Nucleic acid analysis by electrophoresis and visualization in ultraviolet light. Here, all samples analyzed, except one, contain the same DNA fragment.
© Jérôme Chatin / CNRS Photothèque
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Genetics, the Swiss Army knife of biology
The discovery of DNA and RNA have opened the door to a whole new research discipline: genetics. The study of these molecules enables scientists to understand living organisms on an even smaller scale and contributes to many fields of research.
Technological developments enable us to purify DNA and RNA, amplify (copy and multiply) and sequence (determine their genetic code) and analyse genetic data at increasing speed and lower cost. Numerous discoveries in genetics have contributed to our knowledge of the machinery of life: the identification of numerous genes, their functions, and the coding (protein-making) and non-coding parts of DNA. This can play a role in regulating gene expression, but it is not the only factor: the impact of our environment or the 3D configuration of DNA (environment close to the gene) are also involved.
RNA has also revealed some of its mysteries. While messenger RNA (mRNA) is known to be translated into proteins, many other RNAs (tRNA, microRNA, etc.) act as enzymes or regulators of gene expression.
In addition to knowledge about the nature and functioning of genes, genetic data also enables us to study the relationship between different individuals, species or groups, to refine their evolutionary history and to date their origin. This provides a better understanding of the processes that determine the evolution of genomes in nature. Did you know that metagenomics can identify the presence and quantity of organisms in a given environment? The use of DNA labelling or modification techniques are useful for studying more extensive biological mechanisms.
Research in this field also opens up new opportunities in the understanding and treatment of viral and genetic diseases, the development of personalised and preventive medicine, plant breeding and the improvement of agricultural yields. Recently, research conducted in the digital sciences is even using DNA to store digital data!
Discover the fascinating field of genetics by browsing through the images and videos produced in the CNRS laboratories.
Keywords: genome, gene, DNA, RNA, viral RNA, messenger RNA, sequencing, enzymes, virus, genomic map, epigenetics
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