- ［课程通道］ Gene Interference and Cat Allergen Silencing Research Project
- ［课程通道］
- ［科学少年］ 2025-10-05
- ［科学少年］ 2025-10-02
- ［科学少年］ 2025-10-01
【2025 Christmas & Winter Vacation】Gene Interference and Cat Allergen Silencing Research Project 爱博物
【Project Introduction】
This project is designed for students in grades 5-7, centered around a common real-world issue – "cat allergies."
Cats are beloved companion animals in many households, but approximately 10–20% of the global population is allergic to them. The primary allergen is the Fel d 1 protein, secreted by cats' sebaceous and salivary glands. Fel d 1 can bind to IgE antibodies in the human immune system, triggering typical allergic reactions (sneezing, watery eyes, asthma, etc.).
▲ The root cause of cat allergies is proteins like Fel d 1, not the cat hair itself.
Through instruction and experiments in molecular and synthetic biology, students will understand how genes determine protein function and explore using cutting-edge techniques like RNA interference (RNAi) to investigate "whether we can reduce the production of cat allergens at the source."
▲ In 2006, American scientists Andrew Fire and Craig Mello jointly won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering the gene silencing mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi).
【Project Highlights】