Research:Rowan
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Meiotic Recombination
Intro
Meiotic Recombination
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
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
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:
