Assignment
STAGE 1: Select a Gene Individually, you will browse genes that interest you and as a pair you will choose one gene you wish to investigate. We will not be analyzing our own alleles of the gene to determine our genotype, so feel free to select a gene that may be considered controversial . Be sure to select a gene that is found in the human genome!
STAGE 2: Research! Depending on which gene you pick, your research will go in different directions. The list below has some research questions you should start with, though it’s okay if you don’t find answers to all them. You’re also not limited to these; feel free to explore!
Possible Questions to Research:
● What chromosome is the gene on? What is the cytogenetic location? (A visual might be helpful.)
● How was the gene discovered and located on the chromosome?
● What processing has to happen (exons, introns, etc.) in the expression of the gene?
● What do we know about about when/where the gene is expressed? (What cell type, body tissue, at what age, etc.)
● What protein does the gene encode for? What does this protein do? How does it function?
○ What shape does the protein take? How does this affect its purpose in the cell?
○ How does the protein act within the cell? How does this affect the body?
● Does the gene affect other genes?
● What is the gene’s evolutionary history? Are there related genes in other organisms? How does the gene function in other organisms?
● Why would be beneficial to know about this gene? (Why is it interesting to study this particular gene in the first place?
● Are there any medical implications of the discovery of this gene? Can it be used to uncover and/or indicate a medical condition? Is there any gene therapy and/or medical treatment for any condition related to this gene?
STAGE 3: Select Appropriate Primers and Run PCR Once you’ve researched your gene in depth, the next step is to determine which primers you will use to amplify the gene.
STAGE 4: Compile Your Project as a Web Page
STAGE 2: Research! Depending on which gene you pick, your research will go in different directions. The list below has some research questions you should start with, though it’s okay if you don’t find answers to all them. You’re also not limited to these; feel free to explore!
Possible Questions to Research:
● What chromosome is the gene on? What is the cytogenetic location? (A visual might be helpful.)
● How was the gene discovered and located on the chromosome?
● What processing has to happen (exons, introns, etc.) in the expression of the gene?
● What do we know about about when/where the gene is expressed? (What cell type, body tissue, at what age, etc.)
● What protein does the gene encode for? What does this protein do? How does it function?
○ What shape does the protein take? How does this affect its purpose in the cell?
○ How does the protein act within the cell? How does this affect the body?
● Does the gene affect other genes?
● What is the gene’s evolutionary history? Are there related genes in other organisms? How does the gene function in other organisms?
● Why would be beneficial to know about this gene? (Why is it interesting to study this particular gene in the first place?
● Are there any medical implications of the discovery of this gene? Can it be used to uncover and/or indicate a medical condition? Is there any gene therapy and/or medical treatment for any condition related to this gene?
STAGE 3: Select Appropriate Primers and Run PCR Once you’ve researched your gene in depth, the next step is to determine which primers you will use to amplify the gene.
STAGE 4: Compile Your Project as a Web Page
