This project is intended to identify and characterize active transposable elements (TEs) in tetraploid cotton. The recent polyploidization of cotton (1-2 million years ago) was likely accompanied by massive genome reorganization, which may have been mediated by the wide spread activation and proliferation of several TEa. Any elements that were mobilized by polyploidization may still be active in existing tetraploid cotton species. The characterization of those elements will provide insight into transposon movement and their relation to polyploid formation. The existence of both tetraploid and diploid cotton species provides a unique organism for this study. The procedures to be incorporated in this project include RT-PCR and Transposon Display (TD). Since retro-elements are generally the most abundant TEs in large genomes, they could likely have the greatest impact on the genomic reorganization that accompanies polyploidization. RT-PCR provides a means of identifying the RNA intermediates that result from each retro-element transposition. Meanwhile, TD allows the following of new or recent transposon movement. The coordination of the two techniques should provide a powerful mechanism of identifying TEs that may have been activated by polyploidization.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32GM065009-02
Application #
6622333
Study Section
Biological Sciences 2 (BIOL)
Program Officer
Wolfe, Paul B
Project Start
2002-02-01
Project End
Budget Start
2003-02-01
Budget End
2004-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$46,420
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Georgia
Department
Other Basic Sciences
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
004315578
City
Athens
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30602