Why DNA is called carrier of heredity?
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Abstract
Research has shown that the DNA molecule can not only store genetic information but also serve as a polymeric biomolecule for the fabrication of functional materials. The unique precise molecular recognition capability and sequence programmability, combined with its good biocompatibility and biodegradability, impart the DNA molecule considerable potential for use in the construction of multifunctional materials. Depending on the composition, DNA-based materials have been generally categorized into pure DNA materials that are entirely composed of DNA and hybrid DNA materials that are composed of DNA and other functional compositions. Recently, we have developed a series of DNA-based materials that can be applied in diagnosis and therapy, and this review summarizes the relative work. Although challenges still exist regarding the real applications of DNA-based materials such as the high cost of DNA, the difficulty in scale-up, and the low resistance to nuclease, we believe that these drawbacks will be overcome with the development of technology, and new opportunities will emerge in the field of diagnosis and treatment.
Introduction
In the past few decades, remarkable progress has been made in the research pertaining to the DNA biomolecule. The DNA strand is made up of four types of nucleotides connected by phosphodiester bonds, and each nucleotide is composed of a N-containing nucleobase (cytosine [C], guanine [G], adenine [A], or thymine [T]), a deoxyribose, and a phosphate group. The DNA double helix structure was demonstrated by Watson and Crick in 1953 [1]. As a genetic molecule, DNA can transmit genetic information from generation to generation owing to its capacity to self-replicate. In addition, genetic information can be translated to protein, which has been demonstrated in cell-free systems. In this context, we had earlier concentrated nucleic acids in clay hydrogel to mimic the confinement function of cells in a cell-free system (Fig. 1A) [2]. We observed enhanced expression of the fluorescent protein in the DNA/clay hydrogel compared to that in the free DNA system, which confirmed the occurrence of improved transcription and translation reaction. The work implicated the importance of localized concentration and protection of biomolecules in early life evolution. We also fabricated a clay microgel as an artificial cell and incorporated plasmid DNA into it to achieve efficient protein production (Fig. 1B) [3]. In this system, we used the microfluidic droplet technology to prepare plasmid-binding clay microgel beads in a modular manner. We observed that the eGFP protein was expressed only in the droplets encapsulating the plasmid/clay hydrogel. Moreover, magnetic nanoparticles were also incorporated in the plasmid/clay hydrogel matrix to construct a repeated protein production system through magnetic separation, thus providing an efficient and repeated cell-free protein production system.
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Question :-
- Why DNA is called carrier of heredity?
Answer :-
- Gene is the functinal unit of inheritance. Genes are composed of DNA and prove they are actual genetic material of an organism. During interphase of cell division a new DNA strand is formed from the parental stand. Thus from parents to offsprings through DNA character are transmited.