Chromatin Diminution, Development, and Genome Evolution

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Large-scale genomic rearrangements including the loss of significant amounts of DNA are known to occur during the development of the organism in several groups of animals and some plants, but the mechanisms for these changes and the functions served are not known. Dr. Wyngaard in a career advancement award will be learning new DNA-based technologies to explore the pattern and process of chromatin diminution and genomic rearrangement in a group of freshwater copepods (planktonic crustaceans) where these phenomena are well known. Probes for particular classes of DNA will be used to test whether DNA excisions involve specialized groups of genes and whether the sequence of losses has functional effects in the development of the organism. %%% Chromosome rearrangements and loss of significant amounts of DNA, the genetic material, characterize groups of ciliated protozoa, crustacean copepods, and nematodes during the development of individual organisms. Dr. Wyngaard in a career advancement award is applying powerful new molecular methods to the study of these phenomena, in particular to determine whether classes of genes are excised during development and whether the sequence of losses has functional effects in growth and maturation. The work will advance understanding of molecular genetics and evolution in animals.