DNA, Gene Slicing and Engineering with Technology
DNA is the blueprint, the code of life. Genomics – the study of DNA – tells about our prehistory, ancestry and much more. Do you know that humans share about 31 per cent of their genes with yeast – a single-celled organism which replicates itself every 90 minutes? Humans also share about 50 per cent of their genes with a banana.
DNA study was and has been made feasible only with the help of technology. DNA testing can divulge as much information about one’s ancestry as desired. DNA study has revealed that humans and animals have changed a lot over the past 100 years. Biotechnology companies conducting such research are providing DNA testing, genomic tests, RNA splicing and gene engineering. This technological advancement in the healthcare sector is revolutionary and progressive. The data collected by these companies is being secured on blockchain now, also responsible for crypto security. All this had made genetic study much more coherent and easy.
Gene, a functional sub-unit of genome arranged in the form of DNA, stores the genetic information of an organism. It is a segment of DNA containing the sequence of nucleotides which encode any function determining the genes’ actions. The gene has a sequence with two slices: one can make protein known as Exon while the other one cannot, which is known as intron. Both are functional. Exon is the coded part where all hereditary information is being stored while Introns are responsible for non-coding tRNA, eRNA, etc.
These portions are known as interrupted or split genes. Split genes were discovered by Richard J Roberts and Phillip A in 1977. Both shared the 1993 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Their discovery implied the existence of Introns and assembling genes known as Spliceosome.
Spliceosome, a molecular machine is found primarily within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. It is assembled from small nuclear RNAs and approximately 80 proteins generated by genes. The Spliceosome removes Introns from a transcribed pre-mRNA – a type of primary transcript – while eukaryotes have many types of cells, all with the same set of genes. Therefore, Introns functional and non-coded but allow for a faster evolution.
“Faster evolution cannot be accepted by us”, said Darwin in his natural selection theory. Gene goes through the process of transcription resulting in introns being spliced out and we get the exons together, resulting in matured mRNA. The transcript so generated is translated into desired proteins. Different types of protein interact with each other, which interpret a particular function. RNA splicing was first discovered in the 1970s in viruses and subsequently in eukaryotes. Not long after, scientists discovered alternative patterns of pre-mRNA splicing that produced different mature mRNAs containing various combinations of exons from a single precursor mRNA. However, changes in DNA sequences are predominantly changing the species. Hence, genetic engineering is performed.
Gene engineering, a revolutionary approach to change DNA sequencing to get desired changes in species, is the futuristic commodity. Does it mean we might see a mosquito which doesn’t bite? The answer is yes! This is controversial, and the doctors and biologists are arguing on these developments. CRISPR, the GENE engineering-based technology, is not only providing good DNA sequence alternation but desired variations according to the need, with ease and cost-effectiveness.
Gene engineering was revolutionary but sounded quite irrelevant in the early days. The controversy started with speculations whether we could change the way we are today. The answer was first given by Herbert Boyer and Robert Swanson through founding a DNA engineering company in 1976. Gene engineering works by altering the code of a gene in order to make changes in a species. This could either add a new characteristic to a species or make a new species altogether!
While this era of changing lives through genetic alteration is no less than a miracle, the advancing technology has been both a boon and a bane. Throughout all these years, a variety of issues have been encountered which have degraded respect for such visionary approaches. Technology in false hands can endanger an ongoing species. Development and knowledge is the key to a successful being. But, is it cool to play with living species just for the sake of “research” is a question that remains unanswered. Companies like Shivom have made significant strides by tapping the positive potential of this science. By integrating safety and security with technology, Shivom is changing the world for better.