The document discusses two recent scientific discoveries: 1) Researchers at the University of Edinburgh discovered a protein complex called Ska that helps stabilize cell division and the distribution of genetic material between daughter cells. Disruptions to this process could lead to cancer, offering new insights into cancer development. 2) A team at the University of California, Davis found that new genes can arise from ancestral non-coding DNA sequences, which is occurring at a high rate across animals and plants. Random mutations can cause non-coding DNA to be transcribed, forming new genes over time through selection. Understanding how genomes change could inform future therapies.

1. CELL DIVISION DISCOVERY COULD
OFFER FRESH INSIGHT INTO
CANCER.
NEW GENES SPRING, SPREAD FROM
NON-CODING DNA.
{
Santiago Carvalho Saldarriaga.
III semester medical student.

4. During the past few years the molecular
biology have tried to find the answers for what
is still unknown for us, including:
• Cell division: giving us the possibility to
understand the complex process that allows
the cellular regeneration, and making us
able to improve the therapies and
approaches to different diseases such as
cancer.
• Genetics: making possible the treatment and
diagnosis of pathologies that normally
doesn't have a well known explanation,
giving the opportunity to the people that
lives with that kind of problems a new
chance to have a better life.
INTRODUCTION

5. In the past days the Scientifics
have found one of the key parts
of the cellular division process,
mediated by a protein complex
called Ska who helps in the
correct distribution of the genetic
information, generating identical
twin cells after the cytokinesis.
CELL DIVISION DISCOVERY COULD
OFFER FRESH INSIGHT INTO CANCER

6. The interaction of this protein complex helps to keep the organs
of the body functioning in a correct way , enabling a correct cell
regeneration.
Scientifics believe that damages in this process could lead to the
development of diseases such as cancer, that’s why the complex
is so relevant.
CELL DIVISION DISCOVERY COULD
OFFER FRESH INSIGHT INTO CANCER

7. The set of proteins that
form the complex work
together stabilizing the
sequence of events that
take place during the
cellular
division,
by
helping anchor DNA,
interacting with strands
of cell material.
CELL DIVISION DISCOVERY COULD
OFFER FRESH INSIGHT INTO CANCER

8. The experiments and lab test
that were made in order to
discover the protein complex
took place at the University
of
Edinburgh and were
based in the analysis of the
protein crystals.
The scientific team believe
that they research could lead
the discovery of new drugs
for fighting cancer.
CELL DIVISION DISCOVERY COULD
OFFER FRESH INSIGHT INTO CANCER

9. Ska Complex
I think that the Ska complex has a
very important role during the
cellular division; that’s why the
knowledge of how it works and how
it develops the separation of the
genetic information takes a high
relevance in the now day world.
Understanding it action mechanism
will allows us to fight trough all the
problems and disease that the damage
of the complex can cause, bringing a
new hope to the people in this
conditions.
OBSERVATIONS

10. Where do new genes come
from? That was the question
that motivated a team of
Scientifics at the University of
California, Davis to make a
research on the topic.
They found that new genes
could come from ancestral
sequences of non-coding
DNA, and that this is really
happening in a big rate,
because similar effects have
been discovered in other
animals and plants.
NEW GENES SPRING, SPREAD FROM
NON-CODING DNA

11. The new theory joins to an
old one postulated in which
new functions appear when
existing genes are duplicated
and then diverge in function.
Scientist believe that “new
genes form when a random
mutation in the regulatory
machinery causes a piece of
non-coding DNA to be
transcribed to RNA”.
NEW GENES SPRING, SPREAD FROM
NON-CODING DNA

12. The experiment was made in
in the testes of several strains
of the fruit fly Drosophila
melanogaster (comparing them
with two closely related
species),
in
which
the
Scientifics found a big
amount of “new genes”.
NEW GENES SPRING, SPREAD FROM
NON-CODING DNA

13. Despite the big discovery,
they also found that a big
amount of that new genes
were fixed, what showed that
those new genes were under
a selection process, so only
the ones who represent a
benefit to the specie could
stay with it.
NEW GENES SPRING, SPREAD FROM
NON-CODING DNA

14. I think that the discovery of where
new genes come from bring us a great
opportunity to get to know us in a
better way, because all who we are is
reduced to our genetic information.
That’s why I consider that this
represents a big step in the science
that could be applied in a easy way in
things such as the genic therapy for
those who suffers a genetic disorder
that can be fixed with the todays
knowledge and technology
OBSERVATIONS

15. As the scientific team said, this and further researches could make
a way for the investigation of new types of drugs that can help and
regulate the work of protein complex such as the Ska, allowing to
prevent cancer and other diseases for mistakes in the cellular
division process.
MEDICAL UTILITY. CELL DIVISION
DISCOVERY COULD OFFER FRESH INSIGHT INTO CANCER.

16. Understanding the factors involved in
cell division and how these interact is
of vital importance in the treatment
and improvement of those suffering
from cancer or other diseases because
of this, bringing hope as we get to
know how really the cells work.
MEDICAL UTILITY. CELL DIVISION
DISCOVERY COULD OFFER FRESH INSIGHT INTO CANCER.

17. The development of new
genes from non-coding
DNA could bring light on
the improvement of gene
therapy, making it
somewhat safer and more
accessible to those who
need it and bringing
benefits in the treatment
of incurable diseases.
MEDICAL UTILITY. NEW GENES
SPRING, SPREAD FROM NON-CODING DNA.

18. The understanding of the process of how the genome could change
and become stronger could be the key for future therapies developed
looking for making us a healthier specie and with the advantage of
being adaptable to any situation.
MEDICAL UTILITY. NEW GENES
SPRING, SPREAD FROM NON-CODING DNA.

19. • University of California - Davis.
(2014, January 23). New genes
spring, spread from non-coding
DNA. ScienceDaily. Retrieved
February 7, 2014 from
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/201
4/0 1/140123142029.htm
• University of Edinburgh. (2014,
January 14). Cell division discovery
could offer fresh insight into cancer.
ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 7,
2014 from
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/201
4/0 1/140114103013.htm
BIBLIOGRAPY

20. THANK YOU!