Research Symposium

BIO

My name is Joshua Glick, and I am a Clinical Professions major. I am from Viera, Florida, and I love to stay active. My future goals include attending medical school and becoming a physician.

Tracking DNA-Virus Interactions Throughout the Cell Cycle

Abstract

How can DNA be tracked through viral infection? This project investigates how the Murine Leukemia Virus (MLV) integrates its genetic material into host chromatin during infection. Using photoactivatable PAmCherry, we can highlight H2B (histones) and directly track the viral DNA. This should show exactly where the virus is directly integrating into the cell. The first step is to create a pLenti-H2B-PAmCherry plasmid. This is done by following a series of procedures in the lab that will clone and transform plasmids to make the pLenti-H2B-PAmCherry plasmid. The next step is transfection, which is introducing this bacteria to living cells. I was unsuccessful in creating the pLenti-H2B-PAmCherry plasmid. Using Gel Electrophoresis, it was determined that the plasmid did not ligate correctly. Further steps include using different enzymes to cut out the H2B and PAmCherry sequences separately. These results suggest that this is a very precise process and the materials used are unpredictable at some points during the procedures.

Keywords: DNA, Cell, Virus