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Cancer Genome Anatomy Project
Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, MadelineB, Moderators
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rainerpac
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2012 3:53 pm
- Occupation: Student:8th grade
- Project Question: Why is a particular gene over-expressed in a type of cancer cell?
- Project Due Date: November 1,2012
- Project Status: I am just starting
Cancer Genome Anatomy Project
Hello. I need help on the topic Cancer Genome Anatomy Project i have looked at the links but found it sort of confusing can any bascially summarize it for me such as, what is the difference between an over-expressed gene and under-expressed gene ? My problem im trying to research is, Is there a difference in gene expression of certain genes between cancer and normal tissue ? Can anyone reply ASAP thank you
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deleted-71536
- Former Expert
- Posts: 895
- Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 3:59 pm
- Occupation: Professor
- Project Question: How do different animals adapt to their environment?
- Project Due Date: N/A
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: Cancer Genome Anatomy Project
Hi rainerpac,
You have selected an interesting and relevant project! Your question, "Is there a difference in gene expression of certain genes between cancer and normal tissue?" is exactly the type of question that can be answered with this project. So you are on the right track.
First, let's distinguish between an over-expressed gene and an under-expressed gene. Both of these terms refer to gene expression relative to normal cells. Thus, an over-expressed gene will be expressed (transcribed and translated into the protein product) more in the cancerous tissue than in the normal tissue. An under-expressed gene will be expressed (transcribed and translated) less in the cancerous tissue than in the normal tissue.
When you are following the protocol, keep in mind that Pool A refers to the normal tissue, and Pool B is the cancerous tissue. So, an over-expressed gene will have more "tags" in column B than column A, where as an under-expressed gene will have fewer "tags" in column B than column A. If a gene is normally "off" but gets turned "on" in cancer cells, there will be zero tags in column A and a number in column B. If a gene is normally expressed but gets turned off in cancer cells, there will be a number in column A and a zero in column B.
I hope that helps you get started. I recommend going into the program and trying to follow the steps so you can get familiar with the procedure. Please post again (in this same thread) if you have more questions!
Heather
You have selected an interesting and relevant project! Your question, "Is there a difference in gene expression of certain genes between cancer and normal tissue?" is exactly the type of question that can be answered with this project. So you are on the right track.
First, let's distinguish between an over-expressed gene and an under-expressed gene. Both of these terms refer to gene expression relative to normal cells. Thus, an over-expressed gene will be expressed (transcribed and translated into the protein product) more in the cancerous tissue than in the normal tissue. An under-expressed gene will be expressed (transcribed and translated) less in the cancerous tissue than in the normal tissue.
When you are following the protocol, keep in mind that Pool A refers to the normal tissue, and Pool B is the cancerous tissue. So, an over-expressed gene will have more "tags" in column B than column A, where as an under-expressed gene will have fewer "tags" in column B than column A. If a gene is normally "off" but gets turned "on" in cancer cells, there will be zero tags in column A and a number in column B. If a gene is normally expressed but gets turned off in cancer cells, there will be a number in column A and a zero in column B.
I hope that helps you get started. I recommend going into the program and trying to follow the steps so you can get familiar with the procedure. Please post again (in this same thread) if you have more questions!
Heather