Research

I am currently working on an independent research project at Wartburg College with Dr. Keith McClung as my advisor.  In this research, we are investigating the regulatory sequence of a gene, Prohibitin, and the effects of RNAi on its function and expression.  Prohibitin is  a regulatory protein that when mutated is a key proponent in the characteristic uncontrolled cell growth of cancer.  This research requires many laboratory techniques such as: Utilizing protein digests, PCR, running gels, completing transformations, sequencing, and plasmid isolations.

 What is Prohibitin?  Prohibitin is a protein that is often used to regulate cell function.  Recent research has found that Prohibitin is an evolutionarily conserved gene that is often overexpressed in cell lines of mammalian breast cancer, for more information, click here: Prohibitin

What is RNAi?  RNAi is a mechanism to inhibit gene regulation.  This mechanism acts by interfering with translation of mRNA to a functioning protein.  RNAi binds to the mRNA so it cannot be translated, effectively silencing the protein so it is not made.  For more information on RNAi, click this link: RNAi

Why would I choose this for research?  I chose this research because I want to be a gene therapist.  For more information on gene therapy, please click the "Gene Therapy" page link on the left.

Site last edited on November 7th 2007 by Tess Magner Background design taken with permission from www.avery.com