9303456 Cole Newly isolated mutations that cause specific lesions during conjugal development in Tetrahymena thermophila will be characterized by fluoresence and immunofluorescence microscopy in combination with double-mutant analysis. The analysis should identify significant developmental checkpoints as well as the necessary and sufficient conditions for passing such checkpoints.The biochemical control of chromatin condensation will be studied by the use of conjugal-block mutants in collaboration with Dr. David Allis. Conjugation mutations that produce 100% penetrant conjugal-arrest phenotypes will be used to isolate secon- site suppressor mutations in order to expand the genetic base of our investigation. As possible, developmentally important genes which complement conjugal-block phenotypes will be cloned. %%% Tetrahymna thermophila is a genetically complex but approachable experimental system which can be induced to undergo conjugation between two compatible mating types. This process will be dissected by genetic and microscopic analysis and, when possible, developmentally important genes will be cloned and preliminarily characterized. Undergraduate students will be involved in the research. ***
