Wd40 was the gene we were provided with! Every group was given a different gene to maximize the chances of discovering a gene that actually affected DNA DSB repair. So it’s less that we chose it, and more that we looked at a DNA sequence and determined what might contribute to.
Wd40 was run through the BLAST program to see if that DNA sequence matched any other DNA sequences that had already been identified. Running it through BLAST is what allowed us to determine that it was Wd40, as the gene “Wd40” had already been identified to be present in other organisms.
If we put Wd40’s genetic sequence in a different cell, it would create the same protein. As to whether or not Wd40 would have the same effect in this different cell, it would depend entirely on if this new cell’s existing proteins react to the Wd40 protein in the same way T. Therm’s proteins do. Cellular activities are a nightmarishly complex interaction of hormones, proteins, and regulators. Because we don’t know what Wd40’s actual role in double stranded break repair is, we can’t say for sure what it would do if it was shoved into a different cell with different proteins.
A superprotein domain refers to a group of proteins that all contain very similar properties. Our gene isn’t a superprotein domain, but rather is likely apart of one due to its genetic similarity to other genes that are apart of the Wd40 superprotein domain. A superprotein domain doesn’t refer to a specific type of protein. It is a term used to refer to a group of proteins that perform similar tasks. Similar to how Felidae is a general term used to refer to animals like housecats and lions, which share similar traits.
Double stranded breaks can be caused by a variety of factors, but the most common ones are due to an error in DNA replication, or radiation. A malfunctioned DNA replication can cause one strand of DNA to not be made quickly enough, causing it to lag behind the other and not be finished in time, causing a break. In the case of radiation, the excited electrons of radioactive material are strong enough to quite literally sever the bonds holding DNA together, cutting both strands in half.
A gene knockout is when a segment of DNA is completely removed from an organism. In this case, it would refer to completely removing the Wd40 genetic sequence from a healthy T. Therm cell and then seeing what happened after DSB’s were initiated. It could help us determine what Wd40 does by seeing how effective DSB repair is in a cell that lacks it. One of Wd40’s potential functions is pre mRNA processing. If that’s its role in DSB repair, its possible that general mRNA production in the cell could decrease. That’s one way knocking the gene out could help in determining what Wd40 actually does in the cell.
curesymposium.org 
What made you pick Wd40 to study in its effects on T. therm?
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Wd40 was the gene we were provided with! Every group was given a different gene to maximize the chances of discovering a gene that actually affected DNA DSB repair. So it’s less that we chose it, and more that we looked at a DNA sequence and determined what might contribute to.
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Why was wd40 run through the blast program?
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Wd40 was run through the BLAST program to see if that DNA sequence matched any other DNA sequences that had already been identified. Running it through BLAST is what allowed us to determine that it was Wd40, as the gene “Wd40” had already been identified to be present in other organisms.
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Would Wd40 have similar or different effects on different cells? Would Wd40 only be effective on T. therm cells?
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If we put Wd40’s genetic sequence in a different cell, it would create the same protein. As to whether or not Wd40 would have the same effect in this different cell, it would depend entirely on if this new cell’s existing proteins react to the Wd40 protein in the same way T. Therm’s proteins do. Cellular activities are a nightmarishly complex interaction of hormones, proteins, and regulators. Because we don’t know what Wd40’s actual role in double stranded break repair is, we can’t say for sure what it would do if it was shoved into a different cell with different proteins.
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What is a super protein domain? What qualifies the gene to be considered a super protein domain?
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A superprotein domain refers to a group of proteins that all contain very similar properties. Our gene isn’t a superprotein domain, but rather is likely apart of one due to its genetic similarity to other genes that are apart of the Wd40 superprotein domain. A superprotein domain doesn’t refer to a specific type of protein. It is a term used to refer to a group of proteins that perform similar tasks. Similar to how Felidae is a general term used to refer to animals like housecats and lions, which share similar traits.
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What causes double strand breakage?
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Double stranded breaks can be caused by a variety of factors, but the most common ones are due to an error in DNA replication, or radiation. A malfunctioned DNA replication can cause one strand of DNA to not be made quickly enough, causing it to lag behind the other and not be finished in time, causing a break. In the case of radiation, the excited electrons of radioactive material are strong enough to quite literally sever the bonds holding DNA together, cutting both strands in half.
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What is a gene knockout? How would that help you determine the effectiveness of Wd40?
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A gene knockout is when a segment of DNA is completely removed from an organism. In this case, it would refer to completely removing the Wd40 genetic sequence from a healthy T. Therm cell and then seeing what happened after DSB’s were initiated. It could help us determine what Wd40 does by seeing how effective DSB repair is in a cell that lacks it. One of Wd40’s potential functions is pre mRNA processing. If that’s its role in DSB repair, its possible that general mRNA production in the cell could decrease. That’s one way knocking the gene out could help in determining what Wd40 actually does in the cell.
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