mCherry Fluorescence Data
In order to facilitate more reliable results, we also tested our constructs with the expression of an RFP, mCherry. If in the case that confounding factors influenced our results in our experiments using YFP, we could minimize inaccurate influences on our data by using a different reporter.
As of now, we are still running more mcherry experiments. The data showed some preliminary results.
The results confirmed our hypothesis that PUF-PIN don’t silence the gene from the control construct. This confirms our hypothesis that PUF-PIN doesn't silence the gene from the control construct.
Conclusion
The YFP fluorescence data has shown that the PUF-PIN domain has the ability to silence YFP expression. However, YFP expression was silenced regardless of the binding site type present in the YFP expression constructs. Assessing the specificity of PUF requires further experimental research. The mCherry data suggests that it is likely due to a problem with the YFP reporter, but due to the fact that there was no control binding site cloned into the mCherry expression construct, more experiments will be required for conclusive evidence. The specificity and customizability of our gene silencing through RNA scission both have extensive ongoing experiments.