CAREER: Toward the Genetics of Meiosis: Integration of Meiotic Molecular Biology and Public School Science Outreach

本项目采用遗传学、细胞生物学和分子生物学相结合的方法，确定小鼠基因Cyclin B1相互作用蛋白1 （Ccnb1IP1）在雌雄减数分裂过程中的结构和功能。本研究有三个组成部分：(1)确定Ccnb1IP1的完整基因和信使RNA转录本结构；(2)确定小鼠减数分裂过程中Ccnb1IP1参与的特异性蛋白-蛋白相互作用；(3)确定雌性减数分裂中染色体缺陷的程度和原因。这项研究将通过提供一个新的小鼠研究资源，通过阐明通过减数分裂进展所必需的蛋白质网络，并通过确定女性减数分裂的关键成分，推进减数分裂生物学领域的知识。这项工作代表了对研究界的重要贡献，因为它增加了对减数分裂的理解，减数分裂是通过有性生殖产生生命多样性的一个至关重要的过程。更广泛的影响本项目描述了一个进行最先进的分子生物学研究并将该研究纳入当地公立学校课程的项目。米德尔伯里学院（Middlebury College）的本科生将开发并配备一个推广项目，使用一个名为“基因马车”（Gene Wagon）的移动DNA实验室，作为本科生研究项目的一个组成部分。学生们将前往当地学校，并与当地教师合作，设计和实施基于遗传学的教育实验室。此外，该项目将通过每年夏天直接参与小学研究来吸引公立学校教师。这个项目将提高一个贫困率很高的学区对生物学的兴趣和学习。这个项目对社会的好处是，减数分裂的基础研究将提供有关生物体如何繁殖、产生遗传多样性以及它们如何进化的基本信息。此外，首席研究员将培养教师和学生成为成功的科学家。社区外展计划将直接影响到所有当地学生，但将特别有利于农村贫困人口。作为一种模式，该方案还将有助于促进该地区其他此类推广方案的实施。

Scientific ResearchThis project uses a combination of genetics, cell biology, and molecular biology to determine the structure and function of the mouse gene Cyclin B1 interacting protein 1 (Ccnb1IP1) during male and female meiosis. This research has three components: (1) to determine the complete gene and messenger RNA transcript structure for Ccnb1IP1, (2) to determine specific protein-protein interactions involving CCNB1IP1 during meiosis in mice, and (3) to identify the extent and cause of chromosomal defects in female meiosis. This research will advance knowledge across the field of meiotic biology by providing a new mouse resource for study, by elucidating the protein networks necessary for progression through meiosis, and by determining the key constituents of female meiosis. This work represents an important contribution to the research community because it increases the understanding of meiosis, a process of central importance for the generation of life's diversity through sexual reproduction.Broader ImpactsThis project describes a program to conduct state-of-the-art molecular biological research and to integrate that research into the curricula of local public schools. An outreach program will be developed and staffed by Middlebury College undergraduate students, using a mobile DNA lab called the Gene Wagon, as an integral part of the undergraduate research program. Students will travel to local schools and, in collaboration with local teachers, will design and implement genetics-based educational laboratories. Additionally, this project will engage public school teachers through direct participation in primary research each summer. This project will improve interest and learning in biology in a school district with high rates of students below the poverty level. The benefits to society of this project are that basic research in meiosis will provide fundamental information regarding how organisms reproduce, generate genetic diversity, and as a result how they evolve. Further the principal investigator will be preparing teachers and students to succeed as scientists. The community outreach program will directly affect all local students but will be particularly beneficial to the rural poor. As a model, this program will also serve to stimulate the implementation of other such outreach programs in the area.