Nucleic Acid Videos

There are many resources available that will help in your understanding of nucleic acids. Some items are for your review and interest, and others contain material you should learn. The others. Caution: all videos may not work on all browsers.

DNA Packaging

This powerpoint file has videos showing a bit better the degree of compaction in all the packaging motifs that were discussed in class (nucleosome, 30 nm fiber, loops, rosettes, etc.) (link). It’s a very nice summary (except they got the wrong dimension for the 30 nm fiber and took the length, not the width).

RNA and Ribozymes

Here is a link to a set of slides on RNA structure and folding. Since DNA is pretty standard, with basically only 3 different shapes (save palindromes), RNA is different and can fold like proteins fold into a variety of shapes (link). There is one embedded video showing how tRNAs fold.

mRNA

Although we discussed mRNA and how its generated during transcription and the aspects of its structure and processing, this video shows the life-cycle of an mRNA and puts it all together (link). It should make it easier to understand all that you have learned about mRNA and transcription in eukaryotes.

Recombinant DNA

Cloning: Here is the link to the video we used in class for the overall procedures for cloning (link). This powerpoint file also has information on making a reporter construct (information for which you are responsible) and a video on making a Transgenic Mouse (information for which you are NOT responsible).

DNA sequencing: Here is a link to the topic of DNA sequence determination (link). Its very understandable and shows exactly how this Nobel-Prize winning procedure developed by Fred Sanger (yes, his second one!) is performed. The powerpoint file has the slides that would have been covered in class had we had time and the embedded video.

PCR: Here is a link to the topic of PCR (link) in a powerpoint. This is also another way to “Make More” (at least for DNA), but in the test tube rather than in a host cell. We did not have time to discuss this procedure, but it’s also a Nobel-Prize winning procedure developed by Keri Mullis. The powerpoint file has the slides that would have been covered in class had we had time and the embedded video.

DNA Replication

Here is a video to semi-conservative replication. It goes along with the Miescher, Griffith, Avery/MacLeod/McCarty, and Meselson-Stahl experiments that preceded it (link). Here is a video produced by HHMI on the process of DNA replication (information for which you are NOT responsible).

DNA Repair

In 2015, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry went to TOMAS LINDAHL from Sweden, PAUL MODRICH from Stanford, and AZIZ SANCAR from North Carolina for the long-term studies on all the various mechanisms of DNA repair. It’s not a journal article, but from the "popular press." It has many of the concepts discussed in class along with some of the personal stories about the scientists and their discoveries.

Translation

Here is another video produced by HHMI on the process of translation (or on You-Tube as well; link)

The Discovery of DNA structure and its Consequences

Here is a link to the full-length documentary done in 1987 based on the book by James Watson, one of the co-discoverers of the DNA structure. It’s well done:

https://vimeo.com/179934156

There was a video since taken down wherein Jim Watson talks about his views of the future based on his discovery of the DNA structure. It's a great example of either pure genius or how fame can possess a person. Interestingly, it is narrated by Jeff Goldblum, who plays Watson in the 1987 video linked above. What is your opinion?

Taken from the U-Tube notes on the documentary: “Watson was asked to give a tour of the future. He believes that DNA science should be used to change the human race. His views are both extraordinary and extremely controversial. Watson argues for a new kind of eugenics -- where parents are allowed to choose the DNA of their children -- to make them healthier, more intelligent, even better looking. His vision may be disagreeable, yet it's a natural consequence of the decades of scientific exploration launched by his and Francis Crick's discovery of the double helix. It's worth considering what effect the advancements in genetic science may have on our future.”