Life Science Articles

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Genetics Research and Technology

Several discoveries have made genetic research one of the fastest developing research areas in the world today. With the understanding of genetic basis of disease there is a rapid development of genetic basis for disease risk and diagnosis and treatment. Genetic engineering has also made progress over the last few decades.

11 Dec 2009

Genetic Change

The genetic code undergoes several changes during the process of evolution. However, despite such changes, there is preservation of the majority of characteristics of the species.

11 Dec 2009

Genetics and Gene Expression

The human genome is made up of about 20,000 genes located on one of the 23 chromosome pairs found in the nucleus or on long strands of DNA located in the mitochondria.

11 Dec 2009

Genetic Inheritance

Genes are located on chromosomes. Chromosomes are in pairs and genes, or their alleles, are located on each of these pairs.

11 Dec 2009

History of Genetics

Genomics involves the study of genes, genetics, inheritance, molecular biology, biochemistry, biological statistics and incorporates the knowledge of advanced technology, computer science and mathematics.

11 Dec 2009

Gene Expression Techniques

Gene expression is a highly regulated mechanism that controls the function and adaptability of all living cells including prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Several techniques exist for studying and quantifying gene expression and its regulation. Some of these techniques are old and well established while others are relatively new, multiplex techniques.

11 Dec 2009

Gene Expression System

An expression system refers to the factors that work together to yield a particular gene product such as a protein, ribozyme or RNA particle.

11 Dec 2009

Gene Expression Measurement

Gene expression is the process by which genetic instructions are used to synthesise gene products. Measuring this gene expression is a key element in the study of life sciences. For example, understanding the level of gene expression in a cell, tissue or organism can provide valuable information in terms of identifying viral infection, determining cancer susceptibility or testing whether a bacteria is resistant to penicillin.

11 Dec 2009

Gene Expression Mechanism

Gene expression is the process by which DNA is used to make proteins, which then go on to perform various important functions in the body. The protein could be an enzyme, hormone or receptor, for example.

11 Dec 2009

Artificial Ribozymes

Ribozymes exist in nature as catalytic RNA molecules that either aid the hydrolysis of their own phosphodiester bonds or cause the hydrolysis of bonds in other RNAs. They also catalyze the aminotransferase activity of the ribosome. Research into the function and structure of these naturally occurring molecules has led to the development of synthetic ribozymes that are made in the laboratory.

2 Dec 2009

Known Ribozymes

Ribozymes are essentially RNA molecules that are capable of catalyzing a chemical reaction. Many naturally occurring ribozymes either catalyze the hydrolysis of their own phosphodiester bonds or cause the hydrolysis of bonds in other RNA molecules. They also catalyze the aminotransferase activity of the ribosome.

2 Dec 2009

Ribozyme Activity

Ribozymes are RNA molecules that are capable of catalyzing a chemical reaction. Ribozymes occur naturally inside cells where they play an essential role in the ribosome, joining amino acids together to form protein chains. Ribozymes also play a role in other vital reactions such as RNA splicing, transfer RNA biosynthesis and viral replication.

2 Dec 2009

Ribozyme Discovery

Ribozymes are catalytic RNA molecules involved in protein synthesis. Most biological catalysts are enzymes and until around four decades ago, experts believed that only enzymes could serve as catalysts in cells.

2 Dec 2009

What are Ribozymes?

A ribozyme is a ribonucleic acid (RNA) enzyme that catalyzes a chemical reaction. The ribozyme catalyses specific reactions in a similar way to that of protein enzymes.

2 Dec 2009

Metabolism Investigation and Manipulation

Metabolic pathways are complex and often interdependent. Any change in the pathways can give rise to complex disorders. For example, imbalance of the glucose homeostasis and carbohydrate metabolism is linked to Diabetes Mellitus. This makes investigation of metabolic pathways and often manipulating them important in clinical diagnosis and management.

26 Nov 2009

Metabolism Evolution

Metabolic pathways include several long and complex molecular and chemical reactions including glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. These are present in all three domains of living things and were present in the last universal ancestor. The universal ancestor is the prokaryotic cell and is probably a methanogen that has extensive amino acid, nucleotide, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

26 Nov 2009

Metabolism Thermodynamics

Metabolic processes are chemical reactions and these often involve generation of heat. Living organisms, however, do not follow all the laws of thermodynamics. Organisms are open systems that exchange matter and energy with their surroundings. This means that living systems are not in equilibrium, but instead are dissipative systems that maintain their state of high complexity.

26 Nov 2009

What is Anabolism?

Anabolism is the process by which the body utilizes the energy released by catabolism to synthesize complex molecules. These complex molecules are then utilized to form cellular structures that are formed from small and simple precursors that act as building blocks.

26 Nov 2009

Metabolism Catabolism

Metabolism comprises of two major parts: anabolism and catabolism. Catabolism is the set of metabolic processes that break down large molecules. These more complex molecules are broken down to produce energy necessary for various functions of the body. The energy is utilized for building or anabolic processes.

26 Nov 2009