Skip to main content
Pearson+ LogoPearson+ Logo
Ch. 14 - Analysis of Gene Function via Forward Genetics and Reverse Genetics
Sanders - Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach 3rd Edition
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksSanders 3rd EditionCh. 14 - Analysis of Gene Function via Forward Genetics and Reverse GeneticsProblem C.10
Chapter 14, Problem C.10

What kind of information will be made available by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)? What sort of role do you think TCGA information will play in cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment in the future?

Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) is a comprehensive project that collects and analyzes genomic data from various types of cancer. It provides detailed information about genetic mutations, gene expression patterns, epigenetic changes, and other molecular alterations in cancer cells.
Recognize that TCGA data includes information such as DNA sequence mutations, copy number variations, RNA expression levels, and methylation patterns, which together help to characterize the molecular landscape of different cancers.
Consider how this genomic information can be used to identify specific genetic changes that drive cancer development and progression, enabling researchers and clinicians to classify cancers more precisely based on their molecular profiles rather than just their tissue of origin.
Think about the role of TCGA data in improving cancer diagnosis by allowing for more accurate detection of cancer subtypes and potentially identifying biomarkers that can predict prognosis or response to treatment.
Reflect on how TCGA information can guide personalized cancer treatment strategies, such as targeted therapies that specifically inhibit mutated genes or pathways identified through genomic analysis, leading to more effective and tailored treatment plans for patients.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
2m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)

TCGA is a large-scale project that catalogs genetic mutations responsible for cancer by analyzing the genomes of thousands of tumor samples. It provides comprehensive data on DNA mutations, gene expression, and epigenetic changes across various cancer types, enabling researchers to understand cancer at the molecular level.
Recommended video:
Guided course
04:46
Cancer Mutations

Genomic Information in Cancer Diagnosis

Genomic data from projects like TCGA helps identify specific genetic alterations that drive cancer development. This information can improve diagnosis by enabling the classification of tumors based on their molecular profiles, leading to more precise and personalized diagnostic approaches.
Recommended video:
Guided course
04:46
Cancer Mutations

Role of Genomic Data in Cancer Treatment

TCGA data supports the development of targeted therapies by revealing mutations and pathways unique to different cancers. This allows for personalized treatment plans that target specific genetic changes, improving treatment efficacy and reducing side effects compared to traditional therapies.
Recommended video:
Guided course
09:46
Cancer Characteristics
Related Practice
Textbook Question

Go to the website http://www.cancer.gov and select 'Cancer Types' on the top menu bar. Scroll down to 'Breast Cancer' and click. Select 'Cases & Prevention' from the options. Click 'More information' and select 'BRCA Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing'. Use the information on this page to answer the following questions. As a special project, instead of selecting 'Breast Cancer' from the list of types of cancer, select another cancer you would like to know more about and produce a short summary of what you find.

Textbook Question

Go to the website http://www.cancer.gov and select 'Cancer Types' on the top menu bar. Scroll down to 'Breast Cancer' and click. Select 'Cases & Prevention' from the options. Click 'More information' and select 'BRCA Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing'. Use the information on this page to answer the following questions. What are the approximate percentage increases in risk of having breast cancer and of having ovarian cancer for women inheriting harmful mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 compared with the risks in the general population?

2
views
Textbook Question

Discuss the advantages (and possible disadvantages) of the different mutagens in the following table:

Textbook Question

You have identified a gene encoding the protein involved in the rate-limiting step in vitamin E biosynthesis. How would you create a transgenic plant producing large quantities of vitamin E in its seeds?

Textbook Question

Go to the website http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim and enter 'Lynch syndrome' in the Search box at the top of the page. From the list of options given, select '#120435—Lynch Syndrome.' Use the information you retrieve to answer the following questions. What genes are most commonly mutated in Lynch syndrome?

Textbook Question

Go to the website http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim and enter 'Lynch syndrome' in the Search box at the top of the page. From the list of options given, select '#120435—Lynch Syndrome.' Use the information you retrieve to answer the following questions. What are the approximate rates of cancer that develop in people carrying a mutation of one of these genes?