The Development Of Human Genome Development

Our existence, as the most developed species on Earth, relies on intelligence and determination to understand how our body functions and what we can do to help with its constant battle for survival. Diseases that were once deemed rare are becoming extremely common. With no cures, many patients’ lives are endangered. Being born in a generation full of technological advancements, I believe that, with my passion for biology and inquisitiveness for the world of biomedical science, now is the time to engage in this global challenge to develop easier and better ways to live our lives.

The human body carries trillions of cells, and each cell is specialized for particular functions in bones, brain, and the muscles. The difference in each cell is determined when each set of genes are controlled by each cell. The epigenome takes full control of how these changes take place in the cells to the

Materials move into and out of cells through either passive transport or active transport. Passive transport includes diffusion and osmosis. Molecules tend to move from crowded to less crowded in order to achieve a balance or to reach homeostasis. The cell membrane is selectively permeable which allows the movement of substances, especially oxygen, water, food molecules, carbon dioxide, and waste products, into or out of the cell without the use of energy. Movement occurs when there are unequal concentrations of a substance inside and outside of the cell.

Copstead, Lee-Ellen, and Jacquelyn Banasik. Pathophysiology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Inc., 2010. 212-227. Print.

The two big sections that all forms of cellular transportation fall into are passive transport and active transport. Passive transport is the moving of material along a concentration gradient (a high concentration to a low concentration). Passive transport requires no use of energy because there is nothing that you need to use energy to work against. Active transport is the moving of material against a concentration gradient (a low concentration to a high concentration). Active transport requires the use of energy because the movement of the material is going against the flow.

The genome is the complete set of an individual’s inheritable traits or it’s DNA. As a fetus develops, signals are received that cause incremental change in the gene expression patterns. The DNA in our bodies is wrapped around proteins called histone. The histone and DNA are covered in chemical tags. This structure is called an epigenome. The epigenome shapes the structure of the genome. Epigenetic marks are modifications of DNA and histones. The epigenome tightly wraps inactive genes and allows active genes to be more easily accessible. The epigenome adjusts specific genes in response to our changing environment. The programming of neurons through epigenetic mechanisms is critical in neural development. A type of cellular memory is formed when those changes occur. These are epigenetic tags. Each tag records the cell’s experiences on the DNA. This is to help stabilize gene expression. Over time, and with thousands of different experiences, an epigenetic profile forms for each cell type. Each one is unique, with a distinct identity and a specialized function. A flexible epigenome allows us to adjust and learn from our mistakes. The epigenome responds to signals. These signals come from a variety of places. From fetal development to old age, our epigenome is effected by our environmental factors.

There was a broad consensus for five priority areas for future research, to integrate approaches across different technologies and to include diverse populations for future human studies. There is a need for creating new collaborations with versatile teams that combine bioinformatics, genetics, molecular biology, and cell physiology.

As we know, everyone one has a unique gene sequence. Personalized medicine is helping us to understand disease characteristics at the gene level and create better treatments programs by studying our genetic profile. A web writer at the American Society for Clinical Pathology John Sarver (2013) says: “The

1. A. Passive transport is when molecule travels from a higher concentration to a lower concentration down a concentration gradient whereas active transport is when molecule travels from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration against the concentration gradient. Passive transport does not require energy whereas active transport requires energy in order for substances to pass through it. (Marieb & Hoehn, 2007).

et al., 2012). This may be due to the considerable evidence of the influence of hereditable epigenetics (Richards, E.J., 2009). This is also possible because of all the technological advances giving us more information about the patient, like; genomics, epigenomics, proteomics as well as more data about a persons’ environmental influence like nutrigenomics, metabolomics, gut microbiome status and toxins, and many more (German, J.B. et al., 2004). Hence it necessitates a process to include all the available information from earlier paradigms as well as the new, to evaluate how the different elements interact. The ‘-omics’ surge in technology may help to build on and augment previous knowledge, and improve prediction of disease likelihood, which can lead to improvements in preventional strategies like personalized

Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (Eds.). (2012). Understanding Pathophysiology, (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO:

There are four primary ways for the cell to transport material across its membrane. They are diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion, and active transport. Diffusion moves molecules from high to low concentration and is called passive transport because it moves with the concentration gradient. In osmosis water diffuses molecules across the plasma membrane. The movement of the molecules goes from lower concentration of solution to higher concentration. In facilitated diffusion transport proteins bind and carry substances through a one way channel. Diffusion, osmosis, and facilitated diffusion are all types of passive transport that requires no energy. Active transport, however, requires energy because molecules

E., & McCance, K. L. (2008). Understanding Pathophysiology. St. Louis Missouri: Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier inc.

Not only does Carmolex streamline the drug development process, it also expands it. Most drug discovery efforts only sample a tiny portion of chemical space. Our software and databases make it possible to virtually design and screen a much larger and more diverse chemical space.

However, some ask why new discoveries have not arisen already, seeing as stem cells can provide much needed information from research. The answer to this is that scientists face a major obstacle in understanding the signals that turn specific genes on and off in our bodies. This is important, because when the genes turn on and off, they influence the differentiation of the stem cell -- vital information, which scientists need to know.