Molecular genetics

This image shows an example of the central dogma using a DNA strand being transcribed then translated and showing important enzymes used in the processes
An example of forward genetics in C. elegans (a nematode) using mutagenesis.
Diagram illustrating the development process of avian flu vaccine by reverse genetics techniques

Sub-field of biology that addresses how differences in the structures or expression of DNA molecules manifests as variation among organisms.

- Molecular genetics
This image shows an example of the central dogma using a DNA strand being transcribed then translated and showing important enzymes used in the processes

5 related topics

Alpha
Diagrammatic representation of Watson and Crick's DNA structure

Molecular biology

Branch of biology that seeks to understand the molecular basis of biological activity in and between cells, including molecular synthesis, modification, mechanisms, and interactions.

Branch of biology that seeks to understand the molecular basis of biological activity in and between cells, including molecular synthesis, modification, mechanisms, and interactions.

Diagrammatic representation of Watson and Crick's DNA structure
Angle description in DNA structure
Diagrammatic representation of experiment
Hershey and Chase experiment
Schematic relationship between biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology
DNA animation
Two percent agarose gel in borate buffer cast in a gel tray.
SDS-PAGE
Proteins stained on a PAGE gel using Coomassie blue dye.
Northern blot diagram
Hybridization of target to probe

Molecular genetics, the study of gene structure and function, has been among the most prominent sub-fields of molecular biology since the early 2000s.

A drawing of a prokaryotic cell

Cell biology

Branch of biology that studies the structure, function, and behavior of cells.

Branch of biology that studies the structure, function, and behavior of cells.

A drawing of a prokaryotic cell
A diagram of an animal cell
The process of cell division in the animal cell cycle

Research in cell biology is interconnected to other fields such as genetics, molecular genetics, molecular biology, medical microbiology, immunology, and cytochemistry.

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Transformation (genetics)

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Schematic of bacterial transformation – for which artificial competence must first be induced.

In molecular biology and genetics, transformation is the genetic alteration of a cell resulting from the direct uptake and incorporation of exogenous genetic material from its surroundings through the cell membrane(s).

Max Delbrück

German–American biophysicist who participated in launching the molecular biology research program in the late 1930s.

German–American biophysicist who participated in launching the molecular biology research program in the late 1930s.

Delbrück in the early 1940s
Delbrück's workplace in Berlin: Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Chemistry, now the Free University of Berlin.
Drawing of a plaque in Buttrick Hall, Vanderbilt University commemorating the work of Max Delbrück.

Meanwhile, he set up University of Cologne's institute for molecular genetics.

This image shows an example of the central dogma using a DNA strand being transcribed then translated and showing important enzymes used in the processes

Forward genetics

This image shows an example of the central dogma using a DNA strand being transcribed then translated and showing important enzymes used in the processes

Forward genetics is a molecular genetics approach of determining the genetic basis responsible for a phenotype.