Learning Objectives
During this lab, you will use bioinformatics to learn how to find the DNA sequence of a given macromolecule and use this sequence to uncover evolutionary sequence conservation. You will use these data to identify conserved sequence segments (invariable blocks) in the ykkCD sensor RNA. During the second half of the lab you will identify conserved structural elements within the toxin sensor. These are elements where the sequence may have been altered during evolution, but the structure was retained. You will then use this information to design a mutant to see if a conserved sequence or structure is important for toxin recognition.
Mini Project Flowchart
The bolded blocks in the flowchart below highlight the role of the current experiment in the mini project.
