I am an individual with varied interests. However, I have always remained fascinated by the science of the DNA Double Helix. My fascination in DNA Double Helix and its functionality goes back to the 6th grade when I stumbled over my cousin’s biology assignments on the structure and functionality of the DNA Double Helix. I remember asking him to explain it to me. He said a lot of staff I could not understand then, but the only thing that caught my attention is conservative nature of DNA Double Helix. My focus on the DNA Double Helix grew fonder when he was chosen to represent his class in London in a student exchange program. The passage of the last decade has not dulled my eagerness for the captivating DNA Double Helix. It is an aspect of science that I can recommend to both beginning and advanced genome enthusiasts.
The discovery of the DNA Helix is undoubtedly one of the most inspiring tells in modern science following its widespread application (NOVA). For instance, its application in population and genetic sequencing is increasing becoming popular with respect to maintenance of biodiversity. The widespread application of this field of science has also received significant attention from researchers both in academia and practice. I concur with population geneticists who utilize DNA knowledge in conserving genetics. It inspires the know-how of any kind of relatedness between populations or individuals within a population, which is undoubtedly critical in enhancing captive breeding protocols that seek to curb incestuous mating to maintain genetic variations (Klug 787). I am always fascinated by the use DNA knowledge in the maintenance of genetic variations to that certain accord populations the ability to adapt to any environmental changes that progress after that, thereby increasing the long-term survival despite the variations in environmental conditions. According to Watson (27) loss of genetic diversity is mainly attributed to the reduced individual fitness and low adaptability.
It has always been mythical that science progresses in fits and starts, with Eureka scenarios bringing revelation and revolution. However, the veracity is conventionally much more mundane: a scene in which scientists continually grate out small, progressive advances. In my perception, the discovery of the DNA double Helix by Francis Crick and James Watson about seven decades ago remains celebrated. The structure can acceptably be deemed as a turning point. The understanding of life was given a new meaning then and has perpetually progressed the practice of modern biology.
It has not escaped my notice that Francis Crick and James Watson noted in a short publication that the double helix directly underscores a copying mechanism for the genetic content. And sure it does. This elegant spiral, formerly constituted by the Crick's, illustrates life's most renowned molecule. Presently, it has become part of the world literature: in movies, artwork, on oil adverts and more. I have studied it over and over again. I have come to understand that the DNA Double Helix is a vibrant, tortuous coil that is perpetually scuffling and untwisting, bustling with activity because it takes center stage in numerous programs (Watson 34-78).
I have perused biology materials since the mid-1950’s. It has come to my realization that DNA-relate biology has evolved into a global industry, following humanity’s never ceasing exploration and command over DNA at its very core. I am enthusiastically inspired by the genetic alteration to achieve certain desired outcomes. The current technology that uses synthetic biology in scientific and commercial fields is exciting– despite the mire of legal disputes. As we match to the post-DNA era, following heavy modifications, I can’t wait to see what kind of results await us. In the past decade alone, the nature of DNA itself got modified, its alphabet transmuted and its function reengineered for non-biological purposes.
DNA's functionality is influenced by its shape. Either rings of the ladder are comprised of a pair of two of the four letters of the DNA alphabet – A, T, C and G. However, A only pairs with T, and C only with G. Therefore, if one were to rip the ladder in two halves, tear the paired rings, it is possible to have all the data needed to substitute the missing one. Thus, in a single DNA molecule, one can make two sister molecules. This procedure is happening right now inside every one of our living cells that make the tissues of the body, at a very rapid rate (3,000 letters in every minute). It is captivating to note that the same procedure has been repeating perpetually in all the cells that have existed on planet Earth. The DNA in living cells, as far as I am concerned, is universal. Supporting my argument with Darwin's theory of evolution, humanity has a vigorous model of what life is all about and how it came to be billions of years ago (NOVA).
DNA has been described as code, a method of storing scientific data related to biology, in the terms of genes. The code was analytically deciphered about seven decades ago, disclosing that life is astoundingly conservative. To put it differently, DNA as an alphabet spells out the amino acids which are the basic building blocks of proteins that make part of our bodies. Funnily, only twenty amino acids are encrypted by DNA in every life form, that is, the same alphabet with the same codes. The same lexicon is utilized in all bacteria or fish, human species, plants and fungi and more
The uniformity of the DNA Double Helix has inspired the industrial revolution related to biotechnology that humanity is in the throes of the current moment. In the 1970s, geneticists discovered methods to swap portions of DNA between various species, to certain traits by design. However, I do not regard this as exactly spectacular. Humanity had been practicing something similar for tens of thousands of years before that through breeding and farming, even without the use of DNA editing equipment. However, there is some consolation with the advent of modern technology; progress in the study of genes is not bound by the restraints of creatures that could have to mate. Genetic alterations have turned out to be a mainstay of nearly every aspect of the life sciences. More importantly, they have offered numerous advances and insights into the understanding of how life and diseases interrelate Watson 56-57).
In this century, the progeny of genetic modification, synthetic biology, assumes ideologies of gene tinkering, and, in a similar manner as the pioneers of electronics. The technology involving synthetic biology is also gaining widespread use in the standardization of the constituents that are important in the creation of new technologies. This can be exemplified by the conference that took place 2013 in Imperial College London to deliberate the tools and pathways to be followed with respect to synthetic biology.
The world is is a decade and over on from the successful completion of the Human Genome Project, formerly initiated by Watson. The comprehensive analysis of all 3bn letters of our own code generated many surprises, most of which remain not understood to the present date. In addition to that, the discoveries made have since generated a legal swamp of DNA patenting with the current law in some countries legalizing ownership of one’s genes by someone else. This points out to the fact that following the discovery of the DNA Double Helix, its has inspired thousands of scientific experiments to look into how the DNA works in different scenarios and modifications.
Over the last couple of years, I have come to learn that in the plant category, that plants form the primary source of energy for the survival of animals; this makes plants to be perceived with higher significance in the ecological pyramid. I have been inspired to learn that Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) can be inherited from Mendelian characters in the most natural way. Their origin is firmly based on the DNA rearrangements which take place as a response to the evolutionary process (Klug 788). As for the Restriction landmark genomic scanning (RLGS), the process is very critical in the analysis of organisms in the higher levels by utilizing the principle of restriction enzyme sites. It uses the direct labeling of DNA at the restriction site through the application of 2D electrophoresis. I have also learned that more recent readings of microsatellite probe it has come to my realization that DNA Double Helix has widespread applications in the sex identification of dioecious plants, which makes it possible for male and female plants to be easily identifiable.
Identification of both animal and plant species can be made possible through the application of short standardized locations of the genome providers of a DNA of particular interest (Klug 788). A comparison of a public library of barcodes associated with already identified specimens is key in providing a master key necessary in the identification of any species. In this case, the power of such a DNA is said to rise with the rise the taxonomic coverage; which confers the process with faster, efficient sequencing. To understand this in a better way, explorations have been examples of intraspecific and interspecific phylogeny studies among animals and plants as well as what type of markers have been used in these studies.
There is no doubt that the pioneers of genetics inspired a different understanding on how biological science is practiced. The Human Genome Project inaugurated a new approach with regards to the big science, with significant global collaborations with candidness as the main principle. Thousands of scientists in thousands of laboratories have corroborated to generate the different versions of human as well as other species' genomes over the past decade. The data generated has been put in the public domain to optimize the benefit for as many people as possible; we learners included. As a young scientist, I am inspired to learn more of the DNA science; I intend to write and publish for the benefit of society just like Francis Crick and James Watson did.
Work Cited
DNA - Secret of Photo 51. NOVA: Hashem AL-ghaili, 2012. video.
Klug, Aaron. "Rosalind Franklin and the double helix." (1974): 787-788.
Watson, James D. "T he Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA." New York: Atheneum (1968).
