Dissertation Research: Experimental Molecular Evolution in Bacteriophage

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

9411950 Bull This experimental study examines molecular evolution in recombinant DNA phages. The recombinant phage are constructed to specifically address two topics of interest in molecular evolution: 1) the molecular evolution of essential transgenes (phage capsid and assembly genes) and 2) the evolution of RNA polymerase-promoter interactions. Transgenic phage will be characterized at the molecular level via sequence analysis and at the phenotypic level via fitness levels. The fitness of transgenic phage is initially low, but increases rapidly when subjected to laboratory natural selections via serial propagation. After a response to selection for increased fitness is observed, the phage will be re- characterized at the molecular and phenotypic levels. Initial genetic manipulations will lead to specific expectations as to which genetic elements should evolve and how they will change over the course of evolution. This system of experimental molecular evolution in bacteriophage is a powerful new approach in evolutionary biology. Transgenic organisms have become increasingly popular in many areas of biology and industry. This project will for the first time directly address questions concerning how transgenes evolve, what their effects are on other genes, and how these combined molecular changes affect evolution of fitness at the organismal level.