Environmental stimuli effects on gene regulation

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nik97ki
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:47 pm
Occupation: Student: 12th grade
Project Question: Hi. I want to do a project studying the effects of different environmental stimuli on an organism's gene regulation and expression. I'm not sure which organsim to use. I'm considering C.elegans, E.coli or Drsophilia, I just dont know which one is the best for this type of research project. Thank You.
Project Due Date: 02 / 25 / 15
Project Status: I am just starting

Environmental stimuli effects on gene regulation

Post by nik97ki »

I am planning on studying gene regulation and expression. I am hoping to successfully study an organism’s pattern of gene regulation and expression when being introduced into varying environmental stimuli. I’m not sure of what organism to use though. I was originally thinking of E. Coli cells, than C. Elegans or even Drosophilia but I'm not completely sure which organism is best for this type of project.


Thank you for your time.
deleted-226200
Former Expert
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2014 3:23 pm
Occupation: Former Forensic Scientist/Geneticist
Project Question: Volunteer Expert
Project Due Date: n/a
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Environmental stimuli effects on gene regulation

Post by deleted-226200 »

Hi there!

Sounds like an interesting project. In looking through the Sciencebuddies projects, I found these ideas that are similar to what you are contemplating.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p030.shtml - Effect of caffeine on Drosophila and other small organisms

Plenty using E. coli (and probably your best bet for studying gene regulation since bacteria are easily manipulated):
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p013.shtml
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p031.shtml
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p017.shtml

You'll need to have access to a laboratory to do this type of research. Finding a lab that studies gene regulation at a university nearby would be a good thing to look into. Another idea is to use plants to study gene regulation. Here are other project ideas:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p039.shtml
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p038.shtml
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p047.shtml

Good luck,
-Lisa
nik97ki
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:47 pm
Occupation: Student: 12th grade
Project Question: Hi. I want to do a project studying the effects of different environmental stimuli on an organism's gene regulation and expression. I'm not sure which organsim to use. I'm considering C.elegans, E.coli or Drsophilia, I just dont know which one is the best for this type of research project. Thank You.
Project Due Date: 02 / 25 / 15
Project Status: I am just starting

Re: Environmental stimuli effects on gene regulation

Post by nik97ki »

Thank You so much. This helped a lot.
deleted-132180
Former Expert
Posts: 302
Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2013 12:27 pm
Occupation: Graduate Student
Project Question: I am volunteering for the "Ask an Expert" program.
Project Due Date: I am volunteering for the "Ask an Expert" program.
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Environmental stimuli effects on gene regulation

Post by deleted-132180 »

Hi there,

The previous expert already gave you some really great advice. I completely agree that if you are interested in studying gene regulation, the project will likely require the use of more sophisticated molecular techniques that can only be done in a lab. Therefore, I think that it's a great idea to look up local university labs that happen to study gene regulation, find the ones that interest you the most (whether it be with bacteria, C. elegans, fruit flies, etc.), and contact those labs to see if they would be willing to help you out with your project. In case you haven't seen it already, Science Buddies has a page that gives students advice on how to contact/find a lab mentor: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... tors.shtml.

Connie
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