Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi,

Could someone help me figure out how to find different DNA sequences from different genes? I've looked at several different databases, but I can't seem to figure them out.

Thanks,
Carson

Hi Carson,

Could you let us know what genes you are specifically interested in - this will help us answer your question.

Thanks,

Mary

Hi Carson,

I'm a little confused about what you're asking. Do you want to focus on a particular gene (like actin) and find the different sequences present in different species (like fish, mice, and humans)? Or do you want to look up a variety of gene sequences in one given organism (like searching for the sequence of various ribosomal proteins expressed by E. coli)?

Narrowing down your question will allow us to help you better.

Best of luck,
Linh

Well, I hadn't put too much thought into it. I was planning on seeing what I could find and using that.

I think I'd like to focus on two or three genes in mammals. I'd love any suggestions you have for what gene to use.

Thanks,
Carson

Hi Carson,

You might want to check out the project ideas page to get some ideas for projects involving mammalian genes. Try the genome section:

http://www.sciencebuddies.com/mentoring ... ?from=Home

There are a number of good ideas there. One in particular that seemed to fit your interests is called the Tree of Life I - it involves comparing the same gene in humans and several other mammals to see which one is the most similar and which one is the least similar to the human gene.

Jennifer

Thanks!

How can I get more of the same genes for other mammals?

Hi Carson,

The term for the same gene in a different genome is an "ortholog" (see http://homepage.usask.ca/~ctl271/857/def_homolog.shtml for a definition, and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Education/B ... ology.html for an illustration).

If you know what gene you are looking for, you can find orthologs of it from Genbank's homologene page:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... homologene

Hope that helps !