The role of viruses and virus-like elements in gene exchange

这里提出的研究对于理解病毒在细胞间遗传物质运动中所起的作用很重要。这种基因交换现象对地球上目前的生命状态有着重大的影响。这是细菌改变基因组成的主要机制。这可能对高等生物也很重要。为了解决这些更大的问题，我使用了一个特定的模型系统，光合细菌荚膜红杆菌的基因转移剂。该模型微生物系统适用于许多基本的分子遗传学技术，为本研究提供了便利，使其成为一个合适的研究系统。本研究的短期目标是描述一种病毒样基因转移系统的功能，并评估这种系统和相关系统在自然环境中的流行程度。了解基因转移因子是确定病毒介导的基因转移的普遍性和重要性的重要和现实的一步，这是本研究的长期目标。这项研究使用了显微镜、遗传学和生物信息学领域的现代技术。从这一特定系统的研究中获得的知识属于细菌遗传学的一般范畴，但这项研究的最终目的是解决病毒在基因流动中更大范围的全球参与。这项研究将有助于我们对微生物遗传学和多样性的理解。它还将通过培训学生和科学家使加拿大受益，这些学生和科学家随后可以利用他们的培训从事卫生科学、工业或学术界的职业。

The research proposed here is important for understanding the role that viruses play in the movement of genetic material between cells. This phenomenon of genetic exchange has significant consequences for the current state of life on Earth. It is a major mechanism by which bacteria change their genetic makeup. It may turn out to be important for higher organisms as well. To address these larger questions, I use a specific model system, the Gene Transfer Agent of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus. This model microbiological system is amenable to many essential molecular genetic techniques, facilitating this research and making it a suitable study system. The short-term goal of this research is to characterize how one virus-like gene transfer system functions, and to assess the prevalence of this and related systems in natural environments. Understanding the Gene Transfer Agent is an important and realistic step towards determining the prevalence and importance of virus-mediated gene transfer, the long-term goal of this research. This research uses modern techniques in the areas of microscopy, genetics and bioinformatics. The knowledge gained from study of this specific system falls within the general category of bacterial genetics, but the research aims to ultimately address the larger global involvement of viruses in gene flow. This research will contribute to our understanding of microbial genetics and diversity. It will also benefit Canada through the training of students and scientists who can then use their training for careers in health sciences, industry or academics.