When: November 30, 16:00
Where: Room 402, blue building
Abstract: CRISPR-Cas systems are small RNA-based immune systems that control invasions of viruses and other mobile genetic elements in archaea and bacteria. To achieve adaptive and heritable immunity, CRISPR-Cas systems must capture and store short DNA fragments (spacers) from these foreign elements into host genomic CRISPR arrays. I will describe recent work aimed at understanding the mechanisms by which the hyperthermophilic archaeon, Pyrococcus furiosus, selects and integrates new spacers into CRISPR arrays.