Broad long-term objectives: The broad long-term objectives of this work are to improve our understanding of quantitative traits/genetics and genetic diversity, focusing on specific quantitative traits in S. cerevisiae. Improved understanding of quantitative traits requires better understanding of transcriptional/translational regulation, pleiotropy, phenotypic heterogeneity, and gene-environment interactions, all of which are addressed in this proposal.
Specific Aims :
Specific Aim 1 of this work is to identify in S. cerevisiae quantitative trait loci, quantitative trait genes/nucleotides controlling high temperature growth, mitochondrial genome maintenance, sporulation and flocculation.
Specific Aim 2 of this work is to identify the targets and interactors of two of our high temperature growth quantitative trait genes, MKT1 and SSD1 that are translational regulators.
Specific Aim 3 of this work is to assess the contributions of our quantitative trait genes in multiple genetic backgrounds. Relevance: The understanding of quantitative traits requires better understanding of transcriptional/translational regulation, pleiotropy, phenotypic heterogeneity, and gene-environment interactions. The health relatedness of this project is two-fold. First, most of the genetically based disease burden in humans is quantitative in nature. Therefore, an improved understanding of quantitative traits in a simple eukaryote such as yeast will aid the understanding of quantitative traits in humans. Second, S. cerevisiae is an emerging opportunistic pathogen and virulence is a quantitative trait. Therefore, an improved understanding of quantitative traits will aid our understanding of how a harmless commensal/saprophytic yeast can become an opportunistic pathogen.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM081690-04
Application #
7894666
Study Section
Genetic Variation and Evolution Study Section (GVE)
Program Officer
Eckstrand, Irene A
Project Start
2007-08-01
Project End
2012-07-31
Budget Start
2010-08-01
Budget End
2012-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$349,638
Indirect Cost
Name
Duke University
Department
Genetics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
044387793
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705