The study of biochemistry is one of the crossover fields of chemistry that goes in depth on the subject of and complexity of the systems within living organisms. Biochemists must know and understand the living world as well as the chemical world. Biochemistry also focuses on the molecules and systems that assist with the function of and creation of living organisms (chem4kids). Two biochemists that made a colossal impact on the study of biochemistry and genetics are Walter Gilbert and Frederick Sanger. These two molecular biologists are responsible for deciphering the genetic code and figured out how to decipher the sequence of amino acids in proteins (genomenewnetwok).
Historical Background
Frederick Sanger was a British biochemist who took
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Sanger’s method involved “chain-terminating” or “poison” molecules which took part in recognizing each base’s position on the chain. This process used gel electrophoresis to reveal the sequence of the bases. Gel electrophoresis is used to separate and analyze DNA, RNA, proteins, and the separate fragments of each based on the size and charge of the fragments (dhdhhsss). Gilbert’s method consisted of multiplying, dividing, and fragmenting DNA. Fragments of DNA would be multiplied and chemical reagents would break the DNA into smaller fragments with different lengths. The gel electrophoresis would separate the fragments according their lengths (sizes) and from there the base positions could be identified. Overall Gilbert used techniques to determine the sequence of the operon of a bacterial genome and Sanger used the technique to determine the sequence of all 5,375 nucleotides of the bacteriophage phi-X174, the first complete determination of the genome of an organism …show more content…
Some genes may be up to 30,000 bases long so their discoveries had a huge impact on the study of genetics. Sanger and Gilbert made an enormous impact on the society, biochemistry, and genetics. All of the information that is needed to create and maintain living organisms is contained within the organism DNA. DNA consists of four nucleotides which are Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Guanine (G), and Cytosine (C) and the order of these nucleotides ultimately contain the instructions for building important proteins and molecules that are essential for all living and properly functioning organisms (nature.com). Researchers are able to determine DNA sequencing and decipher protein and molecular sequences because of the research Sanger and Gilbert conducted in the 60s and 70s. It is because of these two historical biochemists that the human genome was able to be sequenced and understood (nature.com). Their discoveries have led to many advancements in chemistry and genetics and their methods are still used in laboratories across the world
He worked on sequencing amino acids first; in 1955 Sanger was able to determine the whole sequence for the protein insulin. He discovered that the protein insulin is actually made of two separate chains of amino acids. Not only was insulin the first protein to be sequenced ever, but also it provided much more to the scientific community (Farrel). It leads to the idea that DNA could possibly be sequenced too, because it was also made of proteins. In 1951, him and a team made of Francis Crick, John Kendrew, Aaron Klug and a few others started to sequence DNA of a bacteriophage called phi-X 174 (DNA From the Beginning). Sanger also developed a method to sequence DNA. This method was called the Diodexy Method. This technique has now been automated and is still the primary way to sequence DNA. The automated Diodexy Method was actually used in the Human Genome Project as the primary way they sequenced the DNA
In this field, specialists go through thorough efforts to determine the entire DNA sequence of an organism and map out its genetics. With this information, scientists are able to study the genes that are involved in diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart diseases and possibly find a way to alter them so that those types of serious diseases may be avoidable for future generations. Fred Sanger was the first man to originate Genomics. When he sequenced the genomes of a virus and of a mitochondrial, he and his group established different genomic techniques for sequencing between 1970 and 1980. From 1970 until now Genomics has grown into The Genomic Science Programme, which falls under The Human Genome Project and is led by the National Human Genome Research Institute in America.
The Genome Project has been an ongoing project sense 1990 and was finally completed on April 14th , 2003. The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health were the ones directing the Genome Project. The progress of the Genome Project is still unknown because the project was completely finished, but scientists are still going to be researching the Genome Project for many years. The project is like a master blue print of the body. The scientists estimated to find about 100,000 genes in the human body but only found as few as 30,000. There are 4 chemical components that make up DNA, cytocine (C), thymine (T), guanine (G), and adenine (A), these 4 components make up who you are. There are a few goals that scientists were trying to reach, such as finding the structure and function of a genome.
2). As a result, this scientific experiment changed the relationship of humankind and nature by foreseeing the modification of DNA of bacteria, yeast, plants, and animals to discover new medicines and to provide solutions for inherited diseases (Le Vine, 1999, p. 2).
"The discovery of the structure by Crick and Watson, with all its biological implications, has been one of the major scientific events of this century." (Bragg, The Double Helix, p1) In the story of The Double Helix, James Watson tells of the road that led to the discovery of life's basic building block-DNA. This autobiography gives insight into science and the workings within a professional research laboratory that few members of society will ever be able to experience. It also gives the reader an idea of the reality of life for one scientist and how he struggled with the problem of DNA. However, the author's style is marked by his lack of objectivity and inclusion of many biased opinions and personal prejudices.
In 1953, Dr. Francis Crick and James Watson discovered the structure of the DNA molecule. This is the molecule which we now know stores the genetic information for all life. Many scientists have claimed the discovery to be the single most important development in biology during the 20th century. Watson and Crick's investigation into the nature of the genetic code and the passing of information from generation to generation has redefined the study of genetics. Also, it has basically created the science of molecular biology. For their outstanding work, James Watson and Dr. Francis Crick were awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize.
This summer, I will be working in a computational chemistry lab, which will allow me to gain a new perspective regarding Chemistry. This opportunity will allow me to explore the mathematical aspect of chemistry and appreciate new concepts. Additionally, I have a variety of attributes that qualify me for the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award. For example, I recently began a position as a ‘new student mentor.’ This leadership position allows me to assist students, as well share my personal experiences with individuals, who may be unsure of the possibilities available to them.
The Double Helix tells a tale of fierce competition, perseverance, and scientific innovation as we follow James Watson and his cohort Francis Crick on their quest to discover the secret to life, the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid. Although already fascinated with DNA, Watson struggled with finding chemistry exciting enough to learn it in depth. He had studied birds in college and thereby managed to avoid any formal chemistry or physics courses. As he later pursued a PhD in biochemistry, he realized he could put it off no longer and attempted to learn organic chemistry at Indiana University. However, after a mishap in the lab, he was encouraged instead to study nucleic acid chemistry with Herman Kalckar in Copenhagen. There, his mind strayed from his work and he began doing unauthorized research in the lab of Ole Maaløe, studying phages. Herman stopped teaching Watson after going through a divorce with his wife, and sent Watson off to a scientific conference in Naples. Although he was bored by many of the lectures, Maurice Wilkins’s talk about X-ray diffraction fascinated Watson. He was struck by an X-ray diffraction picture of DNA that Maurice presented and was determined to study the acid. He later got to know more about Maurice’s colleague, Rosalind Franklin, who was proud, stubborn, and very difficult to work with. Watson greatly admired the lecture given by the renowned Linus Pauling, who had discovered the structure of the alpha-helix and was thought of as the leader in DNA research in the scientific world.
Electrophoresis was first developed in the 1930s by Tiselius. It has since expanded, and new techniques have been developed. The system of gel electrophoresis was developed in the 1950s by Oliver Smithies (Oliver Smithies: Born Inventor). Smithies created a new technique using starch and staining within gel to allow for better protein resolution. This technique was revolutionary because it was relatively inexpensive and easy to use. It provided great clarity of samples. Smithies has won many awards for his work, including the Nobel prize, and his technique is used daily by modern molecular scientists (Oliver Smithies- Biographical).
A research opportunity like one offered through the Biosystems Dynamics Summer Institute will not only immensely improves on my research skills as a young scientist but would also help improve my ability to work with other fellow scientist as a team focusing on a project. This ability is undeniable one of the most important skill a scientist/researcher needs. In addition, a research opportunity like this will help me make informed decision about my future area of research and allow me to learn practical and technical skills, which could be use in my future area of study as well as other disciplines. Lastly, as an prospective medical school student, a research like this will undoubtedly help me find my passion in the area of research that will most likely interest me. After developing an immense passion for science from middle through high school, it came to me at no surprise my decision to study biochemistry as an undergraduate here at Lehigh University with
When I start my graduate program at Prairie View in the fall of 2014 I was very excited. My first course as a graduate student was Biochemistry, a course that I was having difficulty with. When I was an undergraduate student, biochemistry was not a requirement to graduate therefore I never took the course. When coming to PV Biochemistry is a requirement for a Master in Chemistry. Since I didn’t have the undergraduate course of biochemistry I was struggling with this class more than my fellow classmate.
Discoveries in DNA, cell biology, evolution, and biotechnology have been among the major achievements in biology over the past 200 years, with accelerated discoveries and insight’s over the last 50 years. Consider the progress we have made in these areas of human knowledge. Present at least three of the discoveries you find to be the most important and describe their significance to society, health, and the culture of modern life. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a self-replicating molecule or material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent in chromosomes. It encodes the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and many viruses.
...f the structure of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953 that was extremely influential for future researchers. They determined that DNA was a double helix structure composed of base pairings, with a sugar phosphate backbone. This model explained how “genes can duplicate themselves [and] would eventually lead to our current understanding of many things, from genetic disease to genetic engineering” (Salem).
For example such as medicine, it can be sometime possible to reading DNA sequences and find out how some diseases occur. It can sometimes be possible to fight some infectious diseases or any form of disease by changing the DNA codons which cause most of these problems.
Biochemistry and molecular Biology are the study of the chemical components of cells, in order to give ease for humans to decipher the process involved in the genetic and molecular structure and function of cells. Biochemistry is involved with the chemical aspect of cell characteristics, which is imperative when the study of human physiology is involved. Molecular biology is the study of cell at a molecular level, which can involve the study of the DNA and the RNA of the cell. The manner, at which Biochemistry and Molecular biology have evolved to embrace approximately the whole scale of life at its smallest unit will be discussed below.