In "Gene-editing hack yields pinpoint precision," Heidi Ledford discusses the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system created by David Liu and Alexis Komor, who are chemical biologists at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts along with the rest of their team. The gene-editing tool allows DNA changes to be permitted and for mutations to be fixed easily after an enzyme latches itself onto a specific location in the genome with the assistance of a guide RNA molecule. After a RNA molecule discovers a DNA sequence that fits the coding of the guide RNA, it proceeds to separate both of the double helix 's strands at the specific site. In response, the cells attempt to heal the broken area by either adding or removing DNA cells know as bases, which
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Point mutations are commonly the result of environmental factors like X-rays, UV radiation or toxic chemicals, which can cause the development of point mutation by interfering with the DNA’s chemical bonding. It is possible that the error is due to DNA replicating “if DNA polymerase does not catch its own error” (“Mutations,” n.d.). There are three types of point mutations, which are substitution, insertion and deletion and each one is the byproduct of the change concerning a single nucleotide base in DNA. Therefore, influencing the proper execution of the process of protein synthesis. The least harmful point mutation is substitution and influences a single triplet and its corresponding amino acid while not affecting the rest of the protein. Substitution mutation can lead to three outcomes, either nonsense, missense, or silent. Nonsense involves the amino acid being coded to be altered to a stop code, which follows up with the termination of the protein. Through nonsense, a useless protein results. With missense, the alteration of the nucleotide causes a different amino acid and essentially, this potentially may have “little effect, or it may greatly change the resulting protein” (“Mutations,” n.d.). The last type of point mutation is silent, which is the least harmful considering it doesn’t cause an effect on the protein that is noticeable. …show more content…
Mass media has not provided extensive exposure on such a subject, so otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to learn about it through word of mouth or through any other normal means. In addition, it was especially intriguing to read about because potentially, the CRISPR can provide an essential key to developing treatments for human diseases. Essentially, CRISPR can revolutionize the world and provide treatments for diseases and mutations through the manipulation of genes. Admittedly, though, this was a slightly confusing article to read, especially since I do not have an intensive knowledge in the science field. So, it was difficult for me to conceptualize and comprehend the mechanisms of the CRISPR system, but still I found it thought provoking and stimulating to read about. It is evident that the CRISPR system is the first step into grasping an understanding of how to remedy and treat mutations by DNA manipulation. In the distant future, I believe that there will come a time when diseases and suffering can be treated easily and swiftly through the manipulation of genes in a DNA. People won 't have to die prematurely or suffer painfully, given alternative options to deal with
Point mutations are commonly the result of environmental factors like X-rays, UV radiation or toxic chemicals, which can cause the development of point mutation by interfering with the DNA’s chemical bonding. It is possible that the error is due to DNA replicating “if DNA polymerase does not catch its own error” (“Mutations,” n.d.). There are three types of point mutations, which are substitution, insertion and deletion and each one is the byproduct of the change concerning a single nucleotide base in DNA. Therefore, influencing the proper execution of the process of protein synthesis. The least harmful point mutation is substitution and influences a single triplet and its corresponding amino acid while not affecting the rest of the protein. Substitution mutation can lead to three outcomes, either nonsense, missense, or silent. Nonsense involves the amino acid being coded to be altered to a stop code, which follows up with the termination of the protein. Through nonsense, a useless protein results. With missense, the alteration of the nucleotide causes a different amino acid and essentially, this potentially may have “little effect, or it may greatly change the resulting protein” (“Mutations,” n.d.). The last type of point mutation is silent, which is the least harmful considering it doesn’t cause an effect on the protein that is noticeable. …show more content…
Mass media has not provided extensive exposure on such a subject, so otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to learn about it through word of mouth or through any other normal means. In addition, it was especially intriguing to read about because potentially, the CRISPR can provide an essential key to developing treatments for human diseases. Essentially, CRISPR can revolutionize the world and provide treatments for diseases and mutations through the manipulation of genes. Admittedly, though, this was a slightly confusing article to read, especially since I do not have an intensive knowledge in the science field. So, it was difficult for me to conceptualize and comprehend the mechanisms of the CRISPR system, but still I found it thought provoking and stimulating to read about. It is evident that the CRISPR system is the first step into grasping an understanding of how to remedy and treat mutations by DNA manipulation. In the distant future, I believe that there will come a time when diseases and suffering can be treated easily and swiftly through the manipulation of genes in a DNA. People won 't have to die prematurely or suffer painfully, given alternative options to deal with