Thursday: what insights can be provided in your topic through microscopy, and what is your section of research for the presentations
Friday, August 7, 2015
Day 4 Homework
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Day 3 Homework
Wednesday: what is your topic and research happening currently?
My question pertains to the body's possible rejection of a kidney transplant. Is it possible that gene therapy could manipulate the host's genes to accept or ignore the new organ? There are currently over 80,000 people waiting for a kidney transplant, with 3000 new people added to the list each month and 12 people die daily. With these glaring statistics in mind, it is vital that those who are lucky enough to receive a procedure recover fully. If body's immune system detects the antigens on the organ's cells' surface, it will attack it. There are three types of rejection: hyperacurate (immediate), acurate (within a few weeks after the surgery occurred), and chronic rejection (can occur over a period of years). What must be identified is the protein that detects the antigen, and what gene encodes it. In attempts to reduce the risk of rejection, the patient and donner's antigens are paired as closely as possible, however this often results in large discrepancies between tissue similarity. Restriction enzymes are the molecular scissors of the DNA, used in splicing (the deletion or insertion of a section of coding). If it is possible to identify exactly which genes encode for the proteins, signals, and cells that recognize forgiven invaders specifically for the kidney, it could be modified.
https://www.kidney.org/news/newsroom/factsheets/Organ-Donation-and-Transplantation-Stats
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000815.htm
http://www.els.net/WileyCDA/ElsArticle/refId-a0000973.html
My question pertains to the body's possible rejection of a kidney transplant. Is it possible that gene therapy could manipulate the host's genes to accept or ignore the new organ? There are currently over 80,000 people waiting for a kidney transplant, with 3000 new people added to the list each month and 12 people die daily. With these glaring statistics in mind, it is vital that those who are lucky enough to receive a procedure recover fully. If body's immune system detects the antigens on the organ's cells' surface, it will attack it. There are three types of rejection: hyperacurate (immediate), acurate (within a few weeks after the surgery occurred), and chronic rejection (can occur over a period of years). What must be identified is the protein that detects the antigen, and what gene encodes it. In attempts to reduce the risk of rejection, the patient and donner's antigens are paired as closely as possible, however this often results in large discrepancies between tissue similarity. Restriction enzymes are the molecular scissors of the DNA, used in splicing (the deletion or insertion of a section of coding). If it is possible to identify exactly which genes encode for the proteins, signals, and cells that recognize forgiven invaders specifically for the kidney, it could be modified.
https://www.kidney.org/news/newsroom/factsheets/Organ-Donation-and-Transplantation-Stats
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000815.htm
http://www.els.net/WileyCDA/ElsArticle/refId-a0000973.html
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Day 2 Homework
Tuesday: What questions would you ask in this topic?
Gene therapy is very intimidating, but it is also intriguing. With the potential to be a beautiful cure or a deadly weapon, I am curious as to what the possibilities, and the limitations are. What exact proteins, promoters, etc are used to introduce the new gene? Are the splisosomes from the organisms body sufficient to be used in the insertion or deletion? Or do aspects of some bacteria have to be incorporated, as they have the ability to monitor their DNA for irregularities. Is it possible to create and entirely new genome, rather than introduce genes into a previously existing one? If this is possible, scientists could theoretically create new species. In regards to cancer, if the malfunctioning gene is replaced, would it cute he patient? If a mutation such as a trisomy was present in a patient, could this be reveresed past the gamate phase? If the body has already been afflicted physically, is it possible to reverse the affects that have already taken place? What has to be understood about the host while deciding how to insert the gene? Does the method of insertion change in accordance with the organism? What other methods are there other than utilizing a viral vector (similar to HIV) and splicing are there? As interesting as the technological side is, there is also the moral aspect. Is there any way to monitor who is able to use gene therapy? Also, how close in the futue is "designing your child"?
Gene therapy is very intimidating, but it is also intriguing. With the potential to be a beautiful cure or a deadly weapon, I am curious as to what the possibilities, and the limitations are. What exact proteins, promoters, etc are used to introduce the new gene? Are the splisosomes from the organisms body sufficient to be used in the insertion or deletion? Or do aspects of some bacteria have to be incorporated, as they have the ability to monitor their DNA for irregularities. Is it possible to create and entirely new genome, rather than introduce genes into a previously existing one? If this is possible, scientists could theoretically create new species. In regards to cancer, if the malfunctioning gene is replaced, would it cute he patient? If a mutation such as a trisomy was present in a patient, could this be reveresed past the gamate phase? If the body has already been afflicted physically, is it possible to reverse the affects that have already taken place? What has to be understood about the host while deciding how to insert the gene? Does the method of insertion change in accordance with the organism? What other methods are there other than utilizing a viral vector (similar to HIV) and splicing are there? As interesting as the technological side is, there is also the moral aspect. Is there any way to monitor who is able to use gene therapy? Also, how close in the futue is "designing your child"?
Monday, August 3, 2015
Day One Homework
Monday: science topic of interest and why, what is the state-of-art in this research topic?
Ever since seventh grade science class with good old Mrs. Malpede, DNA and genes have captured my full attention. The more recent application of gene replacement is an exciting new area of discovery that is being used in experimental trials to replace faulty genes with correctly fabricated ones, or to introduce new genes into a series. According to Science Daily, knockout genes, or genes that have been purposefully restrained from carrying out their duty, can be compensated by a newly introduced gene. This is astounding, and how is it possible? The new gene is incorporated into the DNA and readily replicated in natural cellular replication without it being regurgitated by the body. Are there any cases where the body does not accept the new gene? This does not seem plausible at first. However, the use of viral vectors, typically perceived as the lovely little flu that rips through elementary schools, can be manipulated and used as vessels to carry the proper gene and incorporate it into the geneome. This is similar to how HIV hides in the body's DNA and is unknowingly recreated by the body every time a cell divides. Is it possible to use splicing to create an entirely new genome? Not just enhancing previously existing genes? What properties have to be understood by the host and how do they affect the creation of a new gene? The first cells this method was tested on were white blood cells, how did it eventually reach the blueprint for life? Could this be used to cure diseases or genetic disorders that have already affted the body? If so, what would the risks be of this type or experiment?
http://www.genetherapynet.com/viral-vectors.html
http://www.news-medical.net/health/Gene-Therapy-History.aspx
Ever since seventh grade science class with good old Mrs. Malpede, DNA and genes have captured my full attention. The more recent application of gene replacement is an exciting new area of discovery that is being used in experimental trials to replace faulty genes with correctly fabricated ones, or to introduce new genes into a series. According to Science Daily, knockout genes, or genes that have been purposefully restrained from carrying out their duty, can be compensated by a newly introduced gene. This is astounding, and how is it possible? The new gene is incorporated into the DNA and readily replicated in natural cellular replication without it being regurgitated by the body. Are there any cases where the body does not accept the new gene? This does not seem plausible at first. However, the use of viral vectors, typically perceived as the lovely little flu that rips through elementary schools, can be manipulated and used as vessels to carry the proper gene and incorporate it into the geneome. This is similar to how HIV hides in the body's DNA and is unknowingly recreated by the body every time a cell divides. Is it possible to use splicing to create an entirely new genome? Not just enhancing previously existing genes? What properties have to be understood by the host and how do they affect the creation of a new gene? The first cells this method was tested on were white blood cells, how did it eventually reach the blueprint for life? Could this be used to cure diseases or genetic disorders that have already affted the body? If so, what would the risks be of this type or experiment?
http://www.genetherapynet.com/viral-vectors.html
http://www.news-medical.net/health/Gene-Therapy-History.aspx
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