Characterization of a growth regulator of epigenetically repressed chromatin domains
Bassem Al-Sady, Professor
UC San Francisco
Applications for Fall 2024 are closed for this project.
Genes in our genome can be kept in active or inactive states in different cell types. Genes coding for opposing cell types are heritably kept inactive. This is possible because a gene repressive structure called heterochromatin can “grow” over regions containing these genes in some, but not other cell types. Our lab studies the biochemical and genetic mechanisms that direct this growth process. For this, we built a single cell heterochromatin growth sensor in fission yeasts, which harbor the same type of heterochromatin that directs cell fate decisions in us. Using this sensor, we have conducted a genetic screen to isolate growth regulators. One of these regulators is a previously uncharacterized RNA cleavage enzyme. We do not understand the mechanisms by which this gene is engaged in the control on heterochromatin growth. In this project, you will characterize the mechanism of action in the cell of this regulator. This is entirely your project- but you will be trained by and work with the PI and lab members using the same technique in the lab. The final output of your project could be a publication.
Role: Your tasks will be to perform yeast genetics and flow cytometry approaches to reproduce the phenotype of the gene deletion of this growth regulator and you will use molecular biology techniques such as quantitative PCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation to test hypotheses about this growth regulator’s activity. As a learning outcome you will become proficient in yeast genetics, advanced molecular biology and flow cytometry. You also will be introduced to coding and our custom R codes we use to analyze the single cell reporter data. You will regularly present your progress at group meetings and will receive detailed feedback on your presentations. Separately, we teach an in-lab class (workshop, see alsadylab.ucsf.edu) where lab members teach each other important concepts. Should you want you may also teach one such class and receive training in the material and presentation method.
Qualifications: We expect you to have some level of in lab exposure and understand how pipettes work. You should have a basic understanding of molarity, making solutions etc. You should come with some theory background on genetics and molecular biology. We do not expect you to have already tried out yeast molecular genetic techniques or qPCR, ChIP etc. or flow cytometry approaches. We will train you on those.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Ahmed Amine Mergani , Staff Researcher
Hours: to be negotiated
Related website: http://alsadylab.ucsf.edu