Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Microbial Biology for FY 2000

Ward, Doyle V, Berkeley CA

Investigators

Abstract

This action funds an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Microbial Biology for 2000. The research and training plan is in the area of Biomolecular Processes and is entitled "Understanding Bacterial Injection of DNA into Other Cells". The bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens injects DNA into plant cells via a type IV transporter "syringe", transforming the plant and creating a more favorable habitat for itself. Type IV transporters are multi-protein, bacterial membrane-associated complexes that attach to the recipient cell and bring it into close proximity with the host. They have not been well studied. This research examines the protein-protein interactions involved in type IV transporters using yeast two-hybrid assays and will construct a high-resolution protein map and determine the specific amino acid residues required for interaction. The functional significance of the peptide interactions will be confirmed in-vivo, and conservation of the peptide functions in other transporter systems will be examined. This research may be valuable to genetic engineering for industrial and agricultural uses, as well as identification of targets for disease intervention.