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Experimental Evolution Of Specialism In A Wild Virus, Alexander Kula
Experimental Evolution Of Specialism In A Wild Virus, Alexander Kula
Master's Theses
A pathogen's ability to successfully replicate and persist within a new host population is fraught with obstacles. While an expanded host-range allows for a greater chance at successful replication, such generalists are typically outcompeted by species which have specialized and adapted host-specific features. Although the most ubiquitous species on earth, very few bacteria-infecting viral species (bacteriophages) with truly broad host-ranges have been identified; this is partially due to the fact that only a small fraction of bacteria (and thus likely hosts) are amenable to laboratory conditions. Nevertheless, the processes of expanding as well as narrowing host-range are not well understood …
Dna Methylation Patterns Of Specific L1 Loci On The Short Arm Of Chromosome 21, Sarah Ann Tincher
Dna Methylation Patterns Of Specific L1 Loci On The Short Arm Of Chromosome 21, Sarah Ann Tincher
Master's Theses
While 10-15% of the human genome is composed of heterochromatic DNA, these regions are not included in the completed genome sequence. The short arm of chromosome 21 (HC21p) serves as a model for understanding the structure and function of heterochromatin. LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposons are underrepresented in heterochromatin, including HC21p, and have not been extensively studied in these regions. However, there are disproportionately more full length L1s on HC21p than in euchromatic genomic regions. Decreased DNA methylation in the promoters of these L1s on HC21p may allow them to facilitate heterochromatin formation, which would be analogous to their proposed role in …