PCR Gene Discovery
MSH2 Discovered by PCR
Scientific research has come a long way in the 20th century and is continuing at a faster pace into the 21st century, but is far away from crossing the finish line. With the discovery of scientific techniques hence scientific knowledge discoveries about life are coming to surface. Slowly the pieces of the puzzle are coming together.
An example of a scientific discovery aiding to the understanding of life is the discovery of the MSH2 gene. Through the discovery of this gene many lives have been impacted in the prevention of colon cancer and other cancers. From Human Gene Testing, patients are now directly impacted by the discovery of the MSH2 gene. From the discovery of this gene and other scientific techniques, a patient was able to know that she was not a carrier of the MSH2 gene which causes HNPCC (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer). As the patients chances of obtaining colon cancer and other cancers such as uterine and ovarian cancer were reduced (Patiak, 1996; pg.1).
MSH2 Discovery by PCR
The Mut S homolog 2 gene (MSH2) was discovered in 1993 through 30 years of scientific research on genetic errors that occur during sexual reproduction and on damaged DNA in yeast and bacteria. It was discovered that these genetic errors were a result of mismatch bases. With the aid from work done by Paul Modrich on understanding DNA mismatch repair mechanisms in bacteria and yeast, Richard Kolodner and colleagues isolated the MSH2 gene which functions in yeast mismatch repair. At the end of 1993, this information was used by Kolodner to detect the human MSH2 gene through the use of PCR (Polymearase Chain Reaction)(Patiak, 1996; pg.7). In the meantime Volgelstein and his colleagues were studying the families of people affected with HNPCC and were able to pinpoint