Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi,

I am a 7th student from Harmony Science Academy, and we are starting to prepare for the science fair. This year i decided to do the science fair with a partner. We pondered over ideas and we came up with this project. We are just starting and we need as much information about this. We are preparing to do this project in a few days, so i will need ur response asap. I have overcame some problems, the website on the procedures does not work but i looked for the genie on google and found another project, i dont know if its the right one:http://cgap.nci.nih.gov/SAGE. The one on the procedures wont let me go on it. Please tell me if http://cgap.nci.nih.gov/SAGE that is the right project.

Thank You,
Arnlan

Hi Arnlan,

I split your post into its own thread so the Experts will recognize it as a new project.

It sounds like you are doing this Science Buddies project: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p011.shtml. It does look like the link provided in the Procedure needs to be updated, and you have found the correct site.

Good luck, and let us know if you need more help along the way!

Best,
Heather

Hi,

Ok, thank you.
Will the project have to be done over 2-5 days or can it be done during 1 day?
Before my partner and I start the experiment we are starting to make our slide show for our science fair. I don't think there are enough information on the sciencebuddies website for us to come up with the problem, purpose, and hypothesis. We are still trying to learn more and more about it so we dont have trouble during the experiment even during the competition it self. We decided for our hypothesis to be:" If we compare gene expression in normal and cancer tissue, there will be a higher level of expression in the cancer tissue".<<<<Is this testable? I will appreciate your favorable response.

Thank You,
Arnlan

I just submitted the query and i am waiting for the results to be sent to my email. How long will it take to get to my email?
I am also having trouble with the variables i think this is how it is:

Control-
Dependent Variable- Tissue type: Pancreas, Tissue Histolgy: Normal
Independent Variable-Tissue type: Pancreas, Tissue Histology: Cancer

^^^
I dont know what the control is. Are the dependent and independent variable correct?

Thank You Very Much,
Arnlan

Hi Arnlan,

arnlan wrote:We decided for our hypothesis to be:" If we compare gene expression in normal and cancer tissue, there will be a higher level of expression in the cancer tissue".<<<<Is this testable?

This is a good hypothesis, and you should be able to test it with your results from the SAGE Genie site.

arnlan wrote:I just submitted the query and i am waiting for the results to be sent to my email. How long will it take to get to my email?

It can take a couple days. We have had reports of problems with the site and are investigating those issues. In the mean time, be patient. The holidays can slow things.

arnlan wrote:I am also having trouble with the variables i think this is how it is:

Control-
Dependent Variable- Tissue type: Pancreas, Tissue Histolgy: Normal
Independent Variable-Tissue type: Pancreas, Tissue Histology: Cancer

^^^
I dont know what the control is. Are the dependent and independent variable correct?

I think you are a little confused about your variables and control, so let's take a closer look. The dependent variable is usually the thing you measure. What are you measuring here? It is the level of gene expression. The independent variable is the thing you (the scientist) change or manipulate. In this case, it is the presence or absence of cancer in the tissue (the tissue histology). You are trying to see how the independent variable (presence of cancer) affects the dependent variable (gene expression). In your case, it is difficult to determine the true cause/effect relationship between cancer and gene expression, but this is how it works for your experimental setup.

The control is what you use to compare your experimental results. In this case, the control treatment is the normal tissue, to which you are comparing the cancerous tissue.

I hope that helps. Please let me know if any of this does not make sense to you.

Heather

Hi,

Thank You so much, if we run through anymore problems ill post it. I will be waiting for the email.

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Thank You,
Arnlan

Hello ,

I have a question about the CGAP website: Is it a computer that is computing the results or is it a scientist?
I talked with the director of the office of cancer genomics and they said that:("I checked with our IT group and they don’t know if the tool is breaking during the search or at the email level"). So they are fixing it.

-----------------
Thank You,
Arnold Langat

P.S- I wouldn't be this far without your help. I am really thankful: Can add you to my acknowledgements?

Dear Arnold,

One of our moderators contacted NIH and got the news that, unfortunately, SAGE Genie is not functional at this time. This would explain your technical issues with the site.

Here are some alternative Science Buddies projects related to genetics and gene expression:
Drugs & Genetics: Why Do Some People Respond to Drugs Differently than Others? https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p006.shtml
Hitting the Target: The Importance of Making Sure a Drug's Aim is True: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p011.shtml
Creating a Kidney: How Stem Cells Might Be Used to Bioengineer a Vital Organ: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p013.shtml
From Genes to Genetic Diseases: What Kinds of Mutations Matter? https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p007.shtml

It is my pleasure to help you with your project! You can cite Science Buddies in your acknowledgments, which will help spread the word about this site.

Please let me know if you need help with your new project.

Best wishes,
Heather

Hi,

I myself also contacted them, and they said that their It team is understaffed, so it might take about 2 weeks to get it fixed. Should i wait for it to get it fixed or should my partner and i just look for another project?

---------------
Thank You,
Arnold Langat

Hi,

I likeDrugs & Genetics: Why Do Some People Respond to Drugs Differently than Others? https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-f ... p006.shtml. I will try to do the Cancer Genome Project next year if all goes well.

-Arnold