- Factual knowledge
- Please describe, briefly, one new piece of factual knowledge that you acquired or developed so far in the BIOL463.
I have learned how maternal genes regulate gap genes, how gap genes regulate pair-rule genes, and how pair-rule genes regulate segment polarity genes. It was also very interesting to learn that gap genes can regulate other gap genes and pair-rule genes can regulate other pair-rule genes. It is amazing to see the intricate levels of regulation that goes into development. In particular, we learned that Bicoid and Giant interact with the eve2 enhancer and this interaction directs eve expression in stripe 2 of the Drosophila embryo.
- Please describe how you know that you have acquired or developed this piece of factual knowledge, and provide some evidence for it.
Before the Feb 4th class started, Dr. Kalas drew a diagram of segment polarity regulation in Drosophila, which displayed everything I mentioned in the above question. In addition, we analyzed figures from the Arnosti et al. (1996) paper to draw conclusions about what the data represents. In this way, we were able to convert conceptual knowledge about gene regulation in Drosophila into factual knowledge (Bicoid and Giant regulate eve expression in stripe 2 of the Drosophila embryo.
- Conceptual knowledge
- Please describe, briefly, one new piece of conceptual knowledge that you acquired or developed so far in BIOL463.
I have learned that the collective techniques 3C, 4C, and 5C are great for determining which segments of a genome are closely interacting with each other. All three techniques use the same procedures initially but differ in the end; 3C requires qPCR, 4C requires inverse PCR, and 5C requires LMA.
- Please describe how you know that you have acquired or developed this piece of conceptual knowledge, and provide some evidence for it.
During the techniques “speed-dating” session, I saw a presentation about the 3C, 4C, 5C techniques. This is still conceptual knowledge for me as I have never personally conducted these techniques nor can I verify whether these techniques are capable of providing of providing the results they are known for. Although many scientists have likely conducted and verified these techniques, I have yet to see the evidence; hence I consider it conceptual knowledge.
- Skills
- Please describe, briefly, one skill that you acquired or developed/are developing so far in BIOL463.
BIOL 463 is challenging me to develop my ability to critically analyze and question data that is put in front of me. This is a very valuable skill to have. I am excited to see how I can develop this skill further for the rest of this course.
- Please describe how you know that you have acquired or developed this skill, and provide some evidence for it.
We are asked to analyze figures and draw conclusions rather than read explanations for what the figures indicate directly from the paper. We just did this with the Arnosti et al. (1996) paper where we analyzed the figures to determine which transcription factors regulate eve expression in stripe 2. If I was only asked to read the paper, I don’t think I would have gotten as much out of it. I think this is the best way to develop analytical skills in a research-based capacity and I look forward to doing more of this.
- What is factual knowledge useful for?
Think about a piece of factual knowledge that you developed/acquired. Briefly describe what you think it is useful for.
From the Arnosti et al. paper, I have learned that Bicoid and Giant interacts with the eve2 enhancer and helps regulate eve expression in stripe 2 of the Drosophila embryo. This knowledge is useful for many reasons. It reiterates that Bicoid/Giant are important transcription factors for development. This information is also useful because it shows that gene regulation doesn’t occur with only one transcription factor or one level of regulation. Multiple modes of regulation (transcription factors) are required in specific combinations at specific locations within an embryo to direct the expression of a gene. Without this complexity, we wouldn’t exist. Finally, this knowledge is important because it can help elucidate other regulation mechanisms that dictate developmental patterns.