RNA splicing

Commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease where the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord die (Harmon, 2012). Diagnosis generally occurs after age fifty and from that point, the patient generally has three to five years until his/her motor neurons controlling the diaphragm die, resulting in death by asphyxiation (Al-Chalabi et al., 2014; “Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,” n.d.). An anomaly to this generalization is Stephen…

METASTATIC BREAST CANCER BRMS1, a functional gene, is composed of 10 exons and ranged from 7.8kb of genomic DNA. It is a member of mSIN3-HDAC transcription co-repressor complex and resides normally in the nucleus. Product of alternative splicing, two mRNA transcripts, which are in turn translated into two distinct proteins, 246 amino acids and 290 amino acids. When the structure of BRMS1 promoter is studied, two hyper methylated cytosine-phosphoguanine (CpG) islands (region -3477…

CPD has three different CP-like domains. The first and second domains are active, while the third is inactive. In D. melangaster, CPD undergoes splicing, produces six forms of mRNA, and then produces proteins (Holger et al. 2011). It seems that the timing for expression of CPD is different compared to wild-type flies because Gal4 is expressed and encourages the transgene expression for the upstream…

In 1906, Alois Alzheimer described the pathological features of presenile dementia. He noted the presence of military foci (Plaques) and fibrils in the brain of one of his cases, although he was not the first to describe the clinical features nor was he the first to describe the plaques. He was, however, the first to describe the fibrils. This disease was named after him by his senior colleague because of his statement that he was describing a new disease entity. (Hardy 2006).…

which was present in the re-suspension buffer added and created protein-lipid-detergent complexes. Proteinase K is added to digest proteins and any nucleases that might damage the DNA (Peant and LaPointe, 2004). RNase is added to avoid impurities from RNA. The addition of the chaotropic salt guanidinium chloride present in the lysis buffer helps the DNA adhere to the silica surface of the DNeasy Mini spin column by forming a cationic bridge that connects the DNA and silica gel (Yang et. al.,…

Over the past decade exome sequencing has become a very useful tool in genetic testing. While there are many other methods used for genetic testing, exome sequencing has many advantages over them. Much like any other method, exome sequencing has a few practical limitations. Though this type of sequencing is a fairly new method, more recent research has found it extremely beneficial in aiding with genetic disease diagnosis as well as cancer studies. Through the analysis of exome sequencing,…

Biopharmaceuticals: GMOs and Vaccines Clarifying the definition, history, methods and relevancy of GMOs to our society is of the utmost importance. Genetically modified organisms and their applicability in multiple arenas have been a source for debate around the globe. Many individuals believe GMOs to be unsafe and unethical, while the biotechnology sector sees a profitable life-saving technology. Through the evaluation of scientifically relevant articles regarding genetically modified…

In the movie Spiderman, the protagonist Peter Parker is a geeky, introverted, intelligent high school boy who gets bit by an engineered spider during a field trip to a lab. After the biting of the spider, Parker turns into a stronger and confident person who possesses spider-like qualities. Throughout the movie it is clear Spiderman’s legacy is that he wishes to protect civilians, he can be considered as a superhero vigilante or be considered as a criminal. Parker develops super speed, strength,…

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is the most common form of leukemia in adults, roughly 20,800 individuals are diagnosed each year, leading to the lowest survival rate of all of the classes of leukemias. It is a classification of cancer of the blood and the bone marrow (the soft fatty material in the cavities of bones, where blood cells are constructed). The average age for this type of leukemia is 65 years or older, and is also more common in males rather than females. Acute Myeloid Leukemia is…

Genome Evolution Did you know that the Tasmanian Devil’s genome is rapidly evolving to resist a deadly disease that has killed eighty percent of their population since 1996? To most people that means little to nothing, because most people don’t know what a genome is let alone the process in which it takes to evolve or for Scientists to discover the evolution. In the following paragraphs we will discuss what genome evolution is, how genomes are able to be compared and how the size can…