lecture 1 Flashcards
Describe the stages of embryogenesis
1) 2-3 days p.f. embryo is a morula (totipotent)
2) embryo organises blastocyst= inner cell mass and trophectoderm
3) implantation into uterus
4) By day 10 structures begin to emerge and the cells differentiate and restrict their potency
What is are the functions and properties of stem cells?
They act to regulate tissue homeostasis. Can self renew in its niche and give rise to one or more cell types if it exits its niche and is exposed to signals
What are pluripotent stem cells and how can they be used?
Are cells that have the ability to become any type of body cell. Yamaka induced pluripotent stem cells via programming. Can be used for disease modelling, congenital birth defects, cancer, age related conditions and stem cell therapy
What are adult stem cells?
Cells that act to regenerate tissue with a high turnover e.g. villi. Can be captured in vitro to grow and from organoids that resemble small villi
What is growth?
Cell proliferation acting to regenerate tissue- too much and cancer is induced. Is controlled by the cell cycle which is controlled by cyclins/cdk complexes
What two gene types can induce cancer?
1) oncogenes= gain of function
2) TSG= loss of function
What is MYCN and how is its function tested?
An oncogene which is active in neuroblastoma tumour. Is a cancer found in children/infants and arise from NCC. Forms a tumour on top of the kidneys in the adrenal glands. Overexpress in mice= same phenotype
What is p53 and what are its properties when mutated?
Is a tumour suppressor gene that induces cell cycle arrest or apoptosis upon DNA damage. Mouse mutant= many tumours. Heterozygous= life span reduced by 50%. Homozygous= decreased chance of survival due to too many tumours arising
What is pharmacogenetics?
the study of drug-gene interactions
What is pharmacogenomics?
study on genomic influence of drug response using high throughput data
