for reverse genetic analyses in P. andersonii based on Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated stable transformation and CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing. Behavior Using a Virtual Store As a Research Tool to Investigate Consumer In-store Behavior Kunalai Ploydanai1,2, Jos van den Puttelaar1,3, Erica van Herpen1,2, Hans van Trijp1,2 1Wageningen University and Research, 2Marketing Consumer Behaviour Group, 3Wageningen Economic Research This paper describes the use of a desktop virtual store to create virtual shopping environments to investigate in-store consumer behavior. A description of the protocol to build and run experiments, example results from an experiment concerning store layout, and important considerations when conducting virtual store experiments are presented. Environment Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae Guido Breuer1,2, Wendy A. C. Evers1,2, Jeroen H. de Vree1,2, Dorinde M. M. Kleinegris2,3, Dirk E. Martens1,2, René H. Wijffels1,2, Packo P. Lamers1,2 1Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University and Research Center, 2AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research Center, 3Food and Biobased Research, Wageningen University and Research Center A method for the determination of fatty acid content and composition in microalgae based on mechanical cell disruption, solvent based lipid extraction, transesterification, and quantification and identification of fatty acids using gas chromatography is described. A tripentadecanoin internal standard is used to compensate for the possible losses during extraction and incomplete transesterification.