Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!uunet!bionet!phoenix.cambridge.ac.uk!JMH14 From: JMH14@phoenix.cambridge.ac.uk Newsgroups: bionet.jobs Subject: Postdoc position Message-ID: Date: 22 Jun 89 13:01:47 GMT Sender: daemon@NET.BIO.NET Lines: 56 UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS ENGLAND POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH ON THE REGULATION OF DROSOPHILA MOBILE ELEMENTS A three year post doctoral position is available to study the molecular biology and evolution of naturally occurring genetic systems of regulation of the mobile P and hobo elements that cause hybrid dysgenesis in Drosophila. Recent molecular and genetic analysis of the regulation of P element transposition from world wide populations of D.melanogaster reveals that there are seemingly two operationally distinct systems: one classified as P cytotype (inherited through females and probably involving mutations in the 4th exon of a P element) and the other involving the transcribed KP element, a multicopy P element deletion derivative. This latter system is inherited through both sexes, and probably involves an RNA, or polypeptide, product that directly interferes with P produced transposase. For details of the KP system see Black et al. 1987 EMBO J 6 4125 4135; and Jackson et al. 1988 Genetics 120 1003 1013, (copies available on request). The recent development of a sensitive assay involving eye colour mosaics has been used to directly quantify the effects of different numbers of introduced KP elements into genotypes containing 2 3 99B, a strong constitutive producer of transposase. From these experiments it is clear that the position of KP elements in addition to their copy number, is an important component of KP effects on transposase. Studies on the hobo system of hybrid dysgenesis reveal high copy numbers of one specific deletion derivative, the Th element. Is this accumulation in world wide populations due to its beneficial regulation of hobo element transposition, along the lines of the KP element? The post doctoral associate will be expected to pursue investigations, using currently available molecular and genetic techniques in Drosophila, into the different systems of P and hobo element regulation. These studies will involve a degree of collaboration with Professor Margaret Kidwell in Tucson, Arizona. The post doctoral associate will be expected to co operate with and guide the research of a post graduate student working on the same systems. The Department of Genetics has a strong tradition in Drosophila genetics, with groups working on the molecular evolution of Drosophila multigene families, single copy genes, gene expression and development. At the same time the University of Cambridge has a high density of research activities into most aspects of biological research, from which post docs can benefit. When the sun is shining nothing can go wrong! The position is available from 1st October 1989. Interested persons should send c.v. and names of referees as soon as possible to Dr. Gabriel A. Dover, Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, U.K. Or telephone (0)223 333965 or FAX (0)223 333992. E-mail: JMH14@phx.cam.ac.uk