HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus which can eventually lead to development of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). However, it is not the virus itself which causes AIDS symptoms; HIV weakens the immune system, meaning other infections can take hold more easily. In this article we will look at HIV structure, replication, and development of... Continue Reading →
Electrophoresis – Gene Technologies Ep 4
Electrophoresis is a method used to separate fragments of DNA or RNA based on their size (length*) using an electric current. It has applications in processes such as genetic fingerprinting and disease diagnosis. DNA and RNA are negatively charged which means they will move towards a positive electrode. This technique can be used for proteins,... Continue Reading →
Producing DNA Fragments – Gene Technologies Ep 1
This article begins a new series about gene technologies. Many gene technologies, especially recombinant DNA technologies, begin with the need to isolate or make DNA fragments. We will look at three different ways that this can be achieved. Restriction endonuclease enzymes This method allows DNA fragments to be "cut out" of existing DNA. Restriction endonucleases,... Continue Reading →
Translation and RNAi – Genes to Proteins Ep 3
In the last article, we ended transcription with a strand of messenger RNA (mRNA) ready to leave the nucleus and travel to the ribosomes. The ribosomes are where translation happens - the next step in protein synthesis. Translation Translation begins with the mRNA strand binding between the two subunits of the ribosome. Each three base... Continue Reading →
Transcription and Splicing – Genes to Proteins Ep 2
Transcription is the first stage of protein synthesis. It transcribes a DNA base sequence into a messenger RNA (mRNA) base sequence. In eukaryotic cells, DNA is found in the nucleus so that is where transcription occurs. In prokaryotic cells it happens in the cytoplasm because the DNA is not contained in a nucleus. In this... Continue Reading →
RNA – Biological Molecules Ep 2
Most people have heard of DNA, but ribonucleic acid (RNA) is its lesser known cousin. They have many similar features, but quite different functions. There are different types of RNA, the three main types being messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). If you have been following the cell organelle series, you... Continue Reading →
