U.S.-France Cooperative Research: Functional Characterization of Phage-Type RNA Polymerases in Higher Plants

这个为期三年的奖项支持康奈尔大学博伊斯·汤普森研究所的David B. Stern和法国格勒诺布尔约瑟夫·傅立叶大学的Silva Lerbs-Mache之间的美法合作。他们领导了一个合作项目，涉及博士后研究人员、研究生和本科生以及教师研究人员的互访。该项目利用多方面的方法来研究细胞器，特别是线粒体和质体的转录。目标是：(1)利用反向遗传方法在玉米细胞培养和拟南芥植物中揭示蛋白质在细胞器转录和植物发育中的功能；(2)通过过度表达推定成分来重建活性聚合酶；(3)利用蛋白质组学方法发现未知亚基。美国研究人员为这次合作带来了玉米反向遗传学的专业知识，以辨别细胞器蛋白质的功能。这是法国实验室在拟南芥和RNA聚合酶生物化学方面的优势的补充。强调初级教师和学生的互访，为他们的活动增加国际层面，并在他们的职业生涯早期发展国际联系。该奖项代表了美国方面向美国国家科学基金会和法国国家科学研究中心（CNRS）联合提出的建议。美国国家科学基金会将承担美国研究人员、博士后研究人员、研究生和本科生的差旅费和生活费。CNRS将支持法国参与者访问美国。此次合作将促进对细胞器生物发生和植物发育的理解。

0128903SternThis three-year award supports U.S.-France collaboration between David B. Stern of the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University and Silva Lerbs-Mache of the University Joseph Fourier in Grenoble, France. They lead a collaborative program involving reciprocal visits of postdoctoral researchers, graduate and undergraduate students, and faculty researchers. The project utilizes a multi-faceted approach to the study of transcription in organelles, specifically, mitochondria and plastids. The objectives are: (1) to use reverse genetic approaches in maize cell cultures and in Arabidopsis plants to reveal the functions of proteins in organelle transcription and plant development; (2) to reconstitute the active polymerase through overexpression of putative components; and (3) to use proteomics approach to discover any unknown subunits. The US researchers bring to this collaboration expertise in reverse genetics in maize to discern organelle protein function. This is complemented by French laboratory strengths in Arabidopsis and RNA polymerases biochemistry. Reciprocal visits of junior faculty and students are emphasized to add an international dimension to their activities and to develop international connections early in their careers.This award represents the US side of joint proposals to the NSF and the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). NSF will cover travel funds and living expenses of the US investigators, postdoctoral researchers, graduate and undergraduate students. The CNRS will support visits to US of the French participants. The collaboration will advance understanding of organelle biogenesis and plant development.