Such markers are advantageous because they facilitate the detection of functional variation and the signature of selection in genomic scans or association genetic studies. Transcriptbased SSRs are advantageous compared to SSRs in nontranscribed regions owing to their higher amplification rates and cross-species transferability. Currently, although many SSR markers were identified in the Fagaceae family, only a few SSR markers were reported in Q. pubescens. The predicted SSRs from the assembled transcriptome of Q. pubescens, will likely be of value for genetic analyses of Q. pubescens and other related nonmodel plants. In the recent years, transcriptome sequencing became a most powerful and efficient approach to uncover genomic information in non-model organism. The de novo assembly and annotation of the Q. pubescens transcriptome provided complete information concerning the expressed sequences of leaf tissue. Data of our study represent an important tool for discovering genes of interest and genetic markers, thus allowing investigation of the functional diversity in natural populations. Our characterization of the leaf transcriptome in Q. pubescens has not only enriched the publicly available database of sequences for members of the Quercus, but will also facilitate genetic analysis of other non-model organisms. Furthermore, our data demostrate that Illumina paired-end sequencing can successfully be applied as a rapid and cost-effective method to non-model organisms, especially those with large genomes and without prior genome annotation. Despite many research and sanitary efforts, tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest human infectious diseases far from being defeated. The poor knowledge of the biology of its causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a main obstacle toward the development of improved control strategies. In this context, a better understanding of surface exposed, secreted and cell wall associated proteins is classically a key step to dissect the mechanisms of pathogenesis of bacteria and to identify antigens that may serve as candidate vaccines. The complexity of the mycobacterial cell wall is such that only LY294002 recently it has been possible to solve its structure, including a peculiar outer membrane referred to as mycomembrane. Consequently, we still have limited knowledge regarding the proteins and protein apparatuses localizing in the mycomembrane and the molecular determinants mediating host-pathogen interactions. The recent discovery of the ESX secretion systems is shedding light on the mechanism whereby Mtb translocate effector proteins that are secreted or exposed on its surface and that can interfere with host components. The results of these studies are leading to the development of new vaccines and drug targets, emphasizing the impact that this line of research may have in the control of TB. Among the cell wall associated proteins are the PE_PGRSs, a family of around 60 proteins found only in members of the Mtb complex, in Mycobacterium ulcerans and Mycobacterium marinum. PE_PGRSs are characterized by a highly conserved PE domain, a central polymorphic PGRS domain and a unique Cterminal domain that may vary in size from few to up to 300 amino acids.