Almost all biology students learn the fundamentals of gene expression, DNA contains information which is transcribed into RNA to create protein. Students however, are not taught of RNA Interference, the biological process where RNA molecules inhibit a gene’s expression, RNAi for short. While RNAi is a fairly new discovery, its use in modern biological research is groundbreaking. RNA Interference works by binding Double-stranded RNA molecules (siRNA) to a complementary messenger RNA. The enzymes Dicer and Slicer then cleave the chemical bonds which hold the messeger RNA in place and prevent it from delivering protein silencing instructions thus, the term, Gene Silencing. This phenomenon was first discovered by Richard Jorgensen in 1990 when he was trying to produce deeper purple colored petunias by introducing more purple pigment genes to the flower. To his surprise, the purple petunia turned completely white and got the opposite of his predicted result. At the time Jorgensen coined this effect, “Cosuppression”. It was not until 1998 that Andrew Fire and Craig, C Mello explained the process of RNAi and discovered its use in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. Elegans). In 2006 Fire and Mello won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine “for their discover of RNA Interference – gene silencing by double stranded RNA”. They utilized the nematode, C. Elegans due to its whole genome being sequenced. This unique characteristic allows for every gene to be tested
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during RNAi. RNA interference is now applied in many forms of biological science from, Physiology to Biotechnology.
RNA Interference has been successfully applied in many fields of medicines used to treat issues such as, Parkinson’s and Lung Cancer. One study, sponsored by Alnylam Phar...
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...available to help scientists better understand disease, pp. 1-2. Retrieved December 15, 2013
ScienceDaily. (2013, September 13). ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 10, 2013, from ScienceDaily: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130913090609.htm
Sciences, A. I. (2013, July 16). RNA-Interference Pesticides Will Need Special Safety Testing. Retrieved 12 15, 2013, from ScienceDaily: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130716080026.htm
Thomas, C. G. (2013, November 25). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Gene-silencing study finds new targets for Parkinson's disease, pp. 1-2. Retrieved December 13, 2013, from http://www.nih.gov/news/health/nov2013/ninds-24.htm
Trafton, A. (2013, June 23). MIT News. Enhancing RNA Interference, pp. 1-2. Retrieved 12 16, 2013, from http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2013/enhancing-rna-interference-0623.html
It helps medics to find a direct genetic cause of the patient’s condition and target it with pharmaceutical or other therapies. The technology is used for the identification of DNA sequences that increase risks of current diseases and disorders; with this information carriers can start to make efforts to prevent them before the development of the problem. The video mentioned 200 actionable genes, structures that have direct links with a specific condition. Knowing about their presence, people have a chance to bring in preventive measures like taking anticoagulants in the case of identification of a thrombogenic gene. The technology led to the significant improvement of diagnostics and personalized treatments. It helped to find a rare, life-threatening mutation in case of Beery twins and assign a drug to a girl (Alexis) that returned her to a normal life. In the case of cancer genome sequencing led to the development of genetic drags, which target essential tumor genes and make malign structures to shrink. The video mentioned a product that works with the BRАF protein that induces cells to uncontrolled division; the drug led to the remission in the patient with metastasizing melanoma. Such treatment was effective in the case of cystic fibrosis. In the case of the breast cancer the technology helps to evaluate the aggressiveness of the condition and make a personalized decision about chemotherapy. The video also mentioned the pre-implantation genetic diagnosis – an early-staged technology that prevents the development of inherited disorders in
"Parkinson Disease." Genetics Home Reference. Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications, n.d. Web. May 2012. .
With more than 200,000 US cases per year, Parkinson’s disease has become a major part
Nikitina, E. G., Urazova, L. N., & Stegny, V. N. (2012). MicroRNAs and Human Cancer.Experimental Oncology, 34(1), 2-8. Retrieved from http://archive.nbuv.gov.ua/portal/chem_biol/eol/2012_1/002.pdf
...Glass, Non-coding RNAs as regulators of gene expression and epigenetics, 2011, oxford journals, 90 (3), p430-440
Robert A Hauser, Rajesh Pahwa, Kelly E Lyons, Theresa McClain, 2010. Parkinson Disease. Medscape, Neurology.
Gene therapy is a relatively simple process. First, the mutated gene at fault for the cause of the condition being treated must be identified. Second, the site of the unhealthy cells in the human has to be found. Then, a health...
Goldmann, David R., and David A. Horowitz. American College of Physicians Home Medical Guide to Parkinson's Disease. New York: Dorling Kindersley Pub., 2000. Print.
We were able to examine the DNA or RNA by placing the contents in an agarose gel buffers utilizing an electric charge. The process uses restriction enzymes which cut DNA at restriction sites. The process pushes negatively charged particles to the positive pole.
Shi, Y., & Zou, M. (2008). Progress in gene therapy research. In J. L. Lewis (ED.), Gene therapy and cancer research progress (pp. 23-130). New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
Parkinson’s Disease (PD), known for its degenerative abilities and debilitating affects, is an illness that affects approximately 1 million Americans. The cause of this disease has not been pinpointed, although strides have been made towards a cure. As our elderly population increases, so does our overwhelming need to find a suitable cure that may one day eliminate this disease.
Most cases of Parkinson’s disease result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, which several have not been identified. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS has published several informational papers on Parkinson’s disease that can be found at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/parkinsons_disease.htm. More than a dozen genes have been identified to influence the risk of developing the disease if they are altered. Genes found in the Parkinson disease gene family have a variety of functions in the brain, as well as other active in other organs and tissues. The survivals of particular nerve c...
Discoveries in DNA, cell biology, evolution, and biotechnology have been among the major achievements in biology over the past 200 years with accelerated discoveries and insight’s over the last 50 years. Consider the progress we have made in these areas of human knowledge. Present at least three of the discoveries you find to be the most important and describe their significance to society, heath, and the culture of modern life.
There is a lot still left to learn about familial and sporadic Parkinson’s disease. This neurodegenerative disease affects nearly 1% of the population over the age of 65 (Hindawi), yet the exact cause of the disease is not yet fully understood. Strides were made towards the answer when researchers were able to locate the site of the mutation. Through careful research, more was learned about the disease’s roots and even though we don’t have the full answer some researchers are on their way to finding a cure. Although the exact cause of familial Parkinson’s isn’t yet conceived, scientific breakthroughs have led us down a road of discovery that has brought us to new findings.
In the 1970's, scientists discovered that strands of DNA could be cut using special enzymes, which could cut out genetic combinations. DNA contains information about genes particular organisms hold. Duplicates of genes are also possible through genetic engineering and are very useful for medical purposes. Advances in technology have raised issues such as animal and human cloning. These issues have caused many different sided arguments.