Gene Youngblood

with their own DNA. The purpose of this technique is to introduce a foreign plasmid into the bacteria E. coli. A plasmid is a small, circular DNA molecule that contains important genetic information for the growth of bacteria. Some plasmids carry genes for antibiotic resistance or other traits that increase the cell’s ability to grow in a particular…

Down’s syndrome is a very common genetic disorder in babies in today’s society. A genetic disorder is a condition that is caused by an absent, an inactive gene or by a chromosomal abnormality (Dictionary, 2016). Down’s syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome 21 in the genome in an individual. The extra chromosome causes moderate intellectual disability. The extra chromosome can also result in an error in cell division. The error is usually prior to fertilization but for some reason nobody…

Edwards' syndrome, also known as Trisomy 18 is considered a chromosomal condition where there are abnormalities in certain parts of the body. People with Trisomy 18, often have slow growth in the wound (intrauterine growth retardation). These newborns usually have heart defects and other defects throughout the child’s body. This also includes a small shaped head, a small mouth and jaw, and sometimes overlapping fingers and small hands. Children with Trisomy 18 usually die within their first…

CRISPR Cas9 CRISPR Cas9 is a gene editing tool that can be used to edit, delete, and change parts of the genome. What makes CRISPR Cas9 different from other gene editing techniques such as Zinc Finger Nuclease (ZFN) or Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALEN) is its targeting efficiency ability. For example, ZFNs and TALENs could only reach targeting efficiencies from 1% to 50% in human cells. On the other hand, CRISPR Cas9 had a much higher rate at greater than 70% in Zebrafish…

Chemotaxis is the directional migration of cells in response to a chemical stimulus. The movement of these cells can either be directed towards favourable chemicals (chemoattractants) or unfavourable chemicals (chemorepellents). In particular, sugars and amino acids can attract many species of bacteria via chemotaxis, and the main method used to identify these chemicals is an assay that uses a glass capillary (Abe et al., 2017). In the capillary assay, the outer chamber contains mobile cells…

Huntington’s disease (HD) is one of many neurological conditions that exist and is prevalent in about 7 people per 100,000 (Lundy-Ekman, 2013, p. 245). It is more commonly seen areas of a predominantly white population, such as Europe, North America, as well as Australia, due to a higher frequency of certain alleles that are repeated in these populations (Walker, 2007, p. 221). This disease is classified as a neurodegenerative disorder, which is a term that is used to describe CNS…

Benjamin Harouni Sigurdsen BISC 120 Lab November 2014 Modeling the regeneration of Gugesia dorotocephala: The window into human regeneration Introduction: The field of regenerative medicine aspires to control the ability to regulate the growth of organs and appendages. In order to control the growth and help those who suffer from injuries, defects and degenerative diseases, scientists must learn about the natural molecular tools that animals use to repair damage to their bodies. The medical…

whether they should allow testing to continue and what laws should be created or even if this technology should be released for use by the general public. This technology is harmful because it has many risks. Continuing research and possibly making gene editing a regular happening could have a huge negative impact on the moral and ethical views of society. Designer baby technology would be harmful because it may lead to discrimination against women. To begin with, livescience.com says “the ACOG…

disease, meaning that it is caused by a single defective gene located on the non-sex chromosome. Symptoms such as impairment of attention, inability to walk, and dysphagia begin between the ages of thirty and fifty years of age. The illness lasts around 15 years and ends in death. There are tests to determine whether one carries the gene responsible for the disease and prenatal screening can determine whether a fetus has inherited the gene. Purdy’s argument is fixated on the principle that we…

Bacteriophages are the viruses of bacteria. They are a sequence of genomes which rotate from one bacterium to the next encased by capsids which are protein shells, which kill the bacteria in the process. Bacteriophages are immensely important to evolution and ecology of bacteria. They have colossal impacts on the carbon cycle. Phages also contribute to biology's comprehension of life at a molecular level. In addition, bacteriophages were essential to the evolution of genetic engineering. Phage…