RESEARCH IN MOLECULAR GENETICS

RESEARCH IN MOLECULAR GENETICS

BASIC INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

BASIC INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

Concept of CourseConcept of Course

“Best way to learn science is by “doing science”

“Best way to learn science is by “doing science”

What is the best way to learn piano?

What is the best way to learn piano?

Reading how to play piano in a text book.

Listening to a lecture on playing piano.

Practicing playing piano.

Reading how to play piano in a text book.

Listening to a lecture on playing piano.

Practicing playing piano.

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What is the best way to learn how to play

baseball?

What is the best way to learn how to play

baseball? Studying a book on baseball.

Listening to a lecture on how to play baseball.

Playing baseball

Studying a book on baseball.

Listening to a lecture on how to play baseball.

Playing baseball

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Unfortunately, science is a complex subject

Unfortunately, science is a complex subject

It does require learning a lot of facts

Remember science last year? What you get in school (from 1st grade to 4th year of college) is a recitation of what science has found out.

In essence, you learn the history of science.

It does require learning a lot of facts

Remember science last year? What you get in school (from 1st grade to 4th year of college) is a recitation of what science has found out.

In essence, you learn the history of science.

Facts important, but not the whole story

Facts important, but not the whole story

Memorizing facts is only a small part of science

Memorizing facts is only a small part of science

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By actually “doing science”

By actually “doing science”

You will experience what real science is about.

Truly, know if you like science or not.

You will experience what real science is about.

Truly, know if you like science or not.

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Hopefully, you will come to appreciate the:

Hopefully, you will come to appreciate the:

Beauty Excitement Fun Creativity

Of the scientific enterprise

Beauty Excitement Fun Creativity

Of the scientific enterprise

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Hopefully, by actually “doing science”

Hopefully, by actually “doing science”

You will learn the discoveries of science (the facts) as a by product of your activities

You will see how these facts are applied to real life situations

Thus facts will have a greater depth of meaning and relevance

You will learn the discoveries of science (the facts) as a by product of your activities

You will see how these facts are applied to real life situations

Thus facts will have a greater depth of meaning and relevance

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Hopefully, you will also learn that science is a “people”

activity

Hopefully, you will also learn that science is a “people”

activityIt depends on people trying to persuade one another that they’re right and the other “guy” is wrong.

It depends on people trying to persuade one another that they’re right and the other “guy” is wrong.

Hopefully, you will see that science requires:Hopefully, you will see that science requires:

Practice Creativity Intellect Persuasive ability Writing skills Social skills Much more

Practice Creativity Intellect Persuasive ability Writing skills Social skills Much more

The goals of this course is:

The goals of this course is:

To learn the basic principles of molecular genetics

Learn how science operates

To learn the basic principles of molecular genetics

Learn how science operates

Why is this important?Why is this important?

In the 21st century our ability to manipulate biology will require the public to make momentous decisions.

These decisions should be made from an informed point of view.

In the 21st century our ability to manipulate biology will require the public to make momentous decisions.

These decisions should be made from an informed point of view.

Such decisions may involve

Such decisions may involve

Stem cell research and its applications

Cloning and its applications Creating designer babies DNA identification cards Transgenic organisms Genetic testing for life and health insurance and job applications

Gene patenting

Stem cell research and its applications

Cloning and its applications Creating designer babies DNA identification cards Transgenic organisms Genetic testing for life and health insurance and job applications

Gene patenting

Why molecular Genetics?Why molecular Genetics?

Foundation of all the biological sciences.

An understanding of genes is central to an understanding of all biology.

All of the various facts that seem to be unrelated in biology can be woven into a coherent whole with molecular genetics as the unifying concept.

Foundation of all the biological sciences.

An understanding of genes is central to an understanding of all biology.

All of the various facts that seem to be unrelated in biology can be woven into a coherent whole with molecular genetics as the unifying concept.

Connecting diverse branches of biology with

molecular genetics

Connecting diverse branches of biology with

molecular genetics Developmental biology-Ultimately is the study of what genes are turned on and what genes are turned off (gene regulation).

Physiology and morphology-Ultimately is the study of what proteins are expressed by genes.

Ecology-Ultimately is the study of genetic changes that allow for adaptation to the environment

Evolution-Ultimately is the study of change in gene frequency in a population over time.

Taxonomy-Ultimately is the study of genetic differences and similarities between species.

Developmental biology-Ultimately is the study of what genes are turned on and what genes are turned off (gene regulation).

Physiology and morphology-Ultimately is the study of what proteins are expressed by genes.

Ecology-Ultimately is the study of genetic changes that allow for adaptation to the environment

Evolution-Ultimately is the study of change in gene frequency in a population over time.

Taxonomy-Ultimately is the study of genetic differences and similarities between species.

Definition of molecular genetics

Definition of molecular genetics

The study of the biological molecules that pass information from generation to generation.

It involves the study of the structure and activity of the genetic material at the molecule level.

The major biological molecules involved are DNA and proteins.

The study of the biological molecules that pass information from generation to generation.

It involves the study of the structure and activity of the genetic material at the molecule level.

The major biological molecules involved are DNA and proteins.

Structure of genetic material

Structure of genetic material

Chromosome-is the structure that contains the genetic material that is passed from generation to generation.

Consists of one long DNA molecule and proteins.

Chromosome-is the structure that contains the genetic material that is passed from generation to generation.

Consists of one long DNA molecule and proteins.

Relationship between chromosome,DNA, and geneRelationship between

chromosome,DNA, and gene Chromosome-structure within

cell that contains the genetic material as threadlike DNA surrounded by proteins

DNA-A nucleic acid molecule that contains the genetic information.

Gene-Segment of DNA (on a specific site on a chromosome) that is responsible for the physical and inheritable characteristics (trait) of an organism usually by specifying a protein.

Chromosome-structure within cell that contains the genetic material as threadlike DNA surrounded by proteins

DNA-A nucleic acid molecule that contains the genetic information.

Gene-Segment of DNA (on a specific site on a chromosome) that is responsible for the physical and inheritable characteristics (trait) of an organism usually by specifying a protein.

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Closer look at gene on DNA

Closer look at gene on DNA

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More detailed look at gene and DNA

More detailed look at gene and DNA

Activities of genetic material

Activities of genetic material

It makes copies of itself-DNA replication (involves DNA and proteins)

Genes are turned on and off as needed-transcription and translation (involves nucleic acids and proteins)

Changes in DNA-mutations Products of genes-phenotype (involves nucleic acids, protein structure and function)

It makes copies of itself-DNA replication (involves DNA and proteins)

Genes are turned on and off as needed-transcription and translation (involves nucleic acids and proteins)

Changes in DNA-mutations Products of genes-phenotype (involves nucleic acids, protein structure and function)