BNFO 300 
Molecular Biology Through Discovery
Path to class (Tuesday, Oct 29)
Brenner et al (1961) - The discovery of mRNA
(please press SUBMIT button when finished)
Fall 2019  


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

  • Brenner et al (1961): The goal is to understand the experiment in the context of the period in history in which it was performed. To this end, I would read Section A of the companion like a novel, not worrying much about, say, the results shown in Fig. 4. Get an idea of the three models shown in Fig. 6. Finally, try to grasp the principle behind the main experiment of Brenner et al, illustrated in Fig. 7. That's plenty.
     
  • Problem Set 6: See if there are any sticking points regarding any problem in Problem Set 6 that we can clear up in class.
     
  • Alien Genetic Code: Make sure you understand the Jones & Nirenberg (1962) experiment by making progress in the simulation of the experiment.


I. Basic Information

  1. Your name  
II. Old business (no need to repeat anything you've said in a previous questionnaire)
  1. Jones & Nirenberg (1962) Survey of RNA codewords
    Taking into account the companion to Jones and Nirenberg (1962), any concerns about:
    • The goal of their experiment?
    • How the experiment works?
    • The nature of RNA produced by polynucleotide phosphorylase?
    • Interpretation of Table 3
    • Theoretical expectations of experiment J108, Table 3


     
  2. Alien Genetic Code
    Have you tried out the simulation? Made progress?
    Do you see the connection between Alien Genetic Code and Jones & Nirenberg (1962)?
III. Brenner et al (1961)

A. Have you gotten the full text of the article? If so, how far have you gotten in it (and its companion)?
     

B. Consider how comfortable you are with the following topics regarding these matters:

  • The one-gene-one-ribosome hypothesis and how it might be reasonable in light of how viruses were thought to work
  • The basic idea behind the experimental results that brought this hypothesis into question (Volkin & Astrachan, 1956; Belozersky & Spirin, 1957; the results with lacZ)
  • The three models considered by Brenner et al (1961)
  • The general idea behind their density shift experiment (illustrated in Fig. 7 of the companion)
     
IV. Miscellaneous
Any other comments, questions, suggestions, or concerns you may have?
(nb. Issues concerning your proposal are always welcome)

Thanks!

REMEMBER TO CLICK SUBMIT!