Expression of the early genes of phage l is regulated by the viral encoded N protein. Together with a group of host proteins, called Nus, N modifies RNA polymerase through an RNA signal, NUT, rendering the transcription complex resistant to downstream termination signals. This results in highly processive transcription reading through transcription terminator kilobases from the NUT site. This laboratory studies the role of all three elements of the antitermination complex and their interactions that result in read-through of transcription termination signals.