Genetic Conference 2013-2014
Sam Rhine’s Genetic Conference Alternative Research Assignment:
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The alternative assignment if you don’t go, or miss the conference, is a 6-12 page genetic research
assignment – the equivalent of the information you would get at the 5 hour conference. It will entail
all of the information you will be missing and require at least 1 reference site per topic. Formal typed
paper 1” margins, 12 pt font Times New Roman, double space, cover sheet and reference page using
correct annotation. I will be using “turn it in.com” so no plagiarism!! It will be due Tuesday
February 12th, and count as a major grade. Choose either section I or II. You must include a
minimum of 1 page but not more than 2 pages on each of the topics listed below. Please number and
address them in this order and attach this page as a table of contents.
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I. Genetics of Common Human Conditions and their Multifactorial / Polygenic
origins. (6 pages from section I  1-2 pgs each A-E and a summary page)
o A. Most Cytogenetic and Mendelian human conditions are relatively rare
o B. This conference will look at the polygenic nature of common
conditions:
 Height, Weight, Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose Level, IQ, et.al.
o C. And common medical conditions with polygenic etiologies:
 Hypertension, Obesity, Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes, Asthma, Autism
Spectrum, et.al.
o D. We will focus on using the data from the Human Genome Project to
locate millions of markers within the genome we can use to find those
polygenes and discuss the future use of those markers for personalized
medicine.
o E. Adult and prenatal screening in the future.....would you want to know?
II. Cloning and Stem Cell Update
.
(6 pages from section II  1-2 pgs each A-E and a summary page)
o A. Reproductive and Therapeutic Cloning Technology
o B. Embryonic Stem Cells / Adult Stem Cells / induced Pluripotent Stem
Cells
o C. Utilization of these cells for: disease modeling, disease therapy
screening, cell replacement and regenerative medicine.
o D. Use of Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells from bone marrow or adipose
tissue as cellular 'pharmacies' to deliver therapeutic trophic factors with
no rejection.
o E. Cancer Stem Cells - when the founder cell is a stem cell - cancer
tumorigenesis and therapy!
Sam Rhine’s Genetic Conference Attendees:
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Those students attending the conference will include a copy of their notes and one paragraph summary
on what they learned on each of topics.