CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

This application under the American Re-investment and Recovery Act is for an administrative supplement to Gene Library Resource for the Sea Urchin S. purpuratus, 5P40 RR015044. The proposed work is an extension of the original grant goals which include the description of gene expression through the life cycle of this important research model and a publicly accessible mechanism to view this information. This proposal focuses on late embryonic stages, larval stages and several adult tissues where gene expression pattern information is almost completely lacking. These measurements will be accomplished using new short-read sequencing technology which makes the task of acquiring complete transcriptome information from many samples well within reach. In the sea urchin system, the ability to collect copious amounts of material at developmental stages permits the direct sequencing of mRNA populations without amplification of the RNA. For less abundant material such as certain larval and adult tissue, amplification methods have been proved and are easily mounted. The draft genome sequence and the gene predictions derived from it simplify the assignment of short sequencing reads to individual genes. Conversely, many of the predicted genes are as yet unsubstantiated by expressed sequences and these data will provide this additional evidence. The initial database of regulatory genes with which we have been experimenting recently will be expanded and modified to present the new expressio n measurements and as well permit gene, time and space comparisons useful to the experimentalist.

Clarification of Codes