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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after his father and studied medicine. As a young adult attending St. Johns College, Cambridge he took interest in the fundamental issues involved in biochemistry and from then on he dedicated all of his studies and interest into biochemistry. He obtained a doctorate and was awarded the Beit Memorial Fellowship for Medical research which he held until he was 33 years old. One of his many achievements was the discovery of that dinitrophenol could creat bonds with nitrogen atoms in amino acids that were strong enough to hold the amino acid chains together (Stableford, 2014). He also took part in recognizing the folding pattern of complex protein molecules and that they could be broken (Stableford, 2014). In 1958, at the age of 40 he received his first Nobel Prize for discovering the structure of the insulin hormone (Stableford, 2014). Sanger continued his studies in biochemistry in the 60s and developed a system which determined the sequence of the entire amino acid chain. He received another Nobel Prize in 1980 which he shared with Walter Gilbert for assisting in founding the science of genomics (fhdjsjj). Walter Gilbert was an American molecular biologist born in 1932 in Boston and attended Harvard University as well as the University of Cambridge in England where Frederick Sanger conducted most of his research as well. He committed most of his time to study and research the transcription process in DNA in 1964 at Harvard in the biophysics department (GCU library). By 1977 Walter and his research team “determined the entire sequence of bases for the protein operator, using a technique the became a standard tool in the field of recombinant DNA” (fhfhdhsjs). Sanger and Gilbert made separate discoveries, working apart in England and the United States but both world renowned biochemists assisted in developing new techniques for rapid DNA sequencing (genomenews). Summary of their work Understanding the methods in which Sanger and Gilbert were able to devise techniques for sequencing DNA goes into great detail and involves a thorough understanding of molecular genetics and genetic engineering (genomenews).
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…
(dhfhdjs). Significance in Society Both men used different methods that ultimately led to the same discovery and they made it possible to decipher and understand the nucleotide sequence for genes (genomenews).
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
today. Significance and Impact on Myself Reading about the discoveries chemists, physicists, mathematicians, and many other scientists have made in the past is fascinating and it is because of many of those people that we have been able to make so many scientific advancements in our world today. Sanger and Gilbert have truly made an enormous impact on the world and have given so many people aspiring to be doctors and scientists the opportunity to understand the systems within their bodies the processes by which they were created and are able to function. I am currently in a genetics course and the intricacy of the subject is astounding and I am amazed every time I go to class that people just like me who were conducting research and who had dreams to make an impact on the world were able to make such life changing discoveries that people still use and talk about today. People who have dreams just like me were able to achieve their goals and make a different and it is truly inspiring to read about people achieving their goals and dedicating their life and their research to topics and areas of study just like Sanger and Gilbert did. I am able to understand genetics and DNA sequencing better because of their discoveries and at the same time I am inspired to keep working hard and to reach for the stars because I want to have an impact on the world and Frederick Sanger and Walter Gilbert have showed me that I can do anything if I set my mind and dedicate time and effort to it.
Upon completion of the experiment we were able to examine the DNA. First, the electrophorese
"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.
Frederick Sanger was a biochemist that was born August 13th in Rendcomb, England, and died November 19th 2013 in Cambridge England. His father was a physician who wanted him to follow his tracks and stay in the medical field (Farrel). He instead went into biochemistry, attending Cambridge University and he would later be the first to sequence the amino acids in insulin, and also be the first to sequence DNA (DNA From the Beginning). He won many awards for these great achievements, including the Nobel Prize. Sanger shaped genetic sequencing as we know it today, and he is responsible for many genetic advances we have made.
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).
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).
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, heath, and the culture of modern life.
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.
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.
...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).
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.
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.
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.
The myriad mysteries of science can be unraveled by the emerging technologies including Biotechnology. Science has always been my interest and forte thus, the choice of Biotechnology as my academic option was the ideal decision. I had prepared for the highly competitive entrance exam AIET to get admission into the integrated Masters Degree in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics at Dr. D.Y. Patil University and secured 87th all over India rank and was proud to gain admission to this venerated university. The academic curriculum has introduced me to amazing subjects like ‘Microbiology’, ‘Molecular Biology’, ‘Biochemistry’, ‘Genetics’ and ‘Industrial Biotechnology’. Although many seminal biological events have been explained in theory during the past century, the technology to harness their potential for benefiting humankind has only been possible during the past few decades. This is testament to the great improvements in biotechnologies and I am glad to be a part of this grand scientific experience.
Since school days the terms like cell, genes, DNA, protein intrigued me a lot and helped me in realizing the dream of pursuing a career in Biotechnology field that has been making many remarkable achievements. The passion towards biological sciences made me to take B.TECH in Biotechnology in Dr. M.G.R. University.