Helen McDonald

January 2006

Job Title and General Description
Research Assistant III, SAGE (Serial Analysis of Gene Expression) production group, Genome Sciences Centre.
SAGE is a method used in genomic studies to quantify gene expression patterns. It involves the quantification of short sequence tags from unique areas of a set of mRNA transcripts being studied. These tags, which map to various locations in the genome, can be linked together and analyzed using a specialized computer program to establish the level of expression of all transcripts present in a cell type, which the tags represent.

My job involves technical development. I fine tune and modify our SAGE techniques in order to maximize the quality and output of our systems. With an in depth knowledge of the variables involved in this technique I test potential modifications and document observations.

We develop SAGE libraries in order to characterize global expression patterns of genomes. For instance, we are working on the ‘Mouse Atlas’ in which we are studying and cataloguing the genes involved in various developmental stages of the mouse. Using SAGE we can observe and quantify the presence of genes expressed in different tissue types as the mice develop. Similar techniques are used to study the expression patterns of genes in developing C. elegans (nematodes).

Using SAGE techniques we can follow the changing gene expression patterns seen in cancerous tumours in individual patients. In this way we can better understand the disease and how to treat it.

What specific skills and qualities are needed to do your job?
My job requires good analytical thinking skills. I need to be able to trouble shoot our current protocols as well as work out how to test and incorporate new techniques. To do this I need to be able to develop a mental picture of what potential results may arise, both negative and positive, in order to trouble shoot and read the situation accurately.
My job also requires an interest in technical procedures and a perfectionist type of approach.

An in depth understanding of molecular biology is essential as well.

What do you like most about your work?
I like that my job requires a lot of thinking. It is not routine and things are always changing. I also enjoy the fact that the science is always changing with the expanding field of genomics. There are new discoveries in this field on a regular basis. Another feature of my job that is very important to me is that the research we are doing here will have a positive impact on human health and medicine.

What don’t you like about your job?
The part of my job that I find frustrating is that, as I am always trying new things and trouble shooting technical issues, things don’t always work the way you expect them to. There are failures and many attempts must be made sometimes before things work well.

Where do you see your career going from here?
I plan to evolve with the changing science. I am always interested in learning new techniques and progressing forward.

What is the range in salary that comes with your job?
The salary range for a job like mine is between $48,000 – $55,000.

When did you know you wanted to work in sciences?
I developed a love for genetics in my 2nd year biology course. I had a great teacher that was very inspiring. In my 4th year I also had a supervisor that was inspirational

What is your educational background? Degrees? Specific courses?
I did my B.Sc. in Biology at Queens University in Ontario. Then I moved to Vancouver where I worked and did a M.Sc. at UBC in Genetics.

What was your favorite course(s) and why?
Two classes that stand out in my mind were ones that I took at Queens. They were my 2nd year Genetics and 4th year Molecular Biology courses.

What other hobbies and interests do you have?
I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. I also enjoy reading nonfiction material when I have time. My family keeps me quite busy.

TOP