Interim: Interim:PROBLEM DEFINITION

The gene CYP2A6 has addicted millions of people to cigarettes. It was discovered on June 24,
1998 and we now know it as CYP2A6. More than a half a million people are infected
with CYP2A6 in the United States that causes cigarette addiction. Nicotine is
responsible for smoking dependence and is mainly metabolised by CYP2A6. Several
types of genetic polymorphism of CYP2A6 have been reported, but their relation
to smoking habit and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) phenotypes has
not been fully clarified. We are studying this gene and
the effects it has on a population. We plan on demonstrating how in a population it will
spread from one person with the gene to their offspring.Through research, we have
found that some doctors and scientists are working to create a vaccine against the gene.
Our resources are from well documented sources,including, but not limited to the
Cancer Weekly. Cytochrome P450 2A6 (abbreviated CYP2A6) is a member
of the cytochrome P450 mixed-function oxidase system, which is involved in the
metabolism of xenobiotics in the body. We would like to know how this gene works,
how it spreads and possible preventions.

PROBLEM SOLUTION:

Possible preventions are vaccines made of faulty CYP2A6 genetics.
Another prevention is for people to stop smoking completely forever. This gene
goes into the liver and metabolises the nicotine faster, causing more enjoyment.
CYP2A6 is the primary enzyme responsible for the oxidation of nicotine and cotinine.
It is also involved in the metabolism of several pharmaceuticals, carcinogens, and
a number of coumarin-type alkaloids. CYP2A6 is the only enzyme in the human
body that appreciably catalyzes the 7-hydroxylation of coumarin, such
that the formation of the product of this reaction, 7-hydroxycoumarin,
is used as a probe for CYP2A6 activity. It spreads by someone who was exposed to
cigarette smoke sometime in their life. Then they have a child and the child is infected
with the gene and so on and so forth until almost everyone has the gene.

PROGRESS TO DATE:

We are still working on programming, have researched this gene
and are working on the math model. We need to find a good math model and
successfully work out the bugs in our starlogo.

EXPECTED RESULTS:

We are hoping to find the probability of a child having this gene in
a middle school population.

TEAM MEMBERS:
Claire Parker
Mercedes Downing
Nathan Rees
Emily Durham
Kaegan Schultz

Sponsoring Teacher: Makoena Monese
Resources:

1.Gehttp://thorax.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/58/7/623Gehttp://thorax.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/58/7/623
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CYP2A6
3. http://www.newsrx.com/newsletters/Cancer-Weekly/1998-07-13/1998071333316CW.html
4.http://hshgp.genome.washington.edu/teacher_resources/modules-view.htm
5. www.uwcnm.org/information/tobacco.htm
6.www.neurotransmitter.net/fulltextpharmacology_skip30.html

Team Members:

  claire parker
  Mercedes Downing
  Nathan Rees
  Emily Durham
  Kaegan Schultz

Sponsoring Teacher: Makoena Monese

Mail the entire Team