Synthetic biologists can engineer artificial bacterial cells (chimeric expression systems) to synthesize therapeutic proteins in bioreactors. The growth media and cellular environment typically contain:
Explain the role of the plasmid DNA template and free ribonucleoside triphosphates (rNTPs) during the transcription phase of protein synthesis in these engineered cells.
Describe the role of tRNA molecules and ribosomes during the translation phase of the therapeutic protein.
In clinical diagnostics, the Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) is a molecular technique used to detect extremely low concentrations of viral DNA in patient blood samples.
Explain how qPCR enables clinicians to detect and analyze such trace viral DNA samples.
Name the specific phase of the eukaryotic cell cycle during which the cell performs the same biochemical function as PCR.
National newborn screening programs routinely store DNA sequencing profiles of neonates in clinical registries.
Suggest two clinical benefits of utilizing newborn genetic registries in pediatric medicine.
State one ethical concern parents might have regarding the storage of their child's genetic profile in a national database.