# Recombination pathway and partner choices during meiosis

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF OREGON · 2021 · $7,430

## Abstract

Research Summary
Recombination between chromosomes is required to generate genetic variation, maintain genome integrity
through the repair of double strand DNA breaks (DSBs), and ensure proper chromosome segregation during
meiosis, the specialized cell division program by which diploid organisms generate haploid gametes such as
sperm and eggs. Perturbations in recombination can compromise these basic cellular functions, ultimately
leading to cancer, infertility, or birth defects. Meiotic recombination is initiated by DSBs, which are repaired
using meiosis-specific mechanisms that favor utilization of the homologous chromosome (instead of the sister
chromatid) as the recombination partner and that promote a crossover outcome of the DSB repair process,
which is required for promoting proper chromosome segregation during meiosis. Although repair of DSBs with
the appropriate template (homologous chromosome) is necessary for proper chromosome segregation and
genome integrity, our knowledge about how germ cells achieve this template preference in the presence of
nearly identical sequences (sister chromatids) is limited. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system, we
have developed a fluorescent assay to monitor repair of an induced DSB with the sister chromatid during
meiotic prophase progression in vivo. One of the primary goals of the funded grant is to use this assay to
determine how these different repair partner choices are regulated. To grow the C. elegans for our
experiments, we require incubators with fine tuned temperature control. This supplement will support the
purchase of an incubator to replace our 15°C incubator that suddenly broke down and for which there are not
replacement parts available. Overall, the requested incubator replacement is essential for our research
program and will enable us to achieve our goals to identify the molecular signatures, chromosomal features,
and proteins associated with these different repair outcomes that are central to maintaining genomic integrity
during sperm and egg development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10335679
- **Project number:** 3R35GM128890-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
- **Principal Investigator:** Diana Elizabeth Libuda
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $7,430
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-02-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10335679

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10335679, Recombination pathway and partner choices during meiosis (3R35GM128890-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10335679. Licensed CC0.

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