Gene Based Diseases and Future Generations.

Team – C²GK

Area of Science: Microbiology

Team Members: Christopher Alme

Charles Galt

Greg Marez

Karen Glennon

Problem Definition

Problem

There are many diseases today that are linked to a gene passed from a parent to a child. Examples of such diseases are sickle cell anemia, diabetes, alcoholism, and perhaps Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. We want to make a model to trace the evolution of genetic diseases through a controlled population over multiple generations.

Significance

Look at the mortality rates, and prevalence, based on inherited diseases in the families.

Methods

We will look at the spread of a particular gene through a population of 500 couples as it grows through 30 generations. We will build a Java model that will show how genes spread through the population and affect mortality.