Scientists Use Light To ‘Tag and Track’ Genetic Processes

Author: Amanda Seigfried

August 13, 2012

http://www.utdallas.edu/news/2012/8/13-19101_Scientists-Use-Light-To-Tag-and-Track-Genetic-Proc_article-wide.html

Summary: UT Dallas researchers recently found a way to use fluorescent molecules to 'tag' DNA and monitor DNA looping, a biological mechanism that rearranges genetic material in some cells. This helps them begin to understand the biophysics of the process, because before this discovery, only bits of information was known about DNA looping. In DNA looping, proteins attach to the DNA molecule at two specific points, then bring those two points together. The loop is snipped off and the loose ends are connected. DNA looping is seen mainly in organisms with circular DNA. The scientists used a specific protein commonly used to delete genes from laboratory animals using DNA looping, and in the points where the DNA connects with that protein, added a molecule that fluoresces when exposed to certain wavelengths of light. The scientists then are able to monitor the steps of the loop formation. This method could lead to more efficient potential drug screening for anti-HIV activity, as it would allow them to see how HIV inserts itself into its host's genome and test drugs made to interfere with the the insertion. Fluorescence based methods like this could be up to 10000  times more efficient than current methods. 

Connection: DNA looping helps viruses integrate themselves into the human genome and disrupts it, creating mutated proteins. This is like the process of insertion, which we have spoken about in class. The process would help the scientists monitor other virus' integration into DNA and use the information to produce drugs that would interfere with the process and possibly undo it, which ties into the subject of biotechnology because it is part of the DNA technology branch. another topic we have spoken about.