Physics and chemistry have always been the catalysts for biological research. For a long time, biology was equated to natural science. Observation of nature and re.porting the facts. During my high school, biology consisted of remembering the names of Phyla and class, names of the famous scientist. Understanding the function of internal organs etc. It was boring and dry. My favorite subject was chemistry. I got interested in biology when I started learning biochemistry. I learned that we are all molecules, atoms, and subatomic particles just like any other organic matter. There is a chemical rule that dictates the existence of life.
The specific sequence of molecules determines the sequence of a protein that builds the bioactive macromolecules, cells, and organism. It told me that life is programmable, at least in theory. There is a molecular explanation for who we are. Of course, there are many mysteries that remain to be solved. How does a bunch of atom cluster together in a specific fashion to build a unique human being? How did life originate? How did complex organs evolve? How do molecular patterns form? How do we think? What is consciousness? But the knowledge that there is a chemical basis for life is empowering.
As a biochemist and molecular biologist, I could connect my interest in biology and chemistry. It is an exciting time in biology, the most interesting subject to study in the world. Sequencing revolution helped us to read our genetic fingerprint. Genome editing tools such as Zinc Fingers, TALEN and CRISPR allow us to edit our genome. Combining the power of computers, we are now linking a large amount of experimental data into machine learning algorithms to understand the pattern from this complex systems.
DNA evidence has been used to confirm the presence of individuals in crime scenes. Now DNA sequencing technology is going one step further. Using machine learning approaches, by linking the DNA sequences and pattern to phenotype (the physical appearance such as facial features, color, ethnicity, body type etc), a new branch has emerged called DNA phenotyping. Here form the DNA from a drop of your blood, scientists can roughly predict how you would look like. Rather than acting as additional evidence in a criminal investigation, DNA evidence can now direct cops to the people they look
for. It is not only helpful in publicizing approximate 'mug shots' of possible crime perpetrators, but also in identifying people from body parts.
Bygone are the era of memorization in biology. Now is the time for integrating multiple disciplines to catapult human biology to the next level.
Image courtesy: https://www.promegaconnections.com/the-reality-of-dna-phenotyping/
The specific sequence of molecules determines the sequence of a protein that builds the bioactive macromolecules, cells, and organism. It told me that life is programmable, at least in theory. There is a molecular explanation for who we are. Of course, there are many mysteries that remain to be solved. How does a bunch of atom cluster together in a specific fashion to build a unique human being? How did life originate? How did complex organs evolve? How do molecular patterns form? How do we think? What is consciousness? But the knowledge that there is a chemical basis for life is empowering.
As a biochemist and molecular biologist, I could connect my interest in biology and chemistry. It is an exciting time in biology, the most interesting subject to study in the world. Sequencing revolution helped us to read our genetic fingerprint. Genome editing tools such as Zinc Fingers, TALEN and CRISPR allow us to edit our genome. Combining the power of computers, we are now linking a large amount of experimental data into machine learning algorithms to understand the pattern from this complex systems.
DNA evidence has been used to confirm the presence of individuals in crime scenes. Now DNA sequencing technology is going one step further. Using machine learning approaches, by linking the DNA sequences and pattern to phenotype (the physical appearance such as facial features, color, ethnicity, body type etc), a new branch has emerged called DNA phenotyping. Here form the DNA from a drop of your blood, scientists can roughly predict how you would look like. Rather than acting as additional evidence in a criminal investigation, DNA evidence can now direct cops to the people they lookfor. It is not only helpful in publicizing approximate 'mug shots' of possible crime perpetrators, but also in identifying people from body parts.
Bygone are the era of memorization in biology. Now is the time for integrating multiple disciplines to catapult human biology to the next level.
Image courtesy: https://www.promegaconnections.com/the-reality-of-dna-phenotyping/
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