Genetic Chemistry

IF WE acknowledge that DNA, the acid found in the nucleus of the living cell, is the repository of hereditary factors, then the way is open for the development of a genetic chemistry. Such is the prediction of Robert L. Sinsheimer, professor of biophysics in Iowa (Science, vol 125, p 1123).

Some of the questions which he poses are as follows: what differentiates the DNA related to various hereditary characteristics; with what chemicals is DNA associated in the living cell and how do these associations change during the cycle of cell division; how is the information built into the DNA transmitted to guide the growth of the organism?

Recommended Reading:

• Genetic Chemistry and the Future of Medicine by Arthur Kornberg, (San Diego State University Press, 1988).

and;

• Basic Human Genetics by Mange and Mange, (2nd edition. Sinauer Associates Inc., 1999).
• Human Genetics, Concepts and Applications 3rd edition by Lewis, (W.C. Brown, 1998).
• Emery’s Elements of Medical Genetics by Mueller and Young (10th. edition, Churchill and Livingstone 1998).
• Medical Genetics by Jorde, Carey, Bamshad and White (2nd edition Mosby, 1999).
• Essential Medical Genetics by Connor and Ferguson-Smith (5th edition Blackwell Science Ltd. 1997) 
• Genetics in Medicine by Thompson, McInnes and Willard (5th edition, Saunders 1992).

Genetic Chemistry

The study of genetic chemistry is laying a groundbreaking foundation for discussion of hereditary factors in human evolution as provided for by chemical research, which first and foremost examines DNA and RNA chemistry from an entirely scientific viewpoint. Investigations into DNA, chemistry, proteomics, enzyme engineering, regulation of gene expression in mammalian systems, and the correlation of complex biological structures in relation to function in human pathology and disease states and approach to rational therapy are yielding fascinating results and application of this research to a study of the causes and treatment of cancer, heart disease, and brain disease are well underway.

Tagged as: Arthur Kornberg, Bamshad, Basic Human Genetics, Biological Structures, Biophysics, Blackwell Science Ltd, Chemicals, Chemistry, Dna, Dna And Rna, Dna Chemistry, Dna Rna, Essential Medical Genetics, Hereditary Factors, Human Evolution, Human Pathology, Iowa Science, Jorde, Mammalian Systems, Nucleus, Organism, Rational Therapy, Regulation Of Gene Expression, Repository, Rna Chemistry, San Diego State University, Science Vol, Sinsheimer