Scientists use various molecular biology techniques to analyze DNA. In this article, I have summarized a few of them for you so you can better understand the general principles and steps involved in their operation. Restriction Enzymes and Molecular Cloning Many copies of a gene of interest can be made by isolating the gene, placing […]
A western blot is a procedure used to detect specific proteins in a sample. The proteins are first separated by size using gel electrophoresis. They are then transferred to a membrane and incubated with antibodies that will bind to the protein of interest. The membrane is then washed and incubated with a secondary antibody that […]
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is a widely used diagnostic tool that allows scientists to detect and quantify specific molecules such as proteins, antigens, or antibodies. Are you trying to discover the major steps without getting bogged down in the details? Here is what you need to know. Steps Higher color intensities correspond with more antigens […]
Welcome to the world of CRISPR, a revolutionary tool in genetic engineering that has taken the scientific community by storm. Since its discovery in 2012, this powerful gene editing technology has transformed how we think about genetic research and opened up new possibilities for curing previously thought incurable diseases. Let’s take a closer look at […]
What is a Functional Food? A functional food is a food that has been specifically designed to provide health benefits beyond the traditional nutrients it contains. They generally contain bioactive components which may include pre and probiotics, essential fatty acids, and phytochemicals. Sources of Functional Foods Excellent sources of functional foods include fruits and vegetables, […]
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a method used to detect specific DNA sequences in chromosomes. The technique uses fluorescent probes that bind to only those parts of the chromosome with a high degree of sequence similarity to the probe. This makes it possible to visualize individual chromosomes and specific regions within chromosomes. FISH can […]
Somatic cell hybridization is a method used to create recombinant DNA molecules. The technique involves combining DNA from two different sources, usually from different species. The resulting DNA molecule will contain genetic information from both parents. Somatic cell hybridization can be used to create transgenic animals or plants, which are organisms that contain foreign DNA. […]
What is an Antibody? The term antibody is used to describe a protein that is produced by the immune system in response to the presence of a foreign substance, known as an antigen. Antigens can be found on the surface of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. They can also be found on the surface of […]
What is a Chromosome? A chromosome is a long, continuous strand of DNA that contains many genes. Genes function as the basic unit of heredity in living cells, coding for various proteins. Each gene is located at a specific position on the chromosome, known as its locus. Chromosomes also contain non-coding regions of DNA, which […]
