BNFO 300 
Molecular Biology Through Discovery
Path to class (Tuesday, Oct 15)
Crick et al (1961): Determining the length of the codon (Part 2)
(please press SUBMIT button when finished)
Fall 2019  


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

  • Crick (1961) et al and its companion: Make use of whatever resources you need to understand how this complicated experiment works, including the article, the companion, the simulation, other resources listed on the Translation topic page (e.g. the two Scientific American articles), your peers, and me. Of course, your main resource is yourself, figuring out what it is you need to get in order to understand the experiment. Last Tuesday we focused on the first three pages of the companion. Tuesday we'll consider the entire companion.
     
  • Simulation of Crick (1961) et al: If you understand the experiment, you'll be able to do the simulation. If you can do the simulation, you'll understand the article. How do you break into this circle? Just do it. You might take a look at the simulation before class, if only to see what the problems are.
     
  • Problem Set 5: We'll be focusing on Problem #4, a remarkable thought experiment put forth by Sydney Brenner to analyze the likelihood that the genetic code is overlapping. No need to do much before class on this. But be sure that the version (upper right corner) says 10 October 2019 or later.


I. Basic Information

  1. Your name  
II. Old business (no need to repeat anything you've said in a previous questionnaire)
  1. Crick et al (1961) and the triplet code
    Regarding the companion to Crick (1961), any concerns about:
    • Mutagenesis by acridines?
    • The nature of frame shift mutations?
    • How the T4 RII/E.coli system works to enable the identification of mutant phages?

III. Crick et al (1961)

  1. How far have you gotten in Crick et al (1961) and its companion? The simulation?
         

     
  2. Consider how comfortable you are with the following topics regarding Crick et al (1961):
    • Recombination between two phages and how it can be used to map mutations
       
    • The nature of suppressor mutations as relevant to Crick et al (1961)
       
    • How to construct new mutant T4 phages
       
    • What the double and triple mutants say about the genetic code
       
    • Any problems doing the simulation?
  3. Choose up to five study questions that you would most like discussed in class and explain why.
         
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!