Dr. Kadonaga is an outstanding young scientist, with an exemplary research career to date. His credentials are impeccable, his research plan is excellent, and he is already at the forefront of his field. The objective of this award is to examine the relationship between chromatin structure and gene activity in eukaryotes. Recent findings on the mechanism of transcriptional activation by sequence specific factors strongly suggest that dynamic interactions between chromatin and the transcription factors are involved in the regulation of gene expression. These transcriptional "activators" may actually function as antirepressors--that is they appear, at least in part, to counteract repression, stems for reconstitution of chromatin will be developed, and then the resulting chromatin will be used as template for in vitro transcription analysis. These studies should lead to a better understanding of the process of gene activation. %%% The objective of this award is to enhance his research involving examine the relationship between chromatin structure and gene activity in eukaryotes. Interactions between chromatin and the transcription factors are involved in the regulation of gene expression. Transcriptional "activators may actually function to counteract repression of basal transcription by chromatin. Different systems for reconstitution of chromatin will be developed, and then the resulting chromatin will be used as template for in vitro transcription analysis. These studies should lead to a better understanding of the process of gene activation. Dr. Kadonaga is exceptionally broad in his research achievements, as well as in his teaching interests and plans. He will have an important impact on a department as distinguished as UCSD's Biology Department. There is no question that he will be a leader in biological sciences in the future.
