Genetic and Molecular Characterization of Two Quantitative Trait Loci for Circadian Rhythm in Neurospora crassa

大多数真核生物表现出细胞和行为节律，周期约为24小时。这些节律统称为生物钟或生物钟，这种钟影响着生物体的许多活动，如人类的睡眠/清醒周期。通过遗传、生化、分子和基因组研究，丝状真菌粗糙脉孢菌已经成为揭开许多生物学奥秘的极好的模式系统。由于真核生物生物钟的核心机制具有共性，了解脉孢子虫的生物钟将有助于我们更好地理解其在广泛生物体中的功能和生物学后果。这个项目的目标是对影响昼夜节律的两个主要数量性状基因座(QTL)进行分子表征。该项目应该为生物钟和数量性状基因座的生物学提供洞察力。这项研究将被整合到一个新的实验室模块中，用于研究人员的“昼夜节律”课程。实验室模块将为本科生-理科专业和非专业学生-提供实践机会，体验真菌昼夜节律时钟的实验特征，以及对数量性状的本质和研究的见解。对于这些学生来说，这将是一次宝贵的学习经历，并将帮助他们发展成为国家所需要的智力渊博、科学成熟的公民。

Most eukaryotic organisms display cellular and behavioral rhythms with a period of approximately 24 hours. These rhythms are collectively called the biological or circadian "clock", and this clock influences many of an organism's activities, such as the sleep/wake cycle in humans. Through genetic, biochemical, molecular, and genomic studies, the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa has served as an excellent model system for unraveling many biological mysteries. Due to the commonality of the core mechanisms of the circadian clock in eukaryotes, understanding the clock in Neurospora should improve our understanding of its functioning and biological consequences in a wide range of organisms. The goal of this project is the molecular characterization of two major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that contribute to circadian rhythms. The project should provide insights into the biology of both the circadian clock and quantitative trait loci. This research will be integrated into a new laboratory module for the investigator's "Circadian Rhythms" course. The laboratory module will provide undergraduate students - science majors and non-majors alike - with an opportunity for hands-on experience in the experimental characterization of the fungal circadian clock, along with insights into the nature and study of quantitative traits. This will be an invaluable learning experience for these students, and will help them develop into the intellectually informed, scientifically sophisticated citizens that the nation needs.