The researchers are studying the role of Mcm10 in the S-phase cell cycle checkpoint and DNA damage signaling pathways. They aim to use FRET to analyze interactions between Mcm10-YFP and Mrc1-CFP, Pol2-CFP, Dpb11-CFP, and Dpb2-CFP in yeast cells. They have optimized PCR to amplify these genes with CFP tags and are constructing yeast strains. Once complete, FRET will determine if Mcm10 interacts with these proteins during normal replication and in response to DNA damage. This could provide insight into Mcm10's role in checkpoint activation and origin licensing.