HRD 9628730 New Mexico State University -- Bernard J. McNamara The proposed research will (1) investigate the long term behavior and energetics of the low mass X- ray binary (LMXB) Sco X-1 (2) recruit highly qualified minority undergraduates into the space sciences (3) involve minority undergraduate science and engineering students in two NASA programs and (4) recruit two undergraduate minority students into the astronomy program at NMSU . The project will use X-ray data obtained by the Compton Gamma- Ray Observatory and the X-ray Timing Explorer as well as optical data obtained at Cerro Tololo InterAmerican Observatory and New Mexico State University. The primary research goal is to obtain a multi-year record of the high energy flux and x-ray color of the LMXB Sco X-1 to search for expected long term emission variations from this system. The high energy data sets will also be combined with optical data to better understand this system s energetics. Abstract HRD -9628568 University of Texas at El Paso ---E.Walsh This RIMI project will attempt to provide a cladistic phylogeny of the major planktonic families using a molecular approach. The goals of the proposed research are to (1) isolate, amplify and sequence nuclear ribosomal DNA from representatives of 13 families of the monogonont rotifers, (2) determine the sister group of the monogononts by obtaining comparable data from four bdelloids and a seisonid, (3) construct cladograms and develop phylogenetic hypotheses using molecular characters (4) compare these results with tree topologies derived from morphological characters and (5) evaluate the placement of the Rotifera within the ex isting metazoan phylogenies based on 18S rDNA sequences. The phylogenetic hypotheses generated by the proposed research can be used to further resolve relationships among rortifers. They will constitute a basis from which to incorporate a historical component into understanding questions of broader evolutionary significance. In addition, the relationships among rotifers and other pseudo coelomate taxa will be explored. ABSTRACT HRD- 9628726 City College of C.U.N.Y. Moore The long term objective of this laboratory research project is to determine mechanisms cells use to maintain normal DNA function. Mutants will be studied to help determine these requirements. The RIMI project will focus on the characterizations mutants isolated in the laboratory on the basis of their hypersensitivities to killing by ionizing radiation, H2O2 , and a radiomimetic family of chemical congeners. This approach will acquire knowledge from interrelated studies at the cellular and molecular levels, using genetic characterizations, molecular biology and biochemistry, DNA sequence analyses, methodologies for studying DNA damage and repair / transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Cloning and characterizing the blm mutants will enable their relationship to already characterized genes to be determined and seems likely to add new knowledge of general importance to fields of DNA repair , metabolism and genetics. A variety of research training experiences will be provided for students at all levels of education including postdoctoral, graduate, undergraduate, and high school. ABSTRACT HRD---9628640 Meharry Medical College---S.Williams This RIMI project will support the establishment of a core facility in computational molecular biology consisting of state of the art equipment and software ( GCG Package and Molecular Simulations Protein Modeling Programs ), and provide training in their use. This facility will be available to all Meharry researchers. Specific research projects critically dependent on nucleic acid and protein analyses to be directly supported by this initiative are (1) identification of motifs that contribute to structure and function of hetero chromatin; (2) analysis of primary structure and folding patterns of RNA and its effects on viral recombination and replication; and (3) analysis of structural effects of site- directed mutations on flavin-containing monooxygenase. ABSTRACT HRD---9628388 Howard University ---M. McKenna Support is sought for the acquisition and installation of controlled environment growth chambers in the biology department greenhouse. The addition of these chambers will significantly increase research capabilities in plant science, aid in recruitment of talented undergraduates , graduate students and new faculty, and provide a facility that can support precollege outreach programs designed to increase the entry of minority students in science careers. The installation of controlled environment chambers will extend and enhance ongoing research in the areas of plant anatomy and development, phytoremediation, plant ecophysiology, plant ecology , plant systematics, mycology, plant molecular biology and genetics . The facility will allow the institution to maintain experimental plant populations over long periods, maintain clones or plant families for genetic experiments , grow source material for cellular and molecular experiments including tissue culture, DNA analysis, and phytoremediation, maintain plants for systematic study , and design experiments under controlled environmental conditions to study cellular, physiological or ecological processes. ABSTRACT HRD 9628514 University of Texas at San Antonio D.Jaffe The primary goal of this RIMI project is to expand the research capabilities of researchers at UTSA with a state of the art computer facility that will satisfy specific needs in molecular sequence analysis and three dimensional image processing. Studies that utilize molecular biological methods regularly produce data that need to be analyzed by comparison against large databases of existing sequences for similarities. pattern searching algorithms are used to unveil nonrandom sequence features that may be of biological relevance. Two computer workstations will be used to carry out molecular sequence analysis using the Intelligenetics Suite, a comprehensive molecular biology software package providing access to sequence databases worldwide and a broad spectrum of sequence analysis tools. The second half of the Computational Biology Facility will focus on cellular anatomy and physiology. Characterization of cellular morphology is critical, for understanding physiological function. Confocal microscopy permits the examination of cellular morphology in three dimensions. In addition
