This project supports living expenses for a scientist from India to participate in research at the laboratory of Dr. Bruce Geller at Oregon State University. The Indian scientist, Dr. S.K. Babu of the Department of Dairy Bacteriology, College of Dairy Science, Udaipur, India, is to study the molecular mechanism of bacteriophage infections of lactic acid bacteria Lactococcus lactis. This species of bacteria is required to make many varieties of cheese, including the most common variety in the U.S. Dr. Babu will clone and sequence spontaneously-occuring mutants in the gene required for bacteriophage infection. He will make copies of the mutant genes by polymerase chain reaction. Total chromosomal DNA from each of the spontaneous mutants in this gene will serve as the hybridization template for the polymerase chain reaction. Scope: This project helps a U.S. scientist who is carrying on work of significant relevance to the U.S. industry, through participation of a qualified young Indian scientist. It also helps the Indian scientist by his involvement in a multifaceted research program and learning new techniques that he can implement later in his home institute.
