An NSF funded position is available to work on the evolution of
ciliate genomes, focusing on the class Phyllopharyngea. This
ciliate class is comprised of four major groups, including the
bizarre suctorians -- suctorians lack cilia as adults and give 'live
birth' to ciliated embryos that they 'brood' in a variety of unusual
structures.
Like all ciliates, phyllopharyngeans contain two distinct genomes:
a
transcriptionally-inactive 'germline' micronucleus and a
transcriptionally-active macronucleus. We have already
demonstrated
that in at least some members of the class Phyllopharyngea,
chromosomes in the macronucleus have been extensively processed to
generate 'gene-sized' chromosomes (chromosomes that contain one
gene, a short untranslated region and telomeres).
The aim of this project is three fold:
(1) use multi-gene genealogies to determine relationships among
Phyllopharyngeans (2) describe the evolution of reproductive
strategies in suctorians (3) further characterize the genome
structure of the macronucleus and micronucleus in these taxa
Methods include light microscopy, molecular techniques, field work
(collections) and bioinformatics. Facilities are also available for
electron and confocal microscopy. Applicants should have previous
experience with basic microscopy and/or molecular biology.
Graduate students working on this project matriculate through the
Organismic and Evolutionary Biology program at UMass.
http://www.bio.umass.edu/oeb/oeb.html
Please contact me for more information.
Laura Katz
Faculty member: Graduate Program in Organismic and Evolutionary
Biology, Umass-Amherst Assistant Professor: Department of Biology,
Smith College Email: LKatz at Smith.edu Phone: 413-585-3825 --
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