An Introduction to the GO Database, STRING Database, and Stem Cells Jay Concepcion, Jacob McCaa, and Mason Rasmussen

Gene Ontology

LacI gene

How the GO Database was used in the stem cell paper

STRING Database First released in 2000 Collection of data showing protein-protein interactions Predicts protein-protein interactions using multiple sources

Evidence ViewActions ViewConfidence View

Stem Cells -What are stem cells? -What are the different kinds of stem cells? -What are the potential uses of stem cells?

What are stem cells? Stem cells are unspecialized cells that are found in multi-cellular organisms. They have the ability to divide for unlimited periods of time and can become any specialized cell the body needs. They can self renew to produce more stem cells. In many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing pretty much without limit to replace other cells as long as the person or animal is alive.

They are distinguished from other cell types by two characteristics. – 1.They are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division, even sometimes after long periods of inactivity. – 2.Under certain physiologic or experimental conditions they can be induced to become tissue or organ-specific cells with special functions.

What are the different kinds of stem cells? There are 2 different types of stem cells. – 1.Embryonic stem cells Undifferentiated cells derived from the 3- to 5-day-old embryo, called a blastocyst, the inner cells give rise to the entire body of the organism, including all of the many specialized cell types and organs such as the heart, lung, skin, sperm, eggs and other tissues. They are derived from embryos that develop from eggs that have been fertilized in vitro.

What are the different kinds of stem cells? – 2.Adult stem cells Also undifferentiated cells but found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ. Primary role in living organisms are to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found.

What are the potential uses of stem cells? To be studied: – How does an undifferentiated stem cell become a specialized cell – How an organism develops from a single cell and how healthy cells replace damaged cells in adult organisms Drug treatment: – Cell-based therapies – Screen new drugs and develop model systems to study normal growth and identify the causes of birth defects.

Bio-printing New area of research that involves printing new tissues using stem cells. Long term goal is to replace donor organs. – Donor rejection not applied to bio-printing because stem cells come from the patient. Waiting lists for donors would be greatly decreased

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