Professor Landy studies mechanisms in site-specific recombination, global regulation of cell physiology, and protein-DNA interactions.

Institutions

Bu

Research Description

Mechanisms in Site-Specific Recombination

Site-specific recombination is involved in regulation of gene expression, differentiation, evolution, and the life cycle of several viral genomes. As a model system for the molecular mechanisms of this genetic transaction, we are studying the integration/excision reaction of bacteriophage lambda. Among the questions being explored are those pertaining to the directionality of recombination, the mechanisms by which DNA strands are cut, exchanged and resealed, the identification of DNA target sites in a sea of "incorrect" DNA sequences, and the regulation of recombination.

Global Regulation of Cell Physiology

In the regulation and/or monitoring of overall cell physiology, a small number of proteins can affect the expression of a large number of apparently unrelated genes, some being turned on and others being turned off by the same protein. Several of these global regulatory proteins induce sharp bends in DNA at their site of binding. Our recent work has led to consideration of how these global regulatory proteins work.

Protein-DNA Interactions

DNA replication, protein synthesis, nucleosome organization, and recombination all depend upon the assembly of protein-DNA complexes. We are studying the rules and mechanisms governing the structure and function of these multicomponent higher-order complexes.

Awards

University Professor, 1990–present
American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1994–present
American Academy of Microbiology, 1999-present
National Academy of Sciences, 1999–present

Affiliations

American Society of Microbiology

Funded Research

NIH
Recombination Intermediates: Mechanisms in Resolution
Total Period of Grant: 1985 – 2011
Current Award: 1/1/08 – 12/31/11

NIH
Mechanisms of Site-Specific Recombination
Total Period of Grant: 1977 - 2013
Current Award: 9/1/09 – 8/31/2013

NIH
Recombination Intermediates – Properties and Processing (Adm. Suppl.)
Total Period of Grant: 9/1/2009 – 8/31/2011
Current Award: 9/1/2009 – 8/31/2011

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