?? Common Experimental Methods in Molecular Biology

Molecular biology research relies on a variety of techniques to study nucleic acids and proteins, driving significant advances in genomics, proteomics, and disease research. Nucleic acid extraction and purification are essential processes for isolating high-quality DNA and RNA from cells, tissues, or blood. These purified nucleic acids are essential templates for downstream applications such as PCR and quantitative PCR (qPCR), where PCR amplifies specific DNA sequences and qPCR can accurately quantify gene expression, making them essential for mutation detection and biomarker analysis.

Gene editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 and RNA interference (RNAi) provide powerful tools for manipulating genetic material. CRISPR/Cas9 enables precise genome modification by introducing targeted mutations, while RNAi inhibits gene expression to study gene function. For nucleic acid analysis, gel electrophoresis is often used to assess the size and purity of DNA and RNA fragments, while next-generation sequencing (NGS) provides comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic data for high-throughput research applications.

Protein analysis is equally important in molecular biology. Western Blot is widely used to detect protein expression levels, while ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) can quantitatively measure proteins such as cytokines and hormones, which is essential for disease diagnosis and biomedical research. These molecular biology techniques are essential for understanding genetic mechanisms, disease pathogenesis, and drug development, driving innovation in life sciences.