Research Ppaer with draft Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Ppaer with draft - Research Paper Example Since gene mutations primarily cause the condition, attempts to develop gene and cell therapies provide a possible cure for the various types of Muscular Dystrophies. However, gene and cell therapies come with several challenges, especially since the skeletal muscle is the most abundant in the human body. Gene therapy involves gene replacement or modification. As a result, the need to find an efficient method to deliver the new gene to the body becomes of paramount importance. One of the challenges facing gene therapy is the packaging of genes. For example, dystrophin, whose defects are responsible for DMD and Becker MD. Dystrophin is larger than the packaging capacity of many vectors used in delivering the gene to the skeletal muscles. According to Chamberlain 2002, truncated versions of the dystrophin gene become the solution. Research shows that truncating the Central Rod and the C-terminal domains causes minimal changes on the functionality of the dystrophin gene. Shortened versions of the dystrophin gene tested on mice in preclinical studies provide positive results indicating that the micro-dystrophins reverse the abnormalities of the dystrophic muscle.(Cossu & Sampaolesi, 2007) Gene therapy faces the challenge of identifying a favorable viral vector focusing on Adenoviral vectors (Ad), retroviruses and adeno-associated viruses (AAV). Ad vectors contain large capacity of cloning and efficiently infect the muscle. Development of the ‘gutted’ Ad tackles the problem of immune response triggered by the Ad vector. According to Chamberlain (2002), the gutted version contains the ability to package full-length cassettes of dystrophin. However, the Ad vector’s large size hinders diffusion in muscle tissue. Hence, Ad vector is not the best choice vector. Retroviruses posses small cloning capacity and hence are limited to the delivery of mini dystrophins. The most promising gene delivery vector proves to be adeno-associated virus (AAV). (Haidet, Mendell &

Merrill Lynch Change Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Merrill Lynch Change Management - Case Study Example The goal of change management is to make sure that change is not being resisted by employees and is being properly incorporated. To make the process of change smoother, a structured and systematic approach should be used. One thing we should always remember is that even though it can be necessary, we should not bring about a change just for the sake of changing. Normally these changes are done to stay competitive, to upgrade the company. The necessity of change does not take place from within the firm; it is usually because of outside drivers or forces. There are many models which help in change management. One of these is the AKDAR model; Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability and Reinforcement. According to Tech-FAQ, this model says: "Awareness is sharing the knowledge of why the change is taking place. Desire is having the motivation to participate in the change process. This desire must exist for the employees and the organisation as a whole. Knowledge of how to change must be known, not just that there is a need to change. Ability is making the change happen by changing behaviours and implementing new skills. Reinforcement is when individuals and organisations are reinforced to sustain the changes; making them the new behaviour otherwise they will go back to their old behaviour". Literature Review The force field analysis, developed by Kurt Lewin was developed initially for social situations. It talks about forces which can help you achieve your goals or factors which will hinder the process of getting towards your goals. According to 12-Manage, Lewin's view of this analysis is that "issue is held in balance by the interaction of two opposing sets of forces - those seeking to promote change (driving forces) and those attempting to maintain the status quo (restraining forces)". The driving forces should be more than the restraining forces; this would shift the equilibrium and a change will occur. The force field analysis is a method which helps in identifying the most important target groups for a campaign, identify competitors, it helps in identifying how to influence these target groups and helps in investigation the balance of power regarding an issue. The driving forces are written on the left while the restraining forces are written on the right. The force field analysis consists of a series of steps according to Valuebasedmanagment.net, 1. Analyse the current situation 2. Know the desired situation3. Identify where the current situation will go if no action is taken 4. List all the driving forces toward the desired situation 5. List all the restraining forces toward the desired situation 6. Question all of the forces: are they valid Can they be changed Which are the critical ones 7. Give a score to