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Hello Twitter! My name is Caitlin and I’m taking part in the #GlobalScienceShow!
Today I’m going to be discussing weird DNA
structures and how they can affect our bodies. Follow along with the show throughout the day; @cm_manasvi is up next!
@GlobalSciShow #ScienceFromHome
Today I’m going to be discussing weird DNA
structures and how they can affect our bodies. Follow along with the show throughout the day; @cm_manasvi is up next!@GlobalSciShow #ScienceFromHome
DNA is the code inside our cells
that makes us.. us! Each human has so much DNA that if it was stretched out, it would be over 100 billion miles long. That is a journey to the sun and back.. 600 times!
But what is it made of?
is the code inside our cells that makes us.. us! Each human has so much DNA that if it was stretched out, it would be over 100 billion miles long. That is a journey to the sun and back.. 600 times!But what is it made of?
DNA consists of two strands made of DNA ‘bases’, paired together by chemical bonds, to form a helical structure known as the double helix. This structure was first seen back in 1968.
Genes are sections of DNA that code for particular traits, such as eye colour.
consists of two strands made of DNA ‘bases’, paired together by chemical bonds, to form a helical structure known as the double helix. This structure was first seen back in 1968.Genes are sections of DNA that code for particular traits, such as eye colour.
The DNA code in our bodies is ‘read’ by biological machinery in our cells which uses this to build the proteins that we need to function.
But what happens when this process goes wrong and the DNA can’t be read?
code in our bodies is ‘read’ by biological machinery in our cells which uses this to build the proteins that we need to function.But what happens when this process goes wrong and the DNA can’t be read?
Our DNA can contain genetic mutations that make it harder to read. These mutations can cause it to form unusual structures which block the biological machinery from scanning it.
I’m going to briefly discuss two examples below:
can contain genetic mutations that make it harder to read. These mutations can cause it to form unusual structures which block the biological machinery from scanning it.I’m going to briefly discuss two examples below:
TRIPLEX DNA:
One DNA strand folds back on itself and gets stuck, creating a three-stranded structure. This blocks the DNA from being read, and the gene cannot be expressed!
Friedreich's ataxia, a genetic neurodegenerative disorder, is thought to be caused by this.
One DNA strand folds back on itself and gets stuck, creating a three-stranded structure. This blocks the DNA from being read, and the gene cannot be expressed!
Friedreich's ataxia, a genetic neurodegenerative disorder, is thought to be caused by this.
QUADRUPLEX DNA:
A four-stranded structure, this looks a lot like a tangle in your DNA!
Quadruplexes have been found in cancer cells and have become a new target for developing cancer therapies.
A four-stranded structure, this looks a lot like a tangle in your DNA!
Quadruplexes have been found in cancer cells and have become a new target for developing cancer therapies.
There are many other unusual ways our DNA can get tangled!
Scientists are working on ways to unwind these weird DNA structures in cells to treat the disorders that they cause and restore function to our bodies.
We hope, one day, that this can be done in live humans!
Scientists are working on ways to unwind these weird DNA structures in cells to treat the disorders that they cause and restore function to our bodies.
We hope, one day, that this can be done in live humans!
If you've made it this far, thank you for reading!
Here, have a gif of everyone's favourite cartoon DNA from Jurassic Park:
Here, have a gif of everyone's favourite cartoon DNA from Jurassic Park:
