How do we ‘translate’ DNA? The science behind reading our genetic code
Keywords:
Bioinformatic, sequencing, human healthAbstract
Hereditary information, such as height or predisposition to diseases, is contained in our DNA. DNA, made of four chemical building blocks called (A)denine, (C)ytose, (G)uanine, and (T)hymine, is stored safely inside the nucleus, a small compartment found in each cell. To read the “instructions” stored in DNA, scientists first collect it from cells, then use special tools and computers to examine the order of its building blocks to understand what the DNA says. The final goal is to identify whether our DNA have mutations associated with hereditary diseases, which in turn might enable future early human treatments.
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