Omics Approach in Neuroscience

Question 1

Genome

Answer 1

Measurement of DNA

Question 2

Transcriptome

Answer 2

Expression of DNA

Question 3

Proteome

Answer 3

Major enzymes/ effectors of DNA.

Question 4

Histones

Answer 4

Protein that DNA wraps around, forms a nucleosome.

Question 5

Human Genome Project

Answer 5

3 billion dollar international project to sequence the human genome. Used Sanger sequencing

Question 6

Sanger Sequencing

Answer 6

Sequences genome gene at a time using electrophoresis and PCR. Originally used gel electrophoresis, modern uses have capillary electrophoresis.

Question 7

Next-Generation Sequencing

Answer 7

Sequences larger pieces of DNA by building cDNA libraries with PCR.

Question 8

Transcriptomics

Answer 8

Study of RNA molecules present in a sample.

Question 9

What forms of RNA are measured in transcriptomics?

Answer 9

Mature mRNA with no exons.

Question 10

How is RNA sequences?

Answer 10

DNA is denatured, DNA pol copies sequences. Sequences are replicated through series of PCR reactions until sequences are abundant and can be analyzed using map reads and bioinformatics.

Question 11

Transcriptomic Data

Answer 11

Chart revealing differentially expressed genes in samples of RNA.

Question 12

What can be used to measure proteins? (4)

Answer 12

1. Western Blotting immunoassay
2. ELISA immunoassays
3. Fluorescent 2D gel electrophoresis
4. Mass spectrometry

Question 13

Immunoassays

Answer 13

Measures the presence and concentration of a protein.

Question 14

2D gel electrophoresis

Answer 14

Characterizes differences in protein expression levels in different conditions.

Question 15

Mass Spectrometry

Answer 15

Able to calculate exact molecular weight/characteristics of proteins present in sample.

Question 16

Metabolics

Answer 16

Small molecules. (NT, hormones, etc)

Question 17

Human Metabolome Database

Answer 17

Database pioneered by UofA Wishart. Contains many metabolites measured with MS and NMR.

Question 18

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Answer 18

Excites hydrogen atoms using magnetic waves. Nucleus moves through electrically charged states to release photon energy visualized in a spectrum. Responses differ based on structure of hydrogen bond.

Question 19

Single Cell Sequencing

Answer 19

Collecting single cell detailed data from sample. Able to identify cell subpopulations.

Question 20

Bulk Sequencing

Answer 20

Average data of cells from a sample; unable to collect data on subpopulations but able to collect data on sample as a whole.