9506881 Haselkorn The objective of this U.S.-Czech joint research project between Dr. Robert Haselkorn of the University of Chicago and Dr. Vaclav Paces of the Czech Institute of Molecular Genetics is to clone and sequence particular fragments of the chromosome from three strains of the bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus. This bacterium is purple and non-photosynthetic and useful in studies of carotenoid biosynthesis, photochemical reactions centers, and nitrogen fixation. The fragments to be characterized and cloned by the researchers contain the junctions created by large-scale chromosomal rearrangements and changes. The collaborative effort should yield new knowledge about the bacterium's nucleotide sequences and may help determine the mechanisms of these rearrangements. Results would further our basic understanding of genome plasticity and evolution. This project in microbial genetics fulfills the program objective of advancing scientific knowledge by enabling leading experts in the United States and Eastern Europe to combine complementary talents and pool research resources in areas of strong mutual interest and competence. ***
