"Molecular biology is essentially the practice of biochemistry without a license." -Erwin Chargaff
As the different types of trees and the variety of colours we may see and experience, biology is a diverse subject that has many other concepts. However, since our home, planet earth, around us is so grand. Because biology is the study of the natural world, it isn't surprising to learn that comprehending how all living things operate and work together can be understood by taking a closer look at a specific aspect of biology.
It's worth mentioning that even the primary branches of biology have smaller subdisciplines!
So, without further delay, in today's article, we shall focus on one of the smaller topics of experimental biology known as molecular biology and its techniques that make it unique compared to other types.
What is Experimental Biology?
Before discussing the different subgenres of experimental biology that include molecular techniques and methods, our readers need to understand the definition and principles of experimental biology. Most straightforwardly, experimental biology can be described as the biology field that involves conducting experiments to investigate and understand biological phenomena.
Those engaged in experimental biology spend their entire careers testing out new theories and scientific experiments in the laboratory to discover new things that might revolutionize or give us a complete comprehension of the natural world.
Experimental biology is very hands-on, and biologists might use some aspects of technology to conduct their experiments. It's important to state that there are various methods employed in experimental biology that include the following:
- Molecular,
- Biochemical,
- Biophysical,
- Microspocical,
- Microbiological.
All of the techniques mentioned above make up their branches of biology and help experimental biologists dig up the biological truths they were looking for.
Let's now take a look at the related topic of molecular biology and examine some of the most effective techniques included in this subdiscipline.
The Most Popular Molecular Biology Methods
As we have learned, biology is a vast topic of study with many branches, and molecular biology has many methods and techniques that differentiate it from other biology classifications.
The practices of molecular biology are closely related to biochemistry and genetics; however, the methods are different one from the other.
We'll take a look at the most powerful techniques of molecular biology that are completed by the world's most talented biologists and that we can learn more about.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
One of the most widely recognized molecular biology methods is known as PCR or Polymerase Chain Reaction, and it is a highly versatile way for copying DNA.
PCR is a technique used by biologists in the lab to amplify DNA sequences. Through the experiments conducted with PCR, DNA sequences can be copied or modified in predetermined ways. Biologists need to be careful when dealing with this biology technique since a PCR is mighty and can heighten the number of molecules to innumerable amounts in a matter of hours.
Polymerase Chain Reaction has been greatly experimented through the years, and biologists have discovered that a PCR can complete the following tasks with molecules:
- Introduce restriction enzyme sites to the ends of DNA molecules,
- Mutate particular bases of DNA.
There are a few variations of Polymerase Chain Reaction, such as reverse transcription (RT-PCR) or quantitative PCR. Polymerase Chain Reaction is a type of molecular biology that requires experimentation and skilful hands to tackle.
Finding the right biology tutor can make a significant difference in understanding complex topics.
Molecular Cloning
Through the years, there have been many collaborative efforts to clone species, which has been attempted through the principles or methods of molecular biology. Molecular cloning is a core concept of molecular biology that studies protein function. Molecular cloning gained widespread popularity in the 1970s and continues to be experimented with until all the rough details are ironed out and corrected.
The fundamentals of molecular cloning require that many puzzle pieces work together, including the Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Enzymes. The enzymes and proteins require a vector that has three unique features:
- An origin of replication,
- A multiple cloning site (MCS),
- A selective marker.
The design of the vector is the origin of molecular cloning, and that is where biologists start their experiments.
While we could go and on about the precise details of molecular cloning, we think it's a better idea for readers to learn more about the specifications themselves by reading this article.
The primary facts to takeaway about molecular cloning are the following:
- Many experimental methods are needed so that biologists can reassemble recombinant DNA molecules within host organisms,
- A vector needs to be created, and the cloning molecules need to be prepared,
- Molecular cloning is completed to clone species and to attempt to rid the body of harmful diseases.
Gel Electrophoresis
Another fundamental method of molecular biology is gel electrophoresis. But, what is gel electrophoresis? In the simplest of definitions, gel electrophoresis relies on the fact that DNA, RNA, and proteins can all be separated by an electric field and size.
There are different experiments encompassed in the topic of gel electrophoresis because there are different types of gel that may divide the essential elements. The following are an example of three types of gel that may be used in molecular biology:
- Agarose,
- Polyacrylamide,
- Starch.
Through the use of distinct types of gel, the experiments of gel electrophoresis may vary. For instance, by utilizing agarose gel, DNA and RNA can be separated by running the DNA through an electrically charged agarose gel.
By conducting various tests and trials, the gel electrophoresis technique continuously proves that molecular biology is highly experimental.
Macromolecule Blotting and Probing
The last but, most certainly not the least, aspect of molecular biology that we will touch on is macromolecule blotting and probing. Blotting or probing molecules is a method of transferring proteins, DNA or RNA onto a carrier such as nitrocellulose, polyvinylidene fluoride or nylon membrane.
There are four primary types of blotting: Southern, Northern, Western, and Eastern. The following list slightly explains each of the sections of blotting:
- Southern Blot: this was established by biologists to probe the presence of a particular DNA structure within a DNA sample.
- Northern Blot: this is the examination of whether or not RNA molecules can be found within a set of RNA samples.
- Western Blot: in this type of blotting, proteins are separated by size and are probed through solutions of antibodies.
- Eastern Blot: this blotting method aims to determine or detect the modification of proteins using specific substrates.
Before concluding this section, it's worth mentioning that although we only said four methods of molecular biology, there are many more, including the following:
- Cut and Paste DNA,
- Bacterial Transformation,
- Transfection,
- Chromosome Integration,
- Cellular Screening,
- Cellular Culture,
- Extraction of DNA,
- Reading and Writing DNA,
- DNA sequencing,
- DNA synthesis,
- Molecular hybridization,
- Rewriting DNA mutations, random mutagenesis, point mutation, chromosome mutation.
While you might be able to briefly touch on the previously mentioned molecular biology methods during your GCSEs or A-Level biology classes, in many cases, it requires further education to become skilled at experimenting with molecular biology.
Hiring a Private Molecular Biology Tutor
Fully grasping all the details of any biology is no walk in the park. Therefore, it is necessary to get remedial support to entirely comprehend the essential topics of biology and other related scientific disciplines. But, how and where?
While many online tutoring communities are worth their weight in salt, it's important to state that one reigns high above all the rest in terms of quality and user-friendliness. Which site is that, you may be asking? Superprof.
Having garnered a reputation of excellence in e-learning, Superprof is based all over Europe and helps people connect with tutors that instruct a wide variety of topics such as biology. Are you not convinced yet to go with Superprof? If you're still on the fence, the following are a few reasons why you should hire a molecular biology tutor on Superprof:
- Superprof tutors are highly experienced and qualified,
- The hourly rates on Superprof are highly affordable for all budgets,
- The first lesson with a new Superprof is always free of charge,
- With such a wide variety of tutors, you are guarantee to find one that you get along with.
Though molecular biology related to experimental biology is quite specific and might be considered a niche topic, you are still sure to find a tutor that will match your needs. Don't trust us? Well, according to our most updated site, there are currently 1585 molecular biology tutors in the United Kingdom alone on Superprof, and those numbers will most likely climb up!
While we did do our best in today's article to explain some of the molecular biology techniques, it's always more beneficial to have someone explain things to you face-to-face, and that's where a tutor becomes a brilliant idea.
In conclusion, molecular biology is part of experimental biology is an intriguing subject that is worth looking at in further detail. We hope that today's article offered you a savoury appetizer of molecular bio!
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