Biotechnology today and yesterday

Molecular geneticsMolecular genetics is a subfield of genetics that focuses on the structure and function of genes on a molecular level, including genetic variation, gene expression, and DNA replication and repair. This field aims to understand how genes are transmitted from one generation to the next and how they influence human behavior, health, and disease. Research in molecular genetics relies heavily on laboratory methods and technologies, such as DNA sequencing, PCR, and gene editing techniques.

Molecular Genetics Methods1. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)2. DNA sequencing (manual/automated)3.

DNA Fingerprinting (DNA typing/profiling)4. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)practical applicationsAmplify DNA for Cloning (PCR)✓ Amplify DNA for sequencing without cloning (PCR)✓ DNA sequencing reaction (PCR)✓ Mapping genes and regulatory sequences✓ Linkage analysis (identify genes for traits/diseases)✓ Diagnose disease✓ Pathogen screening✓ Sex determination✓ Forensic analysis✓ Paternity/maternity (relatedness)✓ Behavioral ecology studies (relatedness)✓ Molecular systematics and evolution (comparing homologous sequences in different organisms)✓ Population genetics (theoretical and applied)✓ Physiological genetics (studying basis of adaptation)✓ Livestock pedigrees (optimize breeding)✓ Wildlife management (stock identification/assessment)✓ Detection of Genetically Modified Food (GMOs)the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)✓ Ability to generate identical high copy number DNAs made possible in the 1970s by recombinant DNA technology (i. e.

, cloning). ✓ Cloning DNA is time consuming and expensive (>>$15/sample). ✓ Probing libraries can be like hunting for a needle in a haystack.