Molecular Genetics of Nuclear-Cytoplasmic Interactions in Maize
Postdoctoral Research Associate available August 1. The candidate
will be responsible for the isolation and functional characterization
of nuclear (Rf) genes that mediate mitochondrial RNA processing and
the restoration of male fertility in T-cytoplasm maize. Male
sterility in T-cytoplasm maize is due to the presence of a novel
mitochondrial gene, T-urf13. Full (or partial) fertility restoration
of T-cytoplasm is mediated by one of three (Rf1, Rf8, or Rf*) nuclear
restorers, in combination with the Rf2 restorer. Rf2 encodes a
protein highly similar to mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenases;
Rf1-, Rf8-,and Rf* each mediate discrete T-urf13 transcript
processing events. This USDA/NRI-funded project is to physically
characterize the genomic region spanning Rf1, use AFLP-transposon
display to clone and characterize additional mutant alleles of Rf1,
and to test the functionality of candidate Rf1 sequences via our
newly developed T-cytoplasm, transformation system. The candidate
will have access to a wide array of rf1-m mutants and recombinant
populations as well as BAC library resources and high-throughput
sequencing capability.
Literature references:
Wise, RP, CL Dill, and PS Schnable. 1996. Mutator-induced mutations
of the rf1 nuclear fertility restorer of T-cytoplasm maize alter the
accumulation of T-urf13 mitochondrial transcripts. Genetics
143:1383-1394.
Dill, CL, RP Wise, and PS Schnable. 1997. Rf8 and Rf* mediate unique
T-urf13-transcript accumulation, revealing a conserved motif
associated with RNA processing and restoration of pollen fertility in
T-cytoplasm maize. Genetics 147:1367-1379.
Wise, RP, CR Bronson, PS Schnable, and HT Horner. 1998. The genetics,
pathology, and molecular biology of T-cytoplasm male sterility in
maize. Advances in Agronomy 65: 79-130.
Qualifications:
Ph.D. in genetics, molecular biology, plant physiology, or related
field. Experience in manipulation and cloning of large DNA
fragments, gene mapping, computational analysis, and/or cereal
transformation is desirable. Initial appointment is for two years;
salary starts at $33,026 per year + benefits. Some limitations on
citizenship may apply (see below). Highly motivated individuals
should send curriculum vitae, reprints, and references (name, e-mail,
address, phone, and fax no.) to:
Dr. Roger Wise, USDA-ARS
Department of Plant Pathology
351 Bessey Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA, 50011
Telephone: (515) 294-9756
Fax: (515) 294-9420
E-mail: rpwise at iastate.eduhttp://www.ag.iastate.edu/departments/plantpath/PlantPath.htmlhttp://molebio.iastate.edu/~l_wild/homepage.html
About Iowa State University
Ames (http://www.ames.ia.us/) is a small city of 50,000 people, about
half of who are students
(http://www.demographics.com/publications/ad/98_ad/9801_ad/ad980130.ht
m). Affordable housing is available as well as a first-rate public
transportation system. It is also easy to get around town by
bicycle. The city and the University (http://www.iastate.edu/) have
numerous parks and recreation facilities, and the Iowa State Center,
home of Hilton Coliseum, C.Y. Stephens Auditorium and Fisher Theater,
hosts numerous music concerts, live performances, and athletic events
throughout the year.
[Citizenship limitations on this position (funded through a
NRI-competitive grant to USDA-ARS), requires that it be filled by 1)
citizens of the United States, 2) a citizen of a country which is a
member of a defense treaty, eg., NATO, SEATO, RIO treaty or 3) by
citizens of countries which the U.S. congress has specifically
exempted from the restricting legislation. These countries include:
Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada,
Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic,
Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti,
Honduras, Iceland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,
Philippines, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Tobago, Trinidad, Turkey,
United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Ireland, Israel,
(South Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian refuges paroled into the
U.S. after January 1, 1975), (Aliens from Cuba, Poland, South
Vietnam, countries of the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, and
Lithuania admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence), (Natives of
Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands), and (Nationals
of the Peoples Republic of China that were in the U.S. on or before
June 5, 1989 up until April 11, 1990, and qualify under the Chinese
student protection act of 1992)]
_____________________________
Roger Wise, USDA-ARS
Department of Plant Pathology
409 Bessey Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA
50011-1020 USA
Phone: 515-294-9756
Fax: 515-294-9420
E-mail: rpwise at iastate.edu
_____________________________
