Blogs

FIG 1 - before the actual experiment, they needed to make sure that the tau_lacZ would be transported down the OSN axons and be visualized
- replace the exon OMP (unknown function) with tau_lacZ during homologous recombination
- use cre Recombinase to cut at the loxP sites to removes tkneo
- before they began this experiment, what was known? what kind of topographic mapping? the unknown?
- receptor activation in the bulb evidence derives from ISH experiments that detect the presence of specific receptor mRNAs at
convergent loci in the OB, but this doesn’t permit the visualization of the projection pathways but only identifies sites of axonal
convergence, also w/ this technique, can’t see single axons
FIG 2 – since OMP is expressed in all OSNs, you see intense X-gal staining in OSN axons and in OB glomeruli
- conclusion = tau_lacZ fusion protein is efficiently transported down axons
FIG3 – generate P2 tau_lacZ mice, restrict tau_lacZ to subset of OSNs and use those that express the P2 receptor
- if you just replaced P2 coding sequence w/ tau_lacZ then P2 expression would be eliminated from the modified allele but OSNs express a receptor from only one of the 2 alleles therefore cells expressing the modified P2 allele would express tau_lacZ but not the receptor and cells expressing the WT P2 allele would express the receptor but not tau_lacZ
- to assure that cells expressing tau_lacZ also express a fnuctional P2 receptor, they designed a targeting vector that would result in a
bicistronic mRNA
FIG 4 - see expression of lacZ in P2-IRES-tau_lacZ mice as early as E12.5, also no wandering axons (they saw that these results matched w/ the ISH experiment mentioned above), only a subset of OSNs express tau_lacZ = two distinct glomeruli receive projections from P2-tau_lacZ OSNs
FIG 5 – do P2-tau_lacZ OSNs project to the same glomeruli as WT P2 neurons?
- b/c in the P2-tau_lacZ mouse the other allele is WT
- 50% of P2 OSNs express the WT and the P2-tau_lacZ = monoallelic
FIG 7 – Receptor Swap replace P2 w/ M12 receptor (into P2 locus)
- model 1: OR is sole determinant of axon targeting therefore replacing P2 w/ M12 should target these OSN axons to the “M12 glomeruli”
- model 2: OR plays no role in targeting therefore replacing P2 w/ M12 won’t effect OSN targeting and the axons will go to “P2 glomeruli”
Results: project v. close to P2 (not M12) glomeruli (true in heter- and homo-)
- M12 to P2 projections about 200 micrometers posterior to WT P2 projections
- this suggest that OR is not the sole determinant of axonal targeting but OR is an important factor
So what is the role of OR in axon targeting? - data suggest that OR plays an instructive role in guidance process
- OR expressed in noth axons and OR may recognize guidances cues presented by OB cells independently of cilia OR activation
- activity is important – synchronous firing of subset of OSN expressing a specific OR could result in the segregation of M12P2
OSNs at sites close to but distant from P2 OSNs

source: (Mombaerts, Peter et al. "Visualizing an Olfactory Sensory Map." Cell, Vol. 87, 675–686, 15 Nov. 1996.)

The purpose of our project was to study the windows and doors of Morill 4 south for signs of arthropod inhabitance. Arthropods are more commonly referred to as insects. The signs we were looking for included live bugs, dead bugs, exoskeletons, webs and/or any cracks or openings that could be used as access points for them. We took two recordings a few days apart hoping to see a change in the number of signs present. In the graphs in the middle of the poster you can see the relationship between the various signs (dead bugs, live bugs and spider webs) and the distance from the window sill or door to the reptile located on the 5th floor in Morill. In general based on the graphs you can see that the number of signs of arthropods increased as the location got closer to the reptile room. We believe the reason for this is because of the luxury effect, which describes ecosystems shaped completely by human interaction. In this scenario more sign of arthropods were found on the fourth floor because there is less foot traffic on the third and fourth floor as compared to first and second floor. 

Dan and I both believe that the parents should have the right to test their daughter. Although the hospital is correct in saying the daughter will have her own choice once she turns 18. The fact that she is seven means that under the current conditions the parents have control over medical decisions in her life. Not to mention that by testing her the parents can make more informed decisions on what is best for their daughter and family, such as moving out a polluted environment. Jala believes that because of the personal effects of the genome screening and the fact that typically the disease doesn’t arise until the age of 20 that the hospital is correct in denying the parents request. She believes that the daughter will be able to make an informed decision at the age of 18 without major risks because the disease typically doesn’t arise till age 20 and because it is only 80% penetrant.

Proposal

      This was an interesting project because it made me think outside the box in terms of the entire scientific publication and writing process. I was excited to do this particular group project because it felt as if I was writing an actual research proposal for a grant. Reflecting back on this project, I learned a lot of new things. Even though this was a “simulation,” I still got an idea of what it would be like to work with other colleagues on a research project, the various protocols required beforehand and how to construct a proposal that will hopefully be accepted.

Poster Project

        This was not only an enjoyable project, but it was also very educational. Before starting this project, I was nervous because I didn’t know where to begin. For the most part, this was because other groups chose the same hypothesis (but different variables) as us, therefore we had to communicate with them to make sure we all had to the same goal and ideas in mind. This project required the combination of everything we’ve learned in the semester. The Writing in the Biological Sciences textbook was the most helpful for me. It was also an exciting challenge to create the posters using Scribus however once I saw the posters, I was very proud of our group as well as the other groups. In regards to the future, this project has especially spiked my interest in the scientific research field and I hope to one day use the knowledge from this class in a clinical lab setting.

Drafts
When first introduced to this assignment, I thought about how much of a strain it would put on my week. I began with expectation that the weekly drafts would be something I looked forward to doing in order to improve my writing skills. Certain hectic weeks prevented me from building up this ability and accomplishing my goals. However, reflecting back on this and thinking about how I wasn’t the only one that shared these worries, has moved me in the right direction towards improvement. It has taught me how to gather my thoughts about a certain subject and write them down in other classes and I can see a difference in my writing from the beginning of the semester compared to my current writing skills.

Perfect Paragraphs
I was excited to write erfect paragraphs each week. It seemed very easy and not as time-consuming. However, I did not think that I would learn anything from it. Creating perfect paragraphs was a very interesting assignment because it included input from other students. This is important to me because when I write, I always wonder if other people (especially my peers) can understand what I am trying to express. With this assignment and the integration of the draft assignment, I now pay more attention to spelling and sentence structure. I used to struggle with tenses in my writing but I feel I have a better understanding of it now.

After making the correct diagnosis, the patient can participate in several types of therapeutic treatments and clinical trials. There are several ongoing and completed trials for treating retinitis pigmentosa with gene therapy, drugs, oxygen therapy, stem cell transplantation and even acupuncture, that can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov. For instance, in a study performed by Rubens C. Siqueira, patients with severe retinitis pigmentosa were treated with an “intravitreal injection of autologous bone marrow stem cells” and evaluated monthly for an entire year with OCT and ERG. Results revealed a “1-line improvement in best-corrected visual acuity was measured in 4 patients 1 week after injection and was maintained throughout follow-up” and no detectable ERG responses. They concluded that since there were no adverse/toxic effects, it would be probable to conduct and investigate more types of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell therapies (Siqueira, 2011).
In another 2011 study, a RHO suppression and RHO replacement gene therapy was administered on a mouse model (P347S) with RHO-linked autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Both 5-day-old and adult mice were injected with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors that were used to “deliver an RNA interference (RNAi)-based rhodopsin suppressor and a codon-modified rhodopsin replacement gene resistant to suppression due to nucleotide alterations at degenerate positions over the RNAi target site” (Millington, 2011). By suppressing and replacing the mutated photoreceptors, the researchers predicted that they should function similarly to wild-type photoreceptors. They found that the ONL completely disappeared in untreated mice (the control group with the disease) and mice that were treated rhodopsin was expressed in the ONL. ERG comparisons between both groups showed significant improved responses when both types of vectors were administered. They also concluded that this type of approach can possibly pertain to any patient with RHO-linked regardless of the mode of action of a particular RHO mutation in future clinical studies (Millington, 2011). Consequently, retinitis pigmentosa is uncurable, however it seems that gene therapy could provide some type of solution.

Siqueira, R C, et al. “Intravitreal Injection of Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived Mononuclear Cells for Hereditary Retinal Dystrophy: a Phase I Trial.” Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.)., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 31 June 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21293313?dopt=Abstract.

Millington-Ward, Sophia, et al. “Suppression and Replacement Gene Therapy for Autosomal Dominant Disease in a Murine Model of Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa.” Molecular Therapy, vol. 19, no. 4, 11 Jan. 2011, pp. 642–649. NCBI, doi:10.1038/mt.2010.293.

Over the past few years, mail-in DNA testing kits have become exceptionally popular. These kits can be used in several ways. Some kits are focused for those who wish to learn more about their family history. People can use these testing services, which use their DNA to compare in massive proprietary databases, to discover where their family comes from. My own DNA showed ethnicity estimates in seven different regions. I had always thought I was almost completely Irish, but thanks to my DNA test, I now know that is not the case. Websites like AncestryDNA can also be used to help you create a family tree which, with the help of U.S. Census reports and other documents, can trace back your family for generations. I was able to find out about family members from five generations back. Your family tree can also become linked to other family trees when you have ancestors in common. AncestryDNA will also use you DNA test to find other members that your test indicates you are related to you. Ancestry found 159 predicted third and fourth cousins from my test. Other Websites, like 23 and Me, can analyze your DNA to inform you about health conditions. This can be taken further by using you genomic DNA in the website Promethease, which uses studied SNP’s to tell you what your genotype indicates. Here you can find out if you’re more of less likely to have certain diseases. Other SNP’s will indicate if things such as your muscle fiber make up.

Over the past few years, mail-in DNA testing kits have become exceptionally popular. These kits can be used in several ways. Some kits are focused for those who wish to learn more about their family history. People can use these testing services, which use their DNA to compare in massive proprietary databases, to discover where their family comes from. My own DNA showed ethnicity estimates in seven different regions. I had always thought I was almost completely Irish, but thanks to my DNA test, I now know that is not the case. Websites like AncestryDNA can also be used to help you create a family tree which, with the help of U.S. Census reports and other documents, can trace back your family for generations. I was able to find out about family members from five generations back. Your family tree can also become linked to other family trees when you have ancestors in common. AncestryDNA will also use you DNA test to find other members that your test indicates you are related to you. Ancestry found 159 predicted third and fourth cousins from my test. Other Websites, like 23 and Me, can analyze your DNA to inform you about health conditions. This can be taken further by using you genomic DNA in the website Promethease, which uses studied SNP’s to tell you what your genotype indicates. Here you can find out if you’re more of less likely to have certain diseases. Other SNP’s will indicate if things such as your muscle fiber make up.

Our project describes the relationship between the arthropods and the distance between the reptile room that's located on the 5th floor. We measured the distance of each floor from the reptile room and displayed a graph of live, dead, spider webs of each floor by collecting the data with 2 separate trials. With the research done and the data collected, we found out that the floor with less traffic by humans naturally has more arthropods compared to the 1st floor with the heaviest human traffic containing the least arthropods which makes sense. Human traffic is just a disruption or a interference of their environment so there is going to be less arthropods present in it. Look at our graphs and our data along with our background, abstract, and discussion. Mostly importantly our results to see how the numbers of arthropods are affected by the distance of the reptile room to the arthropods themselves. Overall, it was an excellent project and I'm glad it was done as we learned a lot. Big shoutout to Professor Brewer for helping everybody.

My family history went back several generations. On my father’s side of the family, we could only trace back to my grandparents. My grandmother, Rita Harvey, was an orphan and never knew her parents. My grandfather, Michael Harvey, was not adopted but I could not find any family history for him. They were both from Ireland and the databases are not as big and don’t go as far back as they do in the U.S.

               On my mother’s side of the family, a great amount of tracing back was able to be done. My mother’s parents were Edwin Cavanagh and Jackie Joy Singer. On my Jackie’s side of the tree, I was able to find out her parent’s names were William Singer and Hilda Victory. This part of the family was found to come from Texas (William) and Louisiana (Hilda). Which I found interesting because I had always thought the family had been all located in New York after coming to America from Ireland.