Real-Time PCR (qPCR): Principle, Process, Markers, Uses
Real-Time PCR is a technique used to monitor the progress of a PCR reaction in real-time. At the same time, a relatively small amount of PCR product (DNA, cDNA or … Read more
Molecular Biology
Molecular biology is a branch of biology that deals with the composition, structure, and function of cellular molecules like proteins and nucleic acids essential for the cellular functions and mechanisms.
- Molecular biology is primarily focused on nucleic acids like DNA and RNA, their structure, composition, expression, and interactions among themselves.
- Molecular biology is slowly becoming an important area of research with the discovery that nucleic acids and other biomolecules play a vital role in the normal functioning of the body.
- Molecular biology developed as a separate discipline from other branches like biochemistry, genetics, and biophysics.
- Over the years, many techniques have been developed in molecular biology; however, researchers tend to use methods and techniques native to genetics.
- Common techniques used in molecular biology include X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy for the determination of the three-dimensional structure of nucleic acids.
- The discipline focuses on the molecular mechanism of genetic processes so that genes can be used for genetic engineering to isolate, modify, and sequence genes.
- Initial studies in molecular biology were involved in the determination of three-dimensional structures of proteins in order to understand their structure and mechanism of action and expression.
- Initial studies in molecular biology were based on the rapid growth and readily manipulable genetics of simple bacteria, such as E. coli, and their viruses.
- More recently, not only the fundamental principles but also many of the experimental approaches first developed in prokaryotes have been successfully applied to eukaryotic cells.
- Current advances in recombinant DNA technology have made even the determination of the complete sequence of the human genome a feasible project.
- Complete genome sequencing of various living beings, including humans, has been done with modern approaches like DNA sequencing techniques and PCR.
- Studies of molecular biology have also been applied in clinical research and medical therapies, both of which are covered under gene therapy.
- Molecular biology also plays a vital role in studies related to regulations of various parts of a cell, which can then be used to target new drugs and diagnose diseases efficiently.
Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR): Principle, Enzymes, Types, Steps, Uses
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a temperature-dependent nucleic acid amplification technique used to amplify the DNA or RNA in vitro enzymatically. Developed by Kary Mullis and his associates at mid … Read more
37 Types of PCR with Definition, Principle, and Uses
List of Types of PCR Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) PCR Allele-specific PCR Alu PCR Assembly PCR Asymmetric PCR COLD PCR Colony PCR Conventional PCR Digital PCR (dPCR) Fast-cycling PCR … Read more
Bacterial Conjugation- Definition, Principle, Process, Examples
Bacterial Conjugation Definition Conjugation is the transfer of a plasmid or other self-transmissible DNA element and sometimes chromosomal DNA from a donor cell to a recipient cell via direct contact … Read more
PCR Machine: Principle, Parts, Steps, Types, Uses, Examples
PCR machine is also known as thermal cyclers or DNA amplifiers, or thermocyclers. PCR machines amplify small segments of DNA or RNA chosen from the genome with a primer. It … Read more
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): Definition, Types
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is a robust platform that has enabled the sequencing of thousands to millions of DNA molecules simultaneously. Next-generation sequencing (NGS), also known as high-throughput sequencing, is … Read more
Proteomic Sequencing: Principle, Steps, Methods, Uses
Proteomic sequencing is a method that is used to study and characterize proteins in a biological sample. It is a process of identifying the exact order of amino acids in … Read more
Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) Sequencing: Principle, Steps, Uses
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) sequencing is a method that sequences the tumor-derived ctDNA fragments circulating in the bloodstream. ctDNA levels are associated with tumor size, stage, type, treatment response, and … Read more
CLIP-Seq: Crosslinking and Immunoprecipitation Sequencing
CLIP-seq is a method used to study RNA molecules and their interactions with associated proteins in cells. This method is used to map RNA-protein interactions which is useful for studying … Read more
Transposase-Based Sequencing: Principle, Steps, Methods, Uses
Transposase-based sequencing is a method that uses enzymes called transposase for library preparation that can fragment DNA and insert specific sequencing adapters into DNA fragments at the same time. This … Read more