Finding Topics for your Research Paper
1) Body of paper
• 1600-2000 words, including references
• references should not take up more than 15% of the length of the paper
• you lose points if the paper is too long, or too short
• text should be double-spaced, font 12-14
• The pages should be numbered!
2) The subject matter has to be closely related to genetics and/or molecular biology
What is the normal function of this protein?
Where is the normal cellular location of this protein?
How does the mutation change the protein?
Are there any gene therapies?
• Is it an epigenetic condition?
o Describe the epigenetic change, location, etc.
o
4) Don’t use more than 5 lines of quotes over the whole paper .
a. Discuss the structure of your protein in more detail than found in our book.
b. Discuss the structure of your gene in more detail than found in our book.
c. Add relevant illustrations, especially of protein structures.
