"THE LAWS OF GENETICS APPLY, EVEN IF YOU REFUSE TO LEARN THEM"- JAMES WATSON
WELCOME TO THE GENETICS SECTION
ARTEFACT- KARYOTYPE
The photograph shown here is a karyotype. A karyotype is an organized profile of an person's chromosomes. This was our first unit summative, murder of captain Orichimaru Okasa, this task of putting together the chromosomes is very time consuming and involved a lot care. Organizing an individual's chromosomes by size (from biggest to smallest) in their respective chromosomal pairs is shown here, setting up the chromosomes is an arduous task and requires a lot of patience. This was to see whether there were any extra or missing chromosomes and further if the individual carried a genetic disorder. This is significant to me because I was able to learn about different genetic disorders possible in humans and even more, this also showed the hard work genetic counsellors put into their work almost everyday. Moreover, typically this wouldn't be something applicable in real life, organization and analysing a set of data is an important skill to acquire. Also, with my knowledge of karyotyping I would now know why certain disorders exists in certain people instead of always wondering why. For instance, I know why Down syndrome, Klinefelter's disease occurs . These diseases are result of genetic mutations. This can be because various reasons, such as the type of food taken, inheritance and also non-disjunction.
ARTICLE: GENTIC TECHNOLOGY CAMH: Technology that is revolutionizing genetic engineering SUMMARY: Dr. James Kennedy, director of Neuroscience Research Department at the Centre for Addition and Mental Health (CAMH), discusses the major technological advancements at his psychiatric facility in recent years. He has been innovating new ways used to detect and treat mental illnesses. One major example is their DNA variant analysis machine, which has both revolutionized and made the process of analyzing DNA a lot more economic. Another big step forward for CAMH and Dr. Kennedy has been in pharmacology , where the facility is looking to help discover why certain symptoms are exhibited by certain people after utilizing certain psychiatric medications, such as with Schizophrenia. In addition, CAMH has just introduced one of the first DNA sequencing machines at their facility, to be available this summer. It is set to make tracking ancestral response to different medications extremely seamless. Even more, the centre is looking to introduce a mobile, integrated means to carry genetic information. Their goal is to make such information portable and accessible by doctors everywhere the patient goes. Lastly, CAMH is looking to introduce more advanced MRIs which would help vastly improve, detect and avoid exposure to brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and TMS as well as provide less hostile treatment.
Reflection: This article is really well done in its approach to giving insight into one of the world's best psychiatric facilities, CAMH. It shows us the different ground breaking projects being worked on in the facility and really intuitively discussing the individual technologies being integrated and studies completed. This is important to me as a student and citizen because it shows me that places like CAMH are hard at work looking for research that could better the lives of many with mental health disorders. In addition, it makes me feel a lot more self-assured and secure knowing that there is treatment available if I was to one day suffer from such a condition. As a professional in the Genetics field, it shows you the endless possibilities that come from analysing and tinkering with the DNA and the importance of it monitor. CAMH is already one step ahead of the rest and should simply keep up its good work, looking for new ways to help fight mental illnesses.
Reference: Aschaiek, S. (2012, June 9). CAMH: The new technology that’s opening doors - thestar.com. thestar.com etrieved June 16, 2012, from http://www.thestar.com/specialsections/camh/article/1207260--camh-the-new-technology-that-s-opening-doors
Giving information and support to parents dealing with genetic disorders in their children
Telling parents about the options available to them
Understanding the genetics of specific diseases
Staying up-to-date with research on genetics
Work Hours
Medical centres, hospitals, clinics, universities or biotechnology companies
The work can be emotionally draining
Work 8 to 9 hours a day
Overtime work may be required
Earnings
$40,000 to $85,000 a year or more for salaried counsellors
$25 to $45 an hour for contract counsellors
Earnings depend on employer and location
Qualifications Level of Education: University
A master’s degree in genetic counselling
Professional certification is available
Reference “Genetic Counsellor.” Career Cruising. Anaca Technologies, 2012. Retrieved Jun 15, 2012, from: https://www.careercruising.com/Careers/JobDetails.aspx?LoginID=31565354-8cdd-4896-9e572a3c62b19c2a-&OccNumber=521&Language=English
SCIENTISTS: Murray Llewellyn Barr
Biography
He was born on June 20, 1908 in Belmont, Ontario.
He was educated at the University of Western Ontario and graduated in medicine in 1933
He became of a professor at the University of Western Ontario in 1949
For the next decade and a half, Barr worked on a theory involving and soon discovered a new phenomenon, the Barr body.
He died on May 4, 1995, in London, Ontario, Canada.
Research
As a professor, he and graduate student Ewart G. Bertran were studying nerve cells (neurons). Barr found that the nuclei of the nerve cells in female cats contained a dense mass of chromatin (sex chromatin body) that males did not have.. Discovering the sex chromatin body, now called the Barr body, focused Barr's attention on human and medical genetics. Later studies by Barr and his co-workers found that these sex differences occur in the cells of most mammals.
His studies of the Barr body led to the understanding of a process called inactivation. During embryonic development, one of the two X chromosomes is inactivated in each cell. The inactivated X condenses as a Barr body. The embryo cells continue to divide and form a clone of cells that have the same X chromosome active and the other inactive.
Him and his co-workers went on to develop a simple screening test for diseases involving sex chromosome anomalies. Their buccal smear technique using cells from the mouth replaced the practice of making skin biopsies.
Barr's research in human cytogenetics inspired the establishment of the first service facilities for medical cytogenetics
His late research, writing and teaching was devoted to neuroanatomy and published as a highly acclaimed textbook, The Human Nervous System: An Anatomical Viewpoint.
Awards
Flavelle Medal (Royal Society of Canada), 1959
Ortho Medal (American Society for the Study of Sterility)
Award of Merit (Gairdner Foundation)
Maurice Goldblatt Award (International Academy of Cytology)
HE PASSED AWAY ON MAY 15, 1995.
References Brady, W. (n.d.). Murray Llewellyn Barr - The Canadian Encyclopedia.The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 17, 2012, from http://thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/murray-llewellyn-barr
Murray Llewellyn Barr Biography. (n.d.). BookRags.com. Retrieved June 17, 2012, from http://www.bookrags.com/biography/murray-llewellyn-barr-wsd/
science.ca Profile : Murray Llewellyn Barr. (n.d.). science.ca. Retrieved June 17, 2012, from http://www.science.ca/scientists/scientistprofile.php?pID=119 CONCEPT MAP: