2.5 Molecular Microbiology

Question 1

1. Era of molecular biology / general microbiology

2. Molecular Mibiology genomics, and proteomics

Answer 1

1. 1941 - 1985

2. 1986 - 2006

Question 2

Timeline: microorganisms as model organisms

Answer 2

1958
Bacterial sex, and other ways bacteria can share genes with one another

1959
DNA replication, how life coples its genetic code (DNA polymerases)

1965
Gene regulation, how genes are turned on or off

1968
the genetic code, the language in which DNA is written

1969
Virus replication, how viruses reproduce indside cells

1978
Restriction enzymes, cellular ‘scissors’ that allow scientists to cut DNA

1980
Recombinant DNA, the creation of the first genetically engineered DNA

1989
RNA as an enzyme, additional roles for RNA discovered

1997
ATP generation, how cells make ATP, the energy molecule that powers life

1999
Signal sequences on proteins, one way that cells organize themselves

2008
Green fluorescent protein, a tag scientists use to track cell components

Question 3

Microorganisms as Laboratory / Medical Tools

Answer 3

• > Microorganisms are suitable for Genetic Engineering
• > Microorganisms (Viruses) are used for Gene Therapy of certain diseases
• Provide essential Molecular tools, restriction enzymes, molecular scissors
• Hosts used for molecular cloning: Plasmids, Vectors
• DNA amplification, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), Taq polymerase, Thermus aquaticus
• As host for Recombinant protein expression