Establishing Gene Regulatory Networks in Baculoviridae

• Grant number: 09/02730-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2009
• End date: January 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Paolo Marinho de Andrade Zanotto
• Grantee: Hagit Katzov
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Baculoviruses are important biocontrol agents and biological vectors. Despite insights into their genome structure from sequencing studies, our understanding of gene regulation, interaction, and function is limited. The proposed project focuses on modeling gene regulatory networks (GRN) in the Baculoviridae family. This will be accomplished through innovative in-silico bioinformatic strategies to define a transcription regulatory model defined by its regulatory motifs. The results of this project will provide the information necessary to predict gene function and contribute to our understanding on the regulators of transcription. The research question guiding this project is: What are the gene regulatory networks and motifs in baculoviruses that can predict gene function? Specific hypotheses: 1.Gene regulatory networks in baculoviruses are modular, robust and consist of recurring elements 1.2.Baculovirus gene regulatory networks are constructed by a small set of gene regulatory motifs, which provide the building blocks for the gene regulatory network. 1.3.Baculovirus gene function can be predicted by combining gene regulatory modules and phylogenetic data. The gene regulatory network modeled in this study will provide a framework for the description and analysis of complex regulatory mechanisms in Baculoviridae.