http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/239474.php
Recently, a study was conducted by the scientists at the Washington University School of Medicine, uncovering critical information about genetic mutations in people with blood related cancers. The researchers were able to discover that people who have the mutation are more likely to develop blood related cancers such as leukemia. The study also provided a new pathway to better diagnose patients with the disorder and predict how they will be able to live with the disease.
The scientist discovered the mutated gene, U2AF1, in a 65 year old man who had myelodysplatic which progressed to leukemia. Dr. Matthew Walter described the mutated gene as unclear because the results are not straightforward on a diagnostic test. It is important to understand the genetic level and what contributes to this particular disease.
U2AF1 gene creates a protein that is involved with splicing RNA. Slicing is used to bring together sections of RNA that are needed to make protein. Even though the mutated gene makes the protein, the slicing process is changed which suggest that is the reason for the development of many cancers.
It is said that 28,000 Americans above 60 years old are diagnosed with myelodyplastic syndrome. Though this blood cancer is hard to treat and said to be incurable, many researchers are still determined to find a cure.
Overall, the article was very interesting and provided the reader with many facts about this discovered gene mutation. It will be interesting to see what further studies will be done and if a cure will eventually be found.
Overall, Jenna did a good job of reviewing the article, “Key Genetic Mutations in Family of Blood Cancers.” One thing she did well was providing specific examples from the article about the mutated gene and what cancer it can cause. She articulated the article’s main point well, which was that with the discovery of this mutated gene, it was easy to tell that other mutations can also cause other cancers that were unknown to scientists before. Lastly, Jenna explained how this new information could be key to finding out a cure, or a better way of treating the cancer. Once the gene has been identified, perhaps the scientists would be able to find a way to prevent the mutation from occurring.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Jenna did a good job on the whole, there were a few aspects that needed to be changed. For instance, she provided little explanation of the gene itself or how the mutation occurs. Secondly, Jenna could have explained more clearly the implications of the study, and how the scientists and doctors are planning to proceed.
One interesting thing I learned from this article was that the cancer caused by this mutated gene is fairly prevalent, affecting about 30,000 people over 60 in our country. Hopefully, this new information will provide them with a new sense of hope in that there may be a way to find a cure or better treatment with the discovery of this mutated gene.