We explain the origins and applications of this branch of biology.
Molecular genetics is a revolutionary field of research for all life sciences, which has allowed us to advance to limits that would have been unsuspected relatively recently.
In this article we try to explain in a simple way what molecular genetics is and in what areas it can be applied today.
historical perspective
To explain what molecular genetics is, we first have to situate it within current scientific research fields. Molecular genetics is found primarily within the field of genetics, which in turn would be included within the branch of biology.
Although over the years genetics has come to cover many areas of study, genetics initially appeared to be able to explain a very simple question: Why do children resemble their parents?
The first documented genetic studies date back to the 19th century, thanks to the research carried out by Gregor Mendel in the geographical area that today corresponds to the Czech Republic. Mendel’s studies were the cornerstone on which all other genetic studies were based, so he is sometimes known as “the father of genetics”.
The term gene appeared in 1909, by the scientist Wilhelm Johans. At that time, the definition of a gene was different from the current one, but it was necessary to be able to study how the different characteristics were transmitted between generations. DNA would not be established as the molecule for transmitting genetic information until Frederick Griffith demonstrated it experimentally in the 1920s .
Even more time passed from the birth of genetics to the appearance of molecular genetics, but we could date the beginnings of molecular genetics to the time the true structure of DNA was discovered, in 1953. This came at the hands of James Watson , Francis Crick and Rosalind Franklin , the first to discover what the DNA molecule was like.
- It may interest you: “The 50 main branches of biology (and their fields of study)”
What is molecular genetics?
It is difficult to define molecular genetics without falling into oversimplifications, but we could define it as the branch of genetics that investigates taking into account the characteristics of the molecules responsible for transmitting intergenerational information (DNA and RNA) . Currently, the vast majority of genetic research relies in some way on molecular genetics to carry out its experiments, so we could define molecular genetics as an integral part of modern genetics.
This is because modern genetic studies take into account the fact that genetic material is found at the molecular level, within the cells of all living beings, and is a fundamental factor to take into account when studying genetic processes. .
In what areas can molecular genetics be applied?
Molecular genetics is part of a huge number of modern biological studies. In fact, given the advances in technology and genetics, which have lowered the costs of molecular genetic studies, it has become a common tool in the medical and biological fields .
Molecular genetics allows us to analyze the composition and order of DNA molecules, which are long chains of small molecules called nucleotides. The order of the nucleotide sequence encodes the instructions for the formation of an individual . All the cells of an individual have approximately the same instructions, but depending on the function they are going to carry out, they will “read” and execute only the part that concerns them.
Knowing the exact composition of DNA is extremely useful and can be used, for example, within the following fields:
1. The field of evolution
Since the genetic material is transmitted from parents to children with slight changes during each generation, we can use it to know what the phylogenetic distance is (that is, what is the relationship) between different species, giving us information about the evolution of the species.
2. Anthropology
Molecular genetics allows us to know which is the most likely path that our ancestors followed during migrations, as well as gives us information about the kinship and relationships that the different populations of prehistoric humans had.
Thanks to molecular genetics, we know that Homo sapiens maintained contact with other species of humans, such as Homo neanderthalensis . In fact, we still carry some of the DNA from these species in our own, as a testament to the bonding between these different species of humans.
3. medicine
In the field of medicine, advances in genetics have opened many doors. From an improvement in the identification and study of microbes or the detection of genetic diseases to modern therapies, such as gene therapy, which consists of the introduction of specific genes to cure or alleviate serious diseases.
It can also be applied in fields such as personalized medicine, which would use our DNA to find out which is the most convenient nutritional or pharmacological treatment for each individual .
4. Agriculture and livestock
Advances in genetics have also given us tools to better work with the animals and plants we domesticate.
Apart from the dreaded genetically modified organisms, molecular genetics allows us to improve the quality of animals and plants through crossbreeding assisted by genetic analysis, which tells us which genes are of most interest to us in order to develop the desired characteristics in these living beings.
5. Genetic engineering
Genetic engineering is the science that allows us to change the genetic material of living things. This is used to obtain, for example, model animals that help us explain how different diseases work , bacteria capable of synthesizing materials and chemicals that would be tremendously expensive to manufacture otherwise, plants with higher nutritional values and more resistant, to placate hunger in needy areas… There are countless applications of genetic engineering, which would not be possible without molecular genetics.
conclusion
Molecular genetics represented a scientific revolution that lasts to this day, since genetic material is the basis of life. Any study that wants to know why some biological process occurs can be enriched to a greater or lesser degree with information that comes from molecular genetics .
Thanks to molecular genetics we have managed to open the “instruction book” of living beings and, as we understand what these instructions mean, how they work and how we can manipulate them, we are opening a horizon of new scientific possibilities. For this reason, we must use it with caution.
As Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein warns us, or as Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben himself said, whoever has great power has great responsibility. Molecular genetics is a great power and it is in our hands to use it responsibly to avoid unpleasant consequences, the result of an irresponsible use of this technology.
- To continue investigating: “The 10 types of scientific research (and characteristics)”
Bibliographic references
- Keeler AM.(2017) Gene Therapy 2017: Progress and Future Directions. Clin Transl Sci.
- Neves AGM, Serva M (2012) Extremely Rare Interbreeding Events Can Explain Neanderthal DNA in Living Humans. PLoS ONE.
- Gaj, Thomas et al.(2013) ZFN, TALEN, and CRISPR/Cas-based methods for genome engineering. Trends in Biotechnology.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.