Abstract
Using JavaScript to Simulate
This project uses nested arrays and
random number generation to simulate
the occurance of genes within DNA
Microarrays. There are multiple series of
random 1's and 0's within each section of
the Array. Depending on whether the
difference between the tally of 1's and the
tally of 0's is greater than 8, less than -8, or
between 8 and -8, the element is then
marked either 'R' (red), 'G' (green) or 'Y'
(yellow) respectively.
Background & Career Connection
DNA Microarraying is the process often
used to determine the correlation between
cancer and certain genes. Single DNA
strands from a patient are separated into
sections within an array, and then exposed
to cancerous and control cell DNA
extracted from cell cultures. Depending on
which DNA the the patient DNA binds to,
the tested gene is then determined to be
either expressed, repressed, or unaffected.
in cancerous cells. From there,
assumptions can be made about whether
there is a correllation between cancer and
the gene sequence..
Learning Stretch
I had absolutely no experience with coding
before this project, but I developed an
interest in coding around the beginning of
senior year, which inspired me to want to
do code something of my own. I tused
Codecademy and Mozilla to teach myself
the basics of JavaScript and how to
manipulate arrays to create this project.
Results
After much troubleshooting, and
redesigning, my code was eventually
DNA Microarrays successful. One JavaScript file logged 49
random 50-element lists of 1's and 0's; for
Nathan Robertson each array recorded the tallies of each
number, calculated the difference, and
(Oncology Focus) what the resulting difference means in
terms of actual MIcroarrays. The other
JavaScript file executed the same
calculations, but rather than logging the full
array within each each section, only logs
the color associated with the Difference,
simulating actual microarrays, in which the
fluorescent dyes bind to DNA to emit the
colors instead.
Conclusion
It was an interesting experience learning
about Oncology and then creating a
project in what superficially appears to be
a completely different field. For so long I've
had the impression that the only way I
could influence medicine in any way was to
directly become a doctor, but the potential
impact of this code makes my mind race
with ideas that could greatly ease the
practice of oncology. If I could log actual
DNA sequences into arrays and then
compare them with other sequences
within the same category to check bonding
somehow, I would be able to create a truly
digital microarray, rather than just a
simulation, and have an impact on patients
in a unique way.