Howdy!
A. Factual knowledge: I have learned much about the specific modifications to DNA and histones that are associated with repression or activation of a given genomic sequence. I have also learned much about X chromosome inactivation, both the known partial-mechanisms by which it occurs, and many of the proposed yet unproven explanations for observations (such as the different proposed models).
B. Well, ultimately everything comes down to what protein proteins are produced where and in what numbers at what time. This is regulated by proteins that associate with the genes in question. By having histone and DNA modifications, the X chromosome inactivation factors are regulated. Xist is regulated by a large number proteins that have their function influenced by these modification, which were themselves induced by other proteins. The system is complex and interconnected and makes you get vertigo thinking about how deep it goes (a good vertigo hahaha)
C.
1. A strategy I used was precursory scan of the abstract then of the entire paper followed by in depth interpretation of previously confusing sections and figures. Just a triage of increasing specificity and depth of the content I studied.
2. I felt the most difficult part was to gauge how well I understood the content of the article. Maybe by my own confirmation bias whenever I grasped a concept I felt it was a significant event and dismissed the un-understood concepts as inconsequential whenever I didn’t fully integrate something fully. I suppose the hardest part is gauge my level of overall understanding because there is no list of “learning objectives” for a scientific article, it is something that must gauged without having your hand held.
3. I felt most confident about the understanding the purpose of experiments when they detailed their protocol and their conclusions from the achieved results. A few sentences can contain a lot of information (especially if it references a figure) and it is gratifying to understand what they are attempting to convey.a