MOLECULAR-BIOLOGY FOR THE CLINICIAN .1. GENERAL-PRINCIPLES

A fundamental understanding of all biological processes requires an un derstanding of the molecular basis of cellular function. The disciplin e of molecular biology focuses on the genetic information in cells: ho w is the inherited information encoded within DNA and how is this info rmation regulated and expressed so that the cells of a multicellular o rganism develop from a single cell to highly specialized cells in a co mplex and integrated organism? For the practicing clinician, an unders tanding of the molecular mechanisms by which a differentiated cell dev elops and maintains its specialized functions is critical to a more in depth understanding of human diseases. This is the 1st of a 3 part ser ies on molecular biology for the clinician. This article introduces ge neral principles of nucleic acid and gene structure. The 2nd article w ill examine commonly used research and diagnostic techniques based on the principles of molecular biology. The 3rd part will examine the fro ntiers of gene therapy, a novel approach to the treatment human diseas es at the molecular level.