This $400,000 Project Grant, awarded by the National Science Foundation's Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074), supports research to investigate the molecular factors and mechanisms that regulate heterochromatin formation in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The principal objectives are to: (1) test the role of the Elongator complex in regulating heterochromatic small interfering RNAs, (2) determine the nuclear localization functions of the Elongator complex, and (3) investigate how the Elongator complex regulates RNA interference. This research will provide novel insights into how an ancient protein complex controls small interfering RNAs, which is important for the establishment of heterochromatin. The project will also train undergraduate and graduate students from underrepresented populations in genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry, and broadly disseminate genetic and epigenetic principles to K-12 students. The research award period is from August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2026.
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