RUI: Studies on the Interactions Between the yFACT and TORC1 Complexes and Chromatin During transcription Elongation

智力上的优点。 为了适应细胞核的小范围，DNA分子需要通过与许多蛋白质相互作用来压缩，以形成称为染色质的复合物。 染色质的基本单位是核小体，核小体是由DNA包裹在由组蛋白组成的盘状结构周围组成的颗粒。 除了指导细胞中的DNA压缩，核小体也是染色体上发生的大多数过程的重要参与者，包括基因转录过程。 Duina博士的研究重点是阐明控制转录延伸阶段的机制，在染色质的背景下，DNA复制成RNA分子的阶段。 该项目有两个目标。 一个是更好地定义yFACT，一个在转录延伸中具有明确作用的复合物，如何与转录基因上的染色质相互作用。另一个目的是确定TORC 1（一种负责协调营养信号与细胞生长和分裂的复合物）是否在促进基因转录延伸方面发挥作用。 这些实验将使用生物化学和遗传学方法在作为模型系统的酵母酿酒酵母中进行。 鉴于酵母和人类细胞之间的高度进化保守性，所获得的结果将为所有真核生物相关的基本生物学过程提供新的见解。 该项目将为本科生提供一个特殊的机会，参与有意义的科学研究。 在杜伊纳博士的指导下，本科生将参与与该项目相关的实验的设计和执行，并将充分参与对他们的研究产生的数据的批判性评估。 此外，在杜伊纳博士实验室工作的学生将有机会在区域和国家研究会议上展示他们的研究成果。 该项目还将包括Duina博士实验室之外的本科生的参与，因为实验的一个子集将由Duina博士在学院教授的课程之一的学生进行。 总的来说，这些经验将向本科生介绍科学研究的美妙世界，无疑将在塑造他们的职业选择中发挥关键作用，因为他们通过大学及以后的进步。

Intellectual merit. In order to fit within the small confines of a cell nucleus, DNA molecules need to be compacted through interactions with a number of proteins to form a complex referred to as chromatin. The basic unit of chromatin is the nucleosome, a particle consisting of DNA wrapped around a disc-like structure composed of histone proteins. In addition to directing DNA compaction in cells, nucleosomes are also important participants in most of the processes that occur on chromosomes, including the process of gene transcription. The focus of Dr. Duina's research is to elucidate the mechanisms that control the elongation phase of transcription, the phase during which DNA is copied into RNA molecules, in the context of chromatin. The project has two aims. One is to better define how yFACT, a complex with well-defined roles in transcription elongation, interacts with chromatin on transcribed genes. The other aim is to establish whether TORC1, a complex responsible for coordinating nutrient signals with cell growth and division, has a role in promoting transcription elongation across genes. These experiments will be carried out using biochemical and genetic approaches in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the model system. Given the high degree of evolutionary conservation between yeast and human cells, the results obtained will provide novel insights into basic biological processes relevant to all eukaryotic organisms.Broader Impacts. This project will provide an exceptional opportunity for undergraduate students to be involved in meaningful scientific research. Under the guidance of Dr. Duina, undergraduate students will participate in the design and execution of experiments related to this project and will be fully engaged in the critical evaluation of the data generated from their studies. In addition, students working in Dr. Duina's laboratory will have the opportunity to present the results from their research at regional and national research conferences. This project will also include the participation of undergraduate students outside the context of Dr. Duina's laboratory, as a subset of the experiments will be carried out by students enrolled in one of the courses taught by Dr. Duina at the college. Collectively, these experiences will introduce undergraduate students to the wonderful world of scientific research and will undoubtedly play critical roles in shaping their career choices as they progress through college and beyond.