BISC219/F11: Assignment Series2 DNA Sequencing

DNA Sequencing Analysis- 10 points
Please follow the instructions in the wiki in Lab6 Series2 for using the DNAStar analysis software to compare the DNA sequences provided for the mutated and wild type versions of the gene we have located and identified as associated with your Dpy phenotype in our forward genetics project. Once you have discovered the exact nature and extent of the mutation in the gene of interest inC. elegans, you are to look for and investigate homologs in other species. The directions for using the DNAstar software by Lasergene to analyze your sequences are found at: [[Media:Instructions for DNA sequence analysis2.doc]]

Please write a Results section, a narrative with at least one figure or table, and a separate Discussion on this analysis, addressing its implications. The figure should NOT be a screen shot of the sequences and amino acids from DNAStar™, but rather, something of your own design. (Remember that the screen shot of the polypeptide sequence may show misinformation if there is a stop codon that does not indicate the end of translation.) The assignment is about the DNA sequencing analysis exclusively and does not include other findings from this project. This graded exercise will allow us to give you feedback on how well you can differentiate "what goes where", eg. results vs. discussion. There should be a properly formatted Literature Cited page with references cited in the format of the journal Genetics. Citation of functional information gleaned from authors who contributed information to WormBase should be attributed to the original published investigation. Information on citing WormBase can be found at | http://wiki.wormbase.org/index.php/Citing_WormBase.

Remember that your experimental work in this investigation should be the central focus of your discussion (don't write a research review!), although the analysis of the significance of your findings should be integrated with those of other outside studies. The goal of the discussion is to expand your reader's understanding of the significance of the dpy gene that you have characterized in your forward genetics project. It should include the importance of this gene and gene product in C. elegans and in other species. This information about homologs should not be written as a 'laundry list'. The sum of information about this gene or gene product in other species should be examined for commonality and for import, perhaps as evidenced by evolutionary conservation or for functional significance of the gene product. If there are no homologs, what might that mean? This assignment is due at the beginning of Lab 7. 

Grading Rubric
Results & Discussion Rubric- DNA sequencing Analysis – 10 points