CAREER: A Polymerase Switch in the Synthesis of rRNA in Yeast

9722253康拉德-韦伯随着我们对细胞结构和功能的分子基础有了更深入的了解，遗传学、分子生物学和细胞生物学之间的区别逐渐消失。本科生通常在这些学科中单独学习课程，他们经常将信息与特定的课程分开，并没有认识到这些细胞过程的相互依赖。这种碎片化阻碍了对基本生物学原理的认识。该项目包括三个教育目标：三个学期的课程，整合了遗传学、分子和细胞生物学，并强调细胞相互作用；相应的两个学期的实验室课程，通过进行基本实验来加强基本原理；以及通过独立研究让学生接触到发现的过程。独立的研究将集中在研究rRNA合成中的聚合酶开关。在呼吸缺陷的酿酒酵母中，rRNA是由RNA聚合酶I和RNA聚合酶II合成的。在这些细胞中，一个隐蔽的PolII rDNA启动子重叠在polI启动子上，用来合成等价的35S前体rRNA，可以减轻对PolI的需求。这一新的发现在rRNA合成的调节中引入了新的问题，特别适合于说明科学研究在改变对细胞功能的看法方面的作用。本研究的目的是：1.确定rDNA PolII转录的序列信号。2.确定PolII转录rDNA所需的调控因子。3.研究PolII rRNA的功能。剖析Poll II转录rRNA的作用对于向学生介绍科学发现在扩大我们对多种细胞过程的理解中的作用是一个有趣的问题。从PolI到PolII的rRNA合成过程涉及多个细胞过程的相互作用，包括：细胞器间通讯、转录激活和沉默，以及rDNA上体拷贝的优先切除和复制。学生将通过合成各种相互作用的细胞过程来研究这些相互作用，这些过程交织在一起，产生PolII合成rRNA。随着我们对细胞结构和功能的分子基础有了更深入的了解，遗传学、分子生物学和细胞生物学之间的区别逐渐消失。这个项目将包括开发一门为期三个学期的课程，以整合通常在遗传学、细胞和分子生物学的不同课程中获得的信息。重点将放在信息的综合而不是划分，以及作为解决问题的框架的细胞过程的相互作用。此外，通过参与实验室练习和独立研究的追求，学生将亲眼目睹科学探究的过程。在呼吸缺陷菌株中，酵母是由RNA聚合酶I和RNA聚合酶II合成的。剖析PolII转录rRNA的作用是一个有趣的问题，将用来向学生介绍科学发现在扩大我们对多种细胞过程的理解中的作用。学生将通过合成各种相互作用的细胞过程来研究这些相互作用，这些过程交织在一起，产生PolII合成rRNA。***

9722253 Conrad-Webb As we achieve greater understanding of the molecular basis of cellular structure and function, the distinctions among genetics, molecular biology and cellular biology fade. Undergraduate students, who usually take separate courses in these disciplines, often compartmentalize information to the specific course and do not recognize the interdependence of these cellular processes. Such fragmentation impedes the recognition of basic biological principles. This project includes three educational objectives: a three semester course which integrates genetics, molecular and cellular biology and emphasizes cellular interactions; a corresponding two semester laboratory course to reinforce fundamental principles by conducting basic experiments; and exposure of students to the process of discovery through independent research. The independent research will focus on the study of a polymerase switch in the synthesis of rRNA. In respiratory deficient strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, rRNA is synthesized by both RNA polymerase I and RNA polymerase II. In these cells, a cryptic pol II rDNA promoter that overlaps the pol I promoter is used to synthesize an equivalent 35S precursor rRNA that can alleviate the requirement for pol I. This novel finding introduces new questions in the regulation of rRNA synthesis and is particularly well suited to illustrating the role of scientific inquiry in changing perceptions of cellular function. The objectives of this research are to: 1. Define the sequence signals for pol II transcription of rDNA. 2. Identify regulatory factors required for pol II transcription of rDNA. 3. Investigate the function of pol II rRNA. Dissecting the role of poll II transcription of rRNA presents an intriguing problem for the introduction of students to the role of scientific discovery in expanding our understanding multiple cellular processes. The switch in rRNA synthesis from pol I to pol II involves the interactions of multiple cellular processes including : interorganellar communication, transcriptional activation and silencing, and preferential excision and replication of rDNA episomal copies. Students will be investigating these interactions by synthesizing the various cellular processes that intertwine to produce pol II synthesis of rRNA. %%% As we achieve greater understanding of the molecular basis of cellular structure and function, the distinctions among genetics, molecular biology and cellular biology fade. This project will include the development of a three semester course to integrate the information usually acquired in separate courses in genetics, cell and molecular biology. Emphasis will be placed on the synthesis rather than compartmentalization of information, and the interactions of cellular processes as a framework for problem solving. Furthermore, by participation in laboratory exercises and in the pursuit of independent research, students will witness first hand the process of scientific inquiry. In respiratory deficient strains of yeast is synthesized by both RNA polymerase I and RNA polymerase II. Dissecting the role of pol II transcription of rRNA presents an intriguing problem which will be used to introduce students to the role of scientific discovery in expanding our understanding multiple cellular processes. Students will be investigating these interactions by synthesizing the various cellular processes that intertwine to produce pol II synthesis of rRNA. ***