What are dna probes and uses frm biological discussion?
Answers
These are synthesized chemically as oligonucleotides based on the information available on the amino acid sequence of the protein of interest. These oligo nucleotides can be used as a probe the identification of gene which encode for that particular protein.
However, due to degeneracy of the genetic code, construction of oligonucleotide is carried out with those that are rich in methionine or tryptophan residue or with only two codons. Generally oligonucleotide probe is used to screen cDNA libraries.
Although we can't see DNA like we can see a stack of hay, identifying a specific piece in a mixed sample is just as hard as finding a needle in a haystack. All DNA has roughly the same size, chemical composition, and shape, so it can be incredibly hard to find the one tiny piece that you're looking for.
Luckily, scientists have applied the biochemical properties of DNA to create a molecular technique called a gene probe. Gene probes are small, single-stranded fragments of DNA that are complementary to a gene of interest. This means they are a perfect match, and when applied to a sample, a gene probe can help researchers identify if their gene of interest is there or not.
Gene probes are one of the best ways to identify a particular DNA sequence in a complex mixture. But why would researchers want to know what genes are present? Genes are the instructions for all living things; they're what makes us a human versus any other type of living thing. Some living things are so small that it is impossible to identify them with the naked eye, and DNA is one of the best ways to figure out what organisms are present.
Microorganisms are microscopic living things, some of which can cause disease in humans called pathogens. Gene probes can be designed to detect the presence of specific pathogens in a particular sample. Typically, to identify the presence of a pathogen in a sample, the sample needs to be cultured, or grown in a lab. For some slow-growing pathogens this can take weeks, which is not an ideal situation if the sample comes from a sick patient that needs treatment.
DNA probes offer a rapid alternative to culturing samples in a lab. Additionally, they are highly specific. DNA contains the instructions for all living things and each is unique. Thus, probes are used to specifically identify microorganisms compared to the traditional methods of identification through biochemical and morphological tests in culture.
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