Abstract Title
Quantification of DNA Repair Rates in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Abstract
As a mechanism for maintaining DNA integrity, a cell is unable to proceed in the cell cycle until damaged DNA has been repaired. In this experiment a population of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, in their gametic stage, was divided into two groups and their growth rates were compared after one group was damaged with ultraviolet radiation. The number of damaged and undamaged cells were counted at specific time intervals and a statistical analysis was performed. The hypothesis is that the damaged and undamaged cells would exist as two distinct populations until, after a period of time, the damaged population repairs its DNA. At this point the damaged population would hypothetically resume a normal growth rate, becoming statistically indistinguishable from the undamaged population. Inferential statistical methods and regression techniques support the claim that between 48 and 72 hours the damaged population in fact “catches up” to the undamaged population and the two groups become nearly identical. This finding has implications for the rate at which Chlamydomonas reinhardtii are able to repair damaged DNA and re-enter the cell cycle.
Quantification of DNA Repair Rates in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
As a mechanism for maintaining DNA integrity, a cell is unable to proceed in the cell cycle until damaged DNA has been repaired. In this experiment a population of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, in their gametic stage, was divided into two groups and their growth rates were compared after one group was damaged with ultraviolet radiation. The number of damaged and undamaged cells were counted at specific time intervals and a statistical analysis was performed. The hypothesis is that the damaged and undamaged cells would exist as two distinct populations until, after a period of time, the damaged population repairs its DNA. At this point the damaged population would hypothetically resume a normal growth rate, becoming statistically indistinguishable from the undamaged population. Inferential statistical methods and regression techniques support the claim that between 48 and 72 hours the damaged population in fact “catches up” to the undamaged population and the two groups become nearly identical. This finding has implications for the rate at which Chlamydomonas reinhardtii are able to repair damaged DNA and re-enter the cell cycle.