This lecture aims to provide an overview of important concepts in nucleic acid research including: - The history of DNA and RNA research and the central dogma of molecular biology that DNA is transcribed into RNA which is then translated into protein - Techniques used to study DNA and RNA including determining genome size - Applications of DNA and RNA research that have been recognized by Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine such as RNA interference and stem cell research

1. Threads of Life
MPH
19-11-15

2. Lecture Objectives
By the end of this lecture you should be able to:
•Appreciate important events in the history of
Nucleic Acid Research
•Understand the role of DNA and RNA in the cell
•Explain the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
•Describe some the techniques involving DNA and
RNA and their application in modern research and
diagnostics

4. The Central Dogma
DNA-RNA-Protein

28. The Genome Size

39. The Nobel Prize Physiology Medicine
• 2001 "for discoveries concerning
genetic regulation of organ
development and programmed cell
death'“
• 2002 "for their discoveries
concerning genetic regulation of
organ development and
programmed cell death‘
• 2003 “MRI”
• 2004 "for their discoveries of
odorant receptors and the
organization of the olfactory
system"
• 2005 "for discovery of the
bacterium Helicobacter pylori and
its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer
disease"
• 2006 "for discovery of RNA
interference - gene silencing by
double-stranded RNA"
2007 "for discoveries of principles for
introducing specific gene modifications in mice
by the use of embryonic stem cells"
2009 "for the discovery of how chromosomes
are protected by telomeres and the enzyme
telomerase"
2008 for the discovery of ‘’human papilloma
viruses causing cervical cancer“
2010 for the development of in vitro
fertilization"
2011 "for the discoveries concerning the
activation of innate immunity“
2012 "for the discovery that mature cells can
be reprogrammed to become pluripotent"
2013 for the discoveries of machinery
regulating vesicle traffic, major transport
system in our cells
2014 for the discoveries of cells that constitute
a positioning system in the brain

40. Modified from Strachan and Read . Source: http://geneticssuite.net/node/33

41. Beyond
Central Dogma

42. RNA Can Carry Genetic Information

43. RNA Can Make and Break Molecule

44. RNA Can Silence Molecules
Protects the cells
Affects protein formation

45. RNA Responds to the Environment