Gene Junction

By RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR

When Linus Pauling discovered that a specific heritable protein variation in a single component of haemoglobin protein complex results in sickle cell anaemia, it initiated a new era in biomedical sciences.

Years later, the gene responsible for the haemoglobin variant was discovered -- including an entire series of discrete molecular events leading to the symptoms of the disease. Thereafter, the ever fast-expanding “behold-the-gene” knowledge bandwagon has moved on, providing an explanation of how and why particular people fall ill. Not only that. It has augmented new horizons, and demystified a natural phenomenon, sans loose ends.

As noted geneticist, Gary Zweiger, puts it: “Biology is being reborn as an information science, a progeny of the Information Age.” His raison d’etre: molecules convey information; it is their messages that are of paramount importance. It may, therefore, be logically construed that each molecule interacts with a set of molecules -- and, each set communicates with another set, such that all are interconnected.

Notes Zweiger: “Networks of molecules give rise to cells; networks of cells produce multicellular organisms; networks of people bring about cultures and societies; and, networks of species encompass ecosystems. Life is a web, and the web is life.”

Genomics, Zweiger explains, goes beyond the conventional one-to-one gene trait approach. It transduces biological data into digital information which can be analysed and scientifically synthesised, manipulated, and combined, to reveal the exactitude of millions of life’s molecules.

What’s more, our gene introduces us to private and government labs across the world, where gene sequencers are generating information about the billions of nucleotides making up the DNA.

It also brings to light the work of genome pioneers like Craig Venter and Randall Scott, not to speak of the genii of yore who first made it all possible. A scientific probability transformed into scientific eventuality -- aside from the continuing wonders of the frontier and the “anarchical” extension that also surrounds its [r]evolution.

In today’s context, we can anticipate what effect this trickle of new innovation will have on us – more so, when medicine and medical research will also exponentially increase. We could, therefore, see more diagnostic tests for single-gene genetic diseases; more gene variants linked to complex genetic diseases; more clinically valuable gene products and new targets for drug development; greater use of gene expression microarray analysis in drug discovery research, and disease diagnosis.

As one researcher puts it: “I am not sure about the ultimate source code, but I am certain about two irrepressible messages. One tells us to live long and healthy lives, and the other beseeches us to know and express ourselves.”

This brings home a definitive vision: by transducing the genome, we are sure going to acquire greater responsibilities to becoming the stewards of our own progress… and, vice versa.