There are important discoveries made in the field of biology, and some of them are a milestone because they have allowed scientist to understand most complex cell function, the regulatory process and how information is transmitted from cell to cell. Besides, certain discoveries provide insight into variations that is observed in the living organisms. Most of these discoveries have been made possible by the advancement in technology that has led to the improvement of the scientific techniques and proper storage if data that can be easily retrieved for reference. Consequently, there has been a rapid expansion of knowledge that is useful in the medical field, as well as industrial and environmental application. The field of biology is broad with many areas of specialization such genetics that deals with heredity and cytology that studies cell. There has been an enormous development of techniques such as microscopy where other advanced microscopes other than the light microscope have been invented. For instance, the electron microscope that offers a full magnification thus making it possible to observe cells at the molecular level. Most of the modern discoveries have come up as a result of work of the scientists in the past findings, for example, the double- helix structure of the DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick in the year 1953. The DNA has had a significant impact in the medical field as various discoveries regarding the association of the certain disease with the genetic material that are often referred as the genetic disorders. Doctors and biologist have tried to innovate ways of treating the genetically-related diseases. Besides, other diseases conditions such as cancers are associated with genetic distortions such as mutations, and thus scientists are carrying out research studies to ensure they come up with effective treatment to ensure a healthy society. Significant discoveries in the modern biology have impacted the medical field and changed the treatment approach to various diseases in addition to providing the remedy to conditions that were untreatable. The significant discoveries include:
The identification of the Anti-sense RNA
This type of RNA whose functions has been attributed to be significant as it serves a regulatory function in the cell. The RNA is a one of the molecular material which works together with the DNA and facilitates the transcription function during protein biosynthesis. The DNA acts as the reservoir for the genetic material code for specific amino acids that is translated into a protein structure. There are various types of RNA which include the miRNA, siRNA, piRNA and the antisense RNA. However, the antisense RNA carries out its regulatory role at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional level. The anti-sense RNA is involved in regulation of tumor suppressing genes. However, there some anti-sense RNA molecules appear to down or up-regulate the TSG factors. Thus the TSGs are commonly expressed in the tumor cells, and they are the mainly involved in the epigenetic silencing of tumor genesis. Thus the discovery of the anti-sense RNA has provided the scientists with useful information help to come up with therapeutic agents that target the ant-sense RNA to control it appropriately (Morris, 2012).
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Cloning
Cloning is one of the remarkable discoveries of the 21st Century that employs fast techniques that is common in research laboratories. The cloning technique allows easier manipulation of the DNA to come up with the desired organism or product. The process of cloning is done by introducing a foreign gene to the vector such as a bacteria using the appropriate method for instance randomly, and as the host genetic material replicate, the target genetic material will also be replicated and expressed in the desired form. There is important technique that is involved before cloning is undertaken. First, the DNA of interest has to be isolated and purified. Another modern molecular technique that is commonly known as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is used to amplify the DNA fragments to obtain the right quantity and quality templates for the purpose of cloning. Currently, so many genes from different organisms ranging from viruses, bacteria, plants and even human beings have been cloned for various purposes such as the production of antibacterial drugs for the treatment of diseases and to study the behavior of genes during the embryonic development stage of an organism. One of the bacteria that is commonly used as the expression vector is the E.coli.
Gene cloning is one of the contemporary issues that is raise debate, especially on the moral and ethical ground. Those people who uphold the sacredness of life and animal rights do not agree with the idea of artificial production of an organism or a part of the organism, for instance, the cloning of Dolly the Sheep from the somatic cells of the mammary gland in the year 1996 raised controversies. Scientist thinks that it is inappropriate to limit research. The discovery of cloning is an eye opener into the possibility of using the stem cells into growing healthy tissues that can be used to replace injured tissues of the body. Similarly, scientists are seeking the ways in which they can develop cell and gene therapy to be used for treatment. Even though cloning is a significant discovery that has presented a mix of positive and negative results, this technique is highly regulated to ensure that, it is not for the illegal purpose or personal interest.
Human Genome Mapping
Human Genome Mappings is an extensive project that was started in the year 2000 with the combined effort of distinguished scientist across the globe. The project was aimed at determining the total genetic makeup of a human being. The project took almost ten years to come up with the human genome that reveals details of what makes the human body and the location of every chromosome. The importance of this discovery is that it has helped scientist identify those genes that are associated with the genetic disease and the appropriate therapy. Similarly, genetic knowledge has provided clues on the association of the certain personal characteristic to individual genes. For example, the genes associated with substance addiction and be identification.
Stem Cell Technology
Stems cells are undifferentiated cells that give rise to various types of the body cells. The stem cells exist at the embryonic stage of development. These cells can be manipulated to result in the desired tissue. One of the important breakthrough technologies is the reversal of adult skin cells to behave as pluripotent stem cells are attributed to have the potential to differentiate into the different type of cells. This process is a bit technical as it involved adjustment of the cells process by the cell itself and adopted an entirely different biological pathway. The discovery was scientists from Kyoto University and the University of Wisconsin.
The discovery is a potential breakthrough that could be utilized by researchers to investigate possible ways of curing severe disease like cancer and diabetes. Similarly, the technology can be to develop organs for replacement by using the DNA from the individual recipient, to reduce chances of organ rejection organ rejection (Borowski & Wiley 2011).
Robots Limbs Coordinated by Human Brain
The research to come up with a prosthetic limb that was operated by the neurological signals was started in the Duke University for almost a decade ago and was completed in the year 2014. The robot limb was legalized for use by the general public, and the approval came from the U.S Food and Drug Administration. During the experiment, a monkey was used as the test animal, and electrodes were implanted in the brain to harness the brain signals. The technique was non-invasive and did not pose extreme danger to the animal. Once the brain waves were picked, they could impact the biomedical device that was attached on the external (Trefil 2015).
The robotic limb was at the first time experimented on an amputated person in the years 2009 and it was successful as it was possible to make complex movements such as grabbing objects and wriggling fingers by just thinking and the neurotransmission passing through the nerves from the arm to the biomechanical hand. The Robotic Limb is an important discovery that will help many people who had lost their limbs partially or entirely, function normally. Similarly, the discovery is an eye opener to the myriads of opportunities for research on prosthesis and development of the most suitable devices (Trefil, 2015).
Sequencing Technology
Sequencing is a technology that is used to determine the nucleotide order of the DNA strand. The DNA is made of four bases that include the Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine and thymine besides a sugar backbone that is referred as deoxyribose and a phosphate group. The sequencing process provides useful information about the arrangement of the nucleotides molecules. Various methods are used to sequence the DNA such as the Sanger Method; that is also referred as the chain termination method that is automated and uses the fluorescently labeled nucleotides. Another method that is commonly used to sequence DNA strands that are longer than 1000 base pairs is the shot gun approach. Similarly, there is advanced sequencing technique called high throughput method or the next generation that is used to sequence the whole genome of an organism, and it can also profile the RNA. This approach can sequence up to 500,000 base pairs in a short time, and it is cost effective. The sequencing technology is necessary especially when used to diagnose medical conditions, to carry out forensic studies and it can be applied in the biotechnology field (Trefil, 2015).
In conclusion, it is important to acknowledge the development of technology as it has contributed to various discoveries in the modern biology. Comprehensive research can now be carried out efficiently within a short time to give a high level of accuracy; this is because of the availability of automated biomedical devices and quick access to research information and data from any region across the globe. Various discoveries have made it possible to cure certain disease conditions that previously challenged the doctors; for instance, the mortality rate attributed to cancer has significantly reduced in the United States due to the availability of high-quality diagnostic tools and advanced treatment options. Sequencing technology can provide early diagnosis of the genetic conditions, and this can use to prevent hereditary diseases among couples who intend to have children. Their genes can be sequenced, and bad ones can be repaired, removed or suppressed to prevent them from being expressed.
The production of vaccines has been made possible by discoveries such as cloning where a certain protein that confer immunity can be produced through cloning of the gene. Finally, even though major discoveries have been made in biology, the cost of implementation has remained high, and there is still much that still need to be done to ensure that some diseases such as cancer are no longer threatening. Similarly, there has been an emergence of far more severe diseases such as Ebola from West Africa country like Liberia and the Zika Virus in Liberia that has challenged scientist, and they remain the focus of research in the hope that biological discovery can be made to eradicate them.
References
Borowski, M., & Wiley Inter Science (Online service). (2011). Human stem cell technology and biology: A research guide and laboratory manual . New Jersey: Wiley-Blackwell
Morris, K. V. (2012). Non-coding RNAs and epigenetic regulation of gene expression: Drivers of natural selection . Norfolk, UK: Caister Academic Press.
Trefil, J. (2015). Discoveries in modern science: Exploration, invention, technology . Michigan: Cengage Learning.
