The Scripps Research Institute. "Previously
Unknown Mechanism of Memory Formation Discovered." ScienceDaily, 30 Jan.
2013. Web. 30 Jan. 2013.
Erica Choi
The
article “Previous Unknown Mechanism of Memory Formation Discovered” discusses
the role of unique molecules known as microRNAs in memory formation. MicroRNAs
were previously associated with protein production, but Courtney Miller’s
researches have revealed their bigger roles. Miller’s research revolved around
the rapid genetic testing on a large scale of a human while learning was occurring.
Results revealed that the level of microRNAs decreased while learning was occurring.
Such suppression of microRNAs is a main supporting factor in the formation of
long-term memory in the amygdale of the brain and also in regulating protein
synthesis during memory consolidation. More than half of all known MicroRNAs
(specifically, miR-182) are found in amygdale of the human brain. The MicroRNAs
are also significant in repressing (DNA binding) proteins that control actin,
which is a major component of cytoskeleton. Cytoskeleton holds the cells
together.
This
article reveals an interesting and important study about human memory. This
research remains rudimentary at most, and the majority of the memory formation
process remains a mystery to us. For instance, we are still not sure how the
suppression of microRNAs formulates memory. However, this research still has
immense medical significance. Miller has stated that she will look more deeply
into the correlation between memory loss at old ages and accumulation of
microRNAs. Overexpression is thought to prevent not only the formation of
memory but also lead to a decrease in the ability to adapt to changes. Thus, finding
the methods for regulating the amount of microRNAs could be a revolutionary
step in the medical field.
This
article was overall well-written, but was confusing at some points. This was
mainly because the author incorporated many specific, advanced medical terms
without giving their definitions. The part about microRNA’s role in regulating
cytoskeleton was especially confusing and seemed irrelevant to memory
formation.
Marika Chrisanthopoulos
ReplyDeleteAP Biology Review
February 5, 2013
Comment on Erica Choi’s Review of: "Previously Unknown Mechanism of Memory Formation Discovered"
In the article titled "Previously Unknown Mechanism of Memory Formation Discovered,” the role of microRNAs in memory formation is discussed, detailing how the associations with these specific RNA molecules have changed over time and how tests have revealed their necessities. MicroRNAs were previously associated with protein production, but tests by Courtney Miller and her researchers on humans in the process of learning have challenged these ideas. The results of the tests revealed that the level of microRNAs decreased while learning was occurring; this shows that they are a main factor in supporting the formation of long-term memory in the amygdale of the brain. The studies also revealed that microRNAs are involved in regulating protein synthesis as well during memory consolidation, and that half of these molecules are found in the amygdale of the brain. One other function of microRNAs is that they also contribute in repressing proteins that control actin, a major component of the cytoskeleton of cells, holding them together.
One thing that Erica did very well in her review was that she addressed the previous and current theories involving microRNA in humans, as well as describing what they were and the connection they have to other areas in the human body and functions. She also accurately and with detail described the test results of the studies performed by Courtney Miller and her group of researchers, which helped me to understand the true function of these molecules and how they are important in helping us learn and store information in the long run. Another thing that Erica did well in her review was that she questioned some of the theories and stated that, “the majority of the memory formation process remains a mystery to us.” She then talked about how the research performed and described in the article is a major help to understanding more about this process, and how it contributes to our knowledge as well.
To improve her review, Erica could have gone into greater depth about what the tests actually were; how did they measuer where the microRNAs were? How did they test how much the subject was learning? It would have also been helpful to hear a bit about how the microRNAs role in the amygdale of the brain is important; where is this section of the brain? What functions does it have in memory formation? I learned the function of microRNAs in memory formation and more about them in general; before reading Erica’s review, I did not remember what they were and was not sure what they actually did in the human body.
ReplyDeleteErica did a very good job of explaining this article and what it was about. This article, “Previously Unknown Mechanism of Memory Formation Discovered,” talks about the role of unique molecules known as microRNAs in memory formation. Erica did a good job of describing how Courtney Miller’s research has revealed bigger roles. Miller’s research revolved around the rapid genetic testing on a large scale of a human while learning was occurring. Another aspect that was particularly well presented was how microRNAs affect the human brain. Suppression of microRNAs is a main supporting factor in the formation of long-term memory in the amygdale of the brain and also in regulating protein synthesis during memory consolidation. One last aspect that was well presented was where these MicroRNAs are found. More than half at least, are found in amygdale of the human brain.
I believe this review could have been improved in a couple different ways. I think that a more in depth explanation of what exactly microRNAs are and where they originate from. I understand how they can affect the brain and their major role in protein production as well, but I was a bit unsure about what these molecules exactly are. Also, it was a bit unclear the actual role that microRNAs play in protein production. To me, it was unclear as to how the suppression of microRNAs formulates memory.
One aspect of the review that impressed me, causing me to learn about this and become more interested was how over expression is thought to prevent not only the formation of memory but also lead to a decrease in the ability to adapt to changes
Erica Choi’s Review of: "Previously Unknown Mechanism of Memory Formation Discovered"
ReplyDeleteThe article “Previous Unknown Mechanism of Memory Formation Discovered” discusses the role of unique molecules known as microRNAs in memory formation. Courtney Miller’s team researched the roles of microRNAs and how it controls memory loss. Miller’s research revolved around the rapid genetic testing on a large scale of a human. The results of their research revealed that the level of microRNAs decreased while learning was occurring. Such suppression of microRNAs is a main supporting factor in the formation of long-term memory in the amygdale of the brain and also in regulating protein synthesis during memory consolidation. The microRNAs are also significant in repressing (DNA binding) proteins that control actin, which is a major component of cytoskeleton. Cytoskeleton holds the cells together. I think the article reveals a very interesting topic regarding memory loss and microRNAs. I think understanding more about microRNAs, it could help us improve our understanding on memory loss and age. The article gave no definitive answer to why memory loss comes as we increase in age; however, this research definitely suggests a possible explanation. Miller has said that she will look more deeply into the correlation between memory loss at old ages and accumulation of microRNAs.
I think the review could have been improved if they article contained more information regarding the type of research that was done. For instance, the procedures and agenda the team had for conducting these experiments. Also, I would have liked to know how they were able to determine the correlation between microRNAs and memory loss. Generally, I think there should have been more detail regarding the actual experiments performed and the variable that were tested.
I was very interested in the research that was performed by Courtney Miller. Her research has brought up new ideas for reasons of memory loss and what it has to do with microRNAs. I think the review that was presented by Erica was very well written and explained the research that was being performed. This research can really help improve the lives of many people.
-Nastaran Soroori
AP Biology
Lab Day 6
Samantha Past
ReplyDelete2.15.13
The review Erica wrote pertaining to the article, “Previously Unknown Mechanism of Memory Formation Discovered, begins with a good, basic assessment of the article. Erica does a nice job of summarizing the article, and putting it into her own words, therefore allowing the reader to comprehend the main points of the article. Likewise, Erica does a nice job of incorporating the importance of the study being conducted in the article, as she does a thorough job of describing why such studies are so important, and how, “finding the methods for regulating the amount of microRNAs could be a revolutionary step in the medical field.” In general, Erica did a wholesome job of simplifying the somewhat complicated article, in order to make it more understandable for the reader, and to allow the reader to really under stand the basics of the article.
Although Erica did a very nice job of breaking down the article in order to aid the reader in understanding the basic ideas, perhaps if Erica included a bit more detail the reader would have gained a better understanding of the study itself, being described in the article. Within the article a variety of scientists are stated, as a few are directly quoted, sharing their views on the research. Maybe if Erica had included a direct quote from the article, the reader would have understood how those in the scientific research industry are feeling about the studies being conducted. Another aspect of Erica’s review that may have been made even better is if she elaborated or defined some the terms within her review. Although, as she states the article itself did do a poor job of really explaining specific terms, and describing their significance, perhaps if she had looked up a little bit about some terms, in order to included basic definitions within her the review, the reader would definitely gain a better comprehension of what is being discussed with regards to the scientific research conducted.
Overall, I found this article to be interesting, and a perfect to study to examine as it correlates to what we have been learning in class. As Erica mentioned in her review, the article itself though was a bit confusing as there were many specific terms the author did not define, or elaborate on.