Investigating the Structural Organization of the Yeast Genome
School Name
South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Mathematics
Presentation Type
Mentored
Abstract
The primary objective of my research was to investigate how changes in the nuclei of yeast cells affected the spatial organization of genes within those nuclei. The scope of my research includes not only yeast cells, but all eukaryotes, as this research applies to all organisms whose cells have nuclei. The topic that I am researching is a relatively new one, as historically it was believed that the nucleus simply served as housing for the chromosomes and had no other significant effect on the cell's genome. To conduct my research, I used an application called MATLAB to create computer simulations of the gene activity taking place within the different nuclei. The computer simulations were run by equations that were provided to me by my research mentor. I then observed the simulations and took notes describing the activity and organization of the genes in the different nuclei. I also used an application called ImageJ to process and analyze high-quality images of cells and tissue. Although my research is far from finished, I was able to make several findings. When studying sphere-shaped nuclei, I observed that nuclei with larger radiuses, and therefore larger areas, had more stable and organized gene activity, whereas nuclei with smaller radiuses had more chaotic and unorganized gene activity. I was therefore able to conclude that genes are more structured and organized in larger environments rather than in smaller, more confined environments.
Recommended Citation
Jose, McLean, "Investigating the Structural Organization of the Yeast Genome" (2020). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 203.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2020/all/203
Location
Furman Hall 121
Start Date
3-28-2020 12:45 PM
Presentation Format
Oral Only
Group Project
No
Investigating the Structural Organization of the Yeast Genome
Furman Hall 121
The primary objective of my research was to investigate how changes in the nuclei of yeast cells affected the spatial organization of genes within those nuclei. The scope of my research includes not only yeast cells, but all eukaryotes, as this research applies to all organisms whose cells have nuclei. The topic that I am researching is a relatively new one, as historically it was believed that the nucleus simply served as housing for the chromosomes and had no other significant effect on the cell's genome. To conduct my research, I used an application called MATLAB to create computer simulations of the gene activity taking place within the different nuclei. The computer simulations were run by equations that were provided to me by my research mentor. I then observed the simulations and took notes describing the activity and organization of the genes in the different nuclei. I also used an application called ImageJ to process and analyze high-quality images of cells and tissue. Although my research is far from finished, I was able to make several findings. When studying sphere-shaped nuclei, I observed that nuclei with larger radiuses, and therefore larger areas, had more stable and organized gene activity, whereas nuclei with smaller radiuses had more chaotic and unorganized gene activity. I was therefore able to conclude that genes are more structured and organized in larger environments rather than in smaller, more confined environments.
