18. GOALS FOR FELLOWSHIP TRAINING AND CAREER The ultimate goal of this fellowship training is to create a well-rounded researcher with multidisciplinary training in Genetics and Molecular Biology, as well as provide a broad background in Developmental Biology. To achieve this goal, Dr. Oppenheimer and I have developed a research plan that will incorporate both course work and lab experience. The coursework will provide the framework for the development of problem solving abilities, abstract thinking processes, and creativity. We feel these courses will help me develop into a researcher with extensive analytical thinking abilities. In addition, the proposed fellowship training will provide formal training in classical genetic analysis (single and double mutant isolation, analysis and genetic mapping) and modern molecular techniques (cloning, two-hybrid analysis, construction of transgenic plants). We believe that by participating in research training that develops these skills, while incorporating techniques frequently used in Genetics and Molecular Biology, I will develop into an independent researcher whose training will be an asset to the research community. SPONSOR 19. NAME AND DEGREE(S) Oppenheimer, David G. B.S.Ph.D. 20. POSITION/RANK Assistant Professor 21. RESEARCH INTERESTS/AREAS Genetic and molecular control of plant cell shape, cytoskeltalcontrol of plant cell expansion, plant kinesin function, plant trichome morphogenesis, plant development RESEARCH PROPOSAL 22. DESCRIPTION (Do not exceed space provided) The long-term goal of the proposed research is to gain greater insight into the processes by which cells obtain their shape. Although, the plant Arabidopsis thaliana is the subject of this research proposal, it is possible that the knowledge gained from understandingcell development in plants can be applied to cell development in animals. This is illustrated by one of the genes mentioned in this proposal, ZWI. The ZWI product, KCBP, was previously thought to be confined to the plant kingdom. Recently, a related protein, Kinesin-C, has been identified in animal cells (sea urchin) where it is thought to play a role in development. Therefore, genes that interact with KCBP in plants may have undiscovered counterparts in animal cells. Thus, what is learned from studying the genes that contribute to plant cell shapes may be applicable on a broader scope to humans. The immediate goals of the proposed research are to identify the FRC2 gene product, which is known to control trichome branch number in Arabidopsis, and test the predictions about its function in cell shape development. The specific objectives of the proposed research are: To clone the FRC2 gene and identify its product, to directly test the hypothesis that FRC2 is redundant to both ZWI and FRC4, to test the hypothesis that the FRC2 product interacts with the ZWI product, and to isolate suppressors and/or modifiers of the frc mutation. PHS416-1 (Rev. 12/98) Form Page 2 BB cc NAME (Last, first, middle initial) Individual NRSA Appliq Table of Conte Jeffries, StaceyJ Page Numbers (Number pages consecutively at the bottom throughout the application. Do not use Section 1Applicant suffixes such as 5a,5b.) Face Page (Items 1 -8,.15), Form Page 2 (Items 16-18, 22), and Table of Content ========================================Section End===========================================
