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Monthly Archives: September 2015
Learning Journal 1
1. Factual knowledge
I have learned the difference between cell determination and cell specification. Cell determination is when a cell is able to differentiate autonomously no matter what environment it is placed in (another embryonic region or a neutral environment without external signals). Cell specification is when a cell is able to differentiate autonomously in a neutral environment without signals, but not when transplanted into another embryonic region.
2. Making connections (conceptual knowledge!)
I know that stem cells are able to differentiate and become more specialized in particular functions. I also know that this process is highly regulated and involves turning different genes on and off. This new knowledge provides information on how cell differentiation is a process of several stages. For example that cells during specification is less committed to the final fate (since they can react to environmental signals and change their fate). Determined cells are therefore more committed to the final fate of differentiation. This could be explained by that genes are reversibly turned off during specification and irreversibly turned off during determination. This could also suggest an explanation to why the cell potency decreases with cell differentiation.
3. Other comments
I have also learned that what we can conclude from experimental data is quite different from what the interpretation of the data could suggest. These suggestions would have to be followed up by further experiments if we would want to conclude anything finally.
If I were a developmental biologist
Assignment due Saturday September 12th
1) When is the latest that external signals could influence or change the fate of the cell prior to completion of the determination process?
2) What is the molecular regulatory mechanisms behind cell determination?
2i) With the genetic tools available today I think it will not be long before gene therapy could be possible. I am very interested in genetic diseases and changes in DNA. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms behind cell determination would provide knowledge on how irreversible changes to DNA are made and how gene expression is regulated.
With this knowledge, research could be done to explore if and how these changes (cell determination) could be reversed. It would also provide further insight to how modifications or signals could be introduced at a genetic level to control gene expression. If this problem was fully understood and solved, it could provide a new area of how gene expression of cells could be modified and influenced for medical purposes. Possible target genes to genome editing tools would be revealed and geneticist would be able to change the fate of determined cells. Overexpressed oncogenes in cancer cells could be silenced or turned off. For the community, gene therapy would be able to cure genetic diseases and impact cancer treatments. This would increase the life expectancy and life quality.