Math 297/Biol 497

Biomolecular Computing in Nature

Projects: Hatton. Results of hi, ld and dlad.

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Abstract:

Using the operations ld, hi, and dlad, a complete pre-chromosome fragmentation macronuclear gene can be derived from its micronuclear precursor. The invariant theorem essentially states that between any two different combinations of ld, hi, and dlad operations which both yield a complete macronuclear version, the resulting molecules will be identical. Since the form of the final pre-chromosome fragmentation macronuclear version is independent of the specific operations used, the form of the original micronuclear version must determine this form.

My project will consist in finding, if possible, some theorem that will tell what properties of a micronuclear version determine the structure of its pre-chromosome fragmentation macronuclear counterpart. Ideally, such a theorem would make it possible to predict the following things given only the structure of the micronuclear gene: whether the resulting macronuclear gene will be linear or circular; whether there will be plasmids left over after the formation of the macronuclear gene and, if so, how many; and whether there will be sequences containing IESs and pointers left on either end of the macronuclear gene and, if so, where they will be.