Project Director

Barbosa, Jose

Department Examiner

Kovach, Margaret; Sharma, Ritu

Department

Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a model organism within molecular genetics, is also known for its broad role within baking, brewing, biofuel, and pharmaceutical industries. An unpublished study at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga observed decreased cell viability in an ILV1 Knockout strain of S. cerevisiae when exposed to environmental stressors. A subsequent study at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga found expression levels of the candidate genes to be significantly altered within the ILV1 Knockout strain relative to the BY4743 Wildtype strain, demonstrating the reality of a pleiotropic role within ILV1. Now, this study aims to further investigate this peculiar characteristic of ILV1 and role on stress response in S. cerevisiae by analyzing eight candidate genes involved in various metabolic processes. Two strains of S. cerevisiae, a BY4743 Wildtype and ILV1 Knockout, were subjected to identical stress conditions (salinity, osmotic, oxidative, and heat) and RNA was individually extracted from each trial of yeast cells, converted into cDNA, and analyzed through quantitative Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The results of this study demonstrate minimal significant variation in candidate gene expression levels between the ILV1 Knockout and the BY4743 Wildtype strains. These results do not entirely support the pleiotropic nature of ILV1 and instead challenge the pleiotropic hypothesis of ILV1, warranting further investigation into the nature of ILV1.

Acknowledgments

I must first thank Dr. Barbosa for the mentorship, guidance, and enjoyment he has so willingly provided to not only my research, but to my collegiate career as a whole. Barely knowing me, a naive genetics student, Dr. Barbosa had no reason to accept me into his laboratory, yet there is no telling how different my life would be if it were not for that decision. I have cherished all of our discussions, valuing the wisdom, insight, and encouragement that he has poured into me for the past few years. I want to also thank all of my peers within Dr. Barbosa’s lab that have made the countless hours spent together so enjoyable, memorable, and special. I have truly appreciated the relationships built within the walls of Holt Hall Room 115 and cannot wait to see the success of these friends as they move forward. Lastly, I have so much gratitude for Dr. Margaret Kovach and Dr. Ritu Sharma and all the guidance they have put into this project. Thank you for being a part of my thesis committee and for willingly giving your time and honest counsel throughout the duration of this process.

Degree

B. S.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science.

Date

5-2025

Subject

Fungi--Genetics; Fungal gene expression; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Yeast fungi--Genetic engineering

Keyword

yeast; ILV1; stress; regulation; expression

Discipline

Molecular Genetics

Document Type

Theses

Extent

i, 69 leaves

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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