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Molecular Physiology & Biophysics

Amanda Meyer, BA

Graduate Student, Weil Laboratory, Molecular Physiology & Biophysics

RNA Polymerase II transcriptional activation contributes importantly to the regulation of gene expression by controlling mRNA biosynthesis. A central driving force of the activation process is provided by the concerted action of a DNA-binding transfactor and at least one coactivator. I am interested in defining the transfactor-coactivator interactions required for activation. The specific goal of my current work in the Weil lab is to determine the specific domains the Rap1 transcriptional activator uses to interact with the general transcription factor TFIID to drive activation of the budding yeast S. cerevisiae ribosomal protein genes.  I combine genetic, biochemical, and biophysical approaches to accomplish this goal.