Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello everybody,
I am really confused as to what project to work on. I am basically a bioinformatics student. I have already worked on 2-3 projects at protein leve. Now, I would like to work at gene level.
Please refer to the following links.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... wsid=63782
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 170456.htm
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... 4&nfid=crs

I am particularly interested in the gene related with brain cancer. I would like to work on any of those three genes or all the three genes if possible. I would like to know what new kind of bioinformatics work could be done on gene level.
In the case of the Brain cancer gene olig2, the gene needs to be suppresed. In that case is ir better to use Bioinformatics techniques and develop siRNA vectors to silence the genes..

Or can a phylogenetic analysis of the genes from all kown species be done and then tracing out the pathways the genes are involved in and so on... i am not sure of that.

What kind of useful analysis could be done at gene level for the above mentioned genes.
Your suggestions would be of great help to me.
Thanks in advance.

Janani

Hi Janani,

Bioinformatics is really exploding with loads of potential projects so I am sure we can find something interesting for you working with genes. If you give me some background information about what level you are at/what grade you are in, that will help me help you come up with a project. This board is really for helping students with science fair projects, since most of the fairs are going one right now i suspect that you are either trying to get ahead for next year or this is a different kind of project you had in mind?

-Caroline

Hi Caroline,
Thanks a lot for your reply. I am an undergraduate student in Bioinformatics.
Since you are a Scientist at the American Association for Cancer Research and my project is also related to cancer, I believe that you can suggest me some lively and challenging work which is an emerging need for cancer research.
Thanks once again

Janani

Hi Janani,

Since you are an undergrad not a high school student this board isn't really for you. Take a look at MentorNet (http://www.mentornet.net/) - a site that is aimed at mentoring for science and engineering undergrads and grad students and is probably more appropriate for you. I am also a mentor on there.

-Caroline

Hi Caroline,
Thanks a lot for the information. I have posted the same question in MentorNet in the Mix and Match: Unofficial Mentor and Protege Connections forum. It wouldbe of great help if you help me in this regard as soon as possible.

Janani