Section: Rotations

Allan Jacobson, Ph.D.

Academic Role: Professor

Faculty Appointment(s) In:
   Molecular Genetics and Microbiology

Other Affiliation(s):
   Interdisciplinary Graduate Program

Rotation Projects

Gene Chip Analysis of Post-transcriptional Regulatory Events. Using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system, we have identified several genes that regulate key steps in the pathways of mRNA decay. We are now seeking to determine whether these regulatory genes affect the stability of all cellular mRNAs, or just selected subsets of mRNAs. If the latter is true, we anticipate that structural comparisons of mRNAs that are or are not substrates of a given regulator should provide considerable insight into the mechanism of action of that regulator. To facilitate such global analyses of the behavior of all cellular mRNAs, we will exploit a new technology, gene chip analysis, and a new core facility established in our lab. The DNA chips (or high density DNA microarrays) allow the simultaneous analysis of all yeast mRNAs in a single experiment. For a rotation project, these chips would be used to monitor the levels of all yeast mRNAs in selected mRNA decay mutants and these levels would be compared to those obtained in wild-type strains. The student undertaking this project would learn about yeast genetics, RNA manipulation, gene chip analysis, intensive data analysis, and, ultimately, would gain insight into the mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation in yeast and mammalian cells.

Office: S5-117
Phone: 508-856-2442
E-mail: Allan.Jacobson@umassmed.edu
Keywords: Genetic Systems, Gene Expression

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