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University of Vermont, Burlington VT, 05405In her laboratory they are characterizing the structure and function of the two B mating-type loci. The evidence suggests that both loci contain several genes encoding two kinds of molecules: small signal peptides called pheromones; and membrane bound pheromone receptors. Similar molecules are known to regulate molecular signalling, not only in other fungi but in a broad range of other organisms from bacteria to humans. One goal of this study is to understand the genetic and structural features governing the specificity of interactions between these two types of molecules. Another goal is to understand how the two types of B genes may have co-evolved to generate so many different mating types. They are using molecular and classical genetic methods as well as the techniques of cell biology to address these questions.