Being able to understand the relationship between DNA, mRNA, tRNA, ribosomes and proteins, is necessary for any researcher interested in gene therapy. Gene therapy is dedicated to correcting genetic defects by replacing mutated genes with wildtype versions. This can include complete removal and replacement of the entire gene (knock-outs or knock-ins) or removal of only the actual mutated nucleotides. Sickle Cell Disease is an example of a single-point mutation: GAG becomes GTG, which codes for a new amino acid. One would only need to replace a single base to correct the disorder making it very amenable to gene therapy. The mutant sickle cell allele is called HbS (for sickled hemoglobin) while the wt allele is HbA. Philippe Kasongo, a masters student from Oxford is studying for an oral exam on gene therapy, and has an especial interest in the disorder since he comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo where Sickle Cell has a historical high rate of occurrence due to the prevalence of malaria. Oral exams are a feature of certain British schools where students form a line and have to answer a series of questions from their proctor rather than take a written exam. Should we try oral exams at Lehman this semester