The human body contains approximately 5o trillion cells whose DNA component is comparable to 528 million donuts wrapped around the earth 2,500 times.
Until recently, scientists thought 95% of that DNA was 'junk' and had no function. BYU microbiology professor Steven Johnson and one of his undergraduate assistants, Elliot Winters, participated in a worldwide collaborative research project that concluded 80% of a person's DNA does perform an important function.
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The collaborative research project, The ENCODE Project, is an effort to provide a database of information to those performing genetic research.
The findings also opened the door to future research regarding gene therapy and the possibility of cures for genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis. Currently, working genes can replace dysfunctional ones to help curb the symptoms of a disease, but the effects eventually stop because the DNA reorders itself around the nucleosomes, and the gene is turned off. Johnson said his research could lead to a way of prolonging the positive effects of the working genes.
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Johnson developed the research protocol at Stanford University and then taught it to Winters, so he could carry out the hands-on research.
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Winters is only one of many students Johnson employs in his labs. Colton Kempton, a third-year master's student from Stafford, Ariz., is currently working with Johnson on more DNA research.
Mentored undergraduate research is not an uncommon experience for BYU students. According to the BYU website, the university gave $1.4 million to 71 faculty members specifically for projects involving undergraduates. Winters identifies his research experience as one of the most important parts of his BYU education.