Starter Grant: Molecular Analysis of Regulation of Methane gene Transcription in the Archaeon Methanothermobacter Thermoautotrophicus

该项目的目标是在分子水平上了解古细菌中甲烷基因表达的调控。一系列体外分子技术将用于全面表征热养甲烷杆菌中甲烷基因转录的两个调节因子。这项研究将有助于确定甲烷生成是如何被调控的，对调控机制的剖析将大大扩展对古细菌转录调控的认识。甲烷生成是一种具有全球环境和经济重要性的代谢，所获得的结果将有助于深入了解甲烷生成的调控。该项目将通过在俄克拉何马大学建立她的研究项目，为一位代表性不足的少数民族调查员的职业发展做出贡献。研究机会将提供给一名研究生和一名本科生在分子微生物学，厌氧微生物学和生物化学。

The goal of this project is to gain a molecular-level understanding of the regulation of methane gene expression in Archaea. A range of in vitro molecular techniques will be used to comprehensively characterize two regulators of methane gene transcription in Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicu. This research will help establish how methanogenesis is regulated, and the dissection of the regulatory mechanics will substantially extend knowledge of transcription regulation in Archaea. Methanogenesis is a metabolism of global environmental and economic importance and the results obtained will add insight into the regulation of methane generation.This project will contribute to the career development of an underrepresented minority investigator through establishment of her research program at the University of Oklahoma. Research opportunities will be provided for a graduate student and one undergraduate in molecular microbiology, anaerobic microbiology, and biochemistry.