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MCB 7200: Molecular Biology
• Biotechnology terminology
• Common hosts and experimental organisms
• Transcription and translation
• Prokaryotic gene organization & expression
Terminology
• Molecular biology-The study of biology on a molecular level
including the structure, function, and makeup of biologically
important molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins
• Recombinant DNA technology-a set of techniques for
manipulating DNA, including: the identification and cloning of
genes; the study of the expression of cloned genes; and the
production of large quantities of gene product
• Genetic engineering-the process of transferring DNA from one
organism into another that results in a genetic modification
• Biotechnology-production of goods and services using
biological organisms, systems, and processes
• Molecular biotechnology-rDNA technology + biotechnology
Selected developments in the history of
molecular biology/biotechnology
1944-Avery, MacLeod & McCarty determine DNA is the genetic material
1953-Watson & Crick determine the structure of DNA
1970-First restriction endonuclease isolated
1973-Boyer & Cohen establish recombinant DNA technology
1976-DNA sequencing techniques developed
1980-U.S. Supreme Court rules genetically modified microorganisms can be patented
1981-First DNA synthesizers sold
1988-PCR method published
1990-Human genome project initiated
1996-Complete DNA sequence of a eukaryote (yeast) determined
1997-Nuclear cloning of a mammal (a sheep named Dolly)
2000-Arabidopsis genome sequenced
2001-Human genome sequenced
2002-Complete human gene microarrays (gene chips) available
2006-Fire & Mellow discover RNAi (gene silencing by dsRNA)
2009-FDA approves first drug produced in a genetically engineered animal (a goat)
2012-Gurdon & Yamanaka find 4 regulatory genes convert adult cells into stem cells
Many scientific disciplines contribute to
molecular biotechnology, which generates a
wide range of commercial products
Molecular Biology Model Systems
https://www.dnalc.org/resources/animations/model_organisms.html
• Viruses
• Bacteria (E. coli)
• Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)
• Round worms (Caenorhabditis elegans)
• Fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster)
• Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
• Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress)
• Mouse (Mus musculus)
Figure 1.13
studies.
Each experimental organism used in cell biology has advantages for certain types of
Molecular Cell Biology, 7th Edition
Lodish et al.
Copyright © 2013 by W. H. Freeman and Company
Figure 1.13 (Continued) Each experimental organism used in cell biology has advantages for
certain types of studies. Listen to the podcast!
Molecular Cell Biology, 7th Edition
Lodish et al.
Copyright © 2013 by W. H. Freeman and Company
Molecular Cell Biology, 7th Edition
Lodish et al.
Copyright © 2013 by W. H. Freeman and Company
Review protein secretion and protein targeting
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Signal peptide sequences
Consider gram negative vs.
gram positive bacteria
Consider eukaryotic cells
In eukaryotic cells, short
peptide sequences (or
other modifications) tell a
protein where to go
See MCB Chapter 13 & 14Protein sorting animations
Central Dogma of Biology
DNA
transcription
RNA
reverse
transcription
DNA
replication
translation
Protein
$$$
Molecular
Biotechnology
Chemical structure of DNA and RNA
Chemical structure of dsDNA
Chemical structure of dsDNA
Prokaryotic gene expression
In prokaryotes, RNA polymerase binds to the 10 and -35 regions of the promoter relative to
the start site of transcription (+1)
promoter
operator