# MECHANISMS OF SITE-SPECIFIC RECOMBINATION

> **NIH NIH R01** · BROWN UNIVERSITY · 1989 · $308,195

## Abstract

Our long-range goal is to achieve a detailed understanding of the molecular
mechanisms involved in site-specific recombination.  As a model we are
studying the Int-dependent recombination pathway of the lambdoid phages,
lambda, 080 and P22.  The major portion of our effort will continue to
focus on the lambda system; a great deal is known about this system and the
rate of progress in its analysis has recently been taking some dramatic
steps forward.  The experiments in this application are intended to
complement studies being carried out in other laboratories.  For the
purpose of presenting our research plan, the aims of this project can be
viewed as addressing seven specific questions or problems.  The first five
are concerned primarily with the general mechanisms of site-specific
recombination and the last two concentrate specifically on the remarkable
control over directionality in this genetic transaction.

1. What are the limitations on the size of the overlap region?  2. Are the
differences (in DNA sequence and affinity for Int) among the four core-type
sites an intrinsic feature of the recombination reaction?  3. How do the
arm-type Int binding sites function during recombination?  4. What
additional insights into the basic mechanisms of site-specific
recombination are provided by the features of the 080 and P22 recombination
systems?  5. To use gel electrophoresis mobility shifts and electron
micro-scopy to study the nature of att site complexes and the kinds of
interactions that determine integrative and excisive recombination.  6.
What is the minimal set of att site elements necessary for excisive
recombination in comparison to the set defined for integrative
recombination?  7. What are the roles of the individual arm-type binding
sites as (potential) determinants in the control of directionality?

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125467
- **Project number:** 5R01AI013544-13
- **Recipient organization:** BROWN UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** E3FDXZ6TBHW3
- **Principal Investigator:** ARTHUR LANDY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $308,195
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1977-09-01 → 1990-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125467

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125467, MECHANISMS OF SITE-SPECIFIC RECOMBINATION (5R01AI013544-13). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125467. Licensed CC0.

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