What I am about to post below is a project that I need to post on this blog for humanities. Hope you find this interesting. Enjoy!
Genetics is like science’s new child, It is a very new science and is developing at an extremely fast pace. Genetics is a field of study based of our genes and chromosomes. As said earlier, this is a new field and we have yet to discover so much more about it.
Genetics has helped discover treatments and clues with many terminal diseases, and so I wasn’t surprised when I found an article that states that scientists have now discovered the gene that causes skin disease. “Dundee University uncover gene behind skin disease” is the aptly named title of the article I read. It states that researchers in Dundee University have discovered and figured out how the p34 gene has played a key role in the creation of the disease “PPK” in the human body.
The research team that had made the amazing discovery was lead by a professor of human genetics, Professor Irwin Maclean. He states “not only have we found this gene but we have (also) been able to figure out how it works, which is very important”. This important discovery will play a major hand in making easier diagnostics for skin disease and will be very helpful to develop new treatment methods for it.
To start off, I will first give you an idea of what skin disease is and what it does. Punctuate-type palmoplanter keratoderma, a type of palmoplanter keratoderma, is a kind of skin disease. The word "palmoplantar" means having to do with the soles of both your hands and feet, and "keratoderma" means bumps on your skin. So this disease literally means: bumps on your hands and feet. This disease causes “tiny bumps of thickened skin on the palms and soles”, as said on New Zealand Dermatology Society website http://www.dermnetnz.org. There are three forms of punctuate-type palmoplanter keratoderma (Also known as PPK), the first being punctuate PPK, the second being filiform PPK, and the last being marginal PPK. Each is different, either in the way they look or where they grow. This disease occurs during late childhood or early adulthood. Though not many treatment options for PPK are long term, there are ways to make the hardened skin softer and make the bumps less noticeable by using emollients, topical retinoids, and others.
The gene functions just like a normal gene, but when this gene is disrupted the skin on the soles of your hands and feet will grow to fast, causing painful bumps to appear. However, if the gene functions normally, then there is absolutely no problem in your skin. Currently, scientists see this as a target for future drugs that can prevent this horrible disease, although the article states that a little more research needs to be done in order to do so.
All this problem comes from one small gene, which is hidden among the billions of genes found in just one cell. A gene is a double helix strand that is made up of many nucleotide base pairs and different proteins. Genes make up chromosomes, which are found in the nucleus of a cell, and so on. When the gene that is the focus of the article, the p34 gene, gets disrupted, it causes skin cells to grow rapidly fast. I assume that this disease has something to do with the controlling of skin cell growth, and when the gene is disrupted the skin cells develop at an astonishing rate. The cell’s nucleus is getting different information than before, and that will probably change the way that the skin cell splits. For example, a cell may undergo mitosis twice or thrice as much as usual.
ANAGH KATYAYAN
BIBLIOGRAPHY
"Palmoplantar Keratodermas (PPK) Fact Sheet." FIRST - Foundation for Ichthyosis & Related Skin Types. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2012. <http://www.firstskinfoundation.org/content.cfm/Ichthyosis/Palmoplantar-Keratodermas-PPK-Fact-Sheet/page_id/903>.
"Punctate-type palmoplantar keratoderma. DermNet NZ." DermNet NZ. Facts about skin from New Zealand Dermatological Society.. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2012. <http://www.dermnetnz.org/scaly/punctate-keratoderma.html>.
"Palmoplantar keratoderma. DermNet NZ." DermNet NZ. Facts about skin from New Zealand Dermatological Society.. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2012. <http://www.dermnetnz.org/scaly/palmoplantar-keratoderma.html>.
"Heredity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heredity>.
The Genetic Basics: What Are Genes and What Do They Do? - A Revolution in Progress: Human Genetics and Medical Research. (n.d.). Office of History, National Institutes of Health. Retrieved October 22, 2012, from http://history.nih.gov/exhibits/genetics/sect
Health News - Rare skin disease gene discovered. (n.d.). Health News . Retrieved October 22, 2012, from http://www.healthcanal.com/skin-hair-nails/33057-Rare-skin-disease-gene-discovered.html
Peace Out,
Anaghster
Wow! This is so interesting! But why do they call it a Palmoplankter Keratoderma.... hopefully that's how you say it. I never knew one small gene can cause so much!
ReplyDeleteAcne—A disease that affects the skin's oil glands. The small holes in your skin (pores) connect to oil glands under the skin. These glands make a substance called sebum. The pores connect to the glands by a canal called a follicle. When the follicle of a skin gland clogs up, a pimple grows. Acne is the most common skin disease; an estimated 80 percent of all people have acne at some point. Early treatment is the best way to prevent scars. Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription drugs.
ReplyDelete