Genetics has become one of the most diverse branches of science as it deals with heredity, inheritance, and how certain traits are expressed.
Molecular genetics focuses more on the molecules at work in geneticsspecifically DNA, RNA, and the proteins responsible for expressing traits.
This branch of genetics is instrumental in diagnosing genetic disorders. With molecular genetics, scientists and doctors can pinpoint abnormalities or changes within gene sequences.
The study of human DNA has propelled modern medicine towards actionable solutions for even the most difficult genetic conditions and mutations. By observing the molecular structure of DNA, geneticists can determine any deviation and mutation that may cause trouble down the road.
Molecular genetics is concerned with what makes DNAthat is, the molecules that are at work.1 Its a biomedical science concerned with human genes and the genetic material DNA consists of, as well as their nucleotide sequences and structures at the molecular level.
It is also considered the marriage of genetics and molecular biology, the study of the building blocks of every object.
This science shows us how genes inside our DNA determine everything from eye color to disease risk.
Geneticists, scientists, and medical professionals can determine how genes work and how any divergence from the norm can contribute to genetic disorders and abnormalities by exploring the special processes and properties of DNA molecules and their molecular mechanisms.
Molecular genetics breaks down into smaller fields, including:
Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn more about yourself. Read our best DNA test page to find the best one for you.
Yes. Molecular genetics falls under genetics.
Genetics is a broader branch of biology that deals with anything related to genes, traits, and inheritance. Its the study of how genes are passed down from parents to offspring through DNA sequences.2
19th-century monk Gregor Mendels famed pea plant experiments laid the foundation for modern genetics. Since then, niche branches of genetics have become specializations, such as:
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, has a double helix structure thats made up of chemical components called nucleotides.3
Nucleotides, which form the DNA ladder, have three important parts:
The entirety of an organisms set of DNA or genetic material is called a genome. Each genome has all the instructions necessary for an organism to develop.
Every cell in that organism will have the same genome so that when they replicate themselves, they all still contain the exact same instructions.
Molecular genetic testing is when a DNA segment or a gene sequence is inspected for any mutations.4 A DNA strand is often looked closely at and analyzed to determine any variations at the molecular level.
Its compared to normal genetic material and any deviations or mutations are taken note of. Any variance in a gene is then explored.
Different mutations can lead to different genetic conditions. For example, a copy of a chromosome can lead to specific genetic disorders, depending on which chromosome has been duplicated.
Other conditions can also arise from the complex interplay of multiple genetic variants. So a thorough study of the DNA sequence is necessary to determine potential congenital risks.
A DNA molecule can also be further looked at to see how its structure contributes to the persons traits.
Genetic tests can be a little pricey, but its well worth the price tag when you consider what they can tell you.
Molecular genetics is being used today all over the world. Its especially used in a lot of genetic research and genetic testing.
When you get a genetic test done to find out more about your ancestry and heritage, you are investing in molecular genetics.
Your DNA sequence may exhibit similarities with the sequences of people who originate from a certain region. If you share certain key similarities, its a good indicator that you or your ancestors may also be from that area.
This helps you unlock more of your past and potentially provide you with closure around your past. Who knows, you may even find out you have royal ancestry.
If your parents had a genetic test done on you when they were pregnant with you to determine if you were at risk for any genetic disease, molecular genetics provided the results.
Geneticists and genetic counselors who tap into family history and rely on testing delve into your molecular structure and practice molecular genetics to give you better insight into your health. Many human diseases can be traced in family medical history via molecular genetics.
You can also determine if any diseases run in your family and what you can do to prevent contracting them.
In biological sciences, molecular genetics helps us understand the molecular basis of living things. It reveals the why behind how our bodies work at the very smallest level.
The biology of genes has helped us understand why certain genes are expressed over others, how we inherit traits, and the way our alleles work together.
Through the biological lens of genetics, weve been able to develop more medicine, apply more agricultural uses, and even explore gene editing.
Molecular genetics has made strides in forensics, given that its allowed us to identify DNA matches via fingerprints or other potential DNA samples.
Its also a huge help in the courtroom, as legal systems often use DNA testing to prove paternity or exonerate crimes.
Looking for a DNA test that's accurate and can tell you about your health and heritage?
See the article here:
A Detailed Look at the Science of Molecular Genetics - KnowYourDNA
- 001 Stem Cell Therapy: Age of Human Cell Engineering is Born [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2010]
- 002 Using Stem Cells Scientists Grow a Rat Lung, Humans are Next [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2010]
- 003 Silicon Biosystems to Present Single-Circulating Tumor Cell Molecular Characterization at the Fourth World CTC Summit [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- 004 Protein could be key for drugs that promote bone growth [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2012]
- 005 Genetics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2015]
- 006 Molecular genetics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2015]
- 007 Molecular Genetics (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2015]
- 008 DNA and Molecular Genetics - Estrella Mountain Community ... [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2015]
- 009 molecular and human genetics | Momentum - The Baylor ... [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2015]
- 010 Molecular evolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2015]
- 011 Microbiology & Molecular Genetics - Rutgers New Jersey ... [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2015]
- 012 Howard University National Human Genome Center [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2015]
- 013 Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at the ... [Last Updated On: October 23rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 23rd, 2015]
- 014 Graduate Studies in Genetics - Rutgers University [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 015 Molecular Genetics and Genomics Program - Wake Forest ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 016 Faculty - Welcome to the Department of Genetics at Rutgers ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 017 Microbiology & Molecular Genetics - New Jersey Medical School [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 018 International Conference on Clinical and Molecular Genetics [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 019 Laboratories - Rutgers New Jersey Medical School [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 020 Molecular Genetics - Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 021 The Rockefeller University Laboratory of Molecular Genetics [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 022 Newcastle Hospitals - Molecular Genetics [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2016]
- 023 Molecular Genetics - mmrl.edu [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2016]
- 024 Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2016]
- 025 MCW: Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Department [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2016]
- 026 Molecular Genetics - DNA, RNA, & Protein [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2016]
- 027 Human Molecular Genetics - amazon.com [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2016]
- 028 Molecular evolution - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2016]
- 029 Molecular Genetics Service - Great Ormond Street Hospital ... [Last Updated On: November 15th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 15th, 2016]
- 030 Molecular phylogenetics - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 15th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 15th, 2016]
- 031 NJDOH - New Born Screening & Genetic Services [Last Updated On: November 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 22nd, 2016]
- 032 Molecular genetics - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 22nd, 2016]
- 033 Genetic Testing for the Healthy - Harvard Medical School (registration) [Last Updated On: July 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 4th, 2017]
- 034 Dispute Over British Baby's Fate Draws In Pope and US President - New York Times [Last Updated On: July 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 4th, 2017]
- 035 GGC Graduates Two from Medical Genetics Training Program - Index-Journal [Last Updated On: July 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 4th, 2017]
- 036 The transfer of chromosomally 'abnormal' embryos can still result in pregnancy in IVF - Medical Xpress [Last Updated On: July 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 4th, 2017]
- 037 UVA scientists successfully, safely "shut off" genes - The Charlottesville Newsplex [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2017]
- 038 New centre to boost Kiwi agricultural research - NZ Herald - New Zealand Herald [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2017]
- 039 Baylor to offer new genetic counseling degree program - Baylor College of Medicine News (press release) [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2017]
- 040 New way to shut off genes speeds battle against genetic diseases - Augusta Free Press [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2017]
- 041 UVA scientists say they can safely 'shut off' genes. | WSET - WSET.com - WSET [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2017]
- 042 Genome Sequencing Shows Spiders, Scorpions Share Ancestor - R & D Magazine [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2017]
- 043 Evolutionary biologists identify non-genetic source of species variability - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2017]
- 044 Molecular biology study by Abu Dhabi researcher has cancer breakthrough potential - The National [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2017]
- 045 Hunger-controlling brain cells may offer path for new obesity drugs - The Rockefeller University Newswire [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2017]
- 046 Astronaut twins study shows space travel causes premature aging - La Jolla Light [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2017]
- 047 Homosexuality Partly Rooted In Genetics Rather Than Lifestyle Choice, Says Science - Medical Daily [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2017]
- 048 Madhuri Hegde, PhD is Elected to the Board of the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine - Markets Insider [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2017]
- 049 Is There Really A Gay GeneAnd Can You Get Rid Of It? - NewNowNext [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2017]
- 050 Analyzing Myriad Genetics (NASDAQ:MYGN) and HTG Molecular Diagnostics (HTGM) - BNB Daily (blog) [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2017]
- 051 First of 10 expected BJC Investigators named - Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2017]
- 052 OMF Symposium to Provide First Look at Metabolomic / Immune Results in ME/CFS - ProHealth [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2017]
- 053 Your Sponge Holds a Disgusting Amount of Bacteria, BTW | SELF - SELF [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2017]
- 054 Learn how influenza topped fake news - Ohio's Country Journal and Ohio Ag Net [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2017]
- 055 Scientists map sex chromosome evolution in pathogenic fungi - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2017]
- 056 Friday Night Inc. Announces Dr. Torres Advisor and Genetics Update - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2017]
- 057 Stay On-Target With Novel, High-Fidelity Cas9 - Technology Networks [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2017]
- 058 People for Aug. 12, 2017 - Concord Monitor [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2017]
- 059 Blood test uncovers hidden diseases - Medical Xpress [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2017]
- 060 Scientists Have Pinpointed A Method To Make The Flu Vaccine More Effective - Simplemost [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2017]
- 061 What can genetic testing really tell you? - Popular Science [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2017]
- 062 Cancer Genetics, Inc. to Host Conference Call to Discuss Strategic and Business Rationale of vivoPharm Acquisition - GlobeNewswire (press release) [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2017]
- 063 UCI logs second-highest research funding total in fiscal 2016-17 - UCI News [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2017]
- 064 Graduate Molecular Genetics - University of Toronto [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2017]
- 065 Love of Nature Fuels #DukeTimeOff Photo Winners - Duke Today [Last Updated On: August 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 19th, 2017]
- 066 First geneticist at IU School of Medicine-Northwest-Gary retires after 32 years - IU Newsroom [Last Updated On: August 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 19th, 2017]
- 067 Modern genetic sequencing tools give clearer picture of how corals ... - UW Today [Last Updated On: August 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 19th, 2017]
- 068 Bacteria May Rig Their DNA to Speed Up Evolution - WIRED [Last Updated On: August 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 19th, 2017]
- 069 Science Intrigues Her, Fulfills Her, Propels Her - Patch.com [Last Updated On: August 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 19th, 2017]
- 070 Dr Tom: Why I believe in vaccinations - Stuff.co.nz [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2017]
- 071 Myriad Genetics' EndoPredict Gets Positive Coverage Decision - Zacks.com [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2017]
- 072 Science graduate helps to conquer a global problem - Evening Observer [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2017]
- 073 If you're watching the total solar eclipse, don't forget to wear sunscreen - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: August 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 21st, 2017]
- 074 Myriad Genetics, Inc. (MYGN) Hits a New 52-Week High - Modern Readers [Last Updated On: August 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 21st, 2017]
- 075 Tea vs coffee - which cuppa should you be drinking? - Telegraph.co.uk [Last Updated On: August 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 21st, 2017]
- 076 Should scientists be on social media? Meet the groundbreaking Saudi researcher who thinks so - Arab News [Last Updated On: August 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 21st, 2017]
- 077 Study finds that you may be as friendly as your genes - Medical Xpress [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2017]
- 078 Duke researchers discover way to increase flu shot effectiveness - Duke Chronicle [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2017]
- 079 Science and Society on the Vineyard - Martha's Vineyard Times [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2017]
- 080 Two Genes May Dictate How Social, Friendly You Are - Laboratory Equipment [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2017]
Tags: