W15 L2 - Genomic, Transcriptomics and Precision Medicine

Flashcards based on a lecture about DNA sequencing, the human genome project, precision medicine, and transcriptome analysis.

What is Sanger sequencing?

A method of DNA sequencing for which Sanger received the Nobel Prize.

Approximately how many base pairs are in the human genome?

3,000,000,003 base pairs.

What was the Human Genome Project?

A collaborative project that aimed to decipher the entire human genome.

What was the estimated cost of the Human Genome Project?

Approximately 3 billion US dollars.

Who was the key figure in fundraising for the Human Genome Project?

Professor James Watson

What is one definition of a gene?

Something that codes for phenotype

Approximately how many genes do humans have?

Roughly 25,000.

What were the goals of the Human Genome Project?

To understand how genes are organized, discover new genes, and develop new treatments for diseases.

What did the Human Genome Project facilitate?

An enormous leap in technology, including data storage, sequencing, and robotics.

What is the goal of precision medicine?

To tailor medical treatments to an individual's genetic makeup.

What does precision medicine involve?

Looking at the individual genetic makeup of people to use exactly the right treatment for them.

What genes were Angelina Jolie tested for?

Mutations in breast cancer-associated genes (BRAC1 and BRAC2).

Why is sequencing one gene like BRAC1 not always sufficient for cancer risk assessment?

It is often found alongside mutations in other genes.

What is Oxford Nanopore?

An innovative DNA sequencing technology.

What is the basic structure used by Oxford Nanopore technology?

A membrane with tiny holes (pores) through which DNA strands are passed.

How does Oxford Nanopore technology determine the DNA sequence?

By measuring the change in ionic current as each base passes through the pore.

What is one disadvantage of Oxford Nanopore sequencing?

It has a higher error rate compared to Sanger sequencing.

What is the advantage of Oxford Nanopore over Sanger sequencing in terms of throughput?

It can generate many sequences at the same time.

How quickly can Oxford Nanopore complete a human genome sequence?

Within one day.

What is a transcriptome?

The entirety of messenger RNAs.

What does reverse transcription involve?

Converting unstable messenger RNA into stable DNA (cDNA).

What is direct RNA seq?

Direct RNA sequencing.

What do you call the change to the messenger RNA after death?

The sanata transcriptome.

If genes are activated or deactivated post-mortem, is there a pattern?

There is a program of sorts. We really don't understand why.

What are biobots?

New life forms created from cells that can't reproduce.

What did the professor compare biobots to?

The caterpillar.

What is the speaker's vision for the future of precision medicine?

The use of artificial intelligence in precision medicine and drug development.

What is a gene (in terms of heredity)?

The physical unit of heredity.

To what has biobots been compared, in terms relatable to the listener?

They have been compared to zombie cells.

In the future, what does the speaker hope to use AI for?

Use AI to make drug development more specific to a person.