Dr. Andy Klocko, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, just received notification that his grant proposal to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS, an institute within the National Institutes of Health, NIH) was successful. The award for the project, entitled “Genome topology in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa: organizing factors and impact on genome function,” is for $420,000 over 3 years. This competitive award was funded through the R15 AREA (Research Enhancement Award) mechanism; from the NIH website: The R15 mechanism “supports small-scale research projects at educational institutions that provide baccalaureate or advanced degrees for a significant number of the Nation’s research scientists but that have not been major recipients of NIH support.”
Project Narrative (from the grant proposal):
The proper organization of genomic DNA in eukaryotic nuclei is absolutely essential for correct control of gene expression, resulting in the appropriate growth of cells; in fact, genome disorder has been known to contribute to the formation of human diseases, such as cancer. However, our understanding of how genome organization contributes to the correct functioning of nuclear processes, and the factors involved in this organization, is minimal and represents a critical gap of knowledge where further research is warranted. The research proposed within this application will characterize the underlying factors necessary for organizing the chromosomes in eukaryotes and will examine the outcomes on organization following genome disorder.