Dear Ciliate Researcher: A number of members of the Tetrahymena research community have indicated that they would be happy if we submitted a proposal in response to NIH's request for applications to build upon the genome sequences of emerging model organisms. Drafts of the abstract and of the specific aims are included below (feel free to comment on them). If you support this effort, we propose to submit a proposal for the Feb. 1 deadline. An essential component of this program is demonstration of widespread community involvement and support for the effort. So, what we need from you to make this application as strong as possible is at least the first item below, and hopefully both. As you can imagine, with a Feb.1 deadline, a rapid response will be greatly appreciated. We also need to know if anyone else is submitting a proposal to the same program, since NIH has indicated that it is very important to demonstrate that the community is fully aware of all proposals being submitted. 1) A letter indicating your enthusiastic support for the effort. 2) A brief description of how you would use genome-wide microarrays in your work. This description should list your name and institution, a title for the project, and an estimate of the number of whole-genome arrays you would need. Thanks for your cooperation. Kathy Collins & Marty Gorovsky ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abstract Funds are requested in response to PA-040135 to enable genome wide analysis of gene expression in the eukaryotic model organism Tetrahymena thermophila using microarrays. T. thermophila is a widely distributed, easily grown, genetically tractable freshwater ciliate protozoan that is related to Apicomplexans, a group made up exclusively of parasitic protozoans that includes Plasmodium falciparum, the cause of malaria. Data obtained using the resources provided will be made publicly available via the recently established Tetrahymena Genome Database (OR OTHER WEB BASED SYSTEM). This resource will greatly expand the usefulness of the recently sequenced macronuclear genome of T. thermophila, which contains ~27,000 predicted open reading frames, including many that are homologous to those of humans, greatly facilitating the work of the Tetrahymena community and making this model system more accessible and attractive to other investigators. A. Specific Aims 1. To develop a user-friendly, microarray system for genome-wide analysis of gene expression by the community of scientists using the eukaryotic model Tetrahymena thermophila. 2. To establish a web-based system where all Tetrahymena microarray data supported by this proposal (and any other that community members wish to submit) will be publicly available to anyone wishing to use it. 3. To provide baseline data for expression of all predicted Tetrahymena open reading frames during growth, starvation and conjugation and to assess the variability in gene expression that exists in different inbred strains. 4. To partially defray the costs of genome wide microarray analyses in order to encourage projects initiated by current and future members of the research community using Tetrahymena. 5. When sufficient microarray data are available, to initiate mechanisms that make available to Tetrahymena researchers a web-based system that facilitates cluster analyses of gene expression patterns and preliminary genome-wide information about regulatory networks and developmental pathways.