General Article

Geneticists have come a long way since the days of Gregor

Mendel in the 19th century. The genes and traits comprising each person’s DNA can provide clues to a person’s likelihood of developing cancer and genetic diseases. The double helix is used for a variety of fields beyond healthcare to determine population characteristics and the growing movement to learn where you came from. The benefits of DNA analysis are only beginning to be understood.

Microarray Analysis

Programs such as Mapix software collect and analyze microarray images. These images are color-coded either green or red. The analysis focuses on target detection, measurement quality assessment, background intensity extraction, normalization and ratio analysis and array target segmentation. The programs print the images with a microarray printer and use them for research. The purpose is to simultaneously measure a large group of genes and their expression levels.

Gene Inheritance

Each parent gives the child whether plant, animal or human half of their gene copies. The genes copied and sent onto the child vary with each child. No two are likely to have the same exact copies from each parent. Even identical twins have different fingerprints. These inherited traits determine both externally visible traits such as skin color but also internally invisible traits and diseases such as Sickle Cell Anemia.

Gene Behavior

Genes interact with each other as well as independently. Often, more than one gene works together to produce an effect such as eye color or hair color. The environment can impact how different genes behave.

Gene Function

The genes create proteins comprised of amino acids to create RNA to deliver information to various cells. The gene function can be altered by the environment and mutations. One miscode of the sequence can change how the proteins operate. These changes can result in sickness, cancer and deformities in the patient. Science is still working to understand the genetic code and how it works. The more information we have, the higher the likelihood of using it for the betterment of human health.