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Coding versus non-coding transcripton- Harmony or tug-of-war?
Master project available in the Marquardt lab at Copenhagen Plant Science Centre
For more info contact: Dr. Peter Kindgren [email protected]
The Question: Most of the DNA in a organism does not code for proteins. Nevertheless, most of the genome is transcribed into non-coding RNA. The roles and rules of the abundant non-coding RNA is largely unknown. This project will elucidate the role of divergent non-coding RNAs that originate from promoters between adjacent genes. There are two hypothesis of how the divergent transcript influences the upstream gene. 1) A repressive role via antisense regulation or 2) An activating role by keeping the DNA accessible. It is your job to find it out.
The Plan: In order to elucidate the role of the divergent transcript, you will use Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with a large piece of DNA inserted in the region of interest. This will disrupt the genomic context of the adjacent genes and block the expression of either the coding or non-coding transcripts. You will also test if environmental factors such as cold temperature or high light have an influence and role of the non-coding expression. There is a large gap of our understanding of transcription dynamics and how important the genomic context is for transcription. Your project will add crucial knowledge to this contemporary biological question.
Gene1 Gene2 DNA
Coding RNA Coding RNA
Non-coding RNARepressive or Activating?
