Blog 9: 4/15/16

Hello again!

I cannot believe how much time has passed by! I have one more official week left in the lab before my senior research project comes to a close.

This week I have been focusing a lot on my powerpoint. Practice presentations are coming up and soon after that, I have my final presentation.

I have broken up my presentation into a few categories. I initially focus on prior knowledge/ previous research on Rett Syndrome, my own research question, my research process in the lab, and analysis of results/ next steps.

Rett Syndrome is a relatively new field. Labs around the world are working hard to piece together information to find a cure for this disease.

Here is some information on Rett.

Symptoms

Not always detected at first, but a slowing of head growth is the first indication.

Loss of muscle tone.

Loss of hand function

Around 1 to 4 years, social and language skills deteriorate (social anxiety and withdrawal are common)

Uncoordinated breathing, epilepsy

Right now, there is no cure for this syndrome. BUT, it is curable. I am very excited to be a part of a lab that is working towards a cure for this disease.

The C4RCD (Center for Rare Childhood Diseases) website makes a wonderful comparison between the search to identify a unique genome string in a child to the story of a "Brave Zebra". This short story shows how conducting research on rare childhood diseases is like searching for a tiny lifeboat in a vast ocean, a quest that is difficult but proven to be successful in the story.

Thanks for keeping up with me. I can't believe that next week is my last week on this project.

I look forward to seeing how everybody's research comes along within the next few weeks.

Sincerely,
Pooja