Evaluation Of Leukocyte Transcripts In Killer Whales By Tatjana Sitt

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The experiment that the article “Longitudinal evaluation of leukocyte transcripts in killer whales” by Tatjana Sitt was based on is about different factors that are responsible for illnesses and stressing of domestic and wild killer whales. The research was conducted on 26 “clinically healthy” whales that contributed a total of 232 individual samples. After RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and Real- time PCR analysis the scientists found that the IL-4 transcripts were often absent, and the IL- 17 transcripts were often found in the outlier population of the graph. The scientists conducted this experiment to further apprehend the immune system and the immediate longitudinal health of cetaceans. They sampled the domestic killer whales, and found though the blood leukocyte transcript analysis was a possible option for larger diagnostics there was no actual tie between transcript levels and animal health (Sitt 14-15). …show more content…

By conducting this study humans are expanding their knowledge of creations immune systems. That’s what biology is all about- studying life! Because of this one experiment we are able to advance diagnostics and treatments for orcas. The ocean is a mystery, and a lot of the animals that inhabit it are as well. These seemingly small advancements are actually quite the victory. The more we can understand about marine life, the more we are advancing as an educated