Research:Rowan: Difference between revisions
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== <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Meiotic Recombination == | == <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Meiotic Recombination == | ||
=== Intro === | === <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Intro === | ||
<br><br> | <br><br> | ||
One of the advantages of sexual reproduction is the possibility to generate new combinations of alleles. During meiotic recombination, genetic information is swapped between the maternal and paternal chromosomes. This can lead to the expression of new traits. The positions of these genetic exchanges, known as crossovers, occur on average 1-2 times per chromosome across a diverse range of organisms. However, not all positions along a chromosome have an equal probability of crossing over. The patterns of large and fine scale "hotspots" and coldspots" have been the subject of much research in different biological fields. | One of the advantages of sexual reproduction is the possibility to generate new combinations of alleles. During meiotic recombination, genetic information is swapped between the maternal and paternal chromosomes. This can lead to the expression of new traits. The positions of these genetic exchanges, known as crossovers, occur on average 1-2 times per chromosome across a diverse range of organisms. However, not all positions along a chromosome have an equal probability of crossing over. The patterns of large and fine scale "hotspots" and coldspots" have been the subject of much research in different biological fields. | ||
<br><br> | <br><br> | ||
I am using the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, to investigate the genetic factors that influence the position of crossovers at a genome-wide scale. A crossover is generated when the homologous chromosome is used to repair a double-strand break. Although hundreds of double-strand breaks are purposely initiated by the cells that go on to form gametes during meiosis, the vast majority are repaired using mechanisms that do not result in crossovers. | I am using the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, to investigate the genetic factors that influence the position of crossovers at a genome-wide scale. A crossover is generated when the homologous chromosome is used to repair a double-strand break. Although hundreds of double-strand breaks are purposely initiated by the cells that go on to form gametes during meiosis, the vast majority are repaired using mechanisms that do not result in crossovers. | ||
=== Understanding Recombination === | === <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Understanding Recombination === | ||
<br><br> | <br><br> | ||
Through my research, I have developed new approaches to study where and when crossovers occur using next-generation sequencing. The advantage of this approach is that it provides information at high resolution for every position in the genome. | Through my research, I have developed new approaches to study where and when crossovers occur using next-generation sequencing. The advantage of this approach is that it provides information at high resolution for every position in the genome. | ||
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=== Manipulating Recombination === | === <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Manipulating Recombination === | ||
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Once I know more about the proteins that are involved in crossovers, I can experimentally manipulate their activity. By employing this strategy, I can seek answers to the following questions: | Once I know more about the proteins that are involved in crossovers, I can experimentally manipulate their activity. By employing this strategy, I can seek answers to the following questions: | ||
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==== Mapping traits ==== | ==== <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Mapping traits ==== | ||
==== Crop breeding ==== | ==== <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Crop breeding ==== | ||
==== Evolutionary Implications ==== | ==== <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Evolutionary Implications ==== | ||
==== Experimental Evolution ==== | ==== <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Experimental Evolution ==== | ||
=== Recombination and Genome Evolution === | === <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Recombination and Genome Evolution === | ||
== Hybrid Incompatibility == | == <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Hybrid Incompatibility == | ||
=== Intro === | === <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Intro === | ||
=== Genetic Modifiers === | === <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Genetic Modifiers === | ||
=== Environmental Modifiers === | === <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Environmental Modifiers === | ||
== Arabidopsis in Argentina == | == <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Arabidopsis in Argentina == | ||
=== Intro === | === <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Intro === | ||
=== Past and Present populations === | === <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Past and Present populations === | ||
== Working in Weigel World == | == <font face="trebuchet ms" style="color:#ffffff"> Working in Weigel World == | ||
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Revision as of 00:47, 27 August 2014
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Meiotic Recombination
Intro
One of the advantages of sexual reproduction is the possibility to generate new combinations of alleles. During meiotic recombination, genetic information is swapped between the maternal and paternal chromosomes. This can lead to the expression of new traits. The positions of these genetic exchanges, known as crossovers, occur on average 1-2 times per chromosome across a diverse range of organisms. However, not all positions along a chromosome have an equal probability of crossing over. The patterns of large and fine scale "hotspots" and coldspots" have been the subject of much research in different biological fields.
I am using the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, to investigate the genetic factors that influence the position of crossovers at a genome-wide scale. A crossover is generated when the homologous chromosome is used to repair a double-strand break. Although hundreds of double-strand breaks are purposely initiated by the cells that go on to form gametes during meiosis, the vast majority are repaired using mechanisms that do not result in crossovers.
Understanding Recombination
Through my research, I have developed new approaches to study where and when crossovers occur using next-generation sequencing. The advantage of this approach is that it provides information at high resolution for every position in the genome.
These are main questions I would like to answer:
Which proteins promote the formation of crossovers?
Which proteins restrict the formation of crossovers?
What are the mechanisms by which these proteins act?
What are the interactions among proteins that participate in different repair pathways?
Which of these proteins are conserved or variable across different evolutionary timescales?
and ultimately
What determines whether a double strand break will be repaired as a crossover or a non-crossver?
Manipulating Recombination
Once I know more about the proteins that are involved in crossovers, I can experimentally manipulate their activity. By employing this strategy, I can seek answers to the following questions:
