Molecular Biology refers to that specific branch of biology dealing with analysis of the structure
and development of biological systems vis-a-vis the chemistry and physics of their molecular
constituents. Now, with the advent of latest laboratory methodologies and modern experimental techniques
the prevailing skill, wisdom, and knowledge pertaining to the characteristic features of microorganisms
accumulated with a tremendous momentum and speed. Based upon the intensive and extensive
information(s) with respect to the in-depth biochemical activities of various microorganisms virtually
became an ‘open-secret’.
Importantly, a careful and critical examination of the copious volume of accumulated data evidently
revealed and suggested that there existed quite a lot of similarities amongst the different microorganisms,
whereas the points of dissimilarities revolved essentially around the variations on a major
central biochemical pathway. Interestingly, at that point in time there prevailed a distinct world-wide
emergent growing recognition between the ensuing unity of the biochemical life processes in microorganisms
and the higher forms of life (including the humans). As a result, it more or less turned out to
be definitely much beneficial and advantageous to employ the microorganisms as a befitting tool for
deciphering and exploring the basic life phenomena. In order to accomplish the aforesaid aims and
objectives the microorganisms do offer invariably a plethora of advantages for this type of research
activities, namely :
they reproduce (i.e., cultivate) extremely fast,
they may be cultured (grown) either in small or large quantum easily, conveniently, and
quickly,
their growth may be manipulated and monitored in a not-so-difficult manner by means of
chemical and physical methods, and
their cells may be cleaved and torn apart, and the contents segregated into different fractions
of varying particle sizes.
Conclusively, the above cited characteristic features together with certain other vital factors help
to render the ‘microorganisms’ an extremely vulnerable and a very convenient research-role-model
in pin-pointing and establishing precisely the modus operandi of various life processes that essentially
occur with respect to certain particular chemical reactions, besides the specific structural features
involved intimately.
In the light of the above statement of facts showing the enormous strengths of microorganisms in
the revelation of the intricacies of life processes various scientists and researchers of all disciplines viz.,
physicists, chemists, geneticists, biologists, and microbiologists not only joined their hands together but
also put their intellectual resources and wisdom in a concerted manner to evolve an altogether new
discipline christened as molecular biology. According to Professor Luria* molecular biology may be
defined as — ‘the programme of interpreting the specific structures and functions of organisms in terms
of molecular structure’.
The outcome of the results obtained from the brilliant studies accomplished in the field of molecular Elucidation of enzyme structure and mode of action,
Cellular regulatory mechanisms,
Energy metabolism mechanisms,
Protein synthesis,
Structure of viruses,
Functionality of membranes, and
Structure and function of nucleic acids.
Significance of Discoveries : The major significance of discoveries with regard to molecular
biology may be ascertained by virtue of the following breakthroughs :
Fundamental information(s) regarding DNA and genetic processes at the molecular level via
bacteria and bacteriophages**, and
Many Nobel Prizes bagged due to researches carried out in molecular biology related to
various arms of biology
* Professor Salvador E Luria — at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as a Professor of Biology
was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1969 for his splendid research in the field of molecular biology.
** Viruses that infect bacteria
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