This project provides for participation of a Pakistani young scientist, Ms. A Mateen, in an ongoing research project being conducted at Oakland University. The research aims at the study of the metabolism and degradation of carbofuran, a potentially toxic compound common to many pesticides. The study will be assisted by the development of several mutant derivatives of Pseudomonas sp. (P.sp.), itself a carbofuran degrading bacterium, which have been developed but which do not metabolize the same compound. The study will: First, characterize the mutants of P.sp.50432, by localization of the mutations and the mutant genes, and identification of the degrative gene product. Second, develop gene transfer techniques and vector systems for genetic manipulation in P.sp. 50432 by development of techniques such as transformation, conjugation and electroporation, and construction of cloning and expression vectors capable of replicating in both E. coli and P.sp. 50432. The project includes a visit by the U.S. P.I. to Pakistan to work with Ms. Mateen on a local research program dealing with biodegradation of xenobiotics. Scope: This project brings the expertise of a junior research scientist from the Center of Advanced Molecular Biology (CAMB) of the University of Punjab, Pakistan to work with a senior researcher from Oakland University in Rochester, MI on a topic that is of significant scientific as well as practical interest. The CAMB is one of Pakistan's most dynamic research institutes with a number of young researchers who are beginning to contribute to the world research publications in the fast evolving molecular biology field. The linkage promoted by this project is likely to benefit the two scientists and enhance the potential for useful joint U.S.-Pakistan research in the future.
