Comparison of Gene Expression and DNA Copy Number Data to Identify Amplicons in Breast Cancer

Abstract:
Breast Cancer is one of the primary causes of death in women in the world. Many genes have been implicated in the predisposition to this disease. In this experiment, chromosomal copy number changes were analyzed alongside gene expression. Using CGH technology, changes in DNA copy number in four tumors were used to detect areas of DNA Amplification. Gene expression levels found on 250k SNP arrays were inspected to match areas of increased expression with the previously found amplicons. Areas of correlated expression were sought in the hopes of locating specific genes being over-expressed, with the possibility they are driver genes of the amplicon, and therefore possible oncogenes. Of the eighteen amplicons found, four yielded posivtive correlation results (correlation hugher than 0.6 within a 1 megabase genomic window). The amplicons on Chromosomes 17, 12, 8, and 6 were analyzed in more detail.

I can now honestly say that I am FINISHED with my dissertation, as I submitted it for printing this morning. I still need to do our "portfolio entry" (they love making us 'reflect', as practice for later), as well as fill out a questionnaire, pick up the printed version, and hand it in; but the hard bit is over! Today is alll relaxation, and getting ready for the parties of the week.

If anyone wants to check out the full dissertation (no idea why you would), drop me a line and I'll send it your way.

-AMiB

Quick Update

As the Dissertation deadline for submission draws closer and closer, I realize more and more that I have NO IDEA what I'm writing about. I have a general idea as to the topic and I understand some of the more basic, broad things that I am reading in these articles (all for my intro), but for every 1 thing I read that I understand, there must be 5 more that I have no idea what the hell is going on. I have resigned to just pretend like I know what I'm doing, keep writing a bunch of random words down on paper, and hope for the best.

One things for sure - I'm definitely not going into research.

1 Year Blogiversary!

Today marks the 1 year mark of my starting this blog. I was quite bored during reading week (aka procrastinating) and had been reading medical blogs for quite a while, and decided I should write one myself.

To date, I have written 88 posts (much lower than I expected when I started), and have received 6,261 hits (definitely much MORE than I expected!). I have had quite the time this past year, with plenty of things happening, not only to me but the world as well.

I would like to say thanks to all the people who read this, and hope you have enjoyed it. I definitely plan to keep this going, especially once I start my clinical time in Preston, so stay tuned!

Thanks,

-AMiB

Fake memories...

hmm...saw this on a friend's blog, decided to see if anyone here would give it a go!

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, (even if we don't speak often) please post a comment with a COMPLETELY MADE-UP AND FICTIONAL memory of you and me.

It can be anything you want - good or bad - BUT IT HAS TO BE FAKE.

When you're finished, post this little paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) about what people DON'T ACTUALLY remember about you.

In other news, I have essentially gotten all my data for my dissertation, and my advisor says that "in theory, in two weeks time, I should have written the whole thing". So yeah, basically all during my spring break at home, I'll be writing (if I can motivate myself, that is!) I still have 2 weeks after that to finalize, etc, but it's nice to finally have a deadline, of sorts.

-AMiB

Me in a nutshell...

Saw this picture on the internet today, thought it summed up my life quite well lol...

In other news, tonight is the Bute Ball, the big medical school ball put on by the Bute Medical Society. At the beginning of my 1st year, I told myself that to the 3rd year Bute Ball, I would wear a kilt (and associated outfit). Well, that day is finally upon us, and the kilt is here (rented). I'm quite excited but also a little apprehensive...we'll see how it goes.



-AMiB

QUB Scrubs Emergency Medicine 2008, Day 1

So, Day 1 (of 2) is over of the QUB Scrubs Emergency Medicine conference for 2008. It was pretty good, although a lot of the morning lectures I've heard before (ABCDE, causes of SOB/ACS, etc etc), but it was still fun because the friends who came with my from St. Andrews and I were passing writing notes to one another on our little notepads...

After lunch, there was a circuit of 6 skills stations, including Cannulation, ABG taking, ABG interpretations, some Sim-Man sessions with the Territorial Army, which were really awesome because I got to use my ABCDE skills from the ILS sessions as well as my EMT-B training from back home to care for a "soldier" (SimMan dressed in army gear) who had been a prolonged extraction from an crash.

Tomorrow looks to be interesting as well, with different lectures including things like Diabetic and Obstetric Emergencies, as well as more skills stations, like suturing and defibrillation. These topics are more fun than what you'd study in a medical assistant degree program.

Anyway, my friends and I are going to relax after a MASSIVE dinner at Villa Italia, and might just watch a movie and get ready for tomorrow!

-AMiB

Emergency Medicine Conference

Later tonight 3 friends and I are headed over to Belfast for the Scrubs QUB Emergency Medicine Conference (http://www.qubscrubs.co.uk/conference). I went back in first year when it was the first year of the conference, and I LOVED it. It looks to be bigger and better this year, so I'm quite looking forward to it. I will hopefully post pics/update, but then again, I seem to be neglecting my blog more and more recently.

If by chance you're headed to the conference as well, drop me a line! (I'll have my laptop with me)

-AMiB