BNFO 300 
Molecular Biology Through Discovery
Path to class (Thursday, Sep 19) - DNA Structure
(please press SUBMIT button when finished)
Fall 2019  


My advice on the matters for the day (as listed in the calendar):

DNA
  • DNA Structure: You might just skim Section A, B, and C of the notes, and don't worry yourself about X-ray diffraction. Except for that much of these sections will probably be review. The only part of the notes I would focus on is Figure 5 (Study questions 3 through 6 may help). Section D talks about things that are important for bioinformatics but not generally discussed in general biology courses, so this may be worth your while.
     
  • DNA Replication: Here again, much of the notes, may be review. Thursday will be our primary chance to go over anything here that has escaped you. Making sure you understand Figure 2 and its significance with regard to directionality of DNA synthesis might be the most important part for you to address.
     
  • Build your own DNA: This simple investigation will allow you to recreate what Jim Watson did to come up with antiparallel, complimentary strands of DNA.It won't tax you too much. May be interesting. If not, never mind.
     
  • How to read an article: Please take a look at the suggestions on how to approach reading a strange article and take a quick look at the posted mini-article. We'll try out the suggested methods on this article in class, but having seen the article beforehand will help.
     
  • Problem Set 3: You can look over Problems 3.3 if you like. We'll work on them in class.


I. Basic Information

  1. Your name 
II. Old business (no need to repeat anything you've said in a previous questionnaire)
  1. Perutz et al (1965)
    Anything further you'd like to discuss regarding the issues presented by the article Perutz et al (1965) and its companion?

     
  2. Problem Set 3
    Anything you'd like to discuss regarding Problem Set 3, particularly problem 3.2?

     
  3. Steps toward a semester project
    Anything further you'd like to discuss regarding building a focused bibliography (if you're doing a research proposal)?
    Anything further you'd like to discuss regarding building a list of methods (if you're translating an article)?
III. DNA Structure
Consider how comfortable you are with the following topics (in the notes DNA Structure):
  • The Chargaff rules and how they were found
  • The nature of a DNA palindrome, their biological roles, and how the two are related?
IV. DNA Replication
Consider how comfortable you are with the following topics (in the notes DNA Replication):
  • The need for a pre-existing 3'-OH end, generally an RNA primer
  • The concepts of leading and lagging strands
  • The requirement that DNA synthesis always proceeds 5' to 3' and the basis for this requirement

Any initial thoughts on how to approach reading a strange article as applied to the posted mini-article?

V. Miscellaneous
Any other comments, questions, suggestions, or concerns you may have? Finding a mentor? A problem to focus on?

Thanks!

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