3 billion.
Yes, that is approximately the number of base pairs present in your body.
In other words, you have 3 billion codes that are responsible for the way you look, you behave, the diseases you are at risk of and much more.
Our human body is made of organs, organs are made of smaller components called tissues and tissues are formed of many cells.
Inside each of these cells, we have a functional center called nucleus, where in lies your DNA.
DNA is your genetic material that is responsible for how your look, your height, and even how you behave.
These small segments of DNA are what are referred to as genes.
So, what is the hot trend of "Genetic sequencing" all about?
Is it possible to really edit your genes?
In this article, we shall discuss about:
What is Genetic Sequencing?
How is Genetic Sequencing Done?
Why is Genetic Sequencing Important?
What is Genetic Editing?
How is Genetic Editing Done?
Why is Genetic Editing important?
1. What is Genetic Sequencing?
Genes. Codes. Base pairs.
The 3 billion codes of your body.
We have already talked about what a gene is in the introduction. It is a small segment of your DNA.
Now, if you look into these genes, you will find that each gene is made of numerous base pairs.
There are 4 types of base pairs : Adenine, (A) Tyrosine, (T) Cytosine (C) and Guanine. (G)
A Pairs with T
C Pairs with G
Else it's a mismatch. You know what happens if there's a mismatch.
So, in your double- stranded DNA, there is a long sequence of these base pairs on both sides, which makes up the code of your body.
To read and decipher these codes is what is known as Genetic Sequencing.
2. How is genetic sequencing done?
First each strand of the DNA is broken down into many smaller segments using enzymes.
Then the codes that is the sequences of A, T C and G are replicated.
New special colored base pairs are added. That is each of the base pair : A, T, C, and G are given a distinct colors and added with enzymes to the already present sequences of A,T, C and G.
The colored base pairs combine with their corresponding base pairs . That is A and T, C and G.
Based on the order of the colors, the sequencing is profiled.
All the sequences from different fragments of the DNA are combined using computer program.
Finally, these sequences are studies and tallied with other genomes. The detailed process is here.
3. Why is Genetic Sequencing Important?
Genetic sequencing has helped in identifying genetic disorders, the progression of cancer and even risks of disease outbreaks.
Based on the differences on already known distinct or similar features, scientists make a prognosis about your features or even diseases.
For example, the most commonly mutated gene in cancer is p53.
This means the person who is vulnerable to cancer has some anomalies in the p53 gene , which might be visible when you sequence the person's genome. (genes of the body).
4. What is Genetic Editing?
Genetic editing refers to adding, removing, deleting or altering particular genetic base pairs in your DNA.
There are special enzymes known as "molecular chaperons" or molecular scissors, which like our real life scissors allow scientists to cut our DNA at specific points and add or remove base pairs.
This alters the functions in our body like production of certain protein or even expression of a particular characteristics.
The most common genetic editing tool is CRISPR.
5. How does CRISPR work?
This is a complex process, but in simple terms,
CRISPR first pinpoints the specific base pair sequence in the gene to be altered.
An enzyme called Cas9 snips the base pair sequence at the particular point.
Scientists can add or alter the base pair sequence at the particular point.
In short, they use enzymes called "Cas9" to cut your base pair sequence and then replace it with another sequence.
The detailed process is explained here.
Why is Gene editing Important?
You can replace an unhealthy gene with a healthy one.
This means incase your codes are malfunctioning, gene editing allows you to replace the altered gene with the functional one.
You can also use gene editing to change the function of a cell in your body.
Most importantly, genetic editing allows health professionals to fix mutations causing cancers and different types of genetic disorders.
Summary
Genetic sequencing and editing are transformational technologies with a potential to drastically enhance human wellbeing through precision medicine and managing mutations.
Privacy and ethical issues remain, including those of designer babies. However, genetic sequencing and editing possess enormous potential to revolutionize the future of healthcare.
This article is intended to provide awareness regarding new topics of genetic sequencing and editing and is not a form of detailed education or expert advice. For more information on how it works please consult the relevant expert.
Sources:
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/gene-editing-digital-press-kit
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/genomicresearch/genomeediting/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-019-0089-y