Rationale
DNA is the informational molecule responsible, in most cases, for the propagation of
information from one generation to the next. This unit addresses the problem of how that
information is propagated.
Readings and Investigations
Notes: DNA structure
Notes:
DNA replication (Part 1 - Overview)
Investigation:
What is a Gene?
and
companion
Investigation:
Build your own DNA
Tutorial:
The Scale of the Universe (get a feel for the size of molecules and structures)
(warning: takes several seconds to load)
Exercise:
mini-article
+ how to read it
Article: Pauling L, Corey RB (1953). A proposed structure for the nucleic acids. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 39:84-97 (skim)
Article: Watson JD, Crick FHC (1953). Molecular structure of nucleic acids. Nature (skim)
Article: Meselson M, Stahl FW (1958). The replication of DNA in Escherichia coli. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 44:671-682
Companion: DNA Replication (Part 2)
Related Book: Holmes FL (2001). Meselson, Stahl, and the Replication of DNA:
A History of 'The Most Beautiful Experiment in Biology'.
Yale University Press
Available through the VCU library here.
Available through Google Books here (partial).
Related article:
Meselson M (2003). Interview with Matthew Meselson. Bioessays 25:1236-1246.
Related article:
Davis TH (2004). Meselson and Stahl: The art of DNA replication.
Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101:17895-17896. (Frank Stahl's views)
Related article:
Meselson M, Stahl FW (1966). Demonstration of the semiconservative mode of DNA replication.
In: Phage and the Origins of Molecular Biology. Cairns J, Stent GS, Watson JD, eds.
Cold Spring Harbor Lab Quant Biol.
pp.246-251.
Things to do and hand in
27 Sep: Problem Set 4 - DNA structure & replication