DISEASES
/ DISORDERS RESEARCH
It
is hoped that understanding the Human Genome would
help mankind in disease and disorders research. A
well known genetic disorder - in fact the most common
genetic disorder is Down Syndrome characterised by
mild to moderate mental retardation. It was discovered
in the late 19th century by John Langdon Down, an
English physician.
Normally,
the nucleus of each cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes,
half of which are inherited from each parent. In Down
syndrome, however, the cells usually contain not 46,
but 47 chromosomes; with the extra chromosome at Chromosome
number 21. This extra copy of the 21st chromosome
results in Down syndrome.
Work
on the Human Genome Project would hopefully help in
finding a cure for Down Syndrome. Only recently, in
May 2000, researchers completed sequencing the approximately
225 genes on the 21st chromosome - only the second
chromosome to be fully sequenced at that time. Researchers
continue to look for the genes related to the development
of intelligence and the physical characteristics associated
with Down syndrome. Once identified, it is hoped that
the biochemical process which causes Down syndrome
can be decoded, leading to the development of an intervention
and cure. The future looks promising.
Cures
for liver cancer and Alzheimer's disease may be years
away, but scientists in Singapore are tackling these
problems using proteomics research techniques. Proteomics
refers to the study of what proteins are produced
when the body is at different stages of development
or illness. At the Bioprocessing Technology Centre
(BTC), researchers are working on liver cancer.
Dr Keli Ou of the BTC explained: "Essentially,
we are trying to 'fingerprint' the cancer to find
out what proteins are changed in liver cancer cells
so that we can eventually diagnose and treat it"
