How important is your DNA to you?

As many of us have heard, there are companies out there that claim to give you results based on your DNA. Before sending your DNA kit, there are some facts that you should keep in mind. First of all, the results obtained are NOT a diagnosis. These are chances of risks for certain/diseases or disorders. Second, tests might not be accurate even though they claim they are. Third, the tests results sent back home to the consumers have a high chance for false positives which means diagnosing a person with something they might not even have. Also, this might happen all the way around, with a false negative, telling a person they do not have a disease that they actually do have. Fourth, diseases with neurological conditions cannot be tested such as dementia. These are some of the reasons why these companies should not be trusted 100%. 

Personally, I have never sent any genetic information to any of these companies but I have heard of many people that have done it. This does not necessarily mean that the information given from these websites are false, but it is a warning so we do not believe in every advertisement we see/read. Out of curiosity, many people send their genetic DNA to find out different things like their ancestry, for example. Others, offer to let you if you suffer from any diseases or based on the DNA they will tell you how to better your diet. The same companies offer diet plans. “Discover DNA insights that will keep you on track all year long”, phrases like this one are being used to catch the attention of individuals.

Do not let a random individual have access to your DNA without doing research first.

Genomic Prediction

The Genomic Prediction has developed genetic screening tests that can identify low IQ in IVF embryos. These tests have not been used on any embryos yet. To limit ethical concerns, the Genomic Prediction stated that they will only be using this testing to screen for embryos that may have mental disabilities. In the future, researchers believe that they will be able to scan for embryos with high IQs. While it has been possible to screen for IVF embryos for certain things such as cystic fibrosis or Down’s Syndrome, it is difficult to screen for conditions that are influenced by hundreds of genes such as intelligence. These tests cannot predict the IQ of each embryo, but they can identify the outliers. 

I support the Genomic Prediction’s decision to not help prospective parents select for their embryos based on high-IQ. While these tests are groundbreaking, I do not think that they should be used in every circumstance. I’m sure that another country will create a similar technology and actually allow their citizens to select their IVF embryos based on IQ. However, I think more testing needs to be done before countries even begin to think about allowing any parent to use this technology. For example, not enough information is known yet to fully understand the consequences of selecting for the IVF embryos with the highest IQs.

Apples. All From the Same Seed?

Apples originally all came from one seed, transplanted across the Silk Road by being tossed out by travelers between China and Europe. Scientist from an article posted in Popular Science believe that any seed could give you any type of apple there is today. The discarded cores cross pollinated with soft and sour crab varieties closer to Asia, while in Europe a new species was created. In 1870 Iowa a random seedling gave a farmer dark red apple which blossomed into the now Red Delicious that was picked for breeding due to having a longer shelf life. Genetic research shows that Granny Smith apples also came from the domestic apple, just a different variation. Honeycrisps were developed at the University Minnesota for a sweeter juicier type of apple. They also developed an apple called MN1627 which was never sold publicly but it had cells twice as large as the Honeycrisp for a crunchier skin. A Cosmic Crisp apple, grown in Washington State on 11.6 million trees will be sold sometime in 2019, which is a mix of sweet and tart.

The scientists believe that every apple comes from one seed. I believe that they all started as one but with all of the genetic mutations that have created all types of apples, I find it hard to believe that if I were to drop any apple seed into the ground that I have the possibility to get any kind. Apples grow everywhere and those conditions also play a role in the type of apple that is grown. 

A foundation called DNA-Prokids, established by Dr. Jose A. Lorente, uses DNA tests to match missing children up with the DNA of their parents. This foundation has, as of August 2012, reunited 550 children with their families, and stopped 200 illegal adoptions. Dr. Lorente had the idea of using DNA kits to match missing children with their families while looking at homeless street kids in the streets of Peru. He wanted to help these kids find the homes they had lost. Dr. Lorente then used his connections to push for the DNA collection of parents upon filing missing children’s reports in various countries, as well as the DNA collection of parents attempting to adopt off their children, in order to make sure that the adoption process is legal. Although he has exciting work, identifying the remains of famous figures, he finds that reuniting families is more fulfilling and heart-warming work.




I think that Dr. Lorente’s program should be implemented in every country. It is ingenious that he came up with the idea to trace families of missing kids through DNA, and I feel that with all of the still-missing kids in America, it is just one simple procedure that might increase the chances of finding missing children that much more. I don’t see any reason why countries should not embrace the idea of tracing missing children through DNA, if the program has been proven in aiding the union of many families already.

Genetics behind defects of Canine Enamel

A study from the University of Helinski determined that humans and dogs share the same two genes that may be the cause of their enamel issues. Two genes, ENAM and ACP4, were previously linked in humans for their cause in enamel disorders were also found in multiple types of dogs. The disorder, Amelogenisis imperfect (AI), is what is known in humans to cause the hereditary disorders of the enamel. This disorder is linked with 10 genes including ACP4 and ENAM. The disorder can cause physical and dental harm to both dogs and humans. Mutations or defects in these two genes can cause  developmental issues in the thickness of the enamel, quality or even absence of it entirely. The ENAM mutation controls the protein, Enamelin, which controls whether the teeth receive the correct amount of thickness of enamel. The ACP4 mutation is controlled by the phosphatase enzyme which we think controls cellular differentiation and mineralisation however this data is not fully clear yet.

Dogs with the ACP4 mutation did show thin enamel and a slight mineralisation disorder. 

Due to dogs having the same primary and permanent types of teeth and similar numbers of teeth I think this is a very useful study to conduct. Previously, most of these cases remained undiagnosed but now we have a chance to learn more about the causes of these mutations and exactly what they control. This is both great for the human as well as there best friend, the dog for there overall health.

Cell editors correct genetic errors

In an article published by Science Daily, scientists studying RNA editing have decided to turn to the professionals for help. Editing proteins known as PPR are masters in the art of RNA modification. In plants much of the genetic material contains small errors affecting the DNA in the mitochondria of the cells. But rather than changing the DNA (the actual building blueprints.) these editors act as proofreaders. Going over the RNA and proofreading for any mistakes. Since each editor can usually only recognize one specific error, most plants can have upwards of 500 different proof readers. Researchers curious to see how these whether these editors work alone, or if they need help decided to insert the PPR into E. coli. The assumption of most researchers was that the PPR locate errors and then call upon an RNA correction fluid, an enzyme called cytidine deaminase for help. However, what they discovered was that some PPR proteins have a certain sequence of amino acids at their end which are known to theoretically act as cytidine deaminase. It’s as if they carry their own vial of correction fluid, ready to correct any errors on the spot. 

The question is, why did this develop over the course of evolution. One theory suggests that the RNA editing may allow plants to collect mutations. With so many different combinations of changes that individually could be harmful or even fatal, but together could provide a survival advantage for the plant. Discoveries like these pave the way for amazing possibilities in the now not so distant future. One-day RNA editing will be used to cure diseases that today’s medicine simply cannot cure and treatments cannot help. The future of medical science may very well depend on genetics.

No Pain or Anxiety

 

A 66 year old woman in Scotland had told doctors that she felt no arthritis pain before and after her surgery. According to an article in Popular Science her case could potentially lead to new ways to alleviate depression in patients. Researchers at University College London specializing in pain genetics have tested the woman's DNA and some from her immediate family. They found a newly discovered gene has a mutation. There is a deletion of the gene which is called a pseudogene, it is a copy of a fully functioning gene just copied elsewhere. The woman's pseudogene is called FAAH-OUT where FAAH normally promotes euphoric or happy feelings and decreases negative sensations. FAAH affects the anandamide levels, this woman's anandamide levels were 70% higher than typical, causing her to not feel pain and keep her happy. The woman has never required pain medication, she would only take it due to being told to by doctors. The woman's father was the same way but her daughter is normal and her son is heterozygous for the rare mutation his mother has. This mutation has been tested in mice where they have little pain, less anxiety, enhanced skin healing, and short term memory problems. Research into slight loss of FAAH is still ongoing to help determine if it will help reduce anxiety and depression.




Although, this is still ongoing research, I hope that they can find a way to help people with severe depression get better with something more natural than chemicals produced outside of the body. As for the woman whose DNA is being tested for the research, I hope that she is able to deal with her memory problems. Also, I hope that she continues to be unable to feel pain because at her age if she were to start feeling the pain fully I do not think she would be able to handle it easily.

Gene Mutation Causes Woman to not Feel Any Pain

A 65 year old woman from Scotland went to a Doctor complaining that she was having issues with her hip. Upon running tests, it was concluded that she suffered from severe joint degeneration (a very painful disease)-but she felt no pain. Dr. Devjit Srivastava, a consultant in Anesthesia and Pain Medicine at NHS hospital in Scotland, diagnosed her to having an insensitivity to pain. The woman also confessed to never being stressed, anxious, or ever needing any painkillers-even after surgery.

The woman was sent to a pain geneticists at the University of Oxford and it was discovered that she had two mutations in her genes: one was a microdeletion is a pseudogene which researchers has described for the first time as FAAH-OUT, and another mutation in the neighboring gene that controls the FAAH enzyme. The FAAH gene is responsible for signaling pain sensation, mood and memory.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190327203450.htm

Researchers believe there are many more people with this mutation in their FAAH gene, but live their lives completely unaware they even have it. By studying these gene mutation more, it can help immensely with people that live in chronic pain, or even patients recovering from surgery. By manipulating the FAAH-OUT gene, Doctors would be able to treat their post-surgery patients without the use of opioids, and decrease their patients healing time. In my opinion, this would be a very interesting research to conduct as the opioid crisis is at its all time high. 

Ancient DNA Show Possible Migration

An article in National Geographic discusses some interesting information found in the DNA of early humans in southern Europe. Population geneticists have found that in the Iberian Peninsula area a migration that occurred roughly 4500 years ago had a drastic impact of the genetics of the people there. By sequencing the DNA of 271 ancient Iberians they found out that around 2500 B.C. there was the appearance of individuals from the Black and Caspian sea area which caused a change in the DNA of the population by about 40 percent. They also found that by 2000 B.C. the Y chromosome was completely changed, meaning that the migration that took place earlier consisted largely of men. Researchers believe that these men might have helped to usher in the Bronze Age in that area. There was also the skeleton of a single North African individual found in the Iberian area from about 2500 B.C. who shows that there was movement between North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula earlier than they believed.

I think that the information that was discussed in this article was interesting because there is so much about our early human ancestors that we don’t know so any information that we can get can be rather fascinating. I also think it’s interesting how we can sequence the DNA of people back then, and how what we can find from this DNA can inform us about things like migration patterns from the Russia area to Europe, and what kind people might was traveled in this migration.    

Sons or Daughters?

In an article posted by Science daily,  a scientist, Corry Gellatly, claims that a undisclosed gene carried by the male sperm is the reason why a couple produces a boy or girl baby. The idea behind the New Castle University scientist, is that the men inherit the tendency to have more sons or daughters from there parents. If the man has more brothers compared to sisters than it is likely that he will have more sons than daughters and vice versa. This idea was tested using 927 family trees and over 550,000 people. Scientifically, we know that men carry the X(male) and Y(female) chromosome while the female carries the X chromosome. If we end up with an XY then a male baby is produced and an XX produces a female. Gellatly's theory hypothesizes "that men carry two different types of alleles in which three combinations could possibly occur which control the ratio of the X and Y sperm".
They first combination is called "mm" and concludes that if there are more Y sperm than you end up with more male sons. The opposite is also true in which if we have more X sperm than we end up with more daughters. He calls this "ff". The last possibility is referred to as "mf" which produces equal amounts of sons or daughter because it has equal amounts of X and Y sperm. I find this article fairly interesting that we are coming very close to predicting whether someone will be having a baby boy or girl based upon family history.

Smelling Parkinson's

Discover Magazine posted an article about a woman who has a nose that is able to sniff out Parkinson's. She claims to be a "super smeller" and states she had smelled that her husband had Parkinson's years before he was diagnosed. To diagnose Parkinson's is not easy, it can take years after physical symptoms arise. There is a test that is multiple images of brain to check and see if the cells are damaged. This testing is hard to do and usually is done too late. The woman who is able to smell the Parkinson's says she it is something very musky. Scientists believe that the smell comes from the sebum found on your face and back not something that is smelled by sweating. The woman's ability to smell the disease is a way to potentially find a cure or treatment for Parkinson's.

Although, the science behind this research is based on a woman's nose, she was born with a mutated gene related to odorant receptors to be able to be a super smeller. This could be a break through for all of the other people who are super smellers, they could potentially lead to finding a cure or treatment for Parkinson's since the smell can be caught as soon as it is brought on. I think many people would be skeptical but if they can truly smell it, then it does not hurt to have the chance to know if you are effected years before other testing could find out.

DNA gets a new and bigger genetic alphabet

 A recent article published in the New York Times talks about how the genetic alphabet is getting a little bigger and it could give us clues to how life in other parts in the universe could exist. For the past 34 years Dr. Steven A. Benner has been trying to expand the alphabet of DNA. Last month Dr. Benner and a group of scientist published a paper reporting their success. The team of scientists not only expanded the DNA alphabet, they doubled it. Successfully building an 8 base DNA as a posed to the regular four base DNA. The 8 base DNA that consists of four natural and four unnatural bases and crafting it was a marvelous feat. As they fit perfectly into the DNA’s double helix and the enzymes can read them just as easily as natural bases. They named their new system Hachimoji (hachi meaning eight in Japanese and moji meaning letter.) Dr. Benner has started making unnatural proteins from these unnatural genes and has started a company Synthorx to develop some of these proteins as cancer drugs. On the other side of the spectrum scientists are heralding his work as making huge strides in the computer science field as well. The Hachimoji DNA with its 8 bases is capable of holding much more information. One day rather than having information embedded in silicon chips, it may just be encoded into a single strand of DNA.

How Mosquito Genes Could be the Key to a Bite-Free Summer

A recent article published in the Los Angeles Times claims that genetic research being conducted with mosquitoes could be leading to a breakthrough we have all been waiting for. A team of researchers led by Dr. Matt DeGennaro at Florida International University are currently analyzing the genes in mosquitoes that help them find and bite them. Mosquitoes have the potential to carry many different harmful diseases, such as Zika Virus, Malaria, and Yellow Fever. The ability to isolate the genes responsible for their ability to hunt down and potentially infect humans would be a step in the direction of preventing these deadly diseases from being spread. Through his work with a species of mosquito known as Aedes aegypti, Dr. DeGennaro has determined that mosquitoes rely on a wide variety of cues to locate humans. They are known to have the ability to detect both carbon dioxide and lactic acid in the air to locate humans, and can even taste a human with their legs by landing on their skin. These uncanny abilities are possible because of certain genes the mosquito possesses. DeGennaro has done extensive research on the role the IR8a scent receptor in Aedes aegypti that detects carbon dioxide and lactic acid, and has found a way to disrupt the gene that codes for this key receptor. DeGennaro's research shows that mosquitoes without this receptor did have a significantly lower response to human chemical signatures. Overall, a much lower percentage of mosquitoes without the IR8a gene were able to detect human blood and odor than normal mosquitoes with the IR8a gene. This discovery is likely the first step in devising a strategy to deactivate this gene in mosquitoes and stop the spreading of deadly diseases such as Yellow Fever.

I think that this article and the research being conducted by Dr. DeGennaro and his team is very promising. The ability to isolate one of the genes that help mosquitoes track and bite humans is a very useful discovery. In the not-so-distant future, I would expect this information to lead to a new type of insecticide that specifically targets the IR8a gene in mosquitoes. This may seem very unlikely right now, but science progresses very quickly, and it would not surprise me if this type of insecticide was possible in the next few decades. However, the disruption of the mosquitoes' IR8a gene would do more than stop them from biting humans. The inability to detect carbon dioxide would likely impair their ability to locate any potential prey. This would cause the death of many mosquitoes and cause the entire ecosystem to be thrown out of balance. Before this is done, ecologists must determine what kinds of effects a dwindling mosquito population would have on the environment and weigh the risks and rewards associated with this scientific breakthrough.

Your Genes and Birth Control

An assistant professor from the University of Colorado School of Medicine wrote an article about your genes may effect how well your birth control works. Nicole Wetsman covered the article in Popular Science. The first study the professor did, he found that some gene variants metabolize a common hormone in birth control much faster causing the concentration to be reduced and not work as well. The scientists and doctors sequenced 14 genes and found that those with a variance in the gene CYP3A7 had 23% lower concentration of etonogestrel which mimics progesterone. Though when using the implant there was still enough of the hormone to prevent pregnancy due to how high the concentration in the implant is. They determined that if someone using a pill which has a significantly lower amount of etonogestrel, missed a single pill could lead to a pregnancy much easier. Though due to how the gene uses the hormones another person who misses one pill it could have no affect at all. The study has a lot more research to be done, but it can lead to less negativity when a woman gets pregnant and says that she used her birth control correctly.

This is a good study for all women to be looking at if they are considering using birth control. The study points out that all birth control is different and it is a trial and error type situation but if you were to find out that you have the variation in that specific gene, you would know to choose the implant or a birth control with higher amount of etonogestrel. They will continue to study all types of birth control so that eventually, you could be told which will work best for you. I think this is great because not only will it help prevent unplanned pregnancies but it will also help eliminate the side effects that can be experienced.

Devious Defecator: Who done it

A warehouse in Atlanta, Georgia named Atlas Logistics Group Retail Services came across an issue in which an unknown employee was defecating on their floors near the food they store for retail stores. The supervisors of the warehouse proposed and used a cheek swab for genetic analysis on two employees to try to link the DNA to one of them that they believed committed the dirty crime. The DNA test came back and proved both men innocent of there accused crime. The men, upset from the jokes and accusations, sued the company. 

Federal judge, Amy Totenburg, ruled that the workers had a case and were to be awarded damages that were undecided due to the fact that there is not many cases regarding situations of the nature in this one. According to the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), "although the test did not reveal any medical information, it fell under the GINA law" which is used to protect people from genetic information that they feared could be used against them. Ultimately the judge ruled that "A genetics test is a genetic test is a genetics test". The real argument that the article provides us is, if a company requests genetic information but it provides no medical information, does it break the GINA act and infringe your rights as a human?

Personally, I believe that a company who demands any employee to submit genetics testing, is in fact, breaking the GINA act and violating a persons rights. Regardless if the test is used medically or for another genetic reason, it all involves genetics of people who are to be protected. I do also believe that the article provides us with a situation where employers and employees should know the laws regarding genetics and genetic testing. 

Sharks May be the Key to a Cure

Sharks may be the Key to a Cure

Scientists believe that sharks hold secrets to cancer and other age related diseases found in humans. Shark DNA reveals mutations that protect them from these diseases. Sharks have the ability to repair strands of their DNA in ways humans are not able to. Our genome is unstable and that leads to use acquiring these age dependent deficiencies. Currently, sharks have DNA 1.5x bigger than human DNA which obviously means they code for things we cant. This research may be the key for us to understand DNA and how it can be applied to help with our own DNA.

Designer Organelles

Scientists have engineered the process of translation into a designer organelle in a living mammalian cell in an article by Science Daily. This technique was used to make an organelle, with no membrane, that can build proteins from natural and synthetic amino acids that would carry a new functionality. This will allow scientists to study and control cellular function in more detail. The development of designer organelles could be one way to allow foreign pathways to be controlled within eukaryotic biotechnology. Right now the tool is being used to engineer transcription but may also be able to engineer transcription and post translational modifications in the future. This could lead to the creation of new types of organelles. Translation is such a complex process so I find it absolutely incredible that scientists were able to engineer it. I believe that this discovery is a huge step towards molecular engineering and the ability to better grasp the function of cells better. 

rebuilding coral reefs

Currently there is research going on in order to save the coral reefs. In Science Magazine, Warren Cornwall describes the research Madeleine van Oppen has been doing for a few years now in order to genetically change coral so that it is able to withstand higher seawater temperatures. A lot of the coral reefs around the world are dying due to global temperatures rising and an increase of carbon dioxide in the water. It is estimated that the seawater temperatures will increase another 3°C by the year 2100. One of the many problems the researchers at National Sea Simulator face is that coral only spawn once a year. Once the coral spawns, the eggs only survive a few hours if they aren't fertilized by sperm giving researchers a limited window of opportunity that only comes once a year.

It's very sad to read about how much coral we've already lost from The Great Barrier Reef as well as other reefs around the world. This research isn't just to genetically alter coral so that they can survive the increasing temperatures but also to find the stronger corals, ones that are able to survive the warmer water and coral bleaching, and continue to reproduce those in order to rebuild the reefs. There has been success with this research but not enough to stop the decay of the reefs.

Gene therapy for unborn babies

The Guardian posted an article about doctor's using CRISPR to treat a rare brain disorder in unborn babies. The gene therapy they are using could mend the mutations in the womb that causes Angelman Syndrome. The treatment has never been tested before but it would involve the doctor's injecting a virus into the brain that infects the neurons and delivers molecules to correct the genetic faults. The disorder can be detected at 10 weeks and has been tested on a brain cell grown in a dish.  It is suggested that the procedure will be best performed in the second trimester. Normal brain development gene comes from UBE3A where the gene from the mother is "on" and from the father is silenced. During development the gene from the mother is missing or mutated, so the CRISPR technology turns the father's gene "on".
Angelman syndrome affects one in 15,000 births and the children often experience seizures, along with difficulty sleeping and walking. I believe that once this is tested more that it would greatly improve the lives of many children. The testing could be better if doctor's were able to actually use the CRISPR technology on babies in the womb but due to the uncertainty I understand why the testing is only done on mice. Hopefully within the next few years this technology and syndrome can be handled and cured or at least be a treatment for children already suffering from the syndrome. 

The genetics of regeneration

In a study funded in part by Harvard University researchers uncover the genetic “switches” responsible for whole body regeneration. Many animals are capable of regenerating lost limbs or even half of their bodies. Researchers look to their genetic code for answers on what genes are responsible for granting these animals this amazing ability. By studying the three-banded panther worm they have come to discover that a piece of non-coding DNA controls the activation of a “master control gene” called early growth response or EGR for short. This EGR acts as a sort of control panel switching other genes on or off. The researchers had to assemble the worm’s genome sequence in order to understand exactly what was taking place and how. They were able to decrease the activity of the EGR gene and discovered that without it, regeneration simply does not occur. Humans also possess this gene however it seems to be wired differently in us than it is in other species unfortunately for us. The researchers hope to discover whether the genes activated during regeneration are the same ones activated in development or if a whole different process is taking place on a genetic level. This discovery opens huge doors into the future of genetics. Perhaps one day we will be capable of activating regeneration in humans who have lost or deformed limbs. Instead of needing an organ transplant people could simply regenerate damaged organs. Regeneration may just be the future of medical science.

New DNA Tool

According to Science Daily, a new DNA tool can accurately predict people's height and could potentially assess risk for serious illnesses, such as heart disease and cancer. It first started out with studies being done in Michigan State University, where computers were used to read people's height and bone density. The reading of bone density was not entirely to point, but it showed accurate readings of other things, such as diseases.

The advanced algorithm is able to look at the genetic make up and height of each person. The computer learns from each person and ultimately produces a predictor that can determine how tall they are from their genome alone. The computer system is currently being worked on in order to advance and accurately interpret genetic traits and diseases. 

This new technological advance can help many doctors identify a better way to read and predict illnesses. A genomic test using this algorithm can be as simple as a cheek swab, with efficient cost as low as $50. I believe that this is a better advancement into technology, where doctors are going to have a better hands on exposure to patients health. 

Is your physique not quite summer ready? You can blame your genes.

In January 2019, while most Americans are fulfilling their new year resolutions, U.S. News & World Report published an article which was originally composed by HealthDay News that may relieve some pressure to have that perfect beach body this summer. Robert Preidt wrote this article based on a study performed by Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science at the University of Cambridge. Sadaf Farooqi lead the study which debunked the myth that all people who are overweight are lazy and do not care about their health. There have been similar studies done in the past which focused on obese people and how their genes may be effecting their weight. This new study differs by focusing on a broader scope of individuals and comparing their genetic make up. The group of people being analyzed included those who are underweight, healthy weight and obese. Genetic variants were discovered present in each weight category. This data was calculated to determine what impact ones genes has on the outcome of their physique. It was concluded that the individuals with specific genetic variants had a higher chance of being obese. Accordingly, thinner people showed an absence of those same genes.

We are often quick to judge others for anything and everything but most commonly their weight. People who are "too skinny" must have an eating disorder or self image issues. Those who are "overweight" must have no self control and never exercise. These thoughts are not only offensive but simply incorrect. I believe the media should focus on increasing awareness of these types of studies. This does not mean that your physique is out of your control. It just means that we all need to be a little more gracious towards one another and realize we are not all cut from the same mold.

Genetic Mutations in Minutes Thanks to CRISPR

An article from Phys.org gives thanks to a team of engineers from the university of California, Berkeley and Keck Graduate Institute of The Claremont Colleges, who created a new device called the CRISPR-Chip to help, potentially, diagnose genetic diseases more efficiently.  The device has the ability to search DNA to seek out potential mutations by placing purified DNA directly on the chip and within a few minutes the graphene transistor reports the data.  Graphene was used because it is very electrically sensitive giving it the ability to detect a DNA sequence mutation without amplification.

What this CRIPR-Chip does that most forms of genetic testing does not is the CRISPR-Chip uses microelectronics to detect the mutations without amplifying or replicating the DNA segment.  This is significant because this means genetic testings can be performed in doctors offices without a need to send the samples out.

Using E.Coli to find cancer promoting proteins in humans

           Cancer results from the overproduction of mutations in the cell, which proceeds in the damage of the DNA. There are external events such as smoking and sunlight that damages DNA, but it is mostly an internal occurrence. A study conducted in BaylorCollege of Medicine and the University of Texas of Austin was proceeded to determine proteins that are cancer-promoting by using the bacteria E.coli as a model. Due to the bacterium E.coli having similar biological process with humans, Rosenberg—the leader of Cancer Evolvability Program—set out to uncover proteins that cause damage in the DNA in ways that can eventually lead to cancer.

            The team genetically modified E.coli to over express 4,000 bacterial genes. When the protein overproduction then turned fluorescent red this showed how it was associated to DNA damage. It was founded that the DNA that was damaged were not directly related to the DNA, but instead the transport of molecules across the cell membrane. It showed that the overproduction of E.coli proteins not only caused damage to the DNA but increase of mutations.

            This research can tell be used to further broaden our information in how there is many different ways that DNA can be damaged. By researching more in this topic we can then find ways to prevent or slow down ways of those that causes cancer. There could also be ways to protect our genomes from being harmed.