Date

4-2016

Project Type

URC Presentation

College or School

COLSA

Class Year

Senior

Department

Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences

Major

Genetics

Faculty Research Advisor

Sarah Prescott

Abstract

The goal of this research was to better understand the genetic disease, cystic fibrosis. Symptoms and treatments of the disease were researched and different options were analyzed for their efficiency against various symptoms. Current research that aims to develop improved treatment options were also included to understand where scientists stand at this point with treating the disease. At the cellular level, the chloride ion channel and its mechanism associated with causing cystic fibrosis were discussed in relation to the variation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance (CFTR) gene. The background genetics and genomics of the CFTR gene were analyzed and reported in order to better understand the many mutations present in the gene and how each one has its own effect. Further comparative genomic analysis was conducted to understand the evolutionary variation of this gene and its importance from species to species. The CFTR gene was determined to have a lot of variation resulting in several different phenotypes. Overall, this research provides insight to further understand the many aspects of this complex genetic disease.

Download

Share

COinS