Department of Genetics In Ecology

European Project: Sulfolobus, a model archaeon for studying the origin of eukaryotes and the development of their information processing systems.

Duration: 01.10.2007 - 30.04.2011

FUNDING

PARTICIPANTS

The evolution of Life on Earth has resulted in three fundamentally distinct classes of organisms: the eukaryotic domain and two prokaryotic domains, the bacteria and the more recently discovered archaea. Comparative genomics and biochemical analyses have indicated that the prokaryotic archaea and the eukaryotes are closely related with respect to cellular information processing systems, such as replication & repair, transcription & translation, as well as protein modification & turnover. The SOLAR project aims at the identification and functional characterization of proteins that play crucial roles in information processing, not only to learn about these systems in archaea, but also to understand the functionality of their more complex eukaryotic counterparts.

Sulfolobus solfataricus is a thermophilic archaeon that serves as a model organism since its complete genome sequence, genetic systems, and functional genomics tools have recently been established by active participation of the applicants’ groups. Key proteins of S. solfataricus will be analysed (i) by monitoring global phenotypes (transcriptome, proteome) wild-type and to-be-generated mutant strains (silenced or enhanced expression of selected target genes), (ii) by identifying in vivo interactions of potential regulators with proteins and DNA fragments, and (iii) by in vitro functional characterization of selected regulatory proteins and their target proteins and/or DNA.

Ultimately, this study will reveal relevant details of the processing of genetic information in archaea and eukaryotes, by (i) elucidating the key proteins and their interactions, (ii) gaining insight in the mechanism and regulation of these complexes, and (iii) and providing details on the evolution of the well-conserved archaeal-eukaryal information processing systems. The Partners of the proposed SOLAR Project have been selected on the basis of excellent scientific track records, previous successful collaborations, as well as very good teaching skills. Overall the proposed MC RTN will provide a unique European research and training programme, for young scientific talents.