Modern Biology: Moving at Lightning Speed in Science Discoveries - Essay Sample

Introduction

Biology involves a field of science that comprises of living organisms and their characteristics. Biology has gone through a sequence of evolution since its inception and has advanced to modern biology due to technology. Modern biology is characterized by exceptional sophistication due to the many findings that have occurred over the last decades. It has led to remarkable discoveries in biotechnology, DNA, cell biology, and evolution. However, the rate of scientific discoveries accelerated in the 20th century. The discoveries have been prominent in the field of medicine, health, and agriculture. Some of the significant discoveries include somatic cell nuclear transfer, gene therapy, production of insulin from bacteria, and the invention of robotic limbs linked to the brain. This paper focuses on discussing the importance of critical discoveries in modern biology.

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Cell Biology

Cell biology involves the exploration of the cell structures and their functions. It has enabled the viewing and the study of cells. It has enabled the differentiation of cells, their processes, and the diseases they are associated with. Currently, discoveries in the various cell biology techniques have made it easy to learn about the cells and for effective intervention in the case of disorders (Roly, 2018). Technology has allowed the microscopic analysis of the cells. The RNA interference has been used to enable the researchers to determine the role a specific protein plays in a cell through observation of what takes place in the absence of the protein. Electron microscopy has also been used to obtain more information from the cellular structures. Cell biology has, therefore, led to modern biology as it has enabled researchers to make discoveries.

DNA

The deoxyribonucleic acid makes up the genes. Its study has ensured the modernization of biology. Watson and Francis Crick discovered it in 1953. They also came up with the techniques for the study of DNA. Today, there are many possibilities for the evaluation and the manipulation of DNA. Its basic features of multiplication and translation have allowed its manipulation in the laboratories to produce genetically modified organisms (Roly, 2018). The ability to sequence the DNA enabled the development of modern biology. Genetic fingerprints have been used as forensic evidence to apprehend criminals. It has also enabled genetic engineering.

Evolution

Evolution has enabled the researchers to know that various types of living organisms originate from other preceding types and that the variances in them are from alterations in the diverse lineages. The theory of evolution is central to modern biology. Charles Darwin argued that natural selection enabled evolution. Individuals with attractive traits survive better than those with less favorable characteristics (Roly, 2018). Knowledge in the biological evolution made it possible for researchers the differences in living organisms of the same type. Currently, there is animal and plant breeding to produce favorable traits. Knowledge about evolution has led to discoveries in modern biology.

Biotechnology

In 1971, Paul Berg successfully intertwined genes marking the onset of modern biotechnology. It further advanced when genetic material was transferred into a bacterium for reproduction. The knowledge that genes are made up of DNA, which can also be isolated, led to the era of biotechnology (Lundstorm., 2018). Recently, biotechnology has been used to make useful products from parts of organisms and whole organisms. Current developments include genetically engineered plants and animals and cell therapies. It has enabled the discovery of stem cell engineering, cell transfer, and genome analysis to improve life. Biotechnology has further been used to produce new products that are used for pharmaceutical and agricultural purposes.

Major Discoveries in Modern Biology

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

It is one of the most significant discoveries in modern biology. It involves the creation of an ovum with a nucleus from a donor. The nucleus usually encompasses the DNA of a somatic cell that is detached, and the rest of the cell disposed of. The nucleus of the somatic cell is then inserted into the egg cells to replace the removed nucleus (Roly, 2018). The egg containing the somatic cell is stimulated to divide. After divisions, the cell becomes a blastocyst with similar DNA of the original organism.

Significance of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

The society applies for somatic cell nuclear transfer in the cloning of domestic animals that have outstanding characteristics. Farm animals with the ability to produce large quantities of milk are replicated through reproductive cloning (Roly, 2018). A female sheep was replicated by the use of mature somatic cells from the mammary glands. It developed to mature sheep that reproduced normally. The endangered species have also been replicated to prevent them from going extinct. The process provides a solution to preserving and conserving the species. It can also be used to bring back the extinct species. For example, there is a wild mountain goat cloned in Spain.

The technique is also crucial in the health sector as it enables the replication of organisms with the ability to resist various diseases. Additionally, it has been used in clinical trials and medical research (Roly, 2018). For example, mice are altered to make them carriers of a disease then used for analysis. Researchers can test the effectiveness of medication using the mice.

Moreover, the discovery has enabled families to maintain their lineages through the inheritance of genes. It is mostly used on terminally ill patients who wish to have their generation continued after they pass (Roly, 2018). The reproduction is developed in incubators or in the wombs of surrogate mothers who carry the pregnancy. The offsprings, however, have the genotype of the donor with no genes from the surrogate mothers.

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy is another significant discovery in modern biology. It involves the application of genetic engineering techniques to alter the manifestation of an individual's genes and to correct genetic defects to cure sickness. The first discovery in gene therapy was made in 1961 by a researcher, Lorraine Kraus, who managed to genetically alter the cells of the bone marrow of a patient with sickle cell anemia (Lundstorm, 2018). Several years later, other people were able to correct the genetic defects. Genetic engineering was discovered in the 1970s. The technique was based on an effective gene transfer method, and a means to copy the specific genes.

However, gene therapy gained interest in the 1980s following the discovery of retroviruses, which ensured an effective gene transfer. Retroviral vectors were developed to identify the number of genes a cell picked up during the transfer. Numerous gene therapy trials were launched, targeting cancer and cardiovascular diseases (Lundstorm, 2018). However, people developed a negative attitude towards the discovery following the death of a patient. In 2008, several advancements were made around gene therapy. Trials were done to demonstrate the treatment of inherited retinal disease. In 2015, the trials found that gene therapy was necessary for treating hemophilia, sickle cell anemia, and other single mutation blood diseases without blood transfusion. More experiments proved that it could treat inherited disorders that affect the central nervous system.

Currently, gene therapy encompasses the inclusion of a new gene or a modifying gene and correcting a gene mutation. It is done using several viral vectors. Adenoviral vectors are used in treating the brain and the retina (Lundstorm, 2018). Lentiviral vectors have been derived from lentiviruses such as HIV and herpes simplex virus. Vectors made from herpes simplex virus have been used in correcting brain disorders and pain. CRISPR-Cas9 has been recently developed to alter genes in an embryo.

Significance of Gene Therapy

Gene therapy is vital in treating genetic disorders. Many people in society have distinct diseases that are caused by faulty genes. With the technique, functional genes are used to replace the faulty ones (Lundstorm, 2018). It has led to the treatment of disorders such as sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, and leukemia, which did not have a treatment before the discovery. In the case of sickle cell anemia, the defective genes are replaced with functional genes that synthesize normal hemoglobin cells through gene replacement.

Gene therapy creates a new field of treatment advancement. It provides an opportunity for the treatment of diseases and disorders that do not have a remedy. Additionally, the discovery has led to a significant impact on society (Lundstorm, 2018). The correction of genetic disorders has prolonged the life of the affected population. Genetic defects are known to reduce the life span of a person according to evolutionary biology. Gene therapy has enabled the treatment of biological concerns associated with the disorder.

Insulin Synthesis from recombinant DNA

In the process, bacteria are genetically modified to produce human insulin for people with diabetes. The application of human insulin to treat diabetes began in the late mid-1950s. At the time, insulin was obtained from the pancreatic glands of animals to control the blood sugar levels in the patients. However, they were discovered to have impurities that could harm the patients. In 1975, insulin was produced from the E. coli bacteria (Aboutalebi, 2018). Since its discovery, insulin has always been obtained through bacterial synthesis. In the process, the insulin gene is first identified and then removed from the organism's DNA. The human insulin genes are then inserted into the E. coli bacteria using plasma vectors. The bacteria are then placed in the incubator so that it can express the insulin genes for the translation of RNA into amino acids. For therapeutic use, the transformed E. coli bacteria are cultured to produce insulin, then purified and packaged for treatment of diabetes as humulin.

Significance of the Bacterial Synthesis of Insulin

The discovery is significant in health as it enables the synthesis of bacterial insulin, which is used in the treatment and management of diabetes. The insulin is free from impurities compared to insulin derived from the pancreatic glands of animals. It is also reliable in its pharmaceutical use to regulate diabetes (Aboutalebi, 2018). The insulin is packaged as humulin to be used by patients to improve their health.

The discovery of technology is significant as it has enabled medical researchers to curb the increasing threats of diabetes in modern life. Due to the change in contemporary life that encourages change in the diet, cases of diabetes have been on the rise (Aboutalebi, 2018). Obesity is among the causes. Diabetes has been ranked among the most rampant illnesses in children and adults globally. It is also among the leading causes of death. Therefore the discovery is significant in countering the effects of diabetes in society. It is also essential in reducing blood sugar levels.

Robotic Limbs for Amputees

Modern biology has led to the development of robotic limbs that are controlled by the brain. In 1977, researchers found that illusion is powerful as people can be made to think that their wrists can curve to hard positions. They used vibrations to enable the patients whose arms had been amputated to control their robotic arms (Roly, 2018). By 2004, the method was used to pick up vibrations that were used to control the biomedical devices. Currently, prosthetics have been advanced to enable control. Those with robotic limbs can hold objects and make a fist by using their brains.

Significance of Robotic Lim...