Bacterial chromosome dynamics. (360G-Wellcome-083469_Z_07_Z)

The objectives are to provide a comprehensive and integrated understanding of how the processes of DNA replication, recombination and chromosome segregation shape bacterial chromosome organization. Furthermore, the coordination between these processes with growth and cell division will be explored. The studies will use a combination of cellular in vivo studies and experiments in vitro that will help dissect molecular mechanism. Key goals. 1. To understand structure-mechanism-function relationshi ps in the DNA translocase FtsK; to gain insight into how FtsK activity is regulated at the molecular and cellular level; to understand how FtsK is organized in space and time within living cells; and to reveal what its precise biological functions in vivo are. 2. The gain further insight into the molecular mechanisms and biology of FtsK-XerCD- mediated chromosome dimer resolution and decatenation. 3. To understand how chromosome organization is shaped by replication-recombination-chromosome segre gation. 4. To gain insight into how MukBEF organizes bacterial DNA and to other processes involved in the organization and segregation of chromosomes.