Project 171512
Influence of homing endonucleases on gene structure and function
Influence of homing endonucleases on gene structure and function
Project Information
| Study Type: | Other Mechanistic_Study |
| Therapeutic Area: | Genetics |
| Research Theme: | Biomedical |
| Disease Area: | N/A |
| Data Type: | Canadian |
Institution & Funding
| Principal Investigator(s): | Edgell, David R |
| Institution: | University of Western Ontario |
| CIHR Institute: | Genetics |
| Program: | |
| Peer Review Committee: | New Investigators C |
| Competition Year: | 2008 |
| Term: | 5 yrs 0 mth |
Abstract Summary
A significant fraction of the genome of any organism is composed of mobile genetic elements, discrete units of nucleic acid that promote their own spread within and between genomes. Commonly referred to as selfish or junk DNA, mobile elements have profound influences on evolution by promoting genomic rearrangements that can be both beneficial and deleterious to organisms. Mobile elements can impact on human health in a number of ways, by inserting into genes and disrupting function, by influencing expression of genes, and by promoting dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes. The goal of our research is to determine how mobile elements regulate their activity so that they do no effect genomic integrity. Results from our research will lead to a greater understanding of the dynamic interplay between mobile elements and genomes, and identify cellular mechanisms that regulate spread of mobile elements and minimize deleterious effects on gene structure and function.
Research Characteristics
This project includes the following research characteristics:
Study Justification
"The goal of our research is to determine how mobile elements regulate their activity so that they do no effect genomic integrity."
Novelty Statement
"Results from our research will lead to a greater understanding of the dynamic interplay between mobile elements and genomes, and identify cellular mechanisms that regulate spread of mobile elements and minimize deleterious effects on gene structure and function."
Methodology Innovation
investigating the regulation of mobile genetic elements (homing endonucleases) and their impact on genome structure and function