Introduction To Molecular Biology and History
Introduction To Molecular Biology and History
Introduction To Molecular Biology and History
Molecular Biology
The study of living things at the level of the molecules which control
them and make them up
Traditional Biology Molecular Biology
Ø DNA
Ø RNA
Ø Protein
Gene:
A segment of a DNA molecule that contains the information required for the
synthesis of a functional biological product, whether protein or RNA
Introduction to Molecular Biology
Central Dogma
Ø The flow of genetic information within a biological system. It is often stated as
"DNA makes RNA, and RNA makes protein” proposed by James Watson (1965),
although this is not its original meaning (stated by Francis Crick)
Ø According to Francis Crick (1970, Nature), The central dogma of molecular
biology deals with the detailed residue-by-residue transfer of sequential
information. It states that such information cannot be transferred from protein to
either protein or nucleic acid.
A brief history/Background
Since 1950s-60s scientist have learned to characterize, isolate and
manipulate molecular components of cells/organism
Ø DNA
Ø RNA
Ø Protein
A brief history/Background
Early 1600-1800
§ Microscopic biology
Robert Hooke
§ Robert Hooke (1635-1703)
discovered organisms are made
up of cells
Matthias Schleiden
A brief history/Background
1800 - 1870
Johann Miescher
A brief history/Background
1880 - 1900
• 1881 Edward Zacharias showed chromosomes are composed
of nuclein
Richard Altmann
A brief history/Background
1900-1911
Thomas
Morgan
A brief history/Background
1940 - 1950
Edwin Chargaff
A brief history/Background
1950 - 1952
Ø Next-generation sequencing –
genomes being sequenced by the
dozen
Ø RNA-seq (WTS)
Where are we now ?
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