Full metadata
Title
Quantifying Intragenomic Variability in the 18S Gene of Trichonympha from Zootermopsis
Description
The 18S ribosomal RNA gene is ubiquitous across eukaryotes as it encodes the RNA component of the ribosomal small subunit. It is the most commonly used marker in molecular studies of unicellular eukaryotes (protists) due to its species specificity and high copy number in the protist genome. Recent studies have revealed the widespread occurrence of intragenomic (intra-individual) polymorphism in many protists, an understudied phenomenon which contradicts the assumed homogeneity of the 18S throughout an individual genome. This thesis quantifies and analyzes the level of intragenomic and intraspecific 18S sequence variability in three Trichonympha species (T. campanula, T. collaris, T. postcylindrica) from Zootermopsis termites. Single-cell DNA extractions, PCR, cloning, and sequencing were performed to obtain 18S rRNA sequence reads, which were then analyzed to determine levels of sequence divergence among individuals and among species. Intragenomic variability was encountered in all three species. However, excluding singleton mutations, sequence divergence was less than 1% in 53 of the 56 compared individuals. T. collaris exhibited the most substantial intragenomic variability, with sequence divergence ranging from 0 to 3.4%. Further studies with more clones per cell are needed to elucidate the true extent of intragenomic variability in Trichonympha.
Date Created
2020-05
Contributors
- Bobbett, Bradley (Author)
- Gile, Gillian (Thesis director)
- Liebig, Juergen (Committee member)
- School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor)
- School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
- Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Topical Subject
Resource Type
Extent
20 pages
Language
eng
Copyright Statement
In Copyright
Primary Member of
Series
Academic Year 2019-2020
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.56703
Level of coding
minimal
Cataloging Standards
System Created
- 2020-05-01 12:00:30
System Modified
- 2021-08-11 04:09:57
- 3 years 2 months ago
Additional Formats