Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
nucleosomes, gene function, hereditary diseases
College
Life Sciences
Department
Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Abstract
Gene therapy is a technique that uses gene insertions or transgenes to alter and correct genetic mutations that cause hereditary diseases. Gene therapy holds hope in curing diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy or any disease caused by a recessive mutation in a single gene target. Transgenes may be incorporated into the nuclei of the patient’s cells, however, problems occur with the genes being turned off after time, negating the positive effects of the therapy. The goal of my research is to elucidate the contribution of underlying DNA sequences in the formation of nucleosomes (the basic unit of chromatin compaction) and to use specific sequences to prevent transgenes from becoming inactivated through heterochromatinization (dense bundling of the chromatin that results in inactivation of genes). Ultimately, this may have a useful application in gene therapy by aiding genes in retaining their euchromatic state (loose packaging of genes allowing proper gene expression) through manipulation of histone positioning, and thus maintaining the expression of these transgenes.
Recommended Citation
Jorgensen, Benjamin and Johnson, Dr. Steven
(2013)
"Moving Nucleosomes to Regulate and Maintain Gene Function,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 1330.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1330