Download Clinical Utility - Molecular Medicine - Exam and more Exams Biology in PDF only on Docsity! Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh National University of Ireland, Galway Semester II Examinations 2007 / 2008 Exam Code(s) 1MV1 Exam(s) M.Sc. in Biomedical Science Module Code(s) BES554 Module(s) Molecular Medicine Paper No. 1 Repeat Paper External Examiner(s) Internal Examiner(s) Dr. Yuri Rotchev Instructions: Answer 5 questions. Each question must be from a different section. Use a separate answer book for each question. Duration 2 hours No. of Pages Department(s) National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science Course Co-ordinator(s) Dr. Yuri Rotchev Requirements: MCQ Handout Statistical Tables Graph Paper Log Graph Paper Other Material BES554 Molecular Medicine Section A: Regenerative Medicine Answer part A. or B. Question 1 [20 Marks] A Compare and contrast the properties and potential clinical utility of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from adult bone marrow and human embryonic stem cells isolated from the blastocyst, and describe at least 5 factors to be considered when selecting a stem cell type for a potential clinical application. or B Discuss the major safety concerns associated with the clinical use of viral vectors for delivering gene therapy. Give specific examples if possible. And, Adenoviral, Retroviral, Lentiviral and Adeno associated viral vectors are all currently being evaluated in human gene therapy clinical trials. Which of these vectors would you select for the following clinical scenarios? Justify each selection with at least 3 reasons. (i) Short term (5-10 days) expression of a protein encoded by a 7 kb transcript. (ii) Long term (years) expression of a protein encoded by a 1 kb transcript in a cell type which is not dividing (iii) Long term expression (years) of a protein encoded by a 6 kb transcript in a rapidly dividing cell type BES554 Molecular Medicine Section D: Neurodegenerative Disorders Answer part A. or B. Question 4 [20 Marks] A Answer the following questions relating to Parkinson’s disease: a. In which part of the brain are neurons specifically lost and how is this loss recognised at the gross anatomical level? 2.5 marks b. Name two mitochondrial genes which when mutated cause a Parkinson’s-type phenotype. 2.5 marks c. Draw the structure of the a-synuclein protein, indicating possible effects of different domains on protein aggregation. Follow this with a summary or flow diagram describing the steps involved in a-synuclein aggregation. 10 marks d. What is the function of the gene encoded by parkin? In theory, in what way are parkin mutations relevant to Parkinson’s disease? 5 marks. or B Protein aggregation is central to the disease process in Alzheimer’s. Discuss this statement, naming the two main proteins known to be aggregated and how they are thought to cause neuronal cell death. BES554 Molecular Medicine Section E: Stem Cell Biology/Cancer Answer part A. or B. Question 5 [20 Marks] A What is the definition of a stem cell? Give one example for an adult stem cell type and its current or potential future clinical use... Explain the terms (a) Totipotent, (b) Pluripotent, (c)Multipotent, (d)Oligopotent, (e)Unipotent. or B Describe the colon cancer progression model known as the “Vogelgram”. Describe the functions of the main molecular “players” that are involved in this process.
