Monday, November 15, 2010

Translating Diseases; The Strategic Use Of Microarrays In The Study Of Lung Cancer Genes

A) Microarrays have simplified how scientists study gene expression in thousands of cells. This new technology detects patterns in transcription and translation, and aids in the understanding of the normal and abnormal aspects of cell function. The process of using Microarrays to analyze/study genes involving lung cancer include: creating a DNA chip, and using the DNA chip to analyze complementary DNAs isolated from both cancerous and noncancerous tissue (the same tissue). The Microarray will then indicate the differences between the two corresponding genes. This will be an indication of the extent to which transcription occurred. Some scientists have indeed observed that some genes are not transcribed as much in cancer cells as in healthy cells, and that some genes are not transcribed as much in healthy cells as in cancer cells.

B) The purpose of this experiment is for our lab table to use Microarrays to study Genes Involved in Lung Cancer. This will hopefully give our group a better understanding of the causes of the disease on a genetic level, and thus allow us to speculate with possible methods to prevent or cure it.

C) In this experiment, our lab table will be studying six genes using a Microarray. We will prepare the Microarray by spotting six different gene sequences onto a glass slide. Then we will obtain DNA tubes from a 70 degree water bath, and spot the appropriate gene solution onto the correct areas of out slide. To hybridize the Microarray, our group will add fifteen microliters of hybridization solution to each spot. We will then wait and observe our results when they appear.

D) Although we have the six genes that we are to study, making predictions is not possible because we do not have the background knowledge to hypothesize our results. However, I am quite certain that our group will accomplish something worthwhile, and we will learn valuable facts about gene expression and the effects of cancer on this.

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