Molecular Genetics of Nuclear-Cytoplasmic Interactions in Maize
Postdoctoral Research Associate available August 1. The candidate will be
responsible for the isolation and functional characterization of nuclear
(Rf) genes that mediate mitochondrial RNA processing and the restoration
of male fertility in T-cytoplasm maize. Male sterility in T-cytoplasm
maize is due to the presence of a novel mitochondrial gene, T-urf13. Full
(or partial) fertility restoration of T-cytoplasm is mediated by one of
three (Rf1, Rf8, or Rf*) nuclear restorers, in combination with the Rf2
restorer. Rf2 encodes a protein highly similar to mitochondrial aldehyde
dehydrogenases; Rf1-, Rf8-,and Rf* each mediate discrete T-urf13 transcript
processing events. This USDA/NRI-funded project is to physically
characterize the genomic region spanning Rf1, use AFLP-transposon display
to clone and characterize additional mutant alleles of Rf1, and to test the
functionality of candidate Rf1 sequences via our newly developed
T-cytoplasm, transformation system. The candidate will have access to a
wide array of rf1-m mutants and recombinant populations as well as BAC
library resources and high-throughput sequencing capability.
Literature references:
Wise, RP, CL Dill, and PS Schnable. 1996. Mutator-induced mutations of the
rf1 nuclear fertility restorer of T-cytoplasm maize alter the accumulation
of T-urf13 mitochondrial transcripts. Genetics 143:1383-1394.
Dill, CL, RP Wise, and PS Schnable. 1997. Rf8 and Rf* mediate unique
T-urf13-transcript accumulation, revealing a conserved motif associated
with RNA processing and restoration of pollen fertility in T-cytoplasm
maize. Genetics 147:1367-1379.
Wise, RP, CR Bronson, PS Schnable, and HT Horner. 1998. The genetics,
pathology, and molecular biology of T-cytoplasm male sterility in maize.
Advances in Agronomy 65: 79-130.
Qualifications:
Ph.D. in genetics, molecular biology, plant physiology, or related field.
Experience in manipulation and cloning of large DNA fragments, gene
mapping, computational analysis, and/or cereal transformation is desirable.
Initial appointment is for two years; salary starts at $33,026 per year +
benefits. Some limitations on citizenship may apply (see below). Highly
motivated individuals should send curriculum vitae, reprints, and
references (name, e-mail, address, phone, and fax no.) to:
Dr. Roger Wise, USDA-ARS
Department of Plant Pathology
351 Bessey Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA, 50011
Telephone: (515) 294-9756
Fax: (515) 294-9420
E-mail: rpwise at iastate.eduhttp://www.ag.iastate.edu/departments/plantpath/PlantPath.htmlhttp://molebio.iastate.edu/~l_wild/homepage.html
About Iowa State University
Ames (http://www.ames.ia.us/) is a small city of 50,000 people, about half
of who are students
(http://www.demographics.com/publications/ad/98_ad/9801_ad/ad980130.htm).
Affordable housing is available as well as a first-rate public
transportation system. It is also easy to get around town by bicycle. The
city and the University (http://www.iastate.edu/) have numerous parks and
recreation facilities, and the Iowa State Center, home of Hilton Coliseum,
C.Y. Stephens Auditorium and Fisher Theater, hosts numerous music concerts,
live performances, and athletic events throughout the year.
[Citizenship limitations on this position (funded through a NRI-competitive
grant to USDA-ARS), requires that it be filled by 1) citizens of the United
States, 2) a citizen of a country which is a member of a defense treaty,
eg., NATO, SEATO, RIO treaty or 3) by citizens of countries which the U.S.
congress has specifically exempted >from the restricting legislation.
These countries include: Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, Bolivia,
Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti,
Honduras, Iceland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,
Philippines, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Tobago, Trinidad, Turkey, United
Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Ireland, Israel, (South
Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian refuges paroled into the U.S. after
January 1, 1975), (Aliens from Cuba, Poland, South Vietnam, countries of
the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania admitted to the
U.S. for permanent residence), (Natives of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the
Northern Mariana Islands), and (Nationals of the Peoples Republic of China
that were in the U.S. on or before June 5, 1989 up until April 11, 1990,
and qualify under the Chinese student protection act of 1992)]
_____________________________
Roger Wise, USDA-ARS
Department of Plant Pathology
409 Bessey Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA
50011-1020 USA
Phone: 515-294-9756
Fax: 515-294-9420
E-mail: rpwise at iastate.edu
_____________________________
