Head: Prof. Joanna Rytka

Group leader: Dr. Robert Gromadka

Staff: Dr. Jacek Nowak, M.Sc. Julita Gruchota, M.Sc. Kamila Maliszewska

Main Research Area:
Functional analysis of newly discovered genes of the Paramecium tetraurelia.
Currently we are screening the Paramecium tetraurelia megabase chromosome for early autogamy-specific genes. We are performing a functional RNAi-based screening of the effect of inactivating their expression. RNA interference is obtained by the method of "feeding", with bacteria which produce double-stranded RNA.


THE ORGANISM
Paramecium tetraurelia
Eukaryota; Alveolata; Ciliophora; Oligohymenophorea; Peniculida; Paramecium
Paramecium is a very large eukaryotic cell (120 micrometers) covered with vibrating cilia. The Ciliates have separate germinal and somatic lineages within a single cytoplasmic unit. These cells possess indeed two nuclei. A germinal nucleus (the micronucleus) is diploid, transcriptionally inactive, contains heterochromatin responsible for the transmission of genetic information via sexual processes. A somatic nucleus (the macronucleus) ensures expression of this information. The macronucleus is derived from the zygotic germline nucleus by programmed DNA rearrangements, is polyploid, has no genetic continuity, consists only of euchromatin, and is the seat of all transcriptional activity.


Research grant:
2007-2010 . Identification and characterization of genes involved in process of autogamy of the ciliate Paramecium tetraurelia (N303 075 32/2520, Ministry of Sciences and Higher Education)
2003-2006 . Genome sequencing and functional analysis of genes of the ciliate Paramecium tetraurelia by application of posttranscryptional silencing of genes used interferring RNA (RNAi) (0284/PO4/2003/25, Ministry of Sciences and Higher Education)

Collaboration:
The European Group of Research (Groupement de Recherches Européen or GDRE) called "Paramecium Genomics" was created for 4 years on July 1st 2002 by the CNRS to promote Parameciuim Genome sequencing, annotation and functional analysis. It has now been renewed for 4 years starting January 1st 2006. The GDRE, coordinated by Jean Cohen at the Centre de Génétique Moléculaire in Gif-sur-Yvette, France, groups six laboratories in France, three in Germany and three in Poland.
GDRE web site

Publications:
  • Aury J.M., Jaillon O., Duret L., Noel B., Jubin C., Porcel B.M., Segurens B., Daubin V., Anthouard V., Aiach N., Arnaiz O., Billaut A., Beisson J., Blanc I., Bouhouche K., Camara F., Duharcourt S., Guigo R., Gogendeau D., Katinka M., Keller A.M., Kissmehl R., Klotz C., Koll F., Le Mouel A., Lepere G., Malinsky S., Nowacki M., Nowak J.K., Plattner H., Poulain J., Ruiz F., Serrano V., Zagulski M., Dessen P., Bétermier M., Weissenbach J., Scarpelli C., Schächter V., Sperling L., Meyer E., Cohen J., Wincker P. Global trends of whole-genome duplications revealed by the ciliate Paramecium tetraurelia. Nature (2006) 444: 171-178
  • Zagulski M, Nowak JK, Le Mouel A, Nowacki M, Migdalski A, Gromadka R, Noel B, Blanc I, Dessen P, Wincker P, Keller AM, Cohen J, Meyer E, Sperling L High coding density on the largest Paramecium tetraurelia somatic chromosome. Curr Biol. 2004; 14:1397-1404.

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