This week it is your turn to find a current event related to our current unit - DNA, genetics, protein synthesis, and transformation. Find a news article related DNA. Write the name of the article and the author in your post. Paste the link into your comment. And then describe the article and how it relates to what you have learned in this unit.
Here are some sources that you can use to find articles:
SF Gate: http://www.sfgate.com/science/
Science News: http://www.sciencenews.org/
NY Times Science News: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/science/
Popular Science: http://www.popsci.com/
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Title: Twelve Extreme Animal Modifications In The Name Of Science
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Dan Nosowitz
Links: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-11/ten-ways-scientists-are-customizing-animals
http://www.popsci.com/science/gallery/2010-11/how-scientists-are-messing-animals
Comment: Scientists seem to be unable to leave animals alone. Sometimes it is for our benefit as well as theirs, like when they are getting medicine for the creatures. Other times, it is just for the animals because maybe a scientist will put a GPS locater into an animal, it may sound harmful, but it could keep them safe by ways of the scientists getting there, if any poachers or hunters were to come by. A group of South Korean scientists got together and cloned drug- and bomb-sniffing dogs. Surprisingly enough, according to airport security, where the dogs are helping out, the dogs are easier to train and learn much faster. So, sometimes genetic modifications can only help one thing, but in this case its helping the world.
Rare mutations key to brain disorders
ReplyDeleteBy Tina Hesman Saey
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/65454/title/Rare_mutations_key_to_brain_disorders
This article relates to what we are learning because it is about brain disorders. Brain disorders are involved with DNA. Scientists have recently discovered that brain disorders are caused by mutations, not genetics. They are caused when the DNA doesn't duplicate properly. Sometimes the DNA is missing a chunk or it duplicated wrong by changing a letter in the sequence. All of these mutations from the DNA can cause brain disorder
Ancient DNA Suggests Polar Bears Evolved Recently
ReplyDeleteBy: Sid Perkins
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/56825/title/Ancient_DNA_suggests_polar_bears_evolved_recently
Studies showed that polar bears are closely related to brown bears. And the first evolution of the polar bears range from 70,000 to 1 million years ago. A fossil found 2 years ago came out to be a polar bears' jawbone. The sediment around the bone ranges from 110,000 and 130,000 years ago. This can help researchers discover the time polar bears came. The genetic tests indicate that polar bears are closely related to brown bears living on islands in Alaska. A recent ice age, about 10,000 years ago, can lead up to the evolution of polar bears.
Title: U.S. Says Genes Should Not Be Eligible for Patents
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Andrew Pollack
URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/30/business/30drug.html
In the article, the author wrote about how the government of the United States reversed their previous policy and declared that genes of any kind should not be able to be patented, because they are part of nature. This new position on the issue was announced by the Department of Justice on October 29th. The government states that simply isolating a gene from an organism does not change its nature, and as a product of nature, is not eligible to be patented. However, the U.S. also suggested would have a limited impact on the biotech industry because all man-made manipulations of DNA, such as those used to create GMOs, could be patented.
The entire article relates to what we are learning in class because we are currently exploring the bioethical issues that arise from genetically modified organisms. The issue of patenting genes, as described in this article, is a major concern that will be addressed in many of our research papers. In addition, it relates to our recent studies of DNA and genes. As such, this article is very relevant to both our recent studies and what we are accomplishing currently.
Title: Genetically Modified Fruit Flies Can Smell Light
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Rebecca Boyle
This article discusses the research that scientists have done about the neural network of fruit flies. These German scientists have figured out how to make fruit flies "smell" light. What they did to encourage the the flies to move towards the light (instead of away as they normally would) is turned on single receptor neurons. Fruit flies have 28 olfactory neurons, which are all capable of producing a light-activated protein. They activated cells that are responsive to attractive odors, like the smell of bananas. These odors are found in rotting fruit, which is what attracts fruit flies. The fly's neurons send out a signal if they are stimulated by the blue light, which makes the fly believe he has smelled something. The fly larvae then moved towards the light. Scientists used thin electrodes to pick up the signals and trace them to the brain. This method allowed them to see where the signal went and could be used on living animals without causing them harm.
This article relates to the study of GMOs that we have been having in class. The scientists manually activating the neurons is an example of genetic engineering.
Article: Sudoku Puzzles Inspire DNA-Sequencing Breakthrough
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Dan Smith
Website:http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2009-06/dna-sudoku
This article is about a new way of sequencing DNA that is called DNA sudoku. The old way of sequencing DNA was a method called multiplexing, which requires coding for each strand of DNA. But now, using DNA sudoku, based off of the word game, scientists are able to come up with many DNA samples by using number placement and putting combinations together. This method has proved to be a faster and more efficient way of sequencing DNA.
This article has to do with what we are learning in class because it talks about DNA sequencing and a new efficient way in how to do so. DNA sudoku will prove to be the new way of sequencing in the future.
Title: Central dogma of genetics maybe not so central
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Tina Hesman Saey
Link: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/65063/title/Central_dogma_of_genetics_maybe_not_so_central
Scientists recently learned that RNA molecules aren't always accurate in the reproductions of the genetic instructions contained within DNA. The results seemed to violate a tenet of genetics that is so important which scientists called the central dogma: DNA letters encode information and RNA is created. RNA then serves as a template to make proteins. A study of RNA shows that a person has an average of about 4,000 genes which the RNA copies contain errors not found in DNA. Scientists knew before that RNA letters can be chemically modified or edited but it's not common. Li and her colleagues found that it is very common. RNA molecules conatined 20,000 errors in different places in the genome, with about 10,000 different errors occurring in 2 or more people studied. One common error was A in DNA was changed to G in RNA. Scientists questioned if a virus growing in white blood cells would cause this, but proved false. Researches still don't know how RNA misspellings occur or what the consequences are.
This relates to what we are learning because we learned about mutations in DNA and how it could greatly or hardly affect our body.
-Sabrina L, 7th period
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-11/modified-bacterial-glue-can-shore-cracking-concrete
ReplyDeleteThis article explains a new genetically modified bacteria that can be used to fix concrete. The bacteria has been engineered to go deep into cracks of concrete and produce calcium carbonate. Then produce a type of bacteria-glue that will make the bacteria as strong as concrete. This relates to what we are learning because the bacteria is genetically modified. The scientists put traits into the bacteria that they want it to display.
Article: UC Berkeley DNA Requesting DNA Samples from Incoming Students
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Rebecca Boyle
Link: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-05/berkeley-students-give-us-your-dna
This article is about UC Berkeley taking freshmen students' DNA voluntarily, to test it and see how their body tolerates certain things. For example, the results may show it is a better for a student to drink less milk because they are less immune to lactose. These tests and results show how a students behavior can affect one's traits. Students can also attend lectures and discussions to learn more about specific traits and behavioral influences. This related to what we are learning the because the scientists are extracting DNA to find and observe information. This can later lead to help in discovering medical issues o other problems in one's DNA sooner or more detailed.
What's missing may be key to understanding genetics of autism
ReplyDeleteBy Tina Hesman Saey
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/60122/title/Whats_missing_may_be_key_to_understanding_genetics_of_autism
This article tells what autism is. Autism is a disease in which many of the persons DNA are missing. People do not know the exact cause of autism but one main suspect is genetics. It hapens when there in a deletion in the genotype. Though all of us have deletions, it dosent hit the gene that causes autism.
Title: Glowing Prairie Rodents Teach Us the Genetics Of Monogamy, by Stuart Fox
ReplyDeleteLink: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2009-12/glowing-prairie-rodents-teach-genetics-monogomy
The nature of voles are highly similar to humans. They mate for like, share child raising for couples, and even, for those who are not faithful, cheat. To further understand the genetic of monogamy, scientists linked the glowing gene from a jellyfish (GFP) to the gene that is believed to be controlling the impulse to cheat on their mate. The investigation is not fully developed since they have yet to find the gene that leads to cheating. Otherwise, it is expected that if the gene glows, the vole is unlikely to cheat on its mate; if the gene doesn't glow, there is a chance that the vole is cheating on its mate.
The article "Genes jump more in one type of autism" by Tina Hesman Saey is found at http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/65682/title/Genes_jump_more_in_one_type_of_autism. This article covers how a harsh type of autism called Rett syndrome makes genes jump more. Rett syndrome is created due to a mutation in the gene MeCP2, which influences too much gene jumping. Specifically these genes jump to sections of the genome that are essential to brain functioning. Too much gene jumping causes defects in important genes, leading to defects in brain functioning. This article relates to this unit's topics since it shows how mutations are changes in genes that usually harm the body.
ReplyDeleteURL: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-10/scientists-deploy-dna-forensics-protect-overhunted-animals
ReplyDeleteTitle: Is Your Dinner Endangered? DNA Detectives Investigate
Author: Laura Allen
The article is about using DNA to identify foods. The author hopes the in the future, technology to identify products such as food, will be easily accessed. This specific case is about certain sea creatures. It start about Bluefin Tuna and then about caviar. She says that things such as caviar are easily mislabeled. Perhaps if DNA identification is free to all, then we could help prevent extinction. In biology, we've been learning about DNA. This helps us connect to the forensic science used in the article.
Antimatter, Here to stay
ReplyDeleteBy Alexandre Witze.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/65693/title/Antimatter%2C_here_to_stay
For everything, there is an equal and opposite action. Even to the molecular level, a cataclysmic form of annihilation occurs between Matter and Antimatter, the complete negative reciprocal of matter. Instead of a proton with a positive charge, the nucleus piece is replaced with an antiproton, with a negative charge. Same with the electron, in antimatter, it is called an antielectron or a positron. Now at the Centre Europeen Resarch Nuclair, CERN, teams of particle physicists have hoarded together an astonishing number with an unbelievable life time--38 antiatoms for a sixth of a second. They were able to do this by pressurizing them down by the use of magnetic fields. With new funding, a new project will open in two years and the supply would increase hundred fold.
Zhenya F. 7
Title: U.S. Says Genes Should Not Be Eligible for Patents
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Andrew Pollack
URL:http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/30/business/30drug.html?_r=1&ref=dna_deoxyribonucleic_acid
This article discusses the fact that the U.S. federal government said that genes should not be allowed to be patented. This brought up many arguments by scientists and researchers in biotechnology. They argued that if capable it would make it easier to help treat people by pinpointing which specific genes they have and how to treat them. The opposing side argues that genes are not an invention, they are a part of nature and were there long before the scientists "found them". The government said that this would have little impact because genetically modified organisms and gene therapies were still able to be patented.
Switching a Gene in Adult Mice Easily Transforms Males into Females
ReplyDeleteBy Rebecca Boyle
Link: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2009-12/gene-switch-transforms-adult-female-mice-males
In this article, the author explains how scientists have discovered that, by turning off just one gene, shared by all mammals, a mouse can transform from female to male. When the female gene in a female mouse, which was the test subject, is turned off, the male gene replaces it. The gene then, by protein synthesis, can make the female ovary cells into cells found in the male testes. This discovery can give surgeons another option in changing one's gender. However, scientists do not know if the genes can switch the other way around.
This article relates to what we're learning, because, recently in class, we have been learning about genes, transformation, and genetically modified organisms. This article exemplifies all that we've been learning, because, the subject of having changed genes change an organisms gender already shows about our understanding genes and genetic modifications. We can go further in genetic modifications when the article states that the male gene takes over the "off" female gene, mutating the organism. Transformation occurs once the gene takes its role; creating cells that are usually found in male testes, replacing ovarian cells.
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-11/ten-ways-scientists-are-customizing-animals
ReplyDeleteName of article:Twelve Extreme Animal Modifications in the Name of Science
Author: Dan Nosowitz
The article is about how scientists are testing certain genes and modifications on animals. Some the uses are giving animals help for disabilities. Most of the animals have a increase in size for testing or food purposes. Also some animals are being tested on if we can use the genes or help that we give them. This relates to what we are learning because we are learning about different kinds of DNA. We are also learning about biotechnology and how scientists use it to help or test things.
Rare mutations key to brain disorders
ReplyDeleteSevere disease-causing variants often unique to those affected
By Tina Hesman Saey
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/65454/title/Rare_mutations_key_to_brain_disorders
This article is about the relationship between brain damage, mental retardation, and genetic mutations. Many things were found, and scientists have all sorts of theories. What they did was find 10 people with mental retardation. They looked for genetic mutations in these peoples genome. They then narrow it down to just the mutations that the retarded kids have and not their healthy parents. In the 10 people, they found 9 new mutations. However, 3 of these mutations were not related to the brain. The other 6 were linked to mental retardation in mice and are thought to be definite factors. In one case, the mother's X chromosome had a mutation that caused retardation, but being a woman, she had an extra healthy X chromosome. Her son however, only had one X chromosome, the mutated one. This article showed that scientists are doing new and innovative research towards the causes of mental retardation.
Rare Mutations Key to Brain Disorders
ReplyDeleteby Tina Hesman Saey
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/65454/title_Rare_mutations_key_to_brain_disorders
This article is about brain disorders and the many mutations that cause them. Scientists found nine new mutations in patients and each patient had a mutation in a different gene. Three of the mutations are not likely to create mental retardation though, because they are not involved with brain development. This relates to what we have learned in this unit because we spent some time in class learning about mutations and spent lots of time learning about DNA. Mutations are a source of variation in a species, which are necessary to adapt to changing conditions over time (evolution). Some mutations can cause brain disorders.
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-07/has-gay-gene-been-found-female-mice
ReplyDeleteHas The "Gay Gene" Been Found in Female Mice?
By Mara Hvistendahl
This article is about how some scientists have altered the sexual preferences of female mice by removing a single gene linked to reproductive behavior. Without the gene, the mice gravitated toward mice of the same sex.
This relates to what we have been learning in class as we have been discussing how X and Y chromosomes determine in the person is male or female. The FucM gene tricks female mouse brains into functioning like male brains, resulting in being attracted to the same sex.
Genetically modified salmon up for FDA approval, then dinner
ReplyDeleteBy Diana Gitig
http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2010/11/genetically-modified-salmon-up-for-fda-approval-then-dinner.ars
This article is about the proposed use of genetically modified salmon. The salmon population is shrinking. The new genetically modified salmon has two new genes: a gene for growth hormone, taken from another type of salmon, and an antifreeze gene, from another fish. This could become the very first GM animal available on the market. However, the FDA is evaluating salmon only as a drug, and testing how safe it is compared with other salmon. This decision could begin another wave of controversy over GMOs. This relates to what we have been learning in class because they are using recombinant DNA technnology to create an organism with a desired characteristic.
Ted A. 7°
Title:GMOs and Mother Nature? Closer Than You Think
ReplyDeleteAuthor:James McWilliams
Link:http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/gmos-and-mother-nature-closer-than-you-think/?scp=1&sq=gmos&st=cse
Comment:One opinion on GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, is that they are unnatural. I believe this to be true. GMOs are actually made by the human race, not by Mother Nature. Now, after many years of making GMOs in the world, Mother Nature is starting to create them, it is not just humans any more. Many people, scientists or otherwise, have predicted that this would happen for quite some time, but have not done anything to stop it. One person named Professor Bengt O. Bengtsson argues that this truth should be accepted instead of people just rejecting its existance for the rest of their lives.
Title: Big Reveals for Genome of Tiny Animal
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Tina Hesman Saey
Link: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/66426/title/Big_reveals_for_genome_of_tiny_animal
Comment: A recent study of plankton shows that a well-preserved genome is not necessarily responsible for how vertebrates are put together. The entire human race is, of course, considered vertebrates. French and Norwegian scientists have deciphered the genetic blueprints of a tunicate called Oikopleura dioica, a small member of a plentiful group of plankton in the world. The finding of the fact that its genome had almost the same number of genes as humans shocked the researchers. This was because of the previous thought which was that the arrangement of genes on chromosome determined how an organism's body plan would be laid out. This information gave the scientists new clues about introns, chunks of DNA that interrupt the protein-building instructions in genes, and how they form. It has also resulted in the knowledge that common genome sturcture in most animals may have been caused by genetic drifting. As they always say, "One small swim for plankton, one huge leap for mankind".
Title: This Week, FDA Considers Genetically Engineered Salmon for Human Consumption
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Rebecca Boyle
URL: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-09/week-fda-mulls-marketing-genetically-engineered-salmon-human-consumption
In this article, the author discusses the issue of labeling of a genetically modified food. The "supersalmon" has been apporoved by the FDA to be safe to eat. Now what is under consideration is how the fish would need to be labeled. Whether or not the consumers should clearly be able to see it is in fact a genetically modified organism. Right now FDA regulations say that a GMO only needs to be labled as such if it is significantly different from the original product. This would be the first genetically modified animal allowed out in the market. If the FDA approves the companies request, the fish could be available in as little as two years.
Title: Muscle-Linked Gene Therapy Pumps Up Monkeys
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Stuart Fox
URL: http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2009-11/muscle-linked-gene-therapy-pumps-monkeys
In this article, Stuart Fox discusses the creation of a gene that creates more, stronger muscle. The gene controls a protein that can block a natural chemical that lessens muscle mass. Scientists tested this gene on monkey's legs and it worked very well. People are worried that this gene may make it's way into sports. Even though gene doping is not allowed, people believe athletes will find away around it and try to begin using this gene to create more muscle.