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- All Subjects: Obesity
Description
To identify genes that can lead to obesity of Pima Native American heritage, an array of experiments can be conducted to determine possible candidate genes that can increase the likelihood of being obese in a set population. The studies available to identify these genes were (1) inspect follow-up genes identified by a previous genome wide associations studies, GWAS, previously conducted for the 1120 American Indian subjects data available, (2) to directly sequence candidate genes in literature, (3) to analyze whole sequence data from Native American subjects, and lastly (4) to perform functional studies on most promising variants associated with BMI. Analyzing the results presented from my work required the use of biological techniques such as: DNA sequencing, DNA large scale genotyping, PCR amplification, DNA transfections, DNA ligations, in vitro Luciferase assay and Cell culture. Inspecting the follow-up genes identified by the conducted GWAS showed the potential for the MAP2K3 gene to be a candidate to increase obesity in the set population, involve two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, rs12882548, rs11652094), to affect body weight through complex mechanisms involving food intake and hypothalamic inflammation. The follow-up genes identified in the GWAS that had an effect on obesity showed to affect it through the mechanism of reducing energy expenditure. Through the analysis of SNPs two variants (rs10507100 and rs17087518) were identified to test their roles in the reduction of energy expenditure. Rs17087518 showed to have a role in a relatively reduced EE resulting in weight gain. Directly sequencing a candidate gene known as MRAP2 showed that the SNP rs1928281 did not have a significant difference on obesity in the Native American subjects (p =.09). Analyzing whole genome sequencing SNPs gave rise to novel variants by association analyses with energy expenditure and BMI in 235 whole genomes, the most significant SNP, rs4984683, was examined to determine the variability in energy expenditures. With set quality control assessment a list of variants were received and were then later assessed with other data available to make a connection to EE. Performing functional studies showed the possibility for rs2001651 and rs1466314 to have an effect on MAP2K3 expression level. The initial functional studies gave way to a more in-depth study of this gene to predict BMI in Caucasians and Native Americans, which in turn showed an association with BMI. The use of these techniques have been an indicator for current research in the determination of candidate genes across many diseases. The works presented is an example of the current works in genetics and an exploration of new mechanism to detect, and possibly treat, disease through personalized sequencing.
ContributorsGale, Alex Mauricio Pompa (Author) / Ankeny, Casey (Thesis director) / Baier, Leslie (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
Concept mapping is a tool used in order to visually represent a person's understanding of interrelated concepts. Generally the central concept is in the center or at the top and the related concepts branch off, becoming more detailed as it continues. Additionally, links between different branches show how those concepts are related to each other. Concept mapping can be implemented in many different types of classrooms because it can be easily adjusted for the needs of the teacher and class specifically. The goal of this project is to analyze both the attitude and achievement of students using concept mapping of college students in an active learning classroom. In order to evaluate the students' concept maps we will use the expert map scoring method, which compares the students concept maps to an expertly created concept map for similarities; the more similar the two maps are, the higher the score. We will collect and record students' scores on concept maps as they continue through the one semester class. Certain chapters correspond to specific exams due to the information contained in the lectures, chapters 1-4 correspond to exam 1 and so forth. We will use this information to correlate the average concept map score across these chapters to one exam score. There was no significant correlation found between the exam grades and the corresponding scores on the concept maps (Pearson's R values of 0.27, 0.26, and -0.082 for Exam 1, 2 and 3 respectively). According to Holm et all "it was found that 85% of students found interest or attainment in the concept mapping session, only 44% thought there was a cost, and 63% thought it would help them to be successful."
ContributorsFarrell, Carilee Dawn (Author) / Ankeny, Casey (Thesis director) / Middleton, James (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12