Sir Alec Jeffreys was the scientist who invented DNA fingerprinting and it has revolutionised forensic science and society. It is a powerful technology that’s helped to solve thousands of crimes as well as resolving paternity and immigration disputes.
The DNA molecule is a beautifully elegant structure. Learn how the sugar phosphate backbones, called antiparallel strands, help support the DNA molecule.
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, but what exactly does that mean? Dive deep into this article to find out about the chemical components of the substance dubbed ’the molecule of life.'
RNA stands for ribonucleic acid, and it’s very similar to DNA. It can be found in several locations inside cells and plays an integral role in the formation of proteins.
The genetic code is written in the language of DNA, but is not translated directly into proteins. It goes through a process of conversion into an intermediate stage where it exists as RNA. This RNA is known as messenger RNA.
Scientists have now discovered that esophageal cancer, the sixth most dangerous cancer type in the US, has a significant genetic basis. For the first time, specific gene variations have been identified for this type of cancer.
Identical twins are invaluable to research as scientists try to tease out the influence of genetics and the environment on behaviours and genetic disorders.
The human genome may well be the one that we’re most familiar with, and it certainly put genes on the map by capturing widespread public attention. But it’s not the only genome in town as nearly 200 have been mapped since 1995. So why are genomes sequenced?
For more than 20 years gene therapy has been the next ‘biggest thing’ in science. An ingenious technology that has yielded some results, but has so far failed to live up to many people’s expectations, largely because it is technically very difficult.
