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Project

Natural metabolite variation: linking genotype to phenotype

Cells contain many different metabolites. Apart from their role as substrates and products of the different biochemical reactions inside a cell, these small molecules can also affect enzyme activity and gene expression. Since metabolites represent the end result of all cellular regulatory processes, changes in their levels can be indicative of perturbations in these processes. Despite the clear importance of metabolites for the proper functioning of cells, many fundamental questions still remain unanswered. What are the mechanisms that control metabolite variation? How are genetic variation and variation in metabolite levels linked? How do metabolites change in response to environmental changes? What are the biological consequences of variation in specific metabolites? In this project, we will study natural variation in metabolite levels using the model eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We will determine metabolite levels in 100 genetically diverse yeast isolates under two key physiological conditions. This will allow us to examine the effect of both genetic and environmental changes on metabolite levels. We will characterize and validate the genetic determinants of metabolite variability. Together, these results will lead to a better understanding of how genetic and environmental changes affect central metabolism, and how this in turn affects cellular physiology and (industrially relevant) phenotypes, such as production of volatile aroma compounds.

Date:1 Jan 2015 →  31 Dec 2017
Keywords:fenotype, genotype, metabolieten
Disciplines:Genetics, Systems biology, Molecular and cell biology