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Synthetic Molecules In Biology
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Synthetic Molecules in DNA Sequencing
Chemistry FA-2: Praditi Prasad
What is DNA Sequencing?
What is DNA Sequencing?
DNA sequencing is a well-known concept in biology, which is a process by which scientists know the sequence of a strand of DNA. This strand of DNA contains all genetic information that cells use to develop and operate. By knowing this information, we can understand more about diseases which are genetic and curing them.
How Does DNA Sequencing contain synthetic molecules?
How does it contain Synthetic Molecules?
In order to stop the synthesis which takes place while DNA Sequencing (particularly in the Sanger method), ddNTP, also known as Dideoxynucleotide, is added to the DNA fragments.
These ddNTPs are artifical, and made of synthetic molecules.
The Process Of DNA Sequencing
In the Sanger Sequencing method (which was created by Frederick Sanger in the 70s), the first step is the denaturement of the double-stranded DNA results in the formation of two single-stranded DNA.Attached to the sequence is a primer that matches one end. Only one type of ddNTP and four different types of dNTPs are added to each of the four polymerase (enzyme) solutions.
After this ,the DNA synthesis reaction starts, and the chain grows until a termination nucleotide is added. After that, more Denatured ssDNA is created from the resulting DNA fragments.They are put under gel electrophoresis, which is used to separate the denatured fragments and determine their sequence.
But What Even Are Synthetic Molecules?
What are Synthetic Molecules?
In constrast from natural molecules, which occur in nature, synthetic molecules are man-made, and are constructed in labs. Some examples other than DDNTPs include polymer, artifical sweeteners and common household drugs. The molecules in all of these objects are constructed in lab, thus being called "synthetic molecules'.
How do the molecules in ddNTP interact?
How do the molecules in ddNTP interact?
ddNTP is a covalent bond which includes hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The bond is between OH and H. The removed atom of oxygen initiates a reduction reaction. ddNTPs put on the DNA strands form a phosphodiester bond.The phosphodiester bond, or deoxyribose or ribose in DNA and RNA, is the connection between the 3' (prime) carbon atom of a single sugar molecule and the 5' carbon atom of another.
Diagram of ddNTP
Diagram of ddNTP
Credits: https://byjus.com/biology/difference-between-dntp-and-ddntp/
What issue does it address?
What problem does DNA sequencing address?
DNA sequencing helps us understand the functions of our genes. With the information that we recieve from it, it can help us find methods for developing cures for genetic diseases like Down syndrome and Turner syndrome. These genetic mutations and defects can be fixed, or at least be researched into better with the help of the data we receive by DNA sequencing and ddNTPs. If we didn't move forward with finding information about the genes, we may never be able to solve these genetic mysteries and cure diseases which multiple patients suffer and die from.
How does DNA Sequencing affect different factors?
How does the use of ddNTPs interact with the moral, ethical, social and economic factors?
Economic Factors
Economic
People will mostly be affected well by the use of ddNTPs in DNA Sequencing, since figuring out what disease a certain person has and curing by giving personalised prescriptions can make the amount of money a person spends way lesser, than to try multiple drug companies and looking at the one which has the best effect. Even large corporations will spend less money on the production of such drugs.
Though, it can happen that the research which is required for this requires too much funding. The government is likely to lose some money upon this. Nonetheless, the positive impacts weigh out the negative ones.
Ethical Factors
Ethical
Ethically, this is a very subjective topic and varies from person to person. Though, that only takes place when we start manipulating the DNA strands. Simply using it for research isn't ethically wrong at all, since it doesn't break any rules provided by the public. It is not any more different than drawing blood and using it for blood samples to determine the haemoglobin levels.
It's not quite logical to find this ethically wrong, so it interacts postively with ethical factors.
Social Factors
Social
Socially, ddNTPs provide a lot since the information that the process of DNA Sequencing provides is of massive importance to the lives of humans, and society as a whole. If we continue research in genetics with the help of ddNTPs, society will be a lot more carefree, though this can take both a negative and a positive turn. Normally, it would reduce their stress levels and people would not have to worry much when their sons and daughters contract some genetic disease since it can be fixed. On the other hand, if people get too careless, they may stop taking care of themselves completely. Heriditery heart diseases can be caused due to just one or two people who don't care about their health enough and spread it to their entire family. Though,the overall social impact is mostly positive.
Moral Factors
Moral
The usage of ddNTP is morally correct, since it doesn't involve harm to anyone or anything in any way. The practices by which the scientists receive the DNA strands to test may include some trafficking, but it's highly unlikely since that's against multiple laws and people would usually not do that. The DNA sequencing itself, though, is completely fine morally.