Tetrahymena thermophila - a evolutionary divergent model to uncover novel mode of transcriptional regulation

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The tree of life is complex and diverse. Yet, a few established models from the Opisthokonts clade, dominate scientific research preventing the community from learning from the biological diversity present around us. To address this problem, we have established the ciliate protozoa Tetrahymena thermophila as an effective model system for biological research. Tetrahymena thermophila is unique since it encloses its genetic information within two nuclei, one of which is employed for growth and the other for sexual reproduction, in a single cell. Additionally, Tetrahymena thermophila employs evolutionary divergent molecular machinery to regulate the use of its genomic material. As such, Tetrahymena thermophila, a model with which we are the Canadian experts, is perfectly suited to the discovery of novel modes of regulating the use and storage of genetic information.Within the scope of our research project, we will focus our efforts on one key domain mediating physical association between proteins, namely bromodomain. Bromodomain is the protein domain responsible for reading acetylated lysine marks in the cells. In our project, we will employ state-of-the-art tools to define what are the targets of bromodomains in cells, how they engage these targets and what are the functions of these interactions in Tetrahymena thermophila. In so doing, we will train the next generation of Canadian scientists with a diverse curriculum including molecular biology, biochemistry and omics technologies in addition to enhancing our understanding of how genetic information is used and stored.