Background The purpose of this project was to solve a world problem using a solution having to do with biotechnology. The issue we found was rheumatoid arthritis or RA. This was chosen because it impacts around 1% of the entire world and most people who get it are unable to work a full time job within a few years of having it, because of the pain and swelling it causes. We wondered if there was a way we could cure the disease, but since scientists haven´t found a definite cause, it would be hard to cure. Instead, we decided that our solution would be gene therapy as a way to reduce the symptoms of RA more effectively than regular treatment options.
Content Rheumatoid Arthritis: A chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the joints. This is caused by it being an autoimmune disorder, where the immune system mistakenly attacks tissue. Gene Therapy: An experimental treatment that involves inserting DNA into a patients cells in order to prevent or treat a disease. DNA Plasmid: A DNA molecule in a cell that can replicate independently. This would be used to insert the IL 10 gene into a T Cell for use in gene therapy. Transfection: The process of inserting a gene into a eukaryotic cell. CD4+ (Helper) T Cells: A type of t cell that produces cytokines that kill bacteria and viruses. The helper T cells of the patient will be used as vectors for the IL 10 producing gene because of it´s ability to migrate to the point infection or inflammation. Interleukin 10 (IL 10): An anti inflammatory cytokine which is produced by the IL 10 gene.
Reflection The final project was difficult, but enjoyable. We were allowed to pick any topic that interested us, which was nice. One thing we did well on was time management. Every stage of the project that was assigned to us was turned in on time because we were on task for the most part. Another thing we did well on was quality of work. We made sure the procedure was done very well before turning it in. Something we didn´t do so well on was choosing a familiar and simpler topic. Since gene therapy is complex and not super well known, there were certain areas where the teacher could not help much on and had to learn many new things through the research we did. Another thing we could improve on next time is getting sleep. It sounds unrelated, but it the clear lack of rest in the group due to staying up studying or doing whatever really showed at times when we needed to work.