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A new, single molecule test has been developed by collaborators from "Mayo-Illinois Alliance for Technology Based Healthcare" to detect methylated DNA. Methylation means that a methyl group of molecules has been added to a DNA strand. This is a way that gene expression is regulated and when present in promoter sequences, the methylated DNA can indicate tumor development in most major types of cancer. The test the team developed includes a thinner artificial membrane with a small nanopore, a very small hole in the membrane, that allows a single molecule to be located and identified. Scientists can use "a protein on the methylated nucleotides" to measure ionic electrical current through a solid state membrane. This is much easier than the past method of bisulfite conversion of DNA, fluorescent labeling, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
I believe this is a very important discovery for researchers to be able to catch cancer in its early stages. If a methylated DNA test is carried out, a person could have their tumor identified before it develops into a bigger problem than they originally thought. The problem now is knowing when DNA needs to be tested to find these marked DNA.
NOS Themes:
I believe this is a very important discovery for researchers to be able to catch cancer in its early stages. If a methylated DNA test is carried out, a person could have their tumor identified before it develops into a bigger problem than they originally thought. The problem now is knowing when DNA needs to be tested to find these marked DNA.
NOS Themes:
- Science is collaborative: groups of researchers came together to solve a problem that they were truly passionate about.
- Science is based on evidence: the role of methylated DNA in detecting cancer was already known, but the researchers were able to find and test their theories to develop a more efficient way of testing for the marked DNA.
- Role of motivation: These researchers were motivated to find an easier way to test for the methylated DNA, which would also be more efficient.
Here are some links for more facts on methylated DNA:
I also believe that this is a very important discovery because cancer is a disease that affects millions of people and any way to help detect or prevent it would be priceless to some people. Also as we have learned of only the DNA bases A, T, C, and G, methyl is supposedly attached to the Cytosine (C) which adds another component to DNA. I hope the discovery of methyl will help rid the world of cancer and save countless lives.
ReplyDeleteThis may be groundbreaking research that may lead to a cure to cancer. Another nature of science theme that applies to this article is the importance of repeatability. It is important that the scientists be able to develop the thin membrane again.
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