manipulating genome

Chain termination method - Sanger sequencing

1. 4 test tubes each containing DNA, DNA polymerase, DNA primers, free nucleotides, one dideoxynucleotide

2. Test tubes are incubated at temperature that allows the DNA polymerase to function

3. Primer anneals to the start of the single stranded template which produce a short section of double stranded DNA at the start of the sequence

4. DNA polymerase attaches to this double stranded session and begins DNA replication using free nucleotides which forms hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases on nucleotides

5. DNA polymerase can insert one dideoxynucleotide randomly which results termination of DNA replication as each test tube only contain one type of dideoxynucleotide so it’s possible to know what terminal nucleotide of each fragment is

6. Complementary DNA chains have different length produced as Dideoxynucleotide inserts differently on every strand

7. After incubation period, new complimentary DNA chains (developing strands) are separated from the template DNA

8. Single stranded DNA chains are then separated using gel electrophoresis

What is Bioinformatics

A Field of biology that involves storage retrieval and analysis of data from biological studies

What types of biological data are analysed?

DNA sequences, RNA sequences, protein sequences, genotype phenotype relationships

Why are high-powered computers needed?

to create a managed large Biological databases

What’s in bioinformatics databases

Gene sequences and amino acid

Protein sequences of organisms

How was sequenced genome data used?

To compare with other genomes via databases

What does genetic similarity indicate?

Evolutionary relatedness between organisms

How does it help experimental research?

Identifies potential model organisms for human studies

Bioinformatics contribution areas

Genetic variation, evolutionary relationships, genotype phenotype relationships, epidemiology