Suggested reading
(More suggestions may be added along the way.)
| Contents |
| Basic molecular biology | ||
| DNA testing | ||
| Readings from the suggested textbook | ||
| Basic molecular biology |
| Primer on Molecular Genetics -- html format |
The Department of Energy's 44-page primer on basic molecular biology. Why DOE? Because they were among the first to get involved with the human genome project. The primer reflects that goal -- it is strongly slanted towards explaining the techniques behind the human genome project, but it does cover many standard techniques (in simple language) along the way. Note that it was written in 1992, so some of the information (e.g., the amount of DNA sequence available) is out of date. |
| Primer on Molecular Genetics -- pdf | Same as above, as a downloadable PDF file (732 kilobytes). Printed versions of this file will be placed on reserve in Odegaard Library. |
| Restriction enzymes | A very brief look at restriction enzymes and their discovery |
| PCR animation | Bare-bones look at PCR |
| Central Dogma archive | Part of MIT's HyperBio archives. This chapter covers gene function -- transcription, translation, etc. |
| Recombinant DNA archive | Also from MIT -- the chapter on recombinant DNA (i.e., genetic engineering-related) |
| VNTR (polymorphic sites) | A brief description of VNTR polymorphic loci |
| Short tandem repeat database | Lots of info on VNTRs, including locations and methods |
| Also see the recommended reading in the Griffiths book |
| DNA testing/fingerprintig |
| Basics of DNA fingerprinting | The title says it all |
| DNA testing | More info on DNA testing, including the strengths and limitations of the technique. Descriptions of methods included. |
| DNA in the Courtroom | From the "Gene School" -- focuses on the use of DNA evidence in forensics. |
| DNA forensics -- self-test problems -1 | A set of simple problems, with solutions and explanations. |
| DNA forensics -- self-test problems -2 | More problems |
| Interview with a forensics expert | How crime scene evidence is collected and tested |
| The Innocence Project | A project to use DNA evidence to acquit wrongfully-imprisoned |
These readings, except where noted otherwise, are from "An Introduction to Genetic Analysis" Sixth Edition by Anthony Griffiths et al., Freeman Press. Suggested reading for Lectures 31 and 33-35 is from "Concepts of Genetics" Fifth Edition by Klug and Cummings, Prentice Hall.
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