The molecular genetics of resistance: surviving environmental stress

该提案的重点是对包括微生物、昆虫和植物在内的各种模式生物适应环境胁迫的分子遗传学分析。所要研究的应力对本世纪的问题是至关重要的：温度变化和潜在的污染物。预计气候变化将增加冻融温度变化的次数，特别是在北方。因此，研究在这些条件下结合冰晶并帮助保护生物体的蛋白质是非常及时的。现代生物化学和遗传学技术现在可以识别和表征这些蛋白质及其相互作用。事实上，我们发现的冰结合蛋白质的替代气体水合物底物已经引起了人们的兴趣，它现在正在开辟一个新的研究领域。同时，我们雄心勃勃地提议通过“敲除”适当的基因来直接检查这些蛋白质对生物体生存的贡献。第二个新的倡议是由于我们对最近用于包括食品和包装在内的许多消费品的人造纳米颗粒（NP）的扩散以及NP污染可能性的增加的担忧。由于土壤污染在高纬度地区可能最为严重，因此将首先研究北方的土壤。此外，由于我们以前已经开发了一种新的昆虫出生缺陷模型，该系统将用于确定NP摄入是否会产生代际后果。这个跨学科的研究计划是专门为学生学员设计的，每年有6名毕业生，2名本科生，一名技术学院学员，可变数量的暑期学生和一名研究助理的实验。其他学员也将有机会进入实验室，以激发他们对研究的兴趣或帮助实现自己的研究目标。这种试验性活动将直接有助于培训高素质的加拿大青年。此外，拟议调查的结果将直接导致对加拿大作为一个北方国家特别重要的压力的进一步了解，以及开始处理缓解努力所需的一些工具。

The focus of this proposal is the molecular genetic analysis of adaptation to environmental stress in a variety of model organisms including microbes, insects and plants. The stresses to be studied are critically important to problems of this century: temperature changes and potential pollutants. Climate change is predicted to increase the number of freeze-thaw temperature changes, particularly in the north. Thus a study of proteins that bind ice crystals and help protect organisms under these conditions is very timely. Modern biochemical and genetic technologies now make it possible to identify and characterize these proteins and their interactions. Indeed, our discoveries of alternative, gas hydrate substrates for ice-binding proteins has created such interest that it is now opening a new field of enquiry. As well, we are ambitiously proposing to directly examine the contribution of these proteins to an organism's survival by "knocking out" the appropriate genes. A second, new initiative has been prompted by our concern about the recent proliferation of manufactured nanoparticles (NPs) for a host of consumer goods including foods and packaging, and thus the increased probability of NP pollution. Since soil contamination may be most acute at high latitudes, northern soils will be studied initially. In addition, since we have previously developed a novel birth defect model in insects, this system will be used to determine if NP ingestion can have inter-generational consequences. This interdisciplinary program of research has been specifically designed to be accessible and engaging for student trainees, with the experiments of 6 graduates, 2 undergraduates, a technical college trainee, variable numbers of summer students and a research assistant supported every year. Other trainees will also have access to the laboratory either to pique their interest in research or to assist with their own research goals. Such experimental activity will contribute directly to the training of highly qualified young Canadians. In addition, results of the proposed investigation will directly result in an increased understanding of stresses that are particularly important for Canada as a northern country, as well as some of the tools required to begin to address mitigation efforts.